Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told state lawmakers that the $800 million border surge has made two counties safer. But he conceded that the rest of the border is more vulnerable.
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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Criminal Justice
Did the Pope’s Visit Help the Border? Depends Who You Ask.
Seven months after Pope Francis celebrated mass on the Texas-Mexico border, measuring the lasting effects of his visit is difficult. A recent uptick in violence has fueled concerns about whether another crime wave is on the way.
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Criminal Justice
Starr: Sexual Assault at Baylor Not “an Endemic Problem”
Former Baylor University President Ken Starr pushed back Saturday against the notion that the school — or its athletic department — has systemic problems with its handling of sexual assault allegations.
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Criminal Justice
DPS Changes in Wake of Sandra Bland Death in Dispute
It is unclear whether the Texas Department of Public Safety will make any changes to its training policies following the announced settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Sandra Bland.
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Criminal Justice
Judge Orders Texas to Rewrite Voter ID Education Materials
Texas must issue new press releases and other materials in its voter education campaign. That comes after the federal government and other plaintiffs accused state officials of misleading voters about identification requirements.
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Criminal Justice
Ray LaMontagne Cancels Show at UT-Austin Over Campus Carry Law
In a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne said he was canceling a scheduled show at the University of Texas at Austin because of concerns with Texas’ new campus carry law.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Sues Obama Administration Over New Overtime Rule
Texas is helping lead a lawsuit against President Barack Obama’s administration over a new rule that makes millions of more workers eligible for overtime pay.
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Criminal Justice
Hearings Will Address Criminal Justice Reforms in Sandra Bland’s Name
Texas lawmakers will meet Tuesday to discuss the push for reforms in Texas jail standards, police training and care for mentally ill inmates in the wake of Sandra Bland’s death in the Waller County Jail.
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Criminal Justice
Sandra Bland’s Family Looks Forward from Lawsuit Settlement
With one major legal battle seemingly behind them, Sandra Bland’s survivors and advocates are gearing up for the next phase of their quest to wrest change from the 28-year-old black woman’s death.
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Criminal Justice
Sandra Bland’s Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Lawyer Says
The family of Sandra Bland — the woman who died last year in a Waller County Jail cell — has reached a settlement with Texas officials in a wrongful death lawsuit, a lawyer for the family said Thursday.
