The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the state’s voter ID requirements for mail-in ballots do not violate the Civil Rights Act.
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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State Government
Texas AG can’t depose Catholic Charities leader in migrant aid case, appeals court rules
The three-judge panel agreed with a lower court that Ken Paxton’s office can’t question officials from Catholic Charities under oath without first filing a lawsuit.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Texas House panel advances redrawn congressional map that would add more GOP seats
The new district lines could be considered by the entire state House as soon as early next week.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Texas’ proposed congressional map dismantles districts flagged by DOJ
The Department of Justice said four districts unconstitutionally combined Black and Hispanic voters, a charge the state disputes. If the proposed map passes, two will still be multiracial.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority to prosecute election crimes
A similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment.
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Higher Education
From racism claims to a $725,000 settlement, a UNT professor’s lawsuit mirrors Texas’ shifting views on free speech
Professor Timothy Jackson was accused of making racist remarks at the height of the racial reckoning that followed George Floyd’s murder. His free speech suit against the university comes to an end in the era of DEI bans.
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Immigration
Trump’s “one-two punch” targeting immigration courts will test Texas detention centers, experts warn
Moves to end bond for migrants and fire dozens of immigration judges deprive undocumented detainees of due process and may keep them in overcrowded centers longer, experts say.
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Criminal Justice
Judge sets Robert Roberson’s execution date for Oct. 16
Roberson’s attorneys have asked the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals to pause his execution until the court has considered his case.
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State Government
Appeals court upholds Texas law limiting cities’ enforcement of local ordinances
The 2023 law, previously ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge, prevents cities from enforcing ordinances that don’t align with broad swaths of state law.
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Politics
Ken Paxton sues adult swimming organization for allowing transgender competitors at San Antonio event
The Texas attorney general said U.S. Masters Swimming violated the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act by allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s events.