Texas

Texas Judge Overturns Centuries-Old Ban on Home Distilling, Citing Constitutional Rights

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FORT WORTH, Texas — In a landmark ruling, a Texas federal judge has deemed the 1868 federal ban on at-home distilling unconstitutional, marking a significant win for advocates of home-based spirit production. The decision, issued on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, not only struck down a longstanding prohibition but also emphasized the constitutional limits of governmental authority over individual liberties. The plaintiff in the case, the Hobby Distillers Association, represented by lawyers from the libertarian Competitive Enterprise Institute, argued that the ban overstepped Congress’s taxing powers and infringed upon the Commerce Clause of … Read more

Texas School District Wins Preliminary Court Battle Over Biden’s Title IX LGBTQ+ Protections

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SOUTHLAKE, Texas — A Texas school district has secured a preliminary injunction from a federal judge against the Biden administration’s recent amendments to Title IX, which now encompass protections for LGBTQ+ students. The Carroll Independent School District had filed a lawsuit challenging these alterations to the law that traditionally combats sex-based discrimination in educational settings. The amended federal rules broaden the definition of discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation. However, Carroll ISD contends that these modifications could potentially compromise student safety and well-being. In its lawsuit, backed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the … Read more

Lawyer Defends Texas Megachurch Pastor by Accusing 12-Year-Old of Initiating Improper Conduct

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DALLAS — A lawyer representing a Texas megachurch pastor has sparked controversy by suggesting a 12-year-old girl initiated inappropriate sexual contact, sparking outrage in a case that touches legal and ethical nerves. Robert Morris, the pastor in question, is a renowned leader at the Gateway Church, one of the largest congregations in the state with a following that extends nationwide. The allegations brought against him have sent shockwaves through the community, both locally and among the wider church-going populace. When the allegations surfaced, legal representatives for the pastor swung into defense mode, pinning part of … Read more

Texas Judge Faces Removal Request Amid Intense Foster Care System Litigation

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — In a tense courtroom showdown, U.S. District Judge Janis Jack grilled top Texas child welfare officials, marking a peak in a long-standing battle over the state’s handling of its foster care system. The case, rooted in a class action lawsuit dating back to 2011, scrutinizes the care provided to thousands of children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Judge Jack, who has presided over this sprawling litigation since 2011, has been a dominant figure in overseeing the reform of Texas’s foster care. Appointed to senior status in 2010, … Read more