Texas Supreme Court denies Harris Countyโs request to temporarily block law that would abolish elections office
The Texas Supreme Court denied Harris Countyโs request to temporarily block the implementation of Senate Bill 1750 on Sept. 1, which will abolish the Harris County Election Administratorโs Office, the Harris County Attorneyโs Office said on Tuesday.
City of Houston files lawsuit against Texasโ โDeath Starโ Super Preemption Law
The City of Houston filed a lawsuit in Travis County against the State of Texas to declare House Bill 2127, also known as the โDeath Starโ or โSuperโ preemption bill, โunconstitutional, void, and unenforceable,โ according to a news release.
Why some Texas cities and counties had to return millions of dollars meant to help renters during the pandemic
For some local relief programs, a lack of staffing, political support and effective community outreach got in the way of spending federal funds to prevent evictions, a new report found. More than $30 million went unspent and had to be returned.
Texas struggles to get guns away from domestic violence suspects, leaving victims in danger
Although there are laws on the books preventing certain people from possessing guns, there are few places in the state where the criminal justice system has programs to hand over firearms to law enforcement โ leaving survivors at a heightened risk for gun violence.
Gov. Greg Abbott floats pardons for Austin police officers charged with excessive force in 2020 protests
Abbottโs move is the latest in a long clash between Texas Republicans and Austin-area officials over policing โ and comes as the push for reform in the Texas capital enters a more complex and uncertain chapter.
Austin police officers charged with aggravated assault for force used in 2020 protests
Defense attorneys for eight of 19 indicted APD officers say they were following orders when they used force against 2020 protesters. So far, there are 14 lawsuits against the city for injuries suffered during those confrontations.
19 Austin police officers indicted over actions during 2020 protests
A Texas grand jury has indicted 19 Austin police officers on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for their actions during 2020 protests over racial injustice that spread nationwide after the killing of George Floyd, according to people familiar with the matter.
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.
Vote-by-mail rejections are testing integrity of Texas Republicansโ voting law
With less than a month left to vote by mail in the March primary election, hundreds of applications for mail-in ballots are being rejected as both Texas voters and local election officials decipher new ID requirements enacted by Republican lawmakers.
Court fight brews over constitutionality of Texas governorโs border arrests
A legal defense group is asking Travis County courts to throw out the arrests of hundreds of migrants swept up in the governorโs border initiative. The case is expected to draw in the Texas attorney general and address whether Gov. Greg Abbottโs plan is unconstitutional.
Texas judge opens door for widespread constitutional challenges to Gov. Greg Abbottโs border initiative
A Travis County judge Thursday tossed out the trespassing charge of an Ecuadorian man who said he came to the United States seeking asylum. His lawyers argued that the governorโs directive to arrest migrants on state charges unconstitutionally usurps federal immigration law.
Hundreds of mail-in ballot applications are being rejected under Texasโ new voting rules
Texas Republicans last year enacted new identification requirements for voting by mail as part of sweeping legislation that further restricted the stateโs voting process and narrowed local control of elections.
Austin-area businesses will have to post COVID-19 policies, a modest rule that might trigger a fresh clash with state
Itโs unclear whether the local mandate, which requires businesses to post signs outlining their safety guidelines, is in conflict with Gov. Greg Abbottโs previous pandemic orders.
Amid Texas GOPโs effort to question electoral integrity, attorney general tried to indict Travis County elections chief
The effort to charge Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir came at a time when many Texas Republicans questioned the integrity of last yearโs election despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Austin announces stricter coronavirus protocols for unvaccinated residents as cases increase. But it canโt legally enforce them.
The cityโs return to Stage 3 risk-based guidelines marks the first time a major Texas city has reversed direction in the trend toward normalcy. But others are also reporting surges in cases.
Army sergeant indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges after fatally shooting Austin protester Garrett Foster in 2020
Army Sgt. Daniel Perry shot and killed Foster, who was legally armed, after an altercation during a protest against police brutality last summer, police said. Perry argues it was in self defense.
โIf you are vaccinated, go for itโ: Large counties roll back some pandemic-era limits as COVID-19 deaths drop statewide
Officials in Travis and Harris counties โ both early adopters of pandemic restrictions โ rolled some back Tuesday in an effort to allow vaccinated residents to return to pre-pandemic living.
