Author: Houston Stringer

AUSTIN, TX – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe as chair of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which oversees the care and treatment of county prisoners and the construction and operation of county jails. File Photo (September 2025) In addition to Rowe's appointment, Abbott also named Joe Fauth of Plantersville and Richard Kirkpatrick of Kingsville to the commission for terms ending January 31, 2031, and January 31, 2027, respectively. Patricia M. Anthony of Garland and Monica McBride of Alpine were reappointed for terms expiring January 31, 2031. Rowe, with over three decades in law enforcement, previously served as president of both the Sheriff’s Association of Texas and the Texas Jail Association. He also serves on multiple public safety b...

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a statement Monday condemning the overnight removal of the rainbow crosswalk in Montrose, calling it a crackdown on “beloved community art” and questioning the decision-making process behind its removal. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkWM-tkzjRG_oUyg1gfwSX2JHBzk1ACxQ “The state’s crackdown on beloved community art shows that they are willing to go further and further in limiting free speech and free expression,” Judge Hidalgo said. She emphasized that the rainbow crosswalk was originally painted as a memorial and did not symbolize harm or discrimination toward any group. Hidalgo also criticized METRO’s swift compliance with the state directive, noting the agency was given 30 days to act and could have pursued o...