The proposed $68 million settlement with a Texas land developer that the Justice Department had accused of preying on Hispanic residents includes no money for the victims but more than $20 million for police and immigration enforcement.
Courts
Stay up to date on Texas courts with in-depth coverage of major rulings, judicial elections, criminal justice, and the judges shaping state law from The Texas Tribune.
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Health care
Judge rules to temporarily block Texas’ smokeable hemp ban
People will be allowed to buy smokeable hemp THC products, such as flower buds and rolled joints, from Texas businesses until at least April 23.
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Criminal Justice
Texas’ highest criminal court overturns sentence of inmate who has been on death row for 47 years
Clarence Curtis Jordan’s attorney said the intellectually disabled man didn’t have a lawyer to work on his behalf for nearly four decades.
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Investigations
Trump’s DOJ plans to settle Colony Ridge case without compensating victims
The Biden administration sued a Texas land developer accused of duping tens of thousands of Hispanic residents. Trump’s DOJ is now offering an unprecedented settlement that experts say could target the very people who were harmed by the developer.
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Hill Country floods
Texas summer camps sue to block new internet rule, saying it threatens their ability to operate
A group of 19 camps said fiber-optic internet that lawmakers ordered them to install after last year’s floods is too expensive or impossible to get.
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Hill Country floods
Amid license review, Camp Mystic being investigated by Texas Rangers and state health officials
Camp Mystic filed to renew its license in March. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has repeatedly urged state officials to reject the application.
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Immigration
Iranian asylum seeker detained in El Paso and New Mexico for months despite release orders
Argam Nazarian, who faces removal from the U.S. but remains in active asylum proceedings, says he has nowhere to go as war disrupts deportations.
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Courts
South Texas officials dismissed from woman’s wrongful arrest lawsuit in controversial abortion case
Starr County remains the sole defendant in a suit seeking $1 million in damages filed by Lizelle Gonzalez, who accused local officials of malicious prosecution and conspiracy.
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State Government
Judge will allow Attorney General Ken Paxton to withdraw from representing comptroller’s office in voucher case
The Houston federal judge said Paxton’s office can pull out of the case as soon as acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock finds new lawyers. The unusual request comes amid a bubbling feud between the two Republicans.
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State Government
TDCJ official confirms in trial testimony that it could cost $1.5 billion to fully cool Texas prisons
Current and former heads of Texas’ prison system defended asking for lesser amounts to air-condition facilities during a federal trial on extreme heat in TDCJ facilities.