The Brief: Sandra Bland's Family Settles Wrongful Death Suit

The Big Conversation 

The family of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was arrested at a traffic stop in Texas then found dead in a Waller County Jail cell, has settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $1.9 million and the promise of “several changes” to jail procedures, the family’s lawyer said Thursday.

Bland was arrested on July 10, 2015, by former Department of Public Safety Trooper Brian Encinia for failing to properly signal a lane change. However, the circumstances of Bland’s arrest, captured on dashcam video, spurred a national debate over police brutality and racial discrimination. Bland, whose death was ruled a suicide, was found hanged in her cell three days after her arrest although she said that she was not feeling suicidal upon entering jail.

As the Tribune’s Johnathan Silver reports, the settlement was supposed to remain confidential until finalized. Waller County Attorney Larry Simmons told the Tribune in a statement Thursday that "the parties are still working through a few details” and “the potential settlement must be approved by the Waller County Commissioner’s Court, which has not yet occurred."

Family attorney Cannon Lambert said Bland’s mother was pleased with the settlement, "particularly because of the non-economic components." He adds, "the case is settled in its entirety. ... This is the beginning, not the end."

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Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Glenn Beck's bad bet on Ted Cruz, Politico

Dallas ISD orders water testing for lead at all schools, The Dallas Morning News 

Straus to address concerns over access to special education, San Antonio Express-News

New EPA methane emissions rules get cold shoulder, Houston Chronicle 

San Antonio mattress store to reopen after controversial 9/11 parody ad sparks national outrage, San Antonio Express-News

'Emergency leave' cost Texas taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, auditor's report shows, The Dallas Morning News 

Trump and Clinton in tight race in Texas, new poll says, Austin American-Statesman 

White House enlists Houston businessman in refugee battle, Houston Chronicle 

Quote to Note

"Trump is stepping up and doing what Texans are asking for, and that is securing the border. I think Trump understands the necessity and the ways that we can reduce regulations." 

— Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday, emphasizing that he fully supports the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump

Today in TribTalk

Military gear for Texas agencies blurs line between watchman, warfighter, by Michael Haugen — Surplus or obsolete military gear is being transferred to law enforcement agencies nationwide — and some of Texas' acquisitions raise eyebrows.

Trib Events for the Calendar

•   A Conversation with Pete Gallego, Candidate for Congressional District 23 on Sept. 22 at The Austin Club 

•   The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23-25 at the University of Texas at Austin

•   The Washington Post's Politics & Pints with Chris Cillizza: TTF Edition on Sept. 24 at Scholz Garten

•   TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism on Sept. 24 at the University of Texas at Austin's Etter-Harbin Alumni Center

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Four Price and John Smithee on Oct. 4 at Amarillo College in Amarillo

•   The Texas Response To Zika on Oct. 18 at BCBSTX Headquarters in Richardson

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville