6:00 AM on May 18, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — When Gov. Greg and residents to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, he gave local officials power to jail and fine those who defied the order. But when big cities led by Democrats tried, he and other state GOP leaders called it government overreach.Two days after Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was jailed, . The governor overrode Houston’s policy to fine residents who didn’t wear masks before it could be enforced. And last week, against local policies he’s deemed “unlawful.”Meanwhile, those same leaders have been silent about far more aggressive...…6:00 AM on May 18, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — When Gov. Greg and residents to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, he gave local officials power to jail and fine those who defied the order. But when big cities led by Democrats tried, he and other state GOP leaders called it government overreach.Two days after Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was jailed, . The governor overrode Houston’s policy to fine residents who didn’t wear masks before it could be enforced. And last week, against local policies he’s deemed “unlawful.”Meanwhile, those same leaders have been silent about far more aggressive...WW…

4:47 PM on Feb 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — Four former high ranking agency officials are accusing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of swapping political favors for a donor’s help with a home remodel and The new, more detailed allegations, , were laid out in an updated court filing in a whistleblower lawsuit . The lawsuit accuses Paxton of repeatedly abusing his position as the state’s top lawyer to help Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer and campaign donor.The four ex-officials said they received information “suggesting” Paul “either personally or through a construction company he owns...…4:47 PM on Feb 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — Four former high ranking agency officials are accusing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of swapping political favors for a donor’s help with a home remodel and The new, more detailed allegations, , were laid out in an updated court filing in a whistleblower lawsuit . The lawsuit accuses Paxton of repeatedly abusing his position as the state’s top lawyer to help Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer and campaign donor.The four ex-officials said they received information “suggesting” Paul “either personally or through a construction company he owns...WW…

4:46 PM on Dec 14, 2020 CSTUpdated at 6:40 p.m. with comment from a special prosecutor pursuing criminal fraud charges against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.AUSTIN — The state of Texas will spend more than $500 an hour on the lead lawyer hired to defend Attorney General Ken Paxton , according to an employment contract.The agency brought in outside attorneys from the Houston firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith to handle that four former senior staffers filed against Paxton last month. The employees because they accused the attorney general of abusing his office to help real estate...…4:46 PM on Dec 14, 2020 CSTUpdated at 6:40 p.m. with comment from a special prosecutor pursuing criminal fraud charges against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.AUSTIN — The state of Texas will spend more than $500 an hour on the lead lawyer hired to defend Attorney General Ken Paxton , according to an employment contract.The agency brought in outside attorneys from the Houston firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith to handle that four former senior staffers filed against Paxton last month. The employees because they accused the attorney general of abusing his office to help real estate...WW…

7:24 AM on Jul 27, 2020 CDTUpdated at 2:30 p.m. with information about an appeals court decision on the case’s venue.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton this month.And yet he appears no closer to trial than when he was charged with securities fraud in summer 2015. In fact, the criminal case against Paxton is now back to square one. With , the raises questions about when — or whether — Paxton will ever face a jury of his peers.Here are five things to know about why the case against Texas’ top lawyer has lasted this long and when it might be over.Paxton’s alleged crimes date back to his time as...…7:24 AM on Jul 27, 2020 CDTUpdated at 2:30 p.m. with information about an appeals court decision on the case’s venue.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton this month.And yet he appears no closer to trial than when he was charged with securities fraud in summer 2015. In fact, the criminal case against Paxton is now back to square one. With , the raises questions about when — or whether — Paxton will ever face a jury of his peers.Here are five things to know about why the case against Texas’ top lawyer has lasted this long and when it might be over.Paxton’s alleged crimes date back to his time as...WW…

12:13 PM on Oct 4, 2020 CDTUpdated at 12:30 p.m. with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas saying he will step down from his post at the end of the week.AUSTIN — Top Texas Republicans expressed concerns Sunday over new allegations Prosecutors pursuing separate fraud charges against Paxton said they will investigate the matter.“These allegations raise serious concerns. I will withhold further comment until the results of any investigation are complete,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick weighed in later Sunday, saying he first learned about the...…12:13 PM on Oct 4, 2020 CDTUpdated at 12:30 p.m. with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas saying he will step down from his post at the end of the week.AUSTIN — Top Texas Republicans expressed concerns Sunday over new allegations Prosecutors pursuing separate fraud charges against Paxton said they will investigate the matter.“These allegations raise serious concerns. I will withhold further comment until the results of any investigation are complete,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick weighed in later Sunday, saying he first learned about the...WW…

6:00 AM on Apr 23, 2021 CDTThe Texas Department of Criminal Justice will release outdoor heat readings taken at its prisons after The Dallas Morning News inquired about secrecy surrounding the records.The state prisons department , many of which have no or only partial air conditioning. In 2019, it began refusing to make public the hourly measurements taken outside its facilities, citing ongoing lawsuits. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton backed the agency, denying a records request submitted in October.But after The News obtained three years of temperature readings from all state...…6:00 AM on Apr 23, 2021 CDTThe Texas Department of Criminal Justice will release outdoor heat readings taken at its prisons after The Dallas Morning News inquired about secrecy surrounding the records.The state prisons department , many of which have no or only partial air conditioning. In 2019, it began refusing to make public the hourly measurements taken outside its facilities, citing ongoing lawsuits. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton backed the agency, denying a records request submitted in October.But after The News obtained three years of temperature readings from all state...WW…

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The Texas attorney general's office is attempting to withhold all messages sent or received while in Washington for the pro-Donald Trump rally that devolved into a riot at the U.S. Capitol.Several news organizations in Texas have requested copies of the attorney general's work-related communications. The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public's right to government records — even if those records are stored on personal devices or online accounts of public officials.After Paxton's office refused...…, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The Texas attorney general's office is attempting to withhold all messages sent or received while in Washington for the pro-Donald Trump rally that devolved into a riot at the U.S. Capitol.Several news organizations in Texas have requested copies of the attorney general's work-related communications. The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public's right to government records — even if those records are stored on personal devices or online accounts of public officials.After Paxton's office refused...WW…

6:00 AM on Mar 25, 2021 CDTLeer este reporte en español AUSTIN — The Texas attorney general’s office is attempting to withhold all messages Ken Paxton sent or received while in Washington for the pro-Donald Trump rally that devolved into a riot at the U.S. Capitol.Several news organizations in Texas have requested copies of the attorney general’s work-related communications. The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public’s right to government records — even if those records are stored on personal devices or are in public officials’ online accounts.After Paxton’s office refused to...…6:00 AM on Mar 25, 2021 CDTLeer este reporte en español AUSTIN — The Texas attorney general’s office is attempting to withhold all messages Ken Paxton sent or received while in Washington for the pro-Donald Trump rally that devolved into a riot at the U.S. Capitol.Several news organizations in Texas have requested copies of the attorney general’s work-related communications. The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public’s right to government records — even if those records are stored on personal devices or are in public officials’ online accounts.After Paxton’s office refused to...WW…

1:34 PM on Mar 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety has ended the controversial practice of using hypnosis to investigate crimes.A department spokesman said the hypnosis program ended in January 2021, more than forty years after its inception, because its officers are now relying on better investigative practices.The decision comes less than a year after which raised serious questions about the efficacy of using hypnosis on criminal cases. The News investigation found Texas built one of the most prolific programs for police hypnosis in the country, repeatedly doubling...…1:34 PM on Mar 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety has ended the controversial practice of using hypnosis to investigate crimes.A department spokesman said the hypnosis program ended in January 2021, more than forty years after its inception, because its officers are now relying on better investigative practices.The decision comes less than a year after which raised serious questions about the efficacy of using hypnosis on criminal cases. The News investigation found Texas built one of the most prolific programs for police hypnosis in the country, repeatedly doubling...WW…

9:51 AM on Feb 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — The Dallas-Fort Worth area would be the top target location for a casino resort if gambling is legalized in Texas, representatives with the Las Vegas Sands said Thursday.In a small briefing with reporters, the Sands team said Dallas would be the most attractive spot to build a resort due to its robust convention and tourism industry, as well as proximity to airports and out-of-state casinos.“We’ll look at the entire market of Texas, but focus primarily on Dallas because that is where the greatest bleed of money is going, across the Oklahoma border,” said...…9:51 AM on Feb 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — The Dallas-Fort Worth area would be the top target location for a casino resort if gambling is legalized in Texas, representatives with the Las Vegas Sands said Thursday.In a small briefing with reporters, the Sands team said Dallas would be the most attractive spot to build a resort due to its robust convention and tourism industry, as well as proximity to airports and out-of-state casinos.“We’ll look at the entire market of Texas, but focus primarily on Dallas because that is where the greatest bleed of money is going, across the Oklahoma border,” said...WW…