Courts

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton negotiating settlement with his former deputies over retaliation lawsuit

by James Barragán Jan. 31, 2023

Three of Paxton’s four former employees who sued him for unjustly firing them when they reported his actions to authorities are considering settling with the attorney general. Full Story 

Gov. Abbott to abortion opponents: “All of you are life savers”

by William Melhado Jan. 28, 2023

Abbott lauded the efforts of the anti-abortion movement after a landmark year for opponents of the procedure. Full Story 

Federal judge again threatens contempt-of-court fines for Texas’ slow progress on foster care reforms

by Sneha Dey Jan. 27, 2023

The judge warned the state could be held in contempt of court for not following through with three mandates: youths not knowing their rights, not adequately responding to abuse allegations and still having too many children without placement. Full Story 

In a Texas federal courtroom, families of those killed in Boeing 737 MAX crashes finally have their voices heard

by Roxanna Asgarian Jan. 26, 2023

The airplane manufacturer was accused of fraud for misleading federal regulators about the safety of its jets, but stayed out of court by making a deal with prosecutors. Victims’ families say they were cut out of the process. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t give up COVID-era power until Texas lawmakers ban vaccine mandates, strengthen border

by Karen Brooks Harper Jan. 26, 2023

Abbott doubles down on his long-standing call to lawmakers to prohibit local governments from enacting mask and vaccine mandates. Full Story 

Accused El Paso shooter will plead guilty to federal hate crime charges

by Robert Moore, El Paso Matters Jan. 24, 2023

The expected plea, announced by the accused shooter’s lawyer, comes after federal prosecutors took the death penalty off the table last week. Full Story 

In Texas’ first post-Roe legislative session, there’s a new political power dynamic on abortion

by Eleanor Klibanoff Jan. 23, 2023

While Democrats and the far-right edge of the Republican Party remain focused on abortion, leaders in both chambers have not yet spent much time discussing the issue this session. Full Story 

New Texas foster care report shows both improvements and continued deficiencies

by William Melhado Jan. 20, 2023

In a fifth report tracking the state’s efforts to remedy its embattled foster care system, federal monitors documented persistent risks to Texas children ahead of next week’s court hearing. Full Story 

Feds won’t seek death penalty against alleged El Paso Walmart gunman

by Robert Moore, El Paso Matters Jan. 17, 2023

The federal government has largely avoided pursuing the death penalty under President Biden. Full Story 

Texas Supreme Court clears way for state’s education agency to take over Houston ISD

by Alex Nguyen and Alejandro Serrano Updated: Jan. 13, 2023

The decision from the state’s highest court would allow the TEA to move forward with its plan to replace Houston ISD’s school board members over low academic scores. Full Story 

In lawsuit, student claims six Texas medical schools are illegally considering race and sex in admissions

by Kate McGee Jan. 10, 2023

The plaintiff is represented by a group created by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller and former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell, the architect of the state’s six-week abortion ban. Full Story 

Texas Supreme Court will decide whether ERCOT should be immune from lawsuits sparked by deadly winter storm

by Emily Foxhall Jan. 9, 2023

Many people and insurers sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after the 2021 freeze. The nonprofit says it shouldn’t be liable. The state Supreme Court has a chance to weigh in. Full Story 

Appeals court to decide if First Amendment should have protected Laredo’s “big crazy lady” from arrest

by Roxanna Asgarian Jan. 6, 2023

Priscilla Villarreal was arrested over her Facebook postings. In a rare proceeding, the entire 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will weigh whether she can sue, a case that could have major ramifications for citizen journalists like her -- and professional ones. Full Story 

How Texans helped plot, foment and carry out the Jan. 6 insurrection

by Robert Downen Jan. 6, 2023

From those who planted the seeds of Trump’s strategy to try to challenge the election, to others who sowed doubt and anger by spreading baseless election-fraud conspiracy theories, Texans played major roles in the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol two years ago. Full Story 

Lubbock-Cooper ISD passed a resolution denouncing racist bullying in schools. Parents say it’s a publicity stunt.

by Jayme Lozano Jan. 5, 2023

Students reported enduring racial slurs, the sounds of whips cracking and monkey noises as they walked down school hallways. Full Story 

Texas family planning clinics require parental consent for birth control following court ruling

by Eleanor Klibanoff and Sneha Dey Jan. 3, 2023

The Title X program has long provided free, confidential contraception to anyone, regardless of age, income or immigration status. A North Texas federal judge ruled in December that the program violates Texas law and parents’ rights. Full Story 

Texas Supreme Court says it can’t force the state to process deluge of applications for tax break expiring this year

by Brian Lopez Dec. 30, 2022

The program, known as Chapter 313, provides companies with billions of dollars in property tax breaks. The court said it is up to the Legislature to make the call on what to do as the program is set to expire and the state is swamped with applications. Full Story 

U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42, the pandemic-era policy to quickly turn away migrants, for now

by Uriel J. García and Alexa Ura Updated: Dec. 27, 2022

The court ordered the Biden administration to continue enforcing the policy while Texas and other states that want to keep the Trump-era rule in place prepare their legal arguments. Full Story 

Texas drops fight to prevent 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying handguns in public

by Roxanna Asgarian Dec. 21, 2022

A federal judge ruled earlier this year that a state law banning young adults from publicly carrying handguns is unconstitutional. The state no longer plans to appeal that ruling. Full Story 

Federal court ruling may prevent Texas teens from getting birth control without parental permission

by Eleanor Klibanoff Updated: Dec. 22, 2022

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a former religious liberty lawyer, found that a federal program that gives teens access to birth control denies a parent “a fundamental right to control and direct the upbringing of his minor children.” Full Story