Naked City

Off the Desk:

"...Last Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks sentenced Waters to eight years in federal prison..."

Aug. 27, 1999 News Feature

SB 4: Texas Cities Get Their Day in Court

Advocates are optimistic following judge's critical line of questioning

"...of Austin, begins today, June 29, in U.S. Judge Sam Sparks' federal court...."

June 30, 2017 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Austin to Fed Judge: Dismiss State’s SB 4 Suit

City attorneys question the timing of the state's pre-emptive strike

"...suit itself. In a motion addressed to U.S. Judge Sam Sparks, city attorneys point out that Austin couldn't have..."

June 2, 2017 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Anti-Choice Groups Get More Extreme

Some think the burial of fetal remains doesn't go far enough

"...HB 35 is the bill version of the same rules the Depart­ment of State Health Services passed in..."

March 17, 2017 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Quote of the Week

Yes, they really said that

"...– U.S. Federal Judge Sam Sparks, in a ruling that blocks the state from..."

Feb. 24, 2017 News Column

Speak No Ale: Beer Men Sue for Free Speech

Texas' arcane beer laws may be busted by a First Amendment lawsuit

"...veritas – so the saying goes – but the same may not apply to Texas ales. Lawmakers have struggled..."

Oct. 28, 2011 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

A zippy, lippy animated adaptation of the popular children’s book.

"...attracts the interest of a plucky meteorological anchor named Sam Sparks (Faris) and then incites a tourist boom to..."

Sept. 18, 2009 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Racism Alleged at TCEQ

Lawsuit filed by two former Texas Commission on Environmental Quality employees accuses agency of racial discrimination, contends agency denied them promotion because they are black.

"...on June 1 in federal district court, with Judge Sam Sparks presiding...."

May 18, 2007 News Feature by Patricia J. Ruland

Supremes Examine Capital Punishment, Mental Illness

How mentally ill does a prisoner have to be in order to deem execution cruel and unusual punishment?

"...cruel and unusual punishment. In 2004, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled that while Panetti is in fact mentally..."

May 4, 2007 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...in his favor last Friday, but U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks upheld the state's decision. Democrats charge that Gov...."

Dec. 23, 2005 News Feature

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...• A local spokesman for Samsung Corp. announced that a company site-selection committee has recommended..."

Oct. 14, 2005 News Feature

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...actively working with other faith-based groups to defeat a same-sex marriage ban on the Nov. 8 ballot. Police are..."

Sept. 23, 2005 News Feature

No Mercy

The case of James Allridge raises familiar questions about the Texas justice system

"...the federal judiciary. In December 1998, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks upheld the state's procedures but cautioned that the..."

Aug. 20, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...ruling upholds the July 2002 opinion of federal Judge Sam Sparks. Longhorn is still completing its refinancing and remaining..."

Dec. 19, 2003 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

T.A.B. to Earle: Drop Dead, Democrat!

The Texas Association of Business sues the DA and claims "partisan politics" are behind the T.A.B. ethics case.

"...try to halt the investigation, but U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks declined to intervene and kicked the matter back..."

Feb. 14, 2003 News Feature by Amy Smith

Naked City

Austin Stories

"...On Nov. 12, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled that the state must either allow murderer..."

Nov. 22, 2002 News Feature

Naked City

Austin Stories

"...U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks heard opposing arguments last week from attorneys for..."

July 19, 2002 News Feature by Lauri Apple

Living by the Line

People who live by the Longhorn Pipeline fight to keep the gas turned off.

"...out, didn't hold water because, as U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled in January, the city has no local..."

Feb. 15, 2002 News Feature by Amy Smith

Naked City

The Travis County District Attorney's office promised Bernie Durst immunity, but is apparently reneging.

"...force in breaking up the party. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ordered a second trial after reports that a..."

Aug. 3, 2001 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

David Waters is indicted for kidnapping, robbery, and extortion in the case of murdered atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her family.

"...weapon. He will be tried by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, who has overseen most of the proceedings on..."

Sept. 22, 2000 News Feature by Robert Bryce

Inside Texas' Angels of Death, Who Refuse Hundreds of Death Row Pleas but May Expedite Daniel Perry Pardon

How the Board of Pardons and Paroles runs its ship

"...Faulder’s suit succeeded only in delaying his execution. Judge Sam Sparks ruled that the board was operating legally, but..."

May 12, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Federal Judge Tosses State's "Sanctuary Cities" Suit Against Austin

Concurrent case against Texas remains pending in San Antonio

"...a succinct one-page order dated Aug. 8, U.S. Judge Sam Sparks dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s pre-emptive lawsuit..."

Aug. 9, 2017 News Post by Mary Tuma

Housing Ordinance Back in Effect – For Now

5th Circuit vacates previous order that halted the ordinance

"...ordinance unfairly forces landlords into government contracts. U.S. Judge Sam Sparks ruled against the AAA, allowing it to take..."

March 18, 2015 News Post by Mary Tuma

News Roundup: Use of Force, Apartments, & TNCs

Jury awards $1M in civil rights suit; SOI ordinance halted

"...Apartment Association, who recently failed to persuade U.S. Judge Sam Sparks that the measure is unconstitutional. The ordinance is..."

March 9, 2015 News Post by the News Staff

Texas Clemency Process Poor, But Good Enough for Government Work

BPP and court deny Tamayo execution reprieve. Last stop, Perry

"...have undergone any significant change since Yeakel's colleague, Judge Sam Sparks, ruled on a similar challenge in 1998. In..."

Jan. 22, 2014 News Post by Jordan Smith

The Vow

A woman awakes from a coma with severe memory loss, forcing her husband to win her love all over again. Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum star.

"...Starring: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Scott Speedman, Jessica Lange, Sam Neill and Jessica McNamee...."

Feb. 17, 2012 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Suicide by Cop

Man shot while trying to commit suicide loses lawsuit

"...a lawsuit tried June 1-2 in U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks' court. The jury rejected Richard Graves' allegation that..."

June 12, 2009 News Feature by Patricia J. Ruland

Naked City

"...will have to be answered by federal District Judge Sam Sparks, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 28. For..."

July 6, 2007 News Feature

Is Scott Panetti Sane Enough to Die?

Courtroom debate over schizophrenic Texas death row inmate

"...facing death is the question before U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, who is tasked with determining whether Panetti is..."

Sept. 17, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The Weather Underground

Former members of the Weather Underground still know a thing or two about "which way the wind blows" in this always timely documentary.

"...Directed by: Sam Green and Bill Siegel. Checking in with some of..."

Sept. 26, 2003 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

« 1    ‹ BACK    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10     NEXT ›    10 »