In a recent development, a New York county clerk has once again refused to file a Texas civil judgment against a doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills. This decision is based on New York’s shield law, which protects providers from legal actions in states with abortion bans. Despite demands from the Texas Attorney General’s office, the clerk has maintained the rejection, citing New York law. This case, along with another involving extradition to Louisiana, could test the boundaries of state shield laws and the legal battles surrounding abortion access.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott is seeking to keep communications with Elon Musk and his companies private, citing concerns about privacy, potential embarrassment, and the impact on open decision-making. The Texas Newsroom requested the emails to examine Musk’s influence in the state. However, the Governor’s office has requested a ruling from the Texas Attorney General to withhold the records, citing the “common-law privacy” exception, and potentially commercial interests. Legal experts like Bill Aleshire are critical of the move. The Attorney General’s office has 45 business days to decide.
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In an effort to track Elon Musk’s influence in Texas, The Texas Newsroom requested emails between Governor Greg Abbott and Musk, as well as representatives from the tech mogul’s companies. Initially, the Governor’s office charged for the records but after payment, claimed all records were confidential. They cited reasons such as private exchanges with lawyers, details about policy-making decisions, and information revealing how the state entices companies to invest. Experts have criticized the use of “common-law privacy” to withhold these records, especially given a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling that provides limited recourse for those seeking these public records.
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Following an investigation revealing financial mismanagement, Texas health officials are overhauling the Thriving Texas Families program, which provides alternatives to abortion. The program, funded with increasing taxpayer dollars, will now require participating organizations to document expenses and receive reimbursement only for state-approved services. Furthermore, the state is implementing a competitive selection process for contracts, rather than automatic renewals. These changes aim to address concerns about flat-rate reimbursements that allowed organizations to profit and misuse funds, but critics question the new requirements’ effectiveness and potential impact on program participation.
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In 2021, Kerr County, Texas, declined federal funds that could have been used for a flood warning system, citing opposition to the Biden administration and a desire to avoid federal government involvement. Despite prior discussions dating back to 2016 regarding a siren and gauge system, and available funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, local officials faced political pressure from conservative residents who rejected federal assistance. The county ultimately used the funds for other purposes, with no money allocated for flood alerts. After deadly flash floods in July 2025 killed over 100 people, survivors and leaders are now calling for accountability, with one council member vowing to install a local siren personally.
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Texas inspectors approved Camp Mystic’s emergency planning just days before a catastrophic flood claimed the lives of numerous individuals, primarily children, at the all-girls camp. Despite compliance with state regulations, including evacuation procedures and staff assignments, inspection reports offered no details of those plans, raising questions about the camp’s preparedness. Tragically, the camp did not evacuate before the river surged from 14 to 29.5 feet within an hour, and at least 27 campers and counselors perished in the deluge. While state inspectors verified the camp’s emergency plans, they were not filed with the state, leaving the details of these critical documents unclear.
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On July 4th, eleven individuals were arrested following a “planned ambush” at an ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas. The suspects, mostly from North Texas, are accused of attempting to kill ICE corrections officers, according to law enforcement. The coordinated attack involved individuals in military-style clothing using fireworks to lure officers outside and a gunman who shot an Alvarado police officer in the neck. Ten suspects face attempted murder of a federal officer charges, while one is charged with obstruction of justice.
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John Q. Hosedrinker