We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Check back for updates.

GOP activist, state lawmaker argue Gov. Abbott’s COVID-19 orders are unconstitutional

A conservative activist and Republican state lawmaker have argued that Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders issued amid the novel coronavirus’ outbreak are unconstitutional and have asked the Texas Supreme Court to strike down the law that was used as the basis for issuing them.

In an emergency petition filed Friday, Steven Hotze, a Houston GOP activist, Rep. Bill Zedler, a Republican from Arlington, and pastors and business owners argued that Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code is unconstitutional, and that Abbott’s executive orders violate provisions of the Texas Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

“Abbott’s Executive Orders seek to determine which people, services, and groups are essential and which are non-essential based on vague or arbitrary criteria, that have no rational relationship to the governmental interest of stopping the spread of COVID-19,” the petition reads. “Such authority to make or alter constitutional rights and/or create legislation is the province of the legislature and the people, not a unilateral decision by one person, Abbott.”

Rep. Kyle Biedermann, a Republican from Fredericksburg, was also named on the petition. However, his office said Friday that he did not give approval for his name to be used. Zedler confirmed Friday that he is a plaintiff in the case.

In a statement Friday afternoon, Marc Rylander, a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said the office is currently reviewing the petition.

“With regard to the executive orders issued during the COVID-19 disaster, the Governor acted pursuant to the authority expressly granted him by the Texas Legislature and in accordance with the Constitution,” Rylander said.

A spokesman for the governor did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Undocumented Dallas plant workers say they rented fake IDs from temp agency. Then 2 died.

His real name was Hugo Dominguez, but his badge and paycheck from Quality Sausage Co. identified him as Jose Marcelino Lopez.

Dominguez, 36, was one of three workers from the west Dallas meat processing plant who died in the past month from COVID-19. Two of them, including Dominguez, were undocumented and hired under false names and Social Security numbers, according to their families.

As part of an investigation into working conditions at Quality Sausage, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram also spoke to four former employees and two current employees who are all undocumented. Each said they paid Archer Services, a temporary employment agency, $300 to “rent” another person’s name and Social Security number to get a job at the plant.

The employees and former employees spoke on condition of anonymity because they are afraid of retaliation.

“They don’t tell us anything about where the name or social came from or even if it’s real,” said one of the workers. “The only information we get is what’s on the check and an ID number that’s on the badge we use to clock in and out.”

The man quit after Dominguez died because, he said, the company is not protecting employees from the virus and more people could die.

An official with Archer Services, which has offices in Irving, refused to comment about its hiring practices.

TCU chancellor says school is ‘scrambling’ to make up $50 million in losses from COVID-19

TCU has lost $50 million amid the coronavirus pandemic, chancellor Victor Boschini said on a Big 12 videoconference Friday.

Like most colleges across the country, TCU is doing what it can to soften the impact from the worldwide pandemic by trimming budgets and, in some cases, asking the highest-paid employees to take voluntary pay cuts.

Boschini said the idea of playing home football games in front of limited capacity crowds of 25% to 50% is going to be a “huge hit” for the university.

He then added: “In general, we’re losing money by the minute in every area because of this. By May 30 [Saturday], we’ll lose about $50 million on our campus for different reasons because of COVID-19. As far as how we’re going to make up, yeah, we’re scrambling to do that right now. We’re cutting costs everywhere. We’re not giving raises until January, taking lots of measures like that. I think every campus is doing similar things.”

TCU has had four individuals test positive for coronavirus, including three contracted construction workers and one student.

Boschini announced new fall semester dates on Friday as well.

COVID-19 cases over time

Coronavirus daily case counts over time by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. Tap the arrow button to replay the animation. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services and local counties.

Steve Wilson swilson@star-telegram.com

Tarrant County reports 85 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths in Bedford, Fort Worth

Tarrant County reported 85 new coronavirus cases and two deaths on Friday.

The latest deaths include a Bedford man in his 90s and a Fort Worth woman in her 70s. Both had underlying conditions, according to health officials.

Tarrant County has confirmed 5,379 COVID-19 cases, including 160 deaths and 2,220 recoveries.

