Man accused in deadly attacks in Bexar County-Austin tried to escape custody at Travis County Jail, TCSO says
A San Antonio man accused of killing six people, including his parents, in a series of attacks in Bexar County and Austin tried to escape custody at the Travis County Jail, according to authorities.
โThis is not free food!โ: Over 250 people fight over discarded food at Austin H-E-B, constable says
A days-long power outage and a misleading social media post led to hundreds of people fighting over food at an H-E-B on the Southeast Side of Austin, according to Travis County Constable George Morales III.
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.
Hays County commissioner pleads to lesser charge in 2021 DWI crash case
A Hays County commissioner who was charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing into a vehicle in Austin last year has been sentenced to nine months of community supervision in the case, Travis County court records show.
Indictment: Woman convicted of murdering husband provided false payroll info in $9 million scheme
A woman convicted in 2016 of murdering her husband during a road rage incident provided false payroll information over a seven-year period in order to avoid more than $9 million in payments, Texas Department of Insurance officials confirmed Thursday.
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.
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.
Authorities say they wonโt seek charges after investigating allegation that a lobbyist drugged a Texas Capitol staffer
The Texas Department of Public Safety and Travis County District Attorneyโs Office said Thursday โthat there is not enough evidence to supportโ an allegation that a lobbyist used a date rape drug on a Capitol staffer and that โno crime occurred in this instance.โ
Court says Ken Paxtonโs case against Austin and Travis County for issuing New Years curfew is moot, dismisses case
An Austin court on Thursday dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtonโs appeal challenging Travis County and Austinโs New Years holiday curfew, months after it ended โ in a perhaps symbolic win for local officials.
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 AG sues Austin, Travis County to block mask mandate
AUSTIN, Texas โ Acting on his threat, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Austin and Travis County officials on Thursday over their decision to continue requiring mask-wearing in public. โJudge Brown and I will fight to defend and enforce our local health officialsโ rules for as long as possible using all the power and tools available to us," Adler said in a statement. State officials reported that 4,053 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases Thursday raised the Texas pandemic total past the 2.7 million level to 2,704,344. Of those, the Texas Department of State Health Services estimated that 121,882 cases were active Thursday and 4,406 hospitalizations Wednesday, the latest data available. AdThe state reported 231 new COVID-19 fatalities in Texas on Thursday, taking the state's pandemic death toll past 45,000 to 45,106.
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 by 6 p.m. Wednesday or be sued
AUSTIN, 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. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Texas woman convicted in childโs death released from prison on new evidence
AUSTIN, Texas โ A Texas woman convicted of murder in the 2003 choking death of a boy she was babysitting was released from prison on bond after a judge said new evidence shows she didnโt intentionally hurt the child. Travis County District Judge Karen Sage ordered Rosa Jimenez released on bond Wednesday, citing โclear and convincing evidence.โ The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will make the ultimate decision on whether to overturn Jimenezโs conviction or grant a new trial. Jimenez has served 15 years in prison in the death of 21-month-old Bryan Gutierrez, who choked on a wad of paper towels while in Jimenezโs care. AdโJustice delayed is justice denied, and I am deeply sorry for that,โ Sage said in her decision. The Innocence Project, which is representing Jimenez, said Jimenez has advanced kidney disease that makes her particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, which has ravaged prisons throughout the U.S.Jimenez was sentenced to 99 years in prison.
Bexar Countyโs 11% increase in home sales in 2020 surpassed other major Texas counties
SAN ANTONIO โ Editorโs note: This story was published through a partnership between the San Antonio Business Journal and KSAT. Bexar County saw the greatest percentage increase in home sales of the four largest Texas counties last year, according to the latest multiple listing system report from the San Antonio Board of Realtors. Bexar County saw a 11.2% increase in home sales in 2020 โ 27,855 homes last year compared to 24,936 in 2019. Travis County saw a 3.2% increase; Harris County saw a 6.7% increase; and Dallas County saw a 4% increase. Read more on this story at the San Antonio Business Journal.
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.
Abbott, Paxton condemn Austinโs dine-in curfew for bars, restaurants on New Yearโs weekend
Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said the governor ordered state health and emergency management officials to โstrategically surgeโ medical teams to help with vaccinations in long-term care facilities. In Austin, officials moved to tamp down social gatherings and parties with new limits on dine-in and drink service at restaurants and bars. In a letter to city and county officials, Paxton said the order improperly restricts business hours in violation of a previous order by the governor. Austin Mayor Steve Adler said health officials are trying to corral surging hospitalizations and new cases. Adler said city attorneys were consulted on the Austin order.
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.
โTiger King' star arrested in Travis County, made officers โaware of his social status,โ police say
โTiger King' star arrested in Travis County, made officers โaware of his social status,โ police sayPublished: November 17, 2020, 12:21 pmA star of the Netflix hit series โTiger Kingโ was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated over the weekend and allegedly touted his โsocial statusโ to officers in Travis County.
โTiger King' star arrested in Travis County, made officers โaware of his social status,โ police say
A star of the Netflix hit series โTiger Kingโ was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated over the weekend and allegedly touted his โsocial statusโ to officers in Travis County. Dillon Passage, husband to the jailed โTiger Kingโ himself Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was stopped while driving a Dodge Challenger around 1:30 a.m. Sunday on U.S. Highway 290 in Manor, according to police. Passage made officers aware of his social status and marriage to famed Joe Maldonado-Passage (Tiger King) on scene of the incident," Manor police said in a statement. He also said that he โmay be a bit intoxicated," according to investigators. His story grew to fame in the Netflix documentary series โTiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,โ which showed his disdain for Baskin and his obsession with big cats.
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. In their opinion, the justices wrote that Abbott's order "provides Texas voters more ways to vote in the November 3 election than does the Election Code. 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.