The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services said today that the personal data of about 4,900 current and former state employees may have been exposed in a security breach.
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.
Texas Inmate at the Nexus of Execution and Abuse
A small church in an impoverished south side San Antonio neighborhood became a place of fear and shame for children who allege they were victims in the 1980s of sexual abuse by a prominent priest. One of those alleged victims is death row inmate Humberto Leal.
Family of Longview Woman Who Died in Jail Sues
The family of Amy Lynn Cowling today filed a lawsuit against Gregg County, alleging the inaction of jail officials there led to the death of the 33-year-old mother of three just after Christmas last year.
Updated: Another Methadone Addict Dead in Longview Jail
Officials at the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed today that 30-year-old Micah Aaron Garner died at the Longview lockup on Monday night.
“On the Records” Under New Management
Data journalism guru Matt Stiles may have left the building but Ryan Murphy and Becca Aaronson will be keeping the tradition and spirit of @stiles alive by continuing to update the data blog On the Records and the @TribData Twitter account.
Session’s End Creates Graveyard of Failed Legislation
The system is meant to kill legislation: Thatโs the old line often heard around the Capitol. As the session’s end slams the coffin door on a slew of bills, more than a few lawmakers are taking solace in the fact that their dead bills have lots of company.
20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway
The 82nd Texas Legislatureโs regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting.
Data App: 27 New Entities, 30 Updated in Public Salaries Database
We’ve added 27 new entities โ including university systems, transit authorities, and appraisal and school districts โ to the Tribune’s government employee salaries database and updated 30 others, bringing the total number to 129, with salary data for 660,000 public employees.
Senate Approves Loser-Pays Bill
The Senate unanimously passed a major tort reform bill today that would allow courts to grant attorneys’ fees to prevailing parties under certain circumstances.
Woman’s Death in East Texas Jail Sparks Legislation
Beginning next year, jails like the one in Gregg County where Amy Lynn Cowling died could be required to tell state officials how many staff members leave their jobs every month. Experts say there likely is a correlation between high staff turnover rates and increased deaths.


