The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
A U.S. district judge has long presided over a court case that found Texas’ foster care system unconstitutionally harms kids. Tuesday’s hearing was the first appearance by the state’s new team of defense attorneys. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/771e7155c626295dd72a18803fd13375/0411%20Corpus%20Christi%20Courthouse%20BY%20TT%2015.jpg)
The U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for major civil rights victories for queer Americans in the 2003 decision that decriminalized homosexuality. But progress for LGBTQ+ people has been uneven. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4105194b4edfd65183437d1d006435d9/Lawrence%20v%20TX%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
The all-Republican court narrowly found that the nonprofit corporation operating the state’s electrical grid qualifies for sovereign immunity, which protects government entities from lawsuits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0f7a2b32c14b14af70945f2e490c64ab/Dallas%20Winter%20Storm%20BT%20TT%2003.jpg)
Texas and Louisiana sued after the Biden administration told immigration agents to focus on deporting undocumented immigrants who are convicted of felonies or pose a risk to public safety. The Supreme Court said states didn’t have any standing to sue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1c73b0533304d5aa96523a0108738ffb/Roma%20Migrants%20CBP%20EG%20TT%2011.jpg)
The impact of Texas’ near-total ban on abortion is coming into focus as patients and providers leave the state, legal challenges languish and the state’s social safety net braces for a baby boom. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcd655fd9380ec002670c1909dd761ac/ATX%20Roe%20Overturned%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
Texas State Historical Association members can’t agree on the makeup of the group’s board. And Executive Director J.P. Bryan, a descendant of Stephen F. Austin, is suing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f129ea49d1ac13da94bd63c468270a2/0924%20Open%20Congress%20ER%20TT%20132.jpg)
Libraries have been at the receiving end of book challenges, threats and new laws. Now, some worry a federal appeals court could chip away at long-standing protections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/55bc906617971dc7ddf8d96d27990aad/0413%20Llano%20Library%20Vote%20SF%20TT%2002.jpg)
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s expected ruling on two cases challenging the policy commonly known as affirmative action in college admissions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9ce5bd829c5943b8f583f85ecfbb5bb4/0224%20UNT%20Campus%20ST%20TT%2008.jpg)
Texas had joined with other plaintiffs in arguing that provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act were unconstitutional racial discrimination. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22b821832918bd0ad9310ef34d3ab054/1109%20Indian%20Child%20Welfare%20SH%2011.jpg)
State law that limits transgender student athletes’ participation in sports runs afoul of the updated federal civil rights law, which was expanded to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ students, potentially putting Texas schools at risk of losing federal funding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/733bfc44925047a1988413bcb6de8a30/Track%20and%20Field%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling overturns lower-court decisions that had moved the case back to Collin County, where the suspended attorney general lives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/796b59df49c705a88609f80cd500fc15/COMP%203%200110%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%20TT%2039.jpg)
The high court left intact a key provision of the federal Voting Rights Act in a case many feared would go the other way. The decision’s importance in ongoing litigation over Texas’ political maps will largely be felt in what didn’t happen. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e7a79d6706263612d022c501eef54f45/House%20Action%20Sept%2030%20DS%20TT%20REDO%2008.jpg)
Billionaire Kelcy Warren claimed that he was defamed by the Democratic candidate’s criticism of the power-grid failure in 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a6e50ae5d3d2367da3ae1011b50533b/1015%20AAPI%20Voting%20Rally%20BV%20TT%2048.jpg)
A 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans heard oral arguments Wednesday for an appeal to overturn a judge’s order that Llano County officials return to shelves books they had removed. It was not clear how or when the appellate panel would rule. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28d969adc1e72df52342a98e16f22aa9/Llano%20City%20File%20SF%20TT%2002.jpg)
Rhodes was among the many Texans who played key roles in fomenting, planning or fueling the Jan. 6, 2021, violence at the U.S. Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4657f62936565dd01eb501424d4cf6bf/Stewart%20Rhodes%20Oath%20Keepers%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
The idea appeared to die in the Texas House over the weekend, but senators kept it alive by grafting the proposal on to another piece of legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5170259e014deb2d98316b8d5a58ec31/0129%20San%20Antonio%20Gun%20Show%20JV%2006%20TT.jpg)
The adolescent clinic treated eating disorders and menstrual complications. It also offered gender-affirming care — which is still legal for now but triggered an investigation by Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8f3d33ca816e89cd2665aad962a707ee/0327%20Trans%20Rights%20Rally%20EL%20TT%2018.jpg)
Priority bills that died include a 10-year minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, a ban on “critical race theory” at public universities and LGBTQ-related legislation. While the bills may be dead, lawmakers have a limited time to attach their ideas to legislation that is still alive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fbbce63096ea64d81f63ded0de1aefb0/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
The bill would allow for the removal of prosecutors who adopt any policy to not pursue certain crimes, including some low-level theft and drug charges. The Senate’s version will need to be reconciled with the House, which had carved out some exemptions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0ebe5b31bb8283e48f9bbc61d6377be0/0509%20Travis%20County%20Court%20File%20EL%20TT%2003.jpg)
A panel of judges aggressively questioned lawyers for the Justice Department and for the manufacturer of mifepristone about FDA regulations that made the drug more accessible over time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/344c4d0f0c540a91497a1cf3200fc246/0415%20Abortion%20Pill%20Protest%20SH%20TT%2008.jpg)