Austin and Travis County officials can keep enforcing local mask mandate for now, judge says
Paxton sued the local officials for refusing to end the mandate after Gov. District Judge Lora Livingston has yet to issue a final ruling on the merits of the case, meaning Austin and Travis officials may later be told to comply with state officials. AdโI've been doing everything that I can to protect the health and safety of people in Travis County,โ Brown said in an interview. However, this was not the case in Travis County where officials said they would continue to require public mask use. Therefore, masks remained required in Travis County in the meantime.
Austin can keep enforcing mask mandate for at least two weeks until trial is held, judge says
Austin and Travis County officials can continue enforcing their mask mandates after a district judge delayed action on the Texas attorney generalโs request to immediately stop the mandates. That means city and county officials can continue to require masks until at least March 26, when District Judge Lora Livingston will hold a trial. "I told Travis County and the City of Austin to comply with state mask law. Travis County Judge Andy Brown counts the two-week delay as a win. The pandemic has especially impacted Texans of color โ including in El Paso where Paxton previously blocked a county judge from ordering non-essential businesses to shut down.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Austin to stop it from imposing a local mask order
A COVID-19 safety sign in Austin on June 24, 2020. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Travis County and Austin officials in an effort to force them to rescind their local mask orders, he announced Thursday. "I told Travis County & The City of Austin to comply with state mask law," Paxton tweeted. There have been more than 2,200 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Travis County in the past two weeks. Travis County Judge Andy Brown, who presides over the county government, said the authority to impose the local mask mandate comes from the county health authority, not from Brownโs emergency powers. Paxtonโs office successfully defeated an effort by Travis and Austin officials to restrict in-person dining at restaurants around New Yearโs.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warns Austin to drop mask mandate or be sued
Attorney General Ken Paxton gave local authorities until 6 p.m. to come into compliance with the governorโs order, rescind local COVID-19 mandates and retract related public statements. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas TribuneAUSTIN, Texas โ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is threatening to sue Travis County and the City of Austin if officials donโt back down on local orders that continue to require masks despite Gov. Austin and Travis County public health leaders recently announced they would continue to require masks, even though Abbott forbade local authorities from superseding his order. It does not rest with jurisdictions like the city of Austin or Travis County or their local health authorities,โ Paxton wrote in a statement Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/IP9UpZPplh โ Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) March 10, 2021โOtherwise, on behalf of the state of Texas,โ Paxton wrote, โI will sue you.โPaxtonโs office successfully challenged Austin and Travis officialsโ attempts to restrict holiday restaurant operations around New Yearโs.
Austin wonโt be allowed to restrict dining-in at restaurants, Texas Supreme Court says
In a further blow to the state, Texasโ Third Court of Appeals swiftly rejected an appeal later that night. Fridayโs Supreme Court order, however, directs the lower court to block enforcement of the orders, pending any further appeal. Abbott, that allows for dine-in restaurant service and bars local officials from enacting more restrictive rules. Abbott and Paxton have sparred with other local officials who pushed aggressive measures meant to tamp down on the virusโ spread. Samaniego ordered a curfew similar to that in Austin and Travis County for Christmas and New Yearโs Eve.
Austin can prohibit late on-site dining over holiday weekend, judge rules. But the state could appeal.
Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million in East Austin in May. After the ruling, Deputy Attorยญney Genยญerยญal Aaron Reitz announced on Twitter that the state would appeal. Under the curfew, patrons are not ordered to leave at 10:30 p.m., but they could not be served on-site. โIt is our position that these local officials are in the best position to make the best decision for this jurisdiction,โ said Travis County attorney Leslie Dippell. โMy executive order stops cities like Austin from arbitrarily shutting down businesses,โ he said.
Texas extends rental assistance program designed to avoid evictions until March 15
The Texas Supreme Court has extended its emergency eviction relief program for tenants behind on rent through at least March 15, lengthening the programโs expiration date by a month and a half. The move comes after Congress passed a stimulus bill Monday extending the federal moratorium on evictions through the end of January. The state created the Texas Eviction Diversion Program earlier this fall with the help of $171 million in CARES Act funding, the vast majority designated for rental assistance. But some housing advocates said the extension doesnโt go far enough to address the large number of struggling renters, even as the federal government extended its eviction moratorium. "There could be tens of thousands of evictions on the horizon in Texas later this winter,โ said Michael Depland, spokesperson for the advocacy group, Texas Housers.
