Yesterday: He survived the treacherous Darien Gap to come to the U.S. Then #ICE agents called him a member of Tren de Aragua. No criminal record, no gang tattoos, he was deported over the sneakers he wore.
The Texas Observer
A Venezuelan Was Detained as a 'Documented' Gang Member by ICE, Which Refused to Provide Proof
The Venezuelan immigrant, who has no criminal record, previously worked for a multinational corporation that sells snacks, food, and soft drinks.
 #immigration #HumanRights #news #politics #USpol #Texas
From 2023: The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rates of any wealthy country, by a lot, and the rates are increasing. The rate of Black mothers dying is more than twice as high as that for white women.
The Texas Observer
Save the Mothers
Maternal mortality rates are too high in Texas and the U.S. in general. We could fix that. New mothers need improved assessment and support.
 #HumanRights #healthcare #children #racism #health #news #politics #USpol #Texas
From Mary Tuma: “We continue to be underfunded while the demand—and the stakes—grow. And it’s not as if the attacks on #abortion have slowed down in #Texas, we still deeply need investment, possibly now more than ever.”
The Texas Observer
Abortion Funds See Dwindling Donations as Demand and Cost Rise
A flood of cash following Roe’s fall has dried up, leaving Texas nonprofits struggling to keep pace with the state’s abortion access crisis.
 #nonprofit #healthcare #HumanRights #RoeVWade #politics #USpol #news
Join Mother Jones, Capital B, and the Texas Observer in #Houston for The Lingering Storm: Stories of Hope and Action—a powerful in-person event reflecting on Hurricane Katrina’s legacy and how communities are rising in the face of climate change and displacement. Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, #Texas When: Wed., Sept. 10 | Doors 6:30PM | Program 7–9PM Donation-based RSVP (suggested $5):
Eventbrite
The Lingering Storm
20 Years After Katrina—Stories of Hope and Action. Presented by Mother Jones, Capital B, and the Texas Observer
 (🧵 1/2: See reply for lineup!) #events #TheLingeringStorm #ClimateJustice image
This week's top story: Allowing police departments the discretion to silo off certain parts of #police personnel records is a recipe for abuse. Now, the #Texas lege wants to help them hide their misconduct ...
The Texas Observer
Texas Lawmakers Push ‘Massive Secrecy Grab’ to Shield Police Files
As public attention has shifted away from policing reform, legislators attempt to shove information into the dark.
 #politics #USpol #news #TXlege #HumanRights
Last week: Both NIH grants that support the Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program were terminated as part of a broader attempt by the federal government to terminate direct NIH funding to Harvard Medical School. 32 students who spent countless hours applying for and earning fellowships saw their awards vanish.
The Texas Observer
I Came from Rural Texas to Harvard’s MD-PhD program. Now, Trump Defunded that Program.
These decisions affect not just the archetypal Ivy League student many imagine—they affect people who grew up in places like Lindale.
 #education #DOGE #Trump #healthcare #politics #USpol #Texas #news
Featured story, from Francesca D'Annunzio: Nearly 1.5M Texans now live in jurisdictions where sheriffs or #police chiefs have agreed to train some of their officers to act as #immigration agents in their communities. These agreements currently cover around 30 Texas law enforcement agencies.
The Texas Observer
ICE 'Task Force' Agreements Expand to Galveston, Beaumont
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement rolls out necessary training, the Galveston County Sheriff's Office joins a growing list of Texas law e...
 #ICE #HumanRights #border #sheriffs #politics #USpol #Trump #news #GulfCoast
Earlier, from @npub19fqp...rjhq: The ban on churches endorsing candidates is overwhelmingly supported. 77% of Americans surveyed oppose houses of worship endorsing political candidates and 67% say houses of worship should keep out of political matters altogether.
The Texas Observer
How Trump’s IRS May Unshackle Churches from Their Political Restraints
As if everyday life in these United States wasn’t politicized enough, your local house of worship could soon become a part of the campaign battle...
 #economy #religion #Trump #politics #USpol #news
New from Justin Miller: While House #Democrats in Chicago, plus some in New York, seem willing and able to withhold their numbers for the remaining weeks of this first 30-day special session, all that would do is delay the inevitable.
The Texas Observer
Can Anything Halt the Gerrymandering Arms Race?
Texas Dem quorum-breakers are seeking to protect voter rights nationwide, but they’re likely engaged in little more than a perfunctory game of ch...
 #news #politics #Trump #TXlege #Texas #USpol #democracy
Last week: Who judges the judges? Nationwide, more than 1,500 complaints were filed against federal judges in 2023; more than 90% of them were dismissed without any investigation, particularly those made by prisoners or by litigants.
The Texas Observer
Rules of the Robe
A sharp-eyed retiree uncovered evidence of judicial misconduct by the chief judge of Houston’s busy bankruptcy court. The unusual story highlight...
 #politics #USpol #law #Texas #Houston #GulfCoast #news