The Judges Rule: Map May Not Be Wise, But It's Legal

The federal judges rule in favor of the Texas congressional map -- even while admitting it may destroy the political hopes of minorities.

"...plaintiffs' claims that nondecennial redistricting is unconstitutional or otherwise illegal. They noted that they are ruling not on the..."

Jan. 9, 2004 News Feature by Michael King

Law of the Land

The Present: Has Hopwood Changed the World?

"...its race-based admissions policies at its higher education institutions legally banned by the courts. Two years later, minority communities..."

Feb. 6, 1998 News Feature by Nicole Kleman

Local Civil Rights Hero Overton Dies

Activist helped desegregate Austin's schools

"...usually accompanied by a small army of unlikely soldiers – his four children...."

Nov. 11, 2005 News Feature by Amy Smith

Point Austin: MUD in Your Eye

Northwest Austin suburb chal­lenges the Voting Rights Act

"...Lakeline Mall, enjoy "the best in not just living – but living well." They've got quiet streets, exemplary public..."

Nov. 9, 2007 News Column by Michael King

Condemned Banks Looks to Supreme Court

Delma Banks death row appeal reads like a laundry list of everything wrong with Texas capital punishment.

"...said George Kendall, a New York attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. "This [case] is one-stop..."

March 7, 2003 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

A national conference comes to Austin to examine wrongful convictions

"...incontrovertible proof that she could not have done so – she was cashing a check at a bank in..."

April 30, 2004 News Feature by Rita Radostitz

Supreme Court Ponders Banks' Death Row Case

The U.S. Supreme Court grants a last-minute stay to Delma Banks, Jr.

"...transcript of the coaching session was turned over to defense attorneys. Shortly after Cook testified, arson charges pending against..."

March 21, 2003 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Death Watch: Racial Bias Infected Sentencing Hearing

Saga to secure new hearing for Duane Buck continues

"...inmate Buck released Wednesday and signed by 102 individuals – including 10 members of the Texas Legislature, civil rights..."

March 21, 2013 News Post by Jordan Smith

Death Watch: CCA Dismisses Buck Appeal

Ignores question of racial bias in defendant's trial

"...Nonetheless, two judges – Tom Price and Cheryl Johnson – joined a dissent..."

Nov. 20, 2013 News Post by Jordan Smith

Naked City

The State Policy Committee overturns its earlier rejections of several progressive organizations applying for participation in the annual State Employee Charitable Campaign.

"...the dozens of organizations rejected or deferred were Environmental Defense, Public Citizen, Save Barton Creek Association, the SEED Coalition,..."

May 11, 2001 News Feature by Michael King

Point Austin: The Supremes Bail Out

Court ruling lets Voting Rights Act live for another day

"...part in the public forums concerning the city budget – I would have made it work somehow, believe me..."

June 26, 2009 News Column by Michael King

Who's Joining the ACLU?

"...charities are participating in the national Combined Federal Campaign – from 1 Way Out of Pornography, to Zero to..."

Sept. 10, 2004 News Feature

Naked City

Supremes Take Banks Case

"...to have been tainted by prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective defense counsel. "We are delighted with the news," said Banks'..."

April 25, 2003 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Texas' Big, Bad Week for Voter Suppression and Gerrymandering

Within two days, courts reject second election map, voter ID bill

"...Legislature has been dealt three critical blows to their legal fights to retain voter laws and districts that the..."

Aug. 25, 2017 News Post by Richard Whittaker

New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week

Dallas Acid blows some bubbles, KUTX remembers the Armadillo, and more music for the moment

"...edition of a charity series, this release benefits the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Relief International with..."

Aug. 14, 2020 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week

Our favorite albums, videos, and performances

"...of ways that I don't think is coming around again." – Doug Freeman Waylon Jennings..."

July 3, 2020 Music Feature by Raoul Hernandez

Zach Theatre's Notes From the Field

This production of Anna Deavere Smith's provocative docudrama calls out America's criminal justice system

"...(Twilight: Los Angeles 1992). Her Notes From the Field – which is receiving its regional premiere at Zach Theatre..."

March 15, 2019 Arts Review by Bob Abelman

The Challenge of Playing Living People in Zach Theatre's Notes From the Field

The cast discusses how hard it can be getting into the skin of living people in Anna Deavere Smith’s play

"...The statement comes from Sherrilyn Ifill, head of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and one of 16..."

March 1, 2019 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Voter Groups Blast New Interim Maps

AG claims he cut a deadline deal with MALDEF, cuts everyone else out

"...case were dancing around their fear that Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund was ready to sell them..."

Feb. 6, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Naked City

Headlines and Happenings from Austin and Beyond

"...of the Week"History has proven that democracies don't war." – President Bush, referring to attempts at democracy-building in the..."

March 24, 2006 News Feature

Picking Up the TAB

The Travis Co. DA and the courts consider Texas Association of Business money spent during the fall campaign.

"...president, Bill Hammond, a former legislator who orchestrated the corporate-funded ad campaign, to include officeholders and lobbyists high in..."

March 28, 2003 News Feature by Amy Smith

Here We Go Again

The redistricting case resumes: one more battle in a protracted war.

"...Texas defend that map -- also Republican-drawn -- as legally binding. Federal judges as a rule are a testy..."

Dec. 5, 2003 News Column by Michael King

Naked City

Off the Desk:

"...violate the order, it's off to jail they go. Defense attorneys say they'll appeal... - B.M...."

Aug. 7, 1998 News Feature

Point Austin: See You in Court

This week the Supremes consider the curious habits of Texas politicians

"...the Web site of the D.C. law firm Jenner & Block (riveting company slogan, "When it's a Matter of..."

Feb. 24, 2006 News Column by Michael King

Feeling the Heat

A profile of the new Texas ACLU and Executive Director Will Harrell

"...historic (if somewhat limited) reform of the state's criminal defense system for indigent defendants is also likely to pass...."

April 27, 2001 News Feature by Michael Erard

The Single-Member Situation

Movement afoot – once again – to ask voters to endorse City Council districts

"...put before Austin voters the question of single-member districts – a change to the city's currently at-large form of..."

Feb. 25, 2011 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Here Come the Judges -- Again: Round Two for Owen, Pickering

Texas progressives mobilize against federal judicial nominees Priscilla Owen and Charles Pickering

"...University Women of Texas, the Gray Panthers, the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Organization for Women, Planned..."

Jan. 17, 2003 News Feature by Michael King

Naked City

"...Ideas isn't interrupted by mundane details like how to fund this stuff, and despite the plan's admirable attempt to..."

May 24, 2002 News Feature by Lauri Apple

Who Is Mr. Roberts?

Hearings begin for Supreme Court nomination

"...watcher dryly noted that barring some real "important" revelation – like, say, that Roberts has an illegal immigrant mistress..."

Sept. 16, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Abbott Maps Meet Minority Opposition

AG throws oppressive interim maps into the ring to meet Feb. 6 deadline

"...Abbott has drawn a series of new interim maps – which critics say are as gerrymandered and oppressive to..."

Feb. 10, 2012 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

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