Amber Alert issued for 4 Travis County children believed to be in grave or immediate danger
Authorities on Sunday issued an Amber Alert for four children, 10-year-old Gabriella Garcia, seven-year-old Julian Garcia, three-year-old Sebastian Garcia and two-year-old Giovanna Garcia, believed to be in grave or immediate danger. Garcia is described as a 32-year-old Hispanic male weighing 240 pounds and standing 5โฒ9โฒ' with black hair and brown eyes. Gabriella Garcia is described as a Hispanic female with black hair and brown eyes weighing 85 pounds and standing 4โฒ9โฒ'. Julian Garcia is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes weighing 75 pounds and standing 4โฒ6โฒ'. Sebastian Garcia is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes weighing 40 pounds.
โTiger Kingโ star Dillon Passage arrested in Texas
โTiger Kingโ star Dillon Passage, 25, was arrested for DWI in addition to an outstanding warrant for resisting arrest in Manor, Texas, Fox 7 Austin reports. Passage, who is the husband of Joe Exotic, was arrested and taken to the Travis County Jail on November 15, according to the report. Passage underwent a field sobriety test which results determined the driver was intoxicated, according to the report. Passage was arrested for DWI in addition to an outstanding warrant for resisting arrest. Fox 7 reports he is being held on a $3,000 bond.
Texas counties will only be allowed one drop-off location for mail-in ballots, state Supreme Court rules
In whatโs expected to be the final ruling on the matter, the Texas Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Greg Abbottโs order limiting Texas counties to only one drop-off location for voters to hand deliver their absentee ballots during the pandemic. A Travis County state district judge had sided with the plaintiffs pushing to allow multiple drop-off sites, and that ruling was upheld by an intermediate appeals court Friday. The Texas Supreme Court has kept Texasโ limitations on mail-in voting, but allowed drive-thru voting in Harris County to continue. In typical elections, Texas voters who wish to deliver their absentee ballots in person can only do so on Election Day.
Texas court upholds order allowing multiple absentee ballot drop-off locations, but appeal will keep that from happening yet
The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd. A state appeals court has upheld a Travis County State district court order allowing Texas counties to have multiple drop-off locations for hand delivery of absentee ballots, undercutting Gov. But it remains unclear if the intermediate court's decision will lead to the reopening of ballot drop-off locations that were shut down in Harris and Travis counties following Abbott's order. Abbott and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs are expected to quickly appeal the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court to again block the order from taking effect. Last week, Travis County State District Judge Tim Sulak agreed, ruling against Abbottโs order.
Travis County judge says Texas counties can have multiple absentee ballot drop-off sites, but an appeal is likely
The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail-in ballots in the county. A Travis County state district judge on Thursday ordered a halt to Gov. Greg Abbottโs directive limiting Texas counties to one drop-off location for hand delivery of absentee ballots. In a short order Thursday, Travis County District Judge Tim Sulak ruled against Abbott and the Texas secretary of state. Travis County had four drop-off locations before the Oct. 1 order, and Harris County had a dozen in place.
Texas counties can offer only one drop-off ballot location, federal appeals court rules, upholding Gov. Greg Abbottโs order
Texas counties may collect mail-in ballots at only one location, a federal appeals court ruled late Monday, once again upholding an order from Gov. Abbott in July acted to lengthen the early voting period and allow voters to deliver completed absentee ballots in person for longer than the normal period. A number of civil rights groups sued in at least four lawsuits, calling the order an act of voter suppression that would disproportionately impact low-income voters, voters with disabilities, older voters and voters of color in Democratic counties. โLeaving the Governorโs October 1 Proclamation in place still gives Texas absentee voters many ways to cast their ballots in the November 3 election. These methods for remote voting outstrip what Texas law previously permitted in a pre-COVID world,โ wrote U.S.
