Austin, TX
Paxton settles lawsuit with Travis County over security funds for DA granted behind closed doors
The lawsuit Attorney General Ken Paxton filed against the Travis County Commissioners Court in September over allegedly violating the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) has been settled.
The lawsuit was filed after the commissioners court agreed to pay Travis County District Attorney José Garza $115,000 for private home security in a closed session in March 2024. Paxton’s office argued such a use of public funds should be deliberated during a regular session, when residents have a chance to weigh in.
Garza said a series of escalating threats, including tweets displaying his address and one handwritten note that read “Resign by the end of June or we will kill you” pushed him to ask for money for private security.
In the settlement, Travis County did not admit to violating TOMA but agreed to continue complying with the act going forward.
“This agreement balances public transparency with security concerns like those permitted for discussion in executive closed session, thereby protecting our employees and elected and appointed officials,” Travis County spokesperson Hector Nieto said in a statement.
Since the lawsuit was filed, the commissioners court has taken steps to ensure all elected or appointed officials receiving threats can get protection through the county. As attorney general, Paxton too has a taxpayer-funded security detail.
The Travis County Commissioners Court is in the midst of one other lawsuit with the attorney general. In September, Paxton also sued the county for funding a program that mailed out voter registration forms to unregistered voters ahead of the election. That litigation remains ongoing.
AUSTIN, Texas — THC products in Texas will once again be up for discussion during a hearing from state lawmakers today. The hearing will look at the health and public safety impacts of THC. This is the first step in deciding on potential changes to hemp laws when state lawmakers return to the Capitol in January. Currently, the state’s hemp industry remains in legal limbo. Retailers can legally sell many hemp-derived products, but the rules surrounding smokeable hemp like Delta-8 THC remain tied up in court.
Should Texas pass stricter or looser laws on THC products? ANSWER BELOW and see the results LIVE on CBS Austin This Morning from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the summer solstice in the rearview mirror, we are now losing about 20 – 30 seconds of daylight every day in Central Texas, adding up to around 20 – 30 minutes of daylight loss at the end of the month.
Sunrise in Central Texas on Monday [July 6] was at 6:35 a.m. and sunset is at 8:36 p.m. On July 31st, sunrise will be at 6:49 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:31 p.m.
We’ll continue to slowly lose daylight through the summer months, but accelerates in meteorological fall before the winter solstice on December 21st. So the gradual decline in daylight daily won’t do much to combat the extreme heat in the coming weeks.
At the end of August [31st], sunrise in Central Texas will be at 7:06 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:17 p.m. Cooler days are ahead, but not for a while.
Austin, TX — Dinosaur lovers of all ages can travel back millions of years during Dinosaur Day at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum on Saturday, July 11.
The family-friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a full day of hands-on activities, opportunities to meet paleontologists and plenty of prehistoric discoveries.
One of the day’s biggest attractions gives visitors the chance to **bring their own fossils** for in-person identification by a paleontologist. Fossil identification sessions will be available from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Guests can also:
Meet paleontologists who study dinosaurs
Participate in family-friendly educational and art activities
Complete a dinosaur-themed scavenger hunt
Attend a special story time for younger visitors
Pick up a free dinosaur poster while supplies last
Explore “Epic Encounters,” the museum’s newly reimagined paleontology gallery
Visit the hands-on Discovery Center
See a 33-foot cast replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton along with a variety of fossil specimens
Save 20% on select dinosaur-themed merchandise in the Museum Store
All Dinosaur Day activities are included with regular museum admission.
The Texas Science & Natural History Museum, located on the University of Texas campus, tells the story of Texas’ natural history—from the formation of the planet and the age of dinosaurs to the state’s modern-day ecosystems.
For more information and ticket details, visit the museum’s event page: https://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/
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