Texas Mail-In Ballot ID Law Upheld: Appeals Court Cites Voter Fraud Concerns
In a precedent-setting decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has upheld Texas’s 2021 mail-in ballot ID law, reversing a lower court ruling that blocked its enforcement. The court found the requirement to include matching identification numbers on absentee ballot applications and envelopes is “plainly material” to determining voter qualification under state law—aligning with a recent Third Circuit ruling and setting the stage for potential U.S. Supreme Court review.
Comal County Deputy Suspension After Auditor’s Complaint Raises Questions of Consistency
Newly released records show a Comal County Sheriff’s deputy was suspended after County Auditor Jessie Rahe filed a complaint tied to the ongoing “38 Comal” Facebook lawsuit. The case has reignited debate over whether Sheriff’s Office discipline is too restrictive — or unevenly enforced depending on who is involved.
TABC Agent’s Career Ends Abruptly After Colleagues Report Threats and Unprofessional Conduct
Hired in October 2024 and fired less than seven months later, a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent’s career unraveled after colleagues reported threats, unwanted touching, and unprofessional remarks. Internal records show that warnings were issued early, but the behavior persisted until an Inspector General investigation forced the agency to act. The case raises questions about how TABC handles red flags among new recruits and whether earlier intervention could have prevented escalation.
Bexar County Jail Deaths: 97 Since 2017, 7 More in 2025
Since Sheriff Javier Salazar took office in 2017, 104 people have died while in custody at the Bexar County Jail—including seven so far in 2025. While causes have ranged from medical emergencies to suicide, overdose, and assault, the steady toll continues to raise concerns about safety, supervision, and conditions inside the jail.
Bexar County’s Assumed Name Filings Raise Oversight Questions
Since 2019, Bexar County has accepted thousands of business filings that list only a P.O. Box — despite a state law requiring a residence address.
Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark’s office says it follows the statute but does not require a street or residential address. Other counties, like Guadalupe and Comal, require physical addresses but still process incomplete forms. The Hawk’s Eye has contacted the Texas Rangers to ask whether these filing practices raise compliance concerns under Texas law.
Texas Civil Rights Attorney Sues Tarrant County Over LEOSA Arrest and Free Speech Violation
A Texas civil rights attorney has filed a federal lawsuit against Tarrant County officials, alleging he was unlawfully detained, physically assaulted, and silenced at public meetings while lawfully armed and speaking out about jail deaths. The suit accuses County Judge Tim O’Hare and sheriff’s deputies of violating his First, Second, and Fourth Amendment rights, rejecting his LEOSA credentials, and enforcing unconstitutional “decorum” rules to suppress dissent. The case could set major precedent on free speech, lawful carry, and police accountability in Texas government.
Judge Amber Givens Sanctioned Over Virtual Court Hoax, Secret Recording of Fellow Judge
Judge Amber Givens has been sanctioned twice by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after directing or allowing a staffer to impersonate her during a virtual court hearing and later secretly recording a fellow judge without his consent. In a separate case, Givens illegally jailed two men despite having been formally recused from their cases. The Commission found her conduct violated constitutional due process and multiple judicial canons, calling it a pattern of willful behavior that discredits the Texas judiciary.
Audit: Texas Commission on Jail Standards Mishandled Complaints, Missed Inspections
A new state audit reveals major oversight failures by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, including mishandled inmate complaints, inaccurate data, and missed jail inspections. From 2022 to 2024, the Commission received over 9,700 complaints and was notified of nearly 300 in-custody deaths, but auditors found the agency failed to investigate some cases, misclassified complaints, and lacked proper inspection tracking. The findings raise concerns about the Commission’s ability to ensure safe, secure, and compliant jail conditions across Texas.
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.
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.