Supreme Court to review Texas death penalty case
The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday it would review the legal complexities in a Texas death penalty case, where a man killed a 5-year-old and her grandmother. Full Story
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![Death row inmate Erick Davila was convicted of the 2008 murders of a Fort Worth woman and her five-year-old granddaughter.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Ken Paxton's lawyers fight SEC's efforts to subpoena 15 others in fraud investigation
Lawyers for Attorney General Ken Paxton argue the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is scrambling to save its civil securities fraud case against him. Paxton is headed to trial in May on similar criminal charges at the state level. Full Story
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![AG Paxton is joined by Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston and Rep. Senfronia Thompson D-Houston at a press conference to recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month on January 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
$25 million proposal would fund bulletproof vests for patrol officers in Texas
A bill in the Texas Legislature would institute a $25 million grant program to pay for bulletproof vests for all patrol officers in Texas. Full Story
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Attorney General Ken Paxton's trial on fraud charges to begin May 1
Attorney General Ken Paxton is accused of misleading investors in a company from before his time as Texas’ top law enforcement official. His trial is scheduled to start on May 1, according to a recent court order. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a press conference on June 9, 2016 in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to discuss the filing of a lawsuit against the state of Delaware]()
Credit: Bill Clark for The Texas Tribune -
Texas executes first person of the year
The first execution in Texas and the United States, for the killer of two men in Fort Worth after a fake drug deal, was held Wednesday evening. Full Story
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![Christopher Wilkins is scheduled to be executed on Jan. 11, 2017, for the 2005 murder of two men in Fort Worth.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Lawmakers draw battle lines on border security, sanctuary cities
On the same day that Texas House Republicans doubled down on border security efforts and announced plans to send an invoice to the federal government, Senate Democrats said they were committed to fighting bills to eliminate sanctuary cities. Full Story
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![Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 7, 2015.]()
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On day 2 of session, Texas House gets an early taste of "bathroom bill" fight
State Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Tyler Republican, proposed a rule Wednesday requiring people in the Capitol to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex during a House floor debate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, on the House floor on Jan. 11, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Rodney Ellis leaves Texas Senate with criminal justice legacy
The 2017 legislative session will open without former state Sen. Rodney Ellis, a 26-year lawmaker who became a criminal justice reform titan in the upper chamber. Full Story
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![Retiring Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, listens to testimony during the Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing on religious freedom on Feb. 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Whitmire may avoid some pension votes amid conflict-of-interest concerns
After some Dallas City Council members voiced concerns this week over Whitmire’s work at a law firm whose client list includes city pension fund boards, the Houston Democrat said he would likely abstain from voting on Dallas-specific bills. Full Story
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![Sen. John Whitmire D-Houston holds up a copy of newspaper with an article regarding CPS on the front page as he questions John Stephen, a consultant hired to give a report on Texas child protective services during an October 26, 2016 Senate Finance Committee hearing]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Viral arrest video tests Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald
A viral video of a white Fort Worth police officer forcefully arresting a black woman and her daughters has put a spotlight on the city's police chief, Joel Fitzgerald. Many are waiting to see how he handles the fallout. Full Story
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![Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald.]()
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Hey Texplainer: Is it legal for me to shoot my gun into the air in celebration?
Hey Texplainer: A state lawmaker who was hit in the head by a stray bullet during a New Year’s celebration says he plans to file a bill to stop "celebratory gunfire." Isn't shooting your gun into the air already illegal in Texas? Full Story
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Appeals court panel taking up provision in Texas border security law
On Wednesday the U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals will hear arguments over whether an immigrant harboring provision lawmakers passed nearly two years ago should be implemented. Full Story
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![Undocumented youth and allies showed signs to protest the Supreme Court's decision in 2016, which blocked President Obama's DAPA program.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune -
Texas sues FDA over seized execution drugs
More than a year after the feds blocked Texas from importing an execution drug, Texas filed a lawsuit demanding a final decision on whether the drugs can be delivered. Full Story
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After taking bullet to head, Texas lawmaker planning "celebratory gunfire" bill
After being hit in the head with a bullet shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve, state Rep. Armando Martinez plans to file legislation aimed at reducing or preventing celebratory gun firings. Full Story
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![State Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, D-Weslaco.]()
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Report: Texas Rep. Armando Martinez shot in head, in stable condition
State Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, is in stable condition after being hit by a “stray bullet” early Sunday morning, according to a report from The Monitor. Full Story
![State Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, D-Weslaco.]()
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Texas judge issues injunction on federal transgender health mandate
A Texas judge issued a preliminary injunction Saturday against a federal mandate aimed to protect transgender people, finding that the federal health rule violates existing law. Full Story
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Texas Rangers launch criminal probe into Dallas' pension shortfall
Mayor Mike Rawlings blames former pension administration for a "grave breach of trust," but it's unclear who is the target of the state inquiry. Full Story
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![Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings]()
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Texas judge who questions death penalty won't seek reelection
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Elsa Alcala, a Republican, said the main reason she won't run is because of the “random and unreliable” results from partisan judicial elections. Full Story
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![Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Elsa Alcala.]()
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In light of Arizona ruling, will Texas executions change? A Texplainer
Hey, Texplainer: A federal judge in Arizona just ruled that witnesses have the right to see the full process of an execution, including the administration of lethal drugs. Will this affect how Texas carries out executions? Full Story
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![The view of Texas' execution chamber from a witness viewing room.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Trump's rhetoric, border surge colored immigration debate in 2016
The president-elect's tough border talk propelled him to victory, the U.S. Supreme Court dashed President Obama's deferred action hopes and the Texas border surge drew questions. Full Story
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