The parents of 6-year-old Jesse Lewis are suing Jones for falsely claiming that the 2012 mass school shooting was a hoax meant to take away Americans’ guns. The trial is the first of three to determine monetary penalties against the Texas-based conspiracy theorist for his lies about the tragedy.
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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Courts
Alex Jones’ company files for bankruptcy midway through Sandy Hook damages trial
Free Speech Systems submitted the filing during a two-week trial to determine how much the Texas-based conspiracy theorist will award the parents of a victim in the 2012 school shooting, prompting speculation about the company’s effort to avoid bankruptcy oversight as a small business.
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Environment
Texas, New Mexico pushing for settlement in Rio Grande water fight
The case sparked from a series of lawsuits over Rio Grande water and escalated with Texas arguing that New Mexico pumping prevents Texas from receiving its fair share.
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Texas Abortion Restrictions
New Texas law increasing penalties for abortion providers goes into effect Aug. 25
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its judgment Tuesday in the Mississippi case that revoked a constitutional right to abortion. That means Texas’ “trigger law” severely limiting the procedure will soon take effect.
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Public Education
Texas suing USDA over requirement to add LGBTQ protections to nutrition programs’ nondiscrimination policies
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service announced in May that it would expand its definition of sexual discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Paxton and other attorneys general are suing in response.
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Foster Care in Texas
Judge asks Texas to remove foster care kids from out-of-state facilities facing child abuse investigation
At least 48 Texas children are housed at facilities run by organizations under an investigation launched by two U.S. senators.
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Politics
Texas AG Ken Paxton bans staff lawyers from speaking at state bar events, escalating feud sparked by 2020 election
The bar, which licenses lawyers and offers training sessions, is suing Paxton in an attempt to sanction him for trying block the certification of Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump.
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Texas Abortion Restrictions
Lawyers preparing for abortion prosecutions warn about health care, data privacy
While people consider deleting period tracking apps and worry about interstate travel restrictions, most pregnancy-related criminalizations start in a much simpler way: with a report from a health care provider.
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Immigration
Supreme Court refuses to reinstate Biden policy limiting immigration arrests before it hears Texas challenge
The administration told immigration officers to prioritize the detention of recent border crossers and immigrants who pose a threat to national security and public safety. A Texas judge said the guidance violated federal laws.
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Politics
Texas charity that backs Trump’s stolen-election lie has deep ties to Ken Paxton
The Texas attorney general would be the one to hold True the Vote accountable on allegations that it swindled a $2.5 million donor. But the nonprofit’s founder has been a friend and an ally.
