Tag Archives: Attorney General

Fifth Circuit allows drag ban enforcement

It’s what they do. Texas can enforce a 2023 law that restricts some public drag shows, a federal appeals court reaffirmed in a new ruling on Wednesday. Senate Bill 12 prohibits drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics on … Continue reading

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2026 primary results: Statewide

We have to start with this: The Texas Supreme Court suspended a district court’s decision Tuesday to extend voting by two hours in Dallas County and ordered that any votes cast by people who got in line after 7 p.m. … Continue reading

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Two polls favorable to Talarico

After I published Thursday’s post about the February UT/Texas Politics Project poll that showed Rep. Jasmine Crockett leading Rep. James Talarico by a 56-44 margin in the Democratic primary for US Senate, I got a comment on Facebook saying a … Continue reading

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UT/Texas Politics Project: Crockett 56, Talarico 44

Adding it to the poll pile. Dallas U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett has a double-digit lead over Austin state Rep. James Talarico in the final days of Texas’ Senate Democratic primary, according to a new poll released Wednesday. In the survey, … Continue reading

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Hearing held on Maria Rojas’ injunction appeal

Keeping a close eye on this. Attorneys for Maria Rojas, the Texas midwife accused of providing illegal abortions, asked an appeals court to reverse a temporary injunction that prevents her from practicing medicine while her landmark case moves through the … Continue reading

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Texas Medical Board provides useless training on how not to get arrested for performing an abortion

They keep missing the point. For the first time since Texas criminalized abortion, the state’s medical regulator is instructing doctors on when they can legally terminate a pregnancy to protect the life of the patient — guidance physicians have long … Continue reading

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The Trib quizzes the Democratic candidates for AG

Some good stuff here. For the first time in more than a decade, Texans will pick their next attorney general from a field of candidates that doesn’t include incumbent Republican Ken Paxton, who is giving up the office to run … Continue reading

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Of course Republicans have a big financial edge in the statewide races

What did you expect? Republicans running for state-level offices in Texas vastly outraised their Democratic counterparts in the second half of 2025, raising questions about whether the minority party’s statewide nominees will have enough resources to seize on what is … Continue reading

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Dems call on Paxton to investigate Grok

That’s what I’m talking about. Texas House Democrats on Monday dared Attorney General Ken Paxton to take on Elon Musk. Led by Rep. Mihaela Plesa of Dallas, more than 40 Democrats demanded an inquiry into allegations that Musk’s social media … Continue reading

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So when will Ken Paxton sue Grok?

This year sure is off to a strong start. We’re now into the first full week of January, and not only are Grok users still able to manipulate the bot into generating inappropriate images of minors, but many of the offending deepfakes … Continue reading

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Appeals court upholds restraining order on prosecutor reporting requirements

From the inbox: The newly created 15th Court of Appeals has upheld a temporary injunction blocking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to force local district attorneys to give him sweeping access to their prosecutorial data, marking the second time … Continue reading

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Paxtons agree to unseal divorce records

Well, well. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, Angela, have agreed to unseal their divorce case after a group of media organizations requested the records be made public. According to an order signed by the Paxtons’ lawyers, the couple has agreed that … Continue reading

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TSU poll: Gina Hinojosa well in the Dem primary lead

Noting it for the record. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa has a commanding lead in the race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott, according to the most recent polling of the crowded Democratic primary contest. The Austin Democrat, who has served in … Continue reading

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Deadline Day roundup, part 2

Part 1 is here. So far I haven’t found much that wasn’t known at deadline time. It’s an odd year for there to be so few true last-minute surprises, but here we are. A few items to note: – There’s … Continue reading

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A brief thought about the Jeffrey Epstein situation

This is from Brian Beutler’s Off Message Substack, and it’s actually about Ghislaine Maxwell, but I think you’ll take my point. Look at this week’s warning about Trump and the files from the New York Times editorial board. They rightly caution that Trump has … Continue reading

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Of course that DPRIT lawsuit filed by crackpots was done incorrectly

It’s more fun this way. If an Austin court hearing this week is an early indication of how a lawsuit blocking Texas’ $3 billion dementia research fund will fare, state leaders who championed it and the voters who overwhelmingly approved it by more … Continue reading

