The state has until Jan. 3 to say it won’t arrest people accused of unauthorized entry from Mexico. If not, the Biden administration will sue, saying immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
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.
Posted in
Politics
Ken Paxton and aides ordered to answer questions under oath in whistleblower case
The four whistleblowers asked the court last month to force the attorney general and his aides to sit for deposition, which would require them to answer questions under oath related to the allegations of bribery and corruption.
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Health care
Texas Medical Board remains silent on abortion laws, despite calls for more guidance
The Texas Supreme Court has asked the licensing board to offer doctors guidance on how to interpret the medical exception to the state’s abortion ban. Some doctors say that wouldn’t be enough reassurance.
Posted in
Health care
An El Paso woman is suing her doctor for negligence over an unwanted pregnancy
Grissel Velasco paid her doctor to perform a tubal ligation about a decade ago, but still became pregnant.
Posted in
State Government
Immigrant rights groups sue Texas to halt new law allowing arrests of migrants
The lawsuit asks a judge to prevent the state from enforcing Senate Bill 4, which will authorize Texas police to arrest immigrants suspected of crossing the border illegally.
Posted in
State Government
Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a state crime
The new law would authorize police to arrest people they suspect crossed the Rio Grande between ports of entry. Abbott also signed a bill earmarking more than $1 billion for more border barriers.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Supreme Court declines to revive billionaire’s defamation lawsuit against Beto O’Rourke
Kelcy Warren, a Dallas pipeline billionaire, sued O’Rourke in early 2022, saying the Democrat defamed him with critical comments about his company’s windfall profits after the Texas energy-grid collapse in February 2021.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Three court of criminal appeal judges up for reelection targeted by Ken Paxton’s political revenge machine
Paxton promised to go after the Republican judges over their 2021 ruling that struck down the attorney general’s ability to unilaterally prosecute voter fraud.
Posted in
Health care
U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether to restrict abortion drug next year
Mifepristone has been used to terminate pregnancies after FDA approval 20 years ago. A federal judge in Amarillo attempted to ban it by suspending its regulatory approval. This is the first time the high court will decide an abortion case since its overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Posted in
Texas Abortion Restrictions
Kate Cox’s case reveals how far Texas intends to go to enforce abortion laws
The Dallas mom’s case drew national attention and forced the abortion issue before the state Supreme Court. She ended up traveling out of state to terminate her non-viable pregnancy.