Texas

Texas Judge Halts Paxton’s Move, Protects Privacy Rights of Transgender Minors

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A Texas judge has issued a temporary order preventing Attorney General Ken Paxton from obtaining medical records of transgender minors. The decision came after a request made by Paxton to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to hand over records of children who have sought gender-affirming care. This move by Paxton was part of his ongoing legal battle against a state agency’s policy that allows transgender youth in foster care to access medical treatments without court approval. The judge’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by four teens and three parents. … Read more

Texas Judge Temporarily Blocks AG’s Request for Information on Transgender Children in Landmark LGBTQ+ Case

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Austin, Texas – A Texas judge has temporarily blocked state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, from requiring an LGBTQ+ advocacy group to disclose information about transgender children receiving gender transition treatment. The ruling came in response to a legal challenge brought by PFLAG National, which sought to prevent Paxton’s office from collecting the information. Travis County District Court Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel determined that forcing PFLAG to provide the information would violate their rights of free speech, association, and protection from unreasonable searches. She described it as a “gross invasion” of privacy. The judge’s … Read more

Canadian Woman Sues Xcel Energy, Alleging Power Pole Started Devastating Texas Wildfire

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CANADIAN, Texas — A Canadian woman has filed a lawsuit claiming that a power pole owned by Xcel Energy started the largest wildfire in Texas history. Melanie McQuiddy alleges that a splintered power pole fell and ignited the Springhouse Creek fire. According to Reuters, McQuiddy argues that Xcel had a duty to maintain safe electrical equipment but neglected to properly repair and inspect its power line poles. She is seeking compensation for the damages caused by the wildfire. The lawsuit also names Osmose Utilities Services as a defendant. McQuiddy asserts that the company was hired … Read more

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks SB 4, Texas Law Allowing Arrests of Suspected Undocumented Migrants

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EL PASO, Texas – Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) in Texas, which would have allowed state and local law enforcement to arrest suspected undocumented migrants, has been temporarily blocked. A federal judge in Austin issued a preliminary injunction against the law on Thursday, preventing it from going into effect on March 5. U.S. District Judge David Ezra argued that the law threatened the unity of immigration regulation in the United States and would cause irreparable harm if implemented. This ruling is expected to be appealed in the U.S. Supreme Court by Governor Greg Abbott. Governor … Read more