Texas authorities have compiled a list of over 100 transgender individuals, raising concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the information. The state began collecting this data in August 2024, when the Attorney General changed the rules for updating gender markers on driver’s licenses, forwarding the information of those denied marker changes to an internal email address. Despite requests, officials have refused to explain the list’s purpose, but historical precedents suggest the collection of such data could be harmful. This action follows previous attempts to gather similar information and comes amid anti-transgender legislation in Texas.
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In a recent Supreme Court ruling, Texas’s gerrymandered maps were upheld, with the court citing the closeness to the election and the lack of illegal racial basis. The decision reflects the court’s trend of limiting anti-gerrymandering protections, raising questions about whether they will apply the same standards to California. The ruling potentially equalizes the actions of both states, which could lead to further challenges. Meanwhile, President Trump reversed his stance on affordability, dismissing it as a Democratic ploy despite previously embracing the issue and the increasing economic concerns. Lastly, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota, continuing his involvement in politics despite ongoing legal battles over his election conspiracy theories.
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The Supreme Court reinstated Texas’s gerrymandered congressional map, reversing a lower court’s decision that found it racially discriminatory. The conservative justices cited the District Court’s failure to respect legislative good faith and its interference in an active primary campaign as justification. Justice Kagan, along with Justices Sotomayor and Jackson, dissented, arguing the map disserves Texas voters by assigning them to districts based on race. This decision underscores the Roberts court’s pattern of weakening protections for minority voters and entrenching GOP political power, despite efforts by states like California to counter these effects.
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U.S. Representative Troy Nehls, representing Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, has announced he will not seek reelection. His twin brother, Trever Nehls, immediately declared his candidacy for the seat, signaling a continuation of the district’s conservative leanings. The announcement comes amidst uncertainty regarding the district’s boundaries, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on a contested redistricting map. This marks the sixth Republican in Texas’ congressional delegation to retire this cycle, highlighting shifts in the political landscape.
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Two Texas chapters of the Center on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have initiated legal action against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization and subsequent ban on the group owning land within the state. The suit alleges violations of CAIR’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, along with due process violations under the Fourteenth Amendment. CAIR’s legal challenge also highlights Abbott’s direction to investigate the organization, as well as claims made by the Governor that CAIR is a “front group” for Hamas and a direct subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood.
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A Texas grand jury has indicted Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on a murder charge for the killing of actor Jonathan Joss. The investigation has not yet determined if Joss’s sexual orientation played a role in the shooting, and whether it will be considered a hate crime remains unclear. Police allege Alvarez confronted Joss and his husband before the shooting, with Joss’s husband claiming the shooter used homophobic slurs. Alvarez’s attorneys have not commented, but one previously stated their client’s innocence.
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After a public records request for communications between Governor Greg Abbott’s office and Elon Musk’s companies, Texas officials released nearly 1,400 pages, with the vast majority heavily redacted. The documents, requested by The Texas Newsroom, yielded little information about Musk’s influence, with most pages blacked out, citing concerns like trade secrets and private exchanges. Open government experts highlight this as a symptom of a larger transparency problem in Texas, stemming from court decisions and legislation that have weakened public records laws, making it harder to access information about interactions between government and private entities. The Texas Newsroom is seeking reconsideration of the decision to release heavily redacted information, as the ability to challenge these rulings has become increasingly difficult.
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Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Texas, quadrupling last year’s numbers. It’s truly alarming, and frankly, a bit horrifying, to see this dramatic increase in whooping cough cases across Texas. The numbers have essentially exploded, with a four-fold increase compared to the previous year. It’s a clear sign of a significant public health challenge, and it really makes you wonder what’s driving this surge.
Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Texas, quadrupling last year’s numbers. We’re talking about a disease that, while treatable, can be incredibly difficult, especially for infants and young children. The characteristic “whooping” sound when they try to catch their breath is a clear indication of how serious this infection can get.… Continue reading
Texas asks a judge for a restraining order against Tylenol’s maker, and honestly, it’s hard to know where to even begin with this. It feels like we’re wading into a swamp of manufactured outrage, political posturing, and a blatant disregard for established facts. The core of this issue seems to be Texas trying to stop the makers of Tylenol from advertising that their product is safe. On the surface, it sounds simple enough, but as you dig deeper, the entire situation unravels into a mess of accusations, counter-claims, and potential legal battles.
The heart of Texas’s argument seems to revolve around the idea that Tylenol’s advertising contradicts warnings issued by, well, let’s just say, certain political figures.… Continue reading
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against Roblox, citing the platform’s alleged failure to prioritize child safety and its deceptive practices regarding the dangers faced by young users. The lawsuit accuses Roblox of disregarding safety laws and fostering an environment where predators thrive, specifically pointing to the potential for exposure to harmful content and interactions with strangers. This legal challenge adds to existing scrutiny, with other states also suing Roblox due to concerns of child exploitation. While Roblox has implemented safety measures and technology to enhance user protection, the company continues to face criticism regarding the platform’s ability to fully protect young users.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood