Hill Country News 3160
Texas Lawmakers File Legislation Reforming Contract Policing in Harris County
Harris County’s management of policing is again in the spotlight as lawmakers consider reforms to a program under which local school districts and neighborhoods contract with law enforcement agencies for extra patrols. Although the sheriff and eight elected county constables contract with homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations, and public school districts for the extra patrols, the
“Ghost Deer” Case Involves Smuggling
The Texas Game Warden investigation known as “Ghost Deer” has reached a possible conclusion after two additional suspects turned themselves in on felony charges. This brings the total number of individuals implicated in the case to 24, with approximately 1,400 charges filed across 11 Texas counties. Ken Schlaudt, 64, of San Antonio, the owner of four deer
Second Special Session of Texas Legislature Kicks Off, House Remains Without Quorum
The second special session of the 89th Texas Legislature kicked off almost immediately after the first one adjourned sine die due to House Democrats breaking quorum — with an almost identical agenda from Gov. Greg Abbott. After the Texas House Democratic Caucus prevented a quorum within the Texas House for two weeks to avoid a
Texas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die After Two Weeks of House Quorum Break
The Texas Legislature has adjourned sine die before the scheduled end of the first special session, as Texas House Democrats have temporarily thwarted the Republicans in passing the congressional redistricting map. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Central Texas Member-Owned Dog Ridge Water Supply Corporation Faces Administrative Turmoil
Water is essential to human existence, but especially in the heat of summer, Texas residents want reliable water service. The Dog Ridge Water Supply Corporation in Bell County is facing a number of challenges including water quality and governance issues, but the new board President and Interim General Manager Heidi Curtis is optimistic about getting
Texas Redistricting Fight Leaves Mark on Legislature as Quorum Break Stalemate Winds Down
United fronts are hard to come by in Texas politics, particularly on the Republican side, the party which controls every statewide office, both chambers of the Legislature, and a large majority of the congressional delegation. When the minority party is so powerless, the fracturing conflicts are concentrated in the party with all the power. But
Judge Drops Two Charges Against Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, Wife
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and his wife will have two of the 14 counts of federal bribery and conspiracy against them dropped, a federal judge stated Thursday. According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal said during a Zoom hearing that in addition to the two counts being dismissed, the trial will be
Texas House Public Health Committee Considers Hemp-Derived THC Ban
The Texas House Committee on Public Health took up the lower chamber’s bill banning THC on Wednesday, with medical professionals, industry leaders, and law enforcement descending on Austin to provide testimony on one of the state’s most contentious issues. State Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) filed House Bill (HB) 5 — which is an exact
Texas Senate Passes Human Trafficking Victims Affirmative Defense Amid House Quorum Bust
Legislation establishing an affirmative defense to prosecution for human trafficking victims who may have committed crimes while in captivity unanimously passed the Texas Senate, where it will likely die before being re-filed during the next special session. Senate Bill (SB) 10 by state Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) creating an affirmative defense to the prosecution
Harris County Judge Awarded Violent Suspect PR Bond in Violation of Texas Law
Although Harris County man Jared Wilson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in 2022 and repeatedly violated terms of his community supervision, State District Court Judge Natalia Cornelio authorized his release on personal recognizance (PR) bond in violation of Texas law. As part of his probation, Wilson was placed in an intermediate sanction facility, but prosecutors
George Strait’s Flood Relief Concert Delivers Critical Aid to Kerr County Families
A month and a half after historic deadly flash floods tore through the Hill Country in the early hours of Independence Day, the recovery effort in Kerr County now stretches for miles along the winding Highway River Road. To newcomers, the scene still looks like the height of ruin — mountains of debris piled on
Texas Democrats Respond to Friday Sine Die Threat, Say ‘What Happens Next’ is Up to Abbott
Texas House Democrats stated they will “never make quorum again” during the current special session, which state leaders plan to end on Friday, and said they will “issue” their “demands” for the second called session come Friday. “What happens next is entirely up to Greg Abbott,” the Texas House Democratic Caucus (HDC) Chairman Gene Wu
