‘Nobel prize for fiction’: judge excoriates colleague in Texas redistricting case

U.S. Circuit Judge Jerry Smith criticized his colleague for 'judicial misbehavior' in a dissenting opinion regarding the blocking of Texas's new congressional map. Smith described the conduct as the most outrageous he has encountered in his 37 years on the federal bench. His dissent follows a federal court ruling that deemed the map racially gerrymandered, impacting the Republican Party's strategy ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

A cold case in Texas has been revived thanks to a group of criminal justice and forensic science students who urged investigators to focus on a specific suspect. Their efforts have led to new developments in the decades-old murder investigation.

Jonathan Joss, a voice actor known for his role in 'King of the Hill', has been killed, and a Texas man has been indicted in connection with his death. Joss' husband reported that the assailant shouted violent homophobic slurs before opening fire.

Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and presidential candidate, stated that 'abortion bans have killed another woman in Texas' following a ProPublica report. The report highlighted the case of a 37-year-old woman named Tierra, who died due to complications related to the state's abortion restrictions. Clinton's remarks were made in a post on the social platform X, linking to the ProPublica article.

Federal judges have blocked a redistricting plan proposed by Texas Republicans, labeling it as 'racially gerrymandered.' This ruling has sparked backlash from Republican officials, who argue that the decision reflects a double standard in judicial scrutiny. The case is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court as the GOP prepares for the upcoming midterm elections.

Some Texas Republicans are advocating for hand-counting ballots in the upcoming primary elections. Critics argue that this approach could lead to confusion, errors, and delayed results, particularly in crucial contests scheduled for March. The proposal raises concerns about the efficiency and reliability of the electoral process in Texas.

Legal battles over mid-decade congressional redistricting are intensifying as deadlines for the midterm elections approach. A Texas congressional map that was expected to create five Republican pickup opportunities is currently blocked pending a Supreme Court decision. Additionally, judges are set to review North Carolina's new map, which could also favor Republican gains.

Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett, aged 79, has indicated that he may reconsider his retirement plans following a federal court ruling that blocked a GOP redistricting map. This ruling is a significant development in the ongoing debate over gerrymandering in Texas.