Multiple boats in distress, some sunk at โTrump Boat Paradeโ on Lake Travis, officials say
HOUSTON โ The Travis County Sheriffโs Office responded to multiple calls involving boats in distress during the โTrump Boat Paradeโ on Lake Travis. TCSO responded to multiple calls involving boats in distress during the Trump parade on Lake Travis. โ Travis County SO (@TravisCoSheriff) September 5, 2020Supporters of President Donald Trump were encouraged to bring โboats of all shapes and sizesโ to participate in the parade, according to a Facebook page for the event. MEDIA: #ATCEMS has not been involved in any of the boat sinking incidents on Lake Travis today. โ ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) September 5, 2020The boat parade route included Paradise Cove, West Beach, Point Venture and Hurst Creek.
Football's Back: VYPE Austin/San Antonio Small School Teams To Watch
The 2020 Texas high school football season officially kicks off on Thursday, so it's time for preseason VYPE Austin, San Antonio and Hill Country coverage. Check out area teams to watch and come back later this week for VYPE Austin and VYPE San Antonio Top 10 small school football team rankings. Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier. Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier. For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen Facebook/Instagram/Twitter) and VYPE (VYPE Texas Facebook, @VYPE_ATX and @VYPESATX Instagram and @VYPEATX and @VYPESATX Twitter) on social media.
As eviction cases resume in parts of Houston, low-income Texans fear losing a place to live
Demonstrators rallied against evictions Friday outside of a Harris County justice of the peace precinct in Houston. The two justices of the peace for Harris Precinct 5, unlike some of their counterparts elsewhere in the county, resumed eviction proceedings as soon as they were allowed, in mid-May. In Houston, the first round of a rental assistance program ran out in 90 minutes, according to the Houston Chronicle. Although both judges are hearing eviction cases, protesters said that Ridgways court has more evictions scheduled and handles cases for immigrant neighborhoods like Gulfton. According to January Advisors, the precinct also had the most evictions compared with other parts of the county before the pandemic.
Sarah Eckhardt wins special election for Texas Senate seat after Rep. Eddie Rodriguez forgoes a runoff
Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2018 Thomas Meredith for The Texas TribuneFormer Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is set to succeed former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, in the Texas Senate after state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez said Monday he is dropping out of the race. Eckhardt and Rodriguez, both Democrats, were poised to face off in a special election runoff for the seat. "For that reason," he wrote, "I have decided to forego the runoff for Senate and focus my efforts on winning a Democratic majority and promoting an aggressive, progressive agenda in the Texas House." Eckhardt and Rodriguez finished first and second, respectively, in the six-way race on July 14. Greg Abbott had not yet set a date for the runoff.
Travis County DA will not take Javier Ambler, Michael Ramos cases to grand jury before leaving office this year
Social mediaTravis County District Attorney Margaret Moore will not bring two significant officer use-of-force cases to a grand jury before she leaves office this year, her office said Wednesday. The move delays the prosecution of the cases related to the deaths of Javier Ambler and Michael Ramos, both of whom died at the hands of law enforcement officers. Moore previously planned to present both cases to a special grand jury in August. Before he died, Ambler told the officers he had congestive heart failure and couldnt breathe. Moore said she directed her offices civil rights unit to continue preparing both cases for the grand jury so they will be ready to present to the grand jury as soon as the newly elected District Attorney takes office.
Sarah Eckhardt may avoid a runoff in Texas Senate District 14 special election, but its too close to call
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 29, 2018. Thomas Meredith for The Texas TribuneFormer Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt was leading the way Tuesday night in the special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, though it remained unclear whether she would be able to avoid a runoff. Eckhardt, who needs 50% of the vote to win the election outright, was hovering around that figure Tuesday night. Rodriguez touted his 18 years in the Texas House, arguing that his relationships there will serve him well in the Senate. His district includes all of Bastrop County, most of Austin and northern Travis County.
Take a break under this Texas waterfall for $20
Check out Hamilton Pool Preserve near Austin. Hamilton Pool is a great day trip location for San Antonio that offers beautiful views, swimming and hiking. You can swim under the waterfall or hike along the trails around the pool and it will have you wondering if youโre still in Texas. You must have cash for the entrance fee, credit and debit cards are not accepted at the entrance. For more information on Hamilton Pool Preserve, to make a reservation, or to get more information about the fees click here.