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SCOTUS upholds the new Congressional map

Shocked, shocked I am. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Texas Republicans’ new GOP-heavy congressional map, handing the party a key victory as it heads into what is predicted to be a bruising midterm cycle. In a 6-3 ruling, … Continue reading

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Paxton “investigating” Shein

Sure, why not. He’s got nothing else going on at the moment. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday his office is investigating the fast fashion retailer Shein for potential violations related to unethical labor practices and unsafe products. The Chinese-founded corporation operates … Continue reading

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We may never know what’s in those intimate Abbott-Elon emails

This was from just before Thanksgiving week, I’m just getting to it now. Months after fighting to keep secret the emails exchanged between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s companies, state officials released nearly 1,400 pages … Continue reading

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Paxton files another peacocking lawsuit

He’s never going to stop. Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Texas Department of Housing and Community Development, his second lawsuit in as many weeks that targets a state agency for practices he says discriminate against religious groups. Organizations … Continue reading

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Redistricting plaintiffs ask SCOTUS to put the old map back in

As expected. The original civil rights groups who challenged Texas’ new gerrymandered maps back in August of this year have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a lower court ruling that would temporarily block the use of the redistricted … Continue reading

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Paxton’s small-county judge shopping

I’m glad someone noticed. Roblox Corp. will face off against Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in King County, Texas — home to about 265 people and the latest unconventional venue choice for the Lone Star state’s top lawyer. The Nov. … Continue reading

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Paxton defends keeping his divorce records sealed

What else would you expect him to do? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants the records in his divorce case to remain private. In a court filing earlier this week, Paxton’s lawyer argued that the case records should remain sealed because the media … Continue reading

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SCOTUS puts temporary pause on redistricting ruling

This is just until they can make a ruling. Texas is back to using its 2025 congressional map, at least temporarily, after Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito granted the state’s request to pause a court ruling that would have required … Continue reading

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Redistricting ruling roundup

It’s that time again… We’ll start with the big one. A decision on Texas’ congressional map now before the U.S. Supreme Court could ultimately decide which party will hold control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm … Continue reading

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Federal court blocks Texas mid-decade gerrymander

Wow. Texas cannot use its new congressional map for the 2026 election and will instead need to stick with the lines passed in 2021, a three-judge panel ruled Tuesday. The decision is a major blow for Republicans, in Texas and … Continue reading

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Fifth Circuit allows drag ban enforcement

I’m not quite sure how to interpret this. Texas can enforce a 2023 law that restricts some public drag shows, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday. Senate Bill 12 prohibits drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics on public … Continue reading

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A brief wrapup of the redistricting trial

Meant to do this awhile ago but never quite got my act together. The future of Texas congressional elections and minority voting rights are in the hands of three federal judges after hearing nearly two weeks of testimony in a … Continue reading

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Paxton chases a doctor out of state

It’s horrible, and there’s no end in sight. A Dallas pediatrician has surrendered her medical license, a year after becoming the first target of a law that banned providing gender-transitioning hormones to minors. Last October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton … Continue reading

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Delving into the Paxton mysteries

Will we see their divorce records? More than a year after Donald Miles and his ex-wife’s divorce became final after 24 years of marriage, Miles wanted to keep those records private. The Plano resident filed a motion last October to … Continue reading

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More indictments in the Maria Rojas case

Paxton pushing paper. Eight people have been indicted on charges of practicing medicine without a license as part of the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s investigation into a Houston-area midwife accused of providing illegal abortions, the attorney general’s office announced Wednesday. … Continue reading

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A brief news roundup from the current redistricting trial

What the label says, three news stories I could find that had coverage of the redistricting trial. From the Trib. When Texas first proposed redrawing its congressional map earlier this summer, critics decried it as a political power-grab to appease … Continue reading

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Redistricting trial 2.0 begins

And they’re off. This week, a trio of federal judges will consider whether Texas can use its new congressional map in the 2026 election, marking the first legal test for the districts produced by a summer of intense partisan clashing. … Continue reading

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State files its response to the redistricting lawsuit

They’re playing the oldies, not the new tune that the Trump Justice Department tried to woo them with. Texas officials acknowledged in a new court filing that the Justice Department’s rationale this summer for pushing them to redraw the state’s … Continue reading

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