Jill Biden invites Austin couple to State of the Union to highlight abortion access
Amanda Zurawski developed a life-threatening infection last year after her water broke when she was only 18 weeks pregnant. Citing the stateโs abortion ban, her doctors refused to intervene to induce labor even though there was no way her baby would survive.
Greg Casar wins Democratic primary for Austin and San Antonio area congressional seat
Casar will be among the most progressive members of Congress ever to serve from Texas. During his tenure on the Austin City Council, he was best known for supporting cuts to the police department and his fight against encampment bans.
In fight for Congress, Eddie Rodriguez targets Greg Casarโs record on Austin homelessness, police funding
Casar has impressive progressive endorsements, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. But he also is tied to some of Austinโs most progressive policies, which have attracted powerful enemies and turned off some moderate Democrats.
Debate over defunding the Houston Police Department heats up after Austin slashes budget
Many of these calls have coalesced into a โdefund the policeโ movement in cities across the country, including in Houston. โWeโre talking about making sure thereโs money in programs where itโs needed,โ said Ashton Woods, the head of Black Lives Matter Houston. Dr. James Douglas, President of the Houston NAACP, wants to see HPD spend its money differently. โJust arresting people alone is not going to reduce crime,โ he said. When we asked Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for his thoughts, he said he believes the budget is in line with the cityโs needs.
Four Austin City Council members say they've lost faith in police chief after use of force on protesters, report says
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley speaks during a news conference near the scene where a woman was injured in a package bomb explosion, in Austin on March 12, 2018. REUTERS/Sergio FloresMultiple Austin City Council members said they lost faith in Police Chief Brian Manley on Friday and some asked him to resign following his handling of the ongoing protests against police brutality spurred by the death of George Floyd. Countless protesters had called in to the virtual city council meeting on Thursday, which Manley and City Manager Spencer Cronk also attended, to demand the police chief resign or be fired. Despite protesters' demands, the City Council doesn't have the authority to outright fire Manley, and neither does the city manager. Cronk can only demote Manley to his rank before he became department head.