County Rushes to Get Mental Health Diversion Center and Lawyers at Bail Hearings

Commissioners say both are top priorities

"...providing attorneys at initial bail hearings. It’s unclear to commissioners whether hurrying up on pre-trial attorney access will mean..."

April 16, 2024 News Post by Lina Fisher

ACLU Sues Demanding Attorneys Be Present at Initial Bail Hearings

Travis County blocks defenders; ACLU says that's unconstitutional

"...a long time. And for years, the sheriff, county commissioners, public defenders, and judges have all been in agreement..."

April 11, 2024 News Post by Maggie Q. Thompson

Will Austin ISD Push Out a Highly Regarded Partner?

The district is proposing to give away family service centers

"...However, district observers, including City Council members and county commissioners, have questions. Those we spoke with were quick to..."

April 12, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Travis County Aims to Allow Defenders at Bail Hearings

The defunct program has faced a two-year uphill battle

"...by visiting judges and held in the large auxiliary courtroom located on the first floor of the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal..."

March 29, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Travis County Judicial System Prepares for Enforcement (or Not) of SB 4

Judges are urged not to deport people

"...respond to a frightening prospect: the possibility that federal courts approve Texas’ anti-immigrant law, Senate Bill 4...."

March 29, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...nondescript buildings into a “vibrant urban dreamscape.” However, some commissioners voiced concerns over the lack of parkland and affordable..."

March 29, 2024 News Feature

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...illegal immigration, but in 2017 the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that renting housing or providing services..."

March 15, 2024 News Feature

Tanisa Jeffers Wins Big in JP5 Contest

She will lead county’s main evictions court

"...Jeffers said. “I work at night. I’m a night court judge, and I sleep during the daytime. I’ve got..."

March 8, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Rethink35 Sues TxDOT Again to Block Highway Expansion

Claims state didn’t fully consider environmental, social fallout

"...In October, Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court asked TxDOT to pause the expansion to allow..."

Feb. 2, 2024 News Feature by Lina Fisher

The Debate Over How and Whether to Jail Kids in Austin Is Just Getting Started

Travis County proposes a new facility to hold kids accused of crimes

"...diversion programs and never see the inside of a courtroom, Castañeda said. But those accused of violence, or who..."

Jan. 26, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Council Approves $2 Million for Homelessness Study

Will it be money well spent?

"...“This week, the [Travis] County Commissioners Court politely declined the city’s offer to fund a..."

Jan. 26, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Opinion: St. Edward’s University Needs an On-Campus Early Voting Location

Don’t deprive students of our voting power

"...location on campus. We testified at the Travis County Commissioners Court and corresponded with the county clerk to coordinate..."

Jan. 19, 2024 Column by Mya Barrera

Public Defender Warns City’s Proposed First Hearing Process Circumvents Critical Processes

APD's virtual magistration proposal still isn't fully fleshed out

"...an arrested person faces – despite concerns from criminal court judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and now the Public Defender's..."

Jan. 12, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

We Have an Issue: Diving Into a High-Stakes Election Year

Contemplating a March primary, a November election, and the Austin Music Poll Ballot – vote now!

"...With an Asterisk in Texas: The conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decided this week that Texas can ban..."

Jan. 5, 2024 Column by Kimberley Jones

March 2024 Primary Election Info

Early Voting: February 20 - March 1; Election Day: March 5

"...up in 2024: Precincts 1 and 3 on the Commissioners Court (Jeff Travillion and Ann Howard, both of whom..."

Jan. 5, 2024 News Feature

The DPS Partnership Cost Taxpayers at Least $80,000

And targeted Black and brown Austinites disproportionately

"...At the Travis County Commissioners Court’s last meeting of 2023, commissioners approved a request..."

Dec. 29, 2023 News Post by Lina Fisher

With Mental Health Diversion Center Forthcoming, Sheriff Still Wants More Humane Jail Facilities

Can healing happen in jail?

"...more robust mental health services. The progressive Travis County Commissioners Court shot that plan down. As County Judge Andy..."

Dec. 29, 2023 News Feature by Maggie Q. Thompson

Travis County Democratic and Republican Parties Narrowly Avoid Litigation Over Primary Voting

TCRP will hand-count all Republican ballots, but shared voting locations are intact

"...primary with shared voting locations, which the Travis County Commissioners Court approved Tuesday...."

Dec. 22, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Candidate Filing in the March 2024 Primary Election Closes

Here’s a look at some of the interesting 2024 races

"...political landscape around law enforcement accountability through the criminal courts has shifted since then. Sylestine will need to capitalize..."

Dec. 14, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Travis County Diversion Center Design to Begin in 2024

Getting people in crisis out of jail is "a long time coming"

"...Last week, county staff told commissioners they will issue a request for qualifications to identify..."

Dec. 15, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...To Gun or Not to GunThe Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a Texas case that..."

Nov. 17, 2023 News Feature

Hundreds Rally Against I-35 Expansion

TxDOT’s pricey project proving unpopular with Council members, congressmen, and regular Austinites

"...need Judge Andy Brown and the entire Travis County Commissioners Court with us. ... We need the Austin school..."

Nov. 10, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Invests in County Workforce: Last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved Tesla's $750,000 community investment plan, to go..."

Oct. 27, 2023 News Feature

Tesla Updates Travis County on Community Investments, “Ecological Paradise” Progress

Massive workforce development, still no data on water usage

"...Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved Tesla’s $750,000 community investment plan, to go..."

Oct. 19, 2023 News Post by Lina Fisher

APD Has Been Quietly Planning for the City to Run Its Own Bail Hearings for Arrestees

Why? They say for efficiency’s sake

"...Magistration is the very first court hearing that occurs after an arrest, where judges set..."

Sept. 28, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Central Health Opens Applications for Board of Managers

Wanna guide the county’s health care system?

"...The Travis County Commissioners Court has released a set of qualifications desired for..."

Sept. 25, 2023 News Post by Lina Fisher

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...peace for Precinct 5, running one of the busiest courts in the county. But that's the mantle he'll take..."

Sept. 22, 2023 News Feature

Judge Replacing Nick Chu in JP5 Will Handle Evictions, Bonds, Misdemeanors

He expects a seamless transition

"...Peace for Precinct 5, running one of the busiest courts in the county. But that’s the mantle he’ll take..."

Sept. 20, 2023 News Post by Maggie Q. Thompson

Central Health Budget Suggests Waning Trust in Ascension

The budget adds money for direct services

"...services provided directly by Central Health. The Travis County Commissioners Court will consider the budget for approval Sept. 12..."

Sept. 11, 2023 News Post by Lina Fisher

Judge in One of the County’s Busiest Courts to Be Appointed This Month

Nick Chu will move to the county’s new probate court

"...Peace for Precinct 5 runs one of our busiest courts, handling evictions, bond conditions, certain Class C misdemeanors, and..."

Sept. 6, 2023 News Post by Maggie Q. Thompson

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