President Donald Trump now claims this privately funded border wall in the Rio Grande Valley — touted as the “Lamborghini” of fences — was built to “make me look bad,” even though the project’s builder and funders are all Trump supporters.
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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Coronavirus in Texas
Why one Texas bar owner joined a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott
Chris Bergeron is one of more than 30 bar owners suing Gov. Greg Abbott for an executive order that effectively shuttered bars. Listen to what Bergeron had to say about the order’s impact in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
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Health care
Supreme Court says employers may opt out of Affordable Care Act’s birth control mandate over religious, moral objections
The court ruled on the Trump administration’s decision to expand the types of organizations that could opt out of providing cost-free access to birth control.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Bar exam for Texas’ aspiring lawyers canceled in July due to coronavirus concerns
Following pleas from law school deans and prospective lawyers, the Texas Supreme Court has canceled the July bar exam and will plan for an in-person exam in September and an online exam in October.
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Coronavirus in Texas
U.S. Supreme Court won’t fast-track Texas Democrats’ bid to expand mail-in voting during pandemic
The order Thursday leaves in place Texas’ more restrictive regulations for the upcoming July 14 runoff. But the case could return to the high court before November’s general election.
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Immigration
Immigration judges sue Trump administration alleging their free speech rights have been violated
The lawsuit cites a 2020 Department of Justice policy that prohibits judges from speaking about policy or law, even in their personal capacities.
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Immigration
Federal judge strikes down Trump asylum rule targeting Central Americans
The ruling is a defeat for the government, but it’s unclear what immediate impact it will have during the ongoing pandemic.
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Demographics
Supreme Court affirms abortion protections, strikes down Louisiana abortion law
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law Monday that would have curtailed access to abortions in the state. It was nearly identical to a measure the court overturned in Texas in 2016.
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Criminal Justice
A Fort Worth police officer whose uncle died in police custody hopes departments can change
In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, Tiffany Bunton — an officer whose uncle died in the back of a squad car two years ago — discusses the national moment of reckoning around police violence and misconduct.
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Criminal Justice
Marching in solidarity: This year’s Texas Pride events highlight Black queer and trans people
LGBTQ Texans are getting back to Pride’s protest roots while standing alongside Black and brown people in their community, who are still fighting for equality on two fronts.
