Nearly two dozen lawsuits allege that failures by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the operator of the state’s main power grid, led to the wrongful death of a family member.
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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Courts
Texas Supreme Court voids orders that jailed Dallas salon owner for disregarding COVID-19 precautions
Dallas County issued Shelley Luther a temporary restraining order to close her business. But the Texas Supreme Court said the order was too vague.
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Politics
Texans sue Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuse him of violating First Amendment for blocking them on Twitter
The lawsuit argues that being blocked from viewing the attorney general’s tweets is a violation of the First Amendment because it limits the right of people to participate in a public forum and access Ken Paxton’s statements.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Court says Ken Paxton’s case against Austin and Travis County for issuing New Year’s curfew is moot, dismisses case
While it’s been months since New Year’s, Paxton argued the case wasn’t moot and asked the court to prevent Austin and Travis — or other local authorities — from issuing similar orders in the future. The court refused.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas lawmakers advancing bail bills that opponents say do little for people stuck in jail because they’re poor
Texas courts have long been criticized for keeping people in jail pending trial who can’t afford to post bond. Two priority bills this session would change the bail system, but they’re primarily aimed at keeping potentially dangerous defendants behind bars.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Despite federal moratorium, more Texas renters face eviction as state protection lapses
Although the CDC renewed its order halting evictions until the end of June, the Texas Supreme Court let state guidelines expire. Housing advocates believe more landlords will start turning out tenants.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Parents sue Katy ISD for keeping mask mandate after Gov. Greg Abbott lifted statewide requirement
The lawsuit claims district policies are unconstitutional and violate Abbott’s recent executive order.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will review Crystal Mason’s controversial illegal-voting conviction
The Tarrant County woman faces a five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for a federal conviction. Her vote was never counted.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Bills restricting abortion, including one that bans procedure as early as six weeks, gets Texas Senate OK
The slate of bills must still go to the House for approval.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Austin and Travis County officials can keep enforcing local mask mandate for now, judge says
A district judge denied a request for a temporary block of the mask mandates in Austin and Travis County sought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
