McKinney Officer Arrested Journalist After ‘Shut Up’ Comment
A federal civil-rights lawsuit says McKinney Police Officer Dean Riano arrested journalist James Springer — who reports under the name James Freeman — after Freeman filmed a traffic stop from a public sidewalk and told the officer to “shut up.” The filing says Freeman was jailed, his cameras and phone were taken, and police later downloaded his reporting data, even though the encounter was already being livestreamed. The case now before a federal judge also names the City of McKinney, alleging city leaders and the police department publicly defended the arrest instead of correcting it, turning a roadside encounter into a national fight over the right to record police.
Commerce Man Held in Handcuffs for 3 Hours After Refusing to Show ID
A federal civil rights lawsuit says a January 2024 visit to a Hunt County medical clinic turned into a three-hour detention at the Commerce Police Department after Robin Powell refused to provide identification. The case names five Commerce police officers and centers on an arrest ordered for “failure to ID,” even though no charges were ever filed and clinic staff declined to accuse Powell of any crime.
New Braunfels Traffic Stop Led to 7-Month Jail Stay
A routine traffic stop near Bush’s Chicken in New Braunfels on December 29, 2023 has become the focus of a civil rights lawsuit after a local contractor says it left him locked inside the Comal County Jail for more than seven months — even after prosecutors ultimately rejected the drug charge that kept him behind bars.
According to the lawsuit filed in Comal County District Court, Vicente Agapito Rosales was pulled over without a valid legal basis, dragged from his vehicle after an officer shattered his window, and arrested on charges that later collapsed in court. While laboratory testing ultimately found no controlled substance, Rosales remained incarcerated until July 30, 2024, during which time he says he lost his business, his home, and was left homeless.
The suit accuses New Braunfels police officers and the City of New Braunfels of unlawful seizure, excessive force, fabrication of evidence, malicious prosecution, and prolonged unlawful detention — raising broader questions about how a single traffic stop turned into a life-altering incarceration that never resulted in a conviction.
How Harlingen’s Veteran Assistance Funds Were Spent — and What Veterans Should Know
After several Cameron County veterans reached out seeking clarity, The Hawk’s Eye reviewed financial records and official responses to better understand how Harlingen’s veteran assistance funds were used. This report explains where the money went, why some funds were depleted rapidly, and what veterans should know if they still need assistance.
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra Accused of Blocking Critic on Facebook
A Hays County resident and former school board trustee says she was blocked from the official Facebook page of Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra after posting criticism related to a school district land decision. The dispute follows public remarks by the county judge and a series of official letters outlining financial pressures faced by San Marcos CISD.
Texas Judge Files Federal Suit Over Same-Sex Wedding Refusals
A Texas justice of the peace has filed a federal lawsuit challenging state officials over discipline tied to her refusal to officiate same-sex wedding ceremonies based on religious belief. The case, filed in the Western District of Texas, revives a years-long dispute over judicial ethics, free exercise of religion, and whether state regulators may restrict a judge’s ability to perform opposite-sex weddings while declining same-sex ceremonies. The lawsuit follows a recent revision to the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct that expressly permits judges to refrain from officiating weddings for religious reasons, setting the stage for a broader legal fight over how far state discipline can go after that change.
Hays County Records Raise Questions About Public Office and Private Entities
In 2025, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra publicly dismissed reporting that raised questions about private business and nonprofit entities connected to his household and urged residents not to engage with it. Those questions trace back more than a decade and are supported by public records, including lease arrangements involving a local news outlet and the use of county property for events tied to those entities—records that continue to raise issues of disclosure, transparency, and the public’s right to know in Hays County.
Abby Gibson Runs for Hays County Commissioner as County Growth Accelerates
As Hays County continues to grow, Abby Gibson has entered the race for County Commissioner, Precinct 2, citing a results-driven approach to local government rooted in operational experience, civic leadership, and long-term planning rather than political distraction.
Texas Meme Case Ends at Examining Trial, Now Heads to Federal Court
A Granbury Navy veteran is asking a federal judge to halt further prosecution after a Texas court found no probable cause to support a felony charge tied to a satirical political meme posted during a local school board election.
New Braunfels Traffic Stop Lawsuit Survives Early Court Challenge
A federal judge has ruled on a civil-rights lawsuit previously reported by The Hawk’s Eye stemming from a 2023 New Braunfels traffic stop, allowing key constitutional claims against police officers to move forward while dismissing claims against the city for now. The decision outlines why the case survives an early dismissal attempt, what limits the court faced at this stage, and what comes next as the lawsuit heads toward a possible appeal or discovery phase.