Republican state officials have said barring the procedure in almost all cases is essential for preserving hospital resources during the pandemic. Abortion providers call it political opportunism โ and unconstitutional.
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.
Coronavirus in Texas 4/1: El Paso strengthens stay-at-home order
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates.
Rent is due. But thousands of Texans have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Evictions across the state are halted until at least April 20, thanks to a Texas Supreme Court moratorium. But both renters and landlords are worried about what comes next.
Harris County’s misdemeanor judges won’t follow Abbott’s order limiting jail releases during coronavirus
The judges are under a federal court order to release low-level defendants without collecting bail payment after the county’s cash bail practices were found unconstitutional. The governor’s Sunday order does not allow those accused of low-level crimes to leave jail without access to cash if they have a past violent conviction.
Someone says they have 2 million N95 masks for sale. The asking price is six times the usual cost.
As health care professionals beg for supplies to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, a Texas company found a seller with at least 2 million masks and quietly offered them for sale at $6 each. Before the pandemic, they cost around $1.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Texas’ ban on abortions during coronavirus pandemic
The court granted abortion providersโ motion to temporarily block the state from enforcing the order, which was set to expire April 21, as it relates to abortions.
Out of sight, child abuse in Texas thought to be on the rise
Families are stuck at home, confronting stress and fear. And with many schools and day care centers shuttered,ย child welfare workers can’t rely on teachers to help detect abuse.
Coronavirus pauses many Texas court proceedings. For some, that means more time in jail.
Courts have slowed across the state, and jury trials are on hold. Defense attorneys worry the outbreak could leave their clients sitting in jail waiting for justice โย and vulnerable to catching the virus.
Democratic male judges may be headed for extinction in Texas. The cause? Voters
Women got more votes than men in all of the roughly 30 gender-split primary contests for high court, court of appeals and district court. Rarely was it even close.
Texas Democrats sue the state to keep straight-ticket voting in 2020
In a federal lawsuit filed in Laredo, Democrats claim the move to end straight-ticket voting is unconstitutional and intentionally discriminates against Hispanic and black voters.

