UPDATED: Removing Texas’ same-sex marriage ban could clear the way for bigamy and pedophilia, according to a brief signed by 63 Republican lawmakers including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Terri Langford
Terri Langford is the Tribune's health services reporter based in Austin. Langford is a veteran journalist, having worked at the Florida Times Union, The Associated Press, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, WNYC, Honolulu Civil Beat and Texas Standard/KUT. Langford has a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. She has covered various city and state agencies, criminal justice and health and human services for the Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Associated Press, WNYC and Texas Standard at KUT.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Years After Andrea Yates Tragedy, More Calls for Mental Health Screening
More than a decade ago, Andrea Yates drowned her five children. The publicity around the case brought attention to the mental struggles of some mothers. Now, advocates are hoping lawmakers will approve mandatory screening.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers Question Perry’s Funding of National Guard at Border
Some Texas lawmakers are questioning Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to tap $38 million in unused Texas Department of Public Safety funds to pay for the emergency deployment of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Cities Pushing Back on Border Surge
A handful of Texas communities have passed resolutions barring immigrants from being housed there on an emergency basis.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Cruz Files Alternative Border Bill
UPDATED: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz filed a bill Thursday that he says would immediately halt the flow of unaccompanied Central American children who are now crossing into the United States.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Abbott Stands By Transparency Record Some Say is Mixed
Ask Texas Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott about his record on government transparency and he will tell you it is one worth bragging about. Open government advocates say his record is more varied.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Timeline: A History of Lethal Drug Use in Texas
Texas used a three-drug lethal injection cocktail for nearly three decades. But since 2011, a dwindling drug supply has forced Texas and other states to find other drugs to administer the death penalty.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
State Bar Moves Ahead on Grievance Against Anthony Graves’ Prosecutor
The former Burleson district attorney who sent Anthony Graves to death row in 1994 will now face a formal hearing on allegations prosecutorial misconduct by the State Bar of Texas.
Posted inHealth care, Immigration
Interactive: Federal Shelters for Immigrant Children in Texas
Unaccompanied children from Mexico and Central America who cross into Texas are evaluated by the U.S. Border Patrol and placed temporarily at detention centers. This is a list of the Office of Refugee Resettlement shelters that operate in Texas.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Sports Agents Want Greater Access to Texas College Football Players
While universities and Texas legislators support state rules limiting sports agents to a quick pre-season meet-and-greet with college football players, agents say the short window of access can lead NFL hopefuls to make bad decisions.
