District attorneys in Harris, El Paso and other counties say some cases, including murders, have been hobbled or lost because witnesses were detained, deported or too scared to come to court.
Criminal Justice
Get the latest Texas Tribune coverage on criminal justice, including crime, courts, law enforcement, and reforms shaping the state’s justice system.
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Public Education
Abuse allegations against a legendary football coach’s son fracture a North Texas town
The top-ranked Celina High School football team is barrelling toward another state championship this month. Its coach is barred from the field.
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State Government
A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.
Laws include restricting transgender people’s access to public bathrooms, allowing lawsuits against abortion pill providers, and replacement of the STAAR test.
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Congress
Entire Texas congressional delegation votes to release Epstein files
Rep. Troy Nehls of Richmond was among House Republicans who had previously opposed releasing the files, but reversed their stances this week.
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Immigration
More than 140 arrested in San Antonio raid, feds say
Federal authorities say a court-authorized operation is among the first carried out by a new Homeland Security Task Force in South Texas.
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2026 Texas Elections
Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth term
Abbott framed his campaign as a means to keep Texas as a conservative bastion, touting efforts to lower property taxes, bolster education and strengthen public safety.
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Health care
How El Paso’s Mental Health Court integrates recovery in criminal justice system
State law requires counties with a population of 200,000 or more to establish a mental health court program.
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2025 Texas Elections
Texas voters poised to approve stricter bail rules in state Constitution
Under Proposition 3, judges will be required to deny bail for certain violent offenses if the state demonstrates that doing so is necessary to ensure public safety or the defendant’s appearance in court.
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State Government
Majority of Texans oppose National Guard deployment to cities out of state, poll finds
At President Trump’s direction, Gov. Greg Abbott authorized the deployment of hundreds of troops to Illinois to “safeguard” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
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Criminal Justice
Why more Tarrant County kids are going to Texas youth prisons than any others
The rising number of youth sent from counties like Tarrant is helping to push the waitlist for beds in youth prisons to near an all-time high, the state says.