The Texas Supreme Court’s new order follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he will lift a statewide mask mandate and many other coronavirus restrictions next week.
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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Texas Legislature 2021
Harris County got rid of cash bail for many people accused of minor crimes. GOP lawmakers want to walk that back.
Recent reforms that let more people accused of minor offenses be released without posting cash bonds appear to be working, new research shows. But Houston area lawmakers want to roll them back.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas judge rules federal eviction moratorium unconstitutional. Lawyers and advocates disagree on what that means for tenants.
The judge opted against issuing an injunction that would block the federal ban on evictions, instead signaling that he expected the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to withdraw its moratorium.
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Demographics
Texas’ oldest Black university was built on a former plantation. Its students still fight a legacy of voter suppression.
Jayla Allen was her family’s third generation to attend Prairie View A&M University. She inherited a battle for voting rights in Waller County extending before her grandfather’s time at the Southeast Texas college.
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Immigration
Federal judge indefinitely blocks enforcement of Biden administration’s 100-day deportation freeze
Texas sued to block the ban on Biden’s third day in office. Federal Judge Drew Tipton had already temporarily paused it twice before Tuesday night’s order.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas woman who received $9,300 electricity bill files class-action lawsuit against wholesale electricity provider Griddy
A Chambers County resident filed a class-action lawsuit against electricity retailer Griddy on Monday, accusing the provider of price gouging customers during last week’s freeze. She is seeking $1 billion in relief for affected customers.
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Criminal Justice
Analysis: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defending his reputation on two fronts
Paxton’s legal troubles are increasing in volume, at just about the time an officeholder in his position would be thinking about the next round of elections.
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Politics
Cornyn, Cruz join GOP colleagues in successful acquittal of Trump
The U.S. Senate voted to acquit the former president on Saturday after a five-day impeachment trial in which several Texans played a key role. The state’s two Republican senators voted to acquit, as they did during Trump’s first impeachment trial.
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Criminal Justice
Former top aides say Attorney General Ken Paxton received assistance with home remodel, job for alleged girlfriend in return for helping political donor
A court filing documents what Paxton’s whistleblowers believe led to an alleged “bizarre, obsessive use of power.”
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State Government
Judge says Texas officials need to speed up foster care reforms
U.S. District Judge Janis Jack says she will give state officials until May to make progress on her orders to overhaul the state’s foster care system, or face hefty fines.
