Austin, TX
Talarico rallies in Austin as early voting opens after Colbert interview controversy
AUSTIN, Texas — State Rep. James Talarico, who is running for U.S. Senate, spoke to supporters Tuesday night as early voting began in Texas, following controversy over an interview with “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” that aired online instead of on television.
Colbert said CBS blocked the interview from airing on TV. CBS, however, said the network had received legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
The interview was set to run just before early voting for the March 3 Democratic primary. Talarico described the situation as “the most dangerous kind of cancel culture.”
“You all may have seen that they’ve launched a probe into The View after I went on that show,” Talarico said, referring to a previous FCC action. “So it’s the second time we’ve been targeted by the FCC.”
KEYE DVR_WINDOW
ALSO| Texas Rep. James Talarico caught in CBS-Colbert dispute over ‘Late Show’ interview
Colbert explained the network’s concern during his show, noting the equal-time rule requires that if a show hosts a candidate during an election, it must offer all opponents an equal opportunity to appear. The FCC issued guidance Jan. 21 saying the rule now applies to daytime and late-night talk shows, which were previously exempt.
Russ Horton, a lawyer with George Brothers Kincaid & Horton LLP in Austin, who frequently works on First Amendment issues, said the new guidelines could pressure networks to limit political appearances on entertainment programs. “The legal department of CBS decided they just didn’t want to risk having a candidate the current administration may not view as favorable,” Horton said.
Rep. Crockett, who is also running in the Democratic primary, said she understood CBS offered options to air Talarico while maintaining equal-time compliance. “There may have been advice to just have me on, and then they could clear the issue. It was my understanding that someone somewhere decided we just don’t want to do that,” she said.
Talarico kicked off early voting in Austin with a rally Tuesday night, telling supporters he is ready for the upcoming primary. CBS Austin also reached out to Ahmad Hassan, a third Democratic candidate, but had not received a response.
Austin, TX
Judge Albright, who oversaw patent litigation boom in Texas, to resign
Austin, TX
Appeals court rules Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in class
DALLAS (AP) — Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, a U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday in a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into schools.
WATCH: Texas school board approves new course material that includes Bible passages
It sets up a potential clash at the U.S. Supreme Court over the issue in the future.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said in the decision that the law did not violate the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom and prevents the government from establishing a religion.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, called the ruling “a major victory for Texas and our moral values.”
“The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important that students learn from them every single day,” Paxton said.
Organizations representing the families who challenged the law, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement that they were “extremely disappointed” by the decision.
“The court’s ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding U.S. Supreme Court authority. The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights,” the statement said.
The law is among the pushes by Republicans, including President Donald Trump, to incorporate religion into public schools. Critics say it violates the separation of church and state while backers argue that the Ten Commandments are historical and part of the foundation of U.S. law.
The ruling, which reverses a district court’s judgment, comes after the full court heard arguments in January in the Texas case and a similar case in Louisiana. The appeals court in February cleared the way for Louisiana’s law, requiring displays of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift a block that a lower court first placed on the law in 2024.
Texas law took effect on Sept. 1, marking the largest attempt in the nation to hang the Ten Commandments in public schools. About two dozen school districts had been barred from posting them after federal judges issued injunctions in two cases against the law but went up in many classrooms across the state as districts paid to have the posters printed themselves or accepted donations.
A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.
Austin, TX
Texas DMV launches authorization system for automated commercial vehicles
Waymo self-driving car navigating city traffic, San Francisco, California, August 20, 2024. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is launching a new authorization system for companies looking to operate automated motor vehicles.
A new goes into effect next month that requires companies using automated vehicles to be authorized by TxDMV with the following requirements:
- Complies with all applicable Texas traffic and motor vehicle laws
- Is equipped with a recording device
- Uses an automated driving system that complies with federal law
- Can achieve minimal risk condition in the event of a system failure
- Has a proper title and registration
- Maintains motor vehicle insurance
The process allows companies to submit their applications online through the Texas Motor Carrier Credentialing System.
The new laws outlined in Senate Bill 2807 go into effect on May 28.
Automated vehicles in Texas
The backstory:
Autonomous driving services are already operating in major Texas cities. Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio are all serviced by the driverless ride-share company Waymo.
In Austin, the service has received dozens of complaints about vehicles stalling, speeding and crashing.
There have also been complaints of vehicles illegally passing school buses.
In March, Swedish company Einride announced plans to bring autonomous freight trucks to Central Texas.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and previous FOX Local reporting.
-
Kentucky1 minute agoNorthern Kentucky Education Council honors NKY educators with 2026 Excellence in Education Awards
-
Louisiana7 minutes agoNorth Carolina man arrested in Okaloosa County for alleged Louisiana mass shooting plan
-
Maine13 minutes agoVideos show dead Maine moose covered in winter ticks. How they kill.
-
Maryland19 minutes agoNo. 2-seed Maryland women’s lacrosse ekes out 10-9 win over No. 7-seed Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals
-
Michigan25 minutes agoPolice say Oakland County teen missing, endangered
-
Massachusetts31 minutes agoInside the Massachusetts courtroom where former students face a teacher charged with rape
-
Minnesota37 minutes agoMinnesota weather: Rain and storms possible late Thursday
-
Mississippi43 minutes agoIllegal immigration costs Mississippi over $100 million, auditor says