Of the 160 pandemic-related deaths in the county, there have been 97 Fort Worth residents and two Bedford residents.

Dallas County reports at least 200 new coronavirus cases for second consecutive day

Dallas County reported 200 more coronavirus cases and one death on Friday.

It’s the second consecutive day the county has confirmed at least 200 new COVID-19 cases after five days of fewer than 200 cases.

The latest death is a Garland man in his 40s who had underlying high risk conditions, according to health officials.

Dallas County has confirmed 9,787 COVID-19 cases, including 223 deaths.

The county is reporting a “sustained daily census of between 300 and 350 COVID-19 patients in Dallas County hospitals over the past two weeks,” according to Friday’s release.

About 23% of the emergency room visits in the county for a 24-hour period ending Thursday had COVID-19 symptoms. That represents 455 patients, according to health officials.

The ER visits by patients with COVID-19 symptoms is one of three variables the CDC uses in its “Opening America” guidelines, along with ICU admissions and hospitalizations. It’s also how Dallas County health experts are determining the color-coded advisory chart, which has been on its maximum red level since being debuted.

“As you can see from the charts, there has not been a decline in any of these variables,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a release and on social media. “Doctors currently advise to avoid crowds, maintain 6-foot distancing, and wear a cloth face covering as a way not only to protect yourself but as a quintessential act of kindness and respect for your fellow residents who you encounter while in businesses or on public transportation. It’s up to all of us to work together and make smart decisions to flatten the curve.”

Collin County reports record high coronavirus cases and one death; Denton cases steady

Collin County reported a single-day high 42 new coronavirus cases and its 34th pandemic-related death Friday.

The previous high was 41 on May 1. The county has averaged 17 cases a day for the previous six days.

A 63-year-old Plano woman with an underlying health condition died Wednesday. She’s the first reported COVID-19 death in the county since May 22.

Collin County has confirmed 1,278 COVID-19 cases, including 34 deaths and 911 recoveries. Of the 333 active cases, 19 patients are currently hospitalized. The county is monitoring 2,270 residents for coronavirus symptoms. The county reports 16,593 negative COVID-19 tests.

Meanwhile, Denton County reported 11 new coronavirus cases Friday for a total of 1,329, including 30 deaths and 670 recoveries.

The county has average 18 new cases a day for the previous six days.

Voting from your car in July’s election won’t be quick, Tarrant County officials warn

There is a way to vote in the July 14 election that doesn’t require you to go inside a polling place or ask for a mail-in ballot.

It’s called curbside voting.

It’s an option any voter can use to cast a ballot, although it’s designed for those who have a hard time walking or standing — whether from age or disability or even something like a recent knee surgery.

And in these days of coronavirus, state and local officials suggest anyone with COVID-19 symptoms may want to consider curbside voting, so they can stay in their car and cast their ballot from there.

But election officials stress one thing about curbside voting, which is available during early voting and on Election Day.

“It is not drive through voting,” Tarrant Elections Administrator Heider Garcia said.

In fact, voting curbside may take longer than going inside to vote.

Election workers have to come out with a poll book, find that you are a registered voter and get you to sign the electronic book. Then they have to go back inside, get your ballot and bring out the equipment for you to cast your ballot.

No MLB leaves Globe Life Field as little more than 2020’s most-costly graduation hall

Globe Life Field officially opened for business Friday afternoon with the first event at the Texas Rangers’ new home.

It wasn’t a Rangers game. It wasn’t a concert or a boat show or a tractor pull.

The record will show that the first event held at the $1.2 billion ballpark was a commencement ceremony for the graduating seniors from Singley Academy, one of four high schools in the Irving Independent School District.

Put that one in the memory bank, trivia buffs.

And good for the Class of 2020. Graduating from high school is a huge deal and deserving of a grand sendoff to the next chapter in life.

It would have never happened, at least not at Globe Life Field, had the coronavirus not made its way to the United States, spread like wildfire, shut down society, and forced Major League Baseball to postpone the 2020 season indefinitely.

If not for the pandemic, the Rangers would have opened a three-game home series Friday night against the Oakland A’s.