Decorum Showdown in Aransas Pass: City Must Defend Meeting Rules
A federal judge has ruled that the City of Aransas Pass must defend its Rules of Decorum in court after a local resident, Jason Followell, was repeatedly removed from city council meetings for using profanity while criticizing public officials. While most of Followell’s claims were dismissed or withdrawn—including those related to alleged retaliation, defamation, and unlawful inspections—the court found the city failed to justify how or why it enforced its decorum policy. The ruling allows a First Amendment challenge to move forward, focusing on whether the city’s rules unlawfully restrict protected speech during public comment in what may be a designated public forum.
Texas JP Sanctioned for Promoting Businesses and Posting Trump Endorsement
Montgomery County Justice of the Peace Jason Dunn has been publicly admonished by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct for ethics violations involving social media misuse, improper promotion of private businesses, acceptance of gifts, solicitation of charitable funds, and political endorsements. The Commission found that Dunn used both his personal and official Facebook pages to advertise local fundraisers and businesses — some of which had donated food to his court — and shared a political post supporting Donald Trump. He has been ordered to complete judicial education on the use of social media and ethics.
NBPD: Promoted, Unprepared, and Alone — How a Supervisor’s Rise Ended in Scandal
An internal affairs investigation at the New Braunfels Police Department sustained multiple misconduct findings against Records Supervisor Elyssa Cline, including harassment and inappropriate supervisory conduct. But internal records also show Cline was promoted into a high-stakes leadership role despite known concerns about her readiness — and was provided no formal mentorship, coaching, or progressive discipline once problems emerged. While her actions contributed to workplace tensions and morale issues, the department took no meaningful steps to intervene, guide, or correct course. Instead, Cline was placed on leave and separated, while the leadership decisions that enabled the breakdown went unaddressed. The case raises deeper questions about accountability: not just what she did — but why no one acted sooner, or considered a different outcome.
Baytown Police Lawsuit: Fabricated Evidence, Lost Bodycam, and a Mother’s Fight
A Harris County woman who lost her son in a 2020 crash is now suing the Baytown Police Department, accusing three officers of fabricating evidence that led to her wrongful prosecution for manslaughter. The lawsuit, now in federal court, claims officers filed false reports, destroyed body camera footage, and misrepresented witness statements in an effort to build a case without probable cause. The charges were ultimately dismissed in 2023, but the woman says the damage — financial, emotional, and reputational — has been lasting.
Her case was also featured in an episode of A&E’s documentary series Accused: Guilty or Innocent?, which chronicled her experience navigating the criminal justice system in the years following the crash.
Texas Can’t Deport: Court Blocks SB 4, Citing Federal Immigration Authority
A federal appeals court has blocked Texas from enforcing Senate Bill 4, the controversial law that would have allowed state and local police to arrest and deport migrants. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that only the federal government can enforce immigration laws, dealing a major blow to Governor Greg Abbott’s border crackdown. The court sided with Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, an El Paso-based nonprofit that said SB 4 would divert resources and hinder access to asylum.
San Marcos Officers Admitted Misconduct in Unlawful Apartment Search
San Marcos police officers entered a private apartment without a warrant, failed to announce themselves, and detained two bystanders—actions they later admitted were unlawful, according to city records released to The Hawk’s Eye.
New Braunfels Officer Suspended After 123 MPH Pursuit Ends in Civilian Crash
New Braunfels Police Officer Beverly Fraga was suspended after a 123 mph pursuit ended in a crash that injured a civilian. Internal records show this wasn’t her first policy violation. Fraga is also named in a federal lawsuit alleging a retaliatory arrest, and a viral video appears to show her citing a driver with a valid Mexico license for driving without one—raising new concerns about patterns of misconduct and accountability within NBPD.
SAPD Officer: “She Busted My Eye Open”—Abuse Allegations End in Suspension
You know how stupid it is that I had to go to work and lie about how I got a black eye?” That message — one of several sent by a San Antonio police officer describing alleged abuse by their romantic partner, also an SAPD officer — led to an internal investigation and an indefinite suspension. Officer Cassidy A. Costa was taken off the force after her colleague reported being assaulted multiple times in 2024.
Cameron County Jail Lacked Observation Records in Death Review
Cameron County Jail was cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards following a February 2025 inmate death and a review that revealed a 3-hour gap in required inmate checks. No video footage was available, and the state issued a formal notice of non-compliance. Despite the severity of the findings, the incident appears unreported in local media — raising questions about oversight, transparency, and jail operations.
El Paso Police Tase Army Veteran 13 Times for Filming—Charges Dropped After Video Emerges
A retired Army veteran was tased 13 times by El Paso Police while filming officers outside a downtown bar. Video later contradicted the official reports, and all charges were dropped by the El Paso County DA. A new lawsuit claims retaliation, excessive force, and unconstitutional policies that criminalize filming public officials.