Politics 86
Texas hits record high for early voting turnout
Forty-six percent of registered voters in Texas had cast their ballots through Monday. In 2016, the percentage was 43.5% for the entire early voting period.
A week before the election, Texas National Guard prepares to deploy troops to cities
A spokesperson for the Guard said the deployment is not related to the election and troops would not be stationed at polling places. Mayors in two cities say they weren't advised of the deployment.
Republicans hope willingness to resume door-knocking gives them an edge in election
Republicans say they have built a major advantage by resuming door-knocking more quickly and aggressively amid the coronavirus pandemic, while Democrats say they are being the more responsible party while reaching voters in other ways.
Thousands of Texan immigrants hope the courts or the election will save their protected status
The Trump administration ended Temporary Protective Status for immigrants from several countries, and the decision is now before the courts. Tens of thousands of TPS recipients live in Texas.
Judge rules Ken Paxton’s 5-year-old criminal case can be heard in his hometown of Collin County
Paxton should be tried for felony securities fraud charges in his hometown of Collin County, a Harris County judge ordered, reversing a decision that the state’s top lawyer should not face a jury in the North Texas region where he and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, are deeply connected in political circles.
State waiver for Vehicle Registration still in effect
Uvalde Police Department officers wrote 166 tickets, which are all expected to be dismissed
“They are hurting them”: Advocacy groups ask to investigate sexual assaults, gang violence in Texas youth lockups
The request is the latest chapter in a scandal-plagued recent history for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, which has experienced high turnover rates among staff and leadership.
Top aide in Texas attorney general’s office terminated after accusation
The departure "was not voluntary," said Lacey Mase, one of several senior aides who said Attorney General Ken Paxton used his office to serve the interests of a donor.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Doubles Down on Sacrificing Seniors in Favor of 2020 Economy
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick doubled down on his inflammatory comments from last March about letting seniors die so the COVID-19 lockdowns could end and everyone could get back to work.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear cases on border wall funding, “remain in Mexico” policy
The Migrant Protection Protocols program has been criticized for sending thousands of vulnerable asylum seekers to Mexican border states that have seen sustained violence.
2020 census doesn’t count Arab Americans. That leaves some Texans feeling invisible.
The census does not include an option for people to identify as Middle Eastern or North African Americans. That leaves Arab Texans to identify as white or “other” on the all-important national count.
Governor spends millions to help down-ballot Republicans in Texas
In what it is calling a "mid-seven-figure" effort, the governor's political campaign is working to save the Republican majority in the state House and make voters aware of judicial races.
