While Hays County Fights Data Centers, County Judge Becerra Misses Conference Session on Them
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has recently sounded the alarm over data centers and their impact on local water and infrastructure. But video by Hays Progressives United appears to show Becerra away from a Texas county-policy conference session focused on the very issue he has cast as urgent, raising new questions about whether his public push reflects sustained leadership or political timing.
Before Nixon PD Could Fire Him, the K-9 Officer Resigned and Moved to Karnes County
A January complaint over a 15-year-old’s cellphone was only the beginning. Nixon Police Department records show K-9 Officer Charles Schnitz later joined a multi-county pursuit with his 10-year-old stepson in the patrol unit, told the child to “ride it out buddy” and later to “duck down,” reached 131 mph, and was then recommended for termination and a criminal referral. Before that could happen, the records say, Schnitz resigned. In a separate disciplinary matter, Officer Jesse Ramirez was terminated after allegedly telling a supervisor, “nah bro, those are my kids and you don’t tell me what to do with them.
The Hawk’s Eye vs. the Gavel: Investigative Reporting Sparks SCJC Action on Hays County Judge
The Hawk’s Eye’s year‑long investigation into Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra uncovered a pattern of blurred lines between public office and private gain. It began with a May 2025 exposé showing that the judge and his family created a nonprofit to run a courthouse car show and directed sponsorship dollars to a barber friend. Subsequent reporting revealed deleted posts about a disputed lease, unregistered business entities and a promotional video recorded in a courtroom, raising questions about transparency and misuse of judicial prestige. The series culminated in April 2026 when the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a public admonition, finding that Becerra had lent the prestige of his office to advance private interests—a decision that vindicated The Hawk’s Eye’s reporting and underscored the power of independent journalism.
After Refusing to Quit, Uhland Mayor Lacee Duke Resigns Following Election Upheaval
Uhland Mayor Lacee Duke, who said after her December 2025 felony arrest that she would not resign, has now stepped down following a divisive May election and months of mounting public pressure.
Maverick County Judge Temporarily Suspended After Removal Petition
A Maverick County court has temporarily suspended County Judge Ramsey English Cantu after reviewing a verified removal petition alleging incompetency and official misconduct. In its order, the court said the allegations and supporting materials described a continuing pattern of conduct affecting county operations and public resources, and it appointed Rolando Jasso to carry out the duties of the office while the case moves forward.
New Braunfels Made a Rule, the Incumbent Mayor Lost, Now the Texas Constitution Matters
After New Braunfels conducted its May 2 mayoral election under a city charter provision allowing a plurality winner, city officials now say the Texas Constitution controls instead — requiring a majority vote because the mayor serves a three-year term. With frontrunner Michael French finishing just short of 50 percent, the city says the race must now go to a runoff, raising new questions about how the legal conflict was missed before ballots were cast.
Kyle PD’s Facebook Block List Reopens a Decade of Disputes
A public records request showed three people had been blocked from Kyle Police Department’s Facebook page, reopening long-running questions tied to Chief Jeff Barnett, Glen Hurlston and the city’s oversight of public-facing social media.
Comal County Chief Deputy Resigns, Alleges “Narcissistic Behavior” by Precinct 4 Constable
Pedro “Pete” Arroyo did not leave the Comal County Constable’s Office for Precinct 4 quietly. In his resignation, Arroyo cited a lack of “mutual respect,” but his exit interview went further, accusing first-term Constable Alice “Ali” Flores of poor leadership, creating a toxic work environment, and displaying “narcissistic behavior” — claims that surfaced alongside a paper trail detailing the breakdown inside the office.
Rowlett School Resource Officer, Wife Arrested by Rockwall Police in Assault Case
A Rowlett school resource officer and his wife were arrested by Rockwall police after a woman reported an alleged assault at a Ridge Road establishment. The case now places a currently assigned campus officer on administrative leave while both the criminal investigation and an internal department review move forward.
Supreme Court: Reasonable Suspicion Requires the Totality of the Circumstances
The U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling after finding that an officer had reasonable suspicion to stop a driver during a late-night vehicle encounter. The Court said judges must consider the full picture — including a suspicious vehicle call, passengers running from the car and the driver attempting to leave with a door still open — rather than reviewing each fact in isolation.