Minutes before execution, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott commutes the sentence of Thomas Whitaker
Gov. Greg Abbott spared the life of a death row inmate less than an hour before his scheduled execution. Full Story
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![Thomas Whitaker is set to die Thursday night after 6 p.m. for the 2003 murders of his mother and brother in Fort Bend County. His father, who was shot in the attack but survived, has pleaded for mercy.]()
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In rare move, Texas parole board recommends clemency for death row inmate Thomas Whitaker
For the first time since 2009, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted to recommend a lesser sentence for a death row inmate. Full Story
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![Kent Whitaker and his wife weep upon hearing the news that the parole board recommended to change his son's death sentence to life in prison.]()
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Texas students: What do you think should be done to reduce gun violence?
As part of our ongoing efforts to engage people directly affected by policy issues, we want to learn more about what measures, if any, young Texans think should be taken to address mass shootings and school safety. Full Story
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Trump tells Cornyn he's open to tweaking gun background check system
President Donald Trump told U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Friday that he backs efforts by Texas' senior senator to revamp the nation's background check system for purchasing firearms. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump leads a video teleconference monitoring current tropical storm conditions and damage assessments in southeastern Texas on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, from a conference room at Camp David near Thurmont, Maryland.]()
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Here's an updated look at how many execution drugs Texas has in stock
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice released information Thursday night on the state's execution drug inventory. The department had stalled release of the records, which show that the expiration date of four doses was changed from January to November. See more details here. Full Story
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DPS reverses decision to lay off more than 100 older officers
The Texas Department of Public Safety has reversed a controversial decision to lay off more than 100 older troopers employed under an agency program that allowed them to retire and then be rehired in order to collect retirement benefits and a salary. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety recruit graduation class on April 7th, 2011 in Austin, Texas]()
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After Florida shooting, Texas Sen. John Cornyn plans to talk gun policy with a leading Democrat
One day after a mass shooting at a South Florida high school, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, indicated Thursday that he was willing to sit down with a top Democrat to discuss gun policy. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks at the Texas State Rifle Association general meeting in Round Rock on Feb. 25, 2017.]()
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Texas prison system stalls release of public information on executions
Earlier this month, defense lawyers claimed Texas was botching its executions with old drugs. Now, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has stalled the release of information on how many lethal doses the state has and when they expire. Full Story
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Filing claims Baylor officials may have destroyed emails; university says documents weren't related to sexual assault scandal
Baylor University officials pushed back forcefully Wednesday night against a brief filed in federal court earlier in the day that claims school leaders urged staff to destroy emails and other evidence related to a wide-ranging sexual abuse scandal. Full Story
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Federal appeals court largely upholds ruling against Harris County bail practices
A federal appellate court on Wednesday mostly upheld a ruling claiming that Harris County’s bail practices unfairly discriminate against poor misdemeanor defendants. Full Story
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![Harris County judges and bail bond companies are fighting against court-ordered changes in the county's bail system.]()
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Trial begins in case targeting Texas' statewide elections of judges
Both sides revealed the outlines of their cases Monday in a federal court trial testing Texas' nearly 150-year-old system of statewide elections to the state's two highest courts. Full Story
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Abbott announces sweeping plan to combat sexual misconduct, human trafficking
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced a sweeping proposal aimed at better protecting people from human trafficking as well as tackling sexual misconduct allegations at the Texas Capitol and throughout state government. Full Story
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After lawsuit, Texas plans to install air conditioning in a stifling prison
Inmates at the Pack Unit prison outside College Station argued in federal court that they should be housed in a maximum of 88 degrees. On Friday, the state agreed to bring air conditioning to the facility. Full Story
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![Prison staff and inmates move through the Darrington Unit's main hallway on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.]()
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“They’re just setting those babies up for the penitentiary”: How minor offenses feed overcrowding at Houston youth jail
Across Texas, kids are getting into less trouble with the law even though the state population is exploding. So why is Harris County's juvenile detention center bursting at the seams? Full Story
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![The Harris County Juvenile Justice Center in downtown Houston. The youth detention center has been overcrowded for years.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge grants Texas request to block Obama-era restrictions on criminal background checks in hiring
Texas filed suit in 2013 over an Obama-era policy aimed at making it easier for convicted criminals to find work. In 2012, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission advised employers to use criminal background checks during job screenings only when job-related or necessary for the business. Full Story
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Texas Rangers arrest four amid investigation of abuse at state-run juvenile lockups
Four former and current Texas Juvenile Justice Department employees were arrested Thursday as part of a Texas Rangers investigation into alleged misconduct at state-run youth lockups. Another suspect remains at large. Full Story
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John Battaglia executed for killing his daughters despite late appeals
The Dallas man who killed his two daughters in 2001 was executed Thursday night. It was the third execution in Texas and the nation this year. Full Story
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![John Battaglia and his two daughters, Liberty (left) and Faith, who he murdered on May 1, 2001.]()
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Koch network targets Texas in push for prison reform in Trump era
The network backed by the billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch is investing millions to research how to help former prisoners successfully re-enter society in Texas and three other states. Full Story
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Texas Juvenile Justice Department's watchdog is latest to go in Abbott shakeup
Gov. Greg Abbott has made his latest move in shaking up leadership at the scandal-plagued Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Full Story
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Texas Rangers to investigate famed Karolyi Ranch in wake of Nassar trial
Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the Texas Rangers to investigate misconduct allegations at the famed Karolyi Ranch, the Texas training facility where Larry Nassar treated athletes. Full Story
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Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune
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