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Citizen Portal News Texas
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A gripping trial has commenced in Texas, where the prosecution claims Duron Evans choked a complainant, while the defense questions the credibility of witnesses and the integrity of crucial video evidence.

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#TX #PublicSafety #TexasFamilyViolence #CitizenPortal #JusticeReform
Family-violence assault trial begins; defense raises missing-video and investigation concerns
Jury empaneled in State v. Duron Evans; prosecutor described evidence that the defendant choked the complainant, the defense attacked witness credibility and alleged missing or edited video evidence, and the state called officers to testify and to offer a recorded interview of the defendant.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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In a dramatic court session, multiple defendants faced significant decisions including a withdrawn appeal, a bond reinstatement, and various plea resolutions—what does this mean for their futures?

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#TX #TexasCourts #CriminalJustice #BondReinstatement #CitizenPortal
Docket roundup: appeal withdrawn, bond reinstated and multiple plea outcomes at district court
At the 187th Judicial District Court docket, a defendant withdrew an appeal, a prior bond forfeiture was set aside pending bondsman confirmation, and the court accepted plea agreements and imposed sentences in several cases, including revocation and a short jail term under a plea deal.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
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The Lubbock City Council has made significant strides by unanimously approving key chair appointments and crucial zoning changes that will reshape the city's landscape!

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#LubbockLubbockCounty #TX #CommunityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #TaxIncrementFinancing #CitizenPortal
Council approves four TIF chair appointments and unanimous zoning changes for multiple properties
The Lubbock City Council unanimously appointed chairpersons for four Tax Increment Financing boards for 2026 and approved four zoning changes (items 7.57) after a consolidated public hearing and presentations by planning staff and applicants.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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Lubbock's City Manager reveals a narrowing sales-tax shortfall, as strategic spending cuts pave the way for a balanced general fund ahead of the formal audit.

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#LubbockLubbockCounty #TX #LubbockCityCouncil #FiscalResponsibility #SalesTaxRecovery #CitizenPortal #BudgetAudit
Lubbock manager says FY2025 sales-tax shortfall narrowed; general fund expected balanced on unaudited basis
City Manager Matt Atkinson told the Lubbock City Council that an anticipated $5.4 million sales-tax shortfall narrowed to roughly $5.19 million in final unaudited numbers and that spending cuts and other savings should leave the general fund balanced before the formal audit in February.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 9:36 AM
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In a gripping courtroom showdown, family witnesses challenge the complainant's claims in the State of Texas v. Duran Evans trial, sparking a fierce debate over conflicting memories and alleged assaults.

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#TX #JusticeSystem #TexasCourtrooms #WitnessTestimony #LegalDefense
Family witnesses contradict complainant’s account as State v. Evans jury trial begins
The jury trial of State v. Duran Evans opened with family members called by the defense testifying that the defendant remained calm and that the complaining witness (her daughter) has a history of exaggeration; the prosecution and defense sharply disputed who observed physical contact in a movie‑theater parking lot.
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December 13, 2025 at 2:39 AM
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The 252nd District Court saw a whirlwind of guilty pleas, bond adjustments, and surprising dismissals that could change lives forever.

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#TX #TexasCourts #CriminalJustice #CitizenPortal #CommunityAccountability #ProbationReform
Docket roundup: multiple guilty pleas, dismissals and bond adjustments at 252nd District Court
At the 252nd District Court docket call judges accepted multiple guilty pleas, entered dismissals, reduced bonds and set trials or sentencings for several defendants, including probation terms, restitution and program conditions.
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December 13, 2025 at 2:38 AM
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Terry Rose has finally pleaded guilty to a murder charge dating back to 1999, setting the stage for a pivotal sentencing hearing that could change everything.

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#TX #TexasCourts #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #LegalAccountability #CitizenPortal
Terry Rose pleads guilty to 1999 murder; sentencing set after pre-sentence report
Terry Rose pleaded guilty to a 1999 murder charge in the 252nd District Court and left punishment to the judge; the court found him competent, ordered a pre-sentence report and scheduled a multi-hour sentencing hearing for Tuesday the 16th.
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December 13, 2025 at 2:34 AM
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A gripping trial in Bexar County unfolds as a jury weighs conflicting witness accounts and police testimony in a shocking felony assault case.

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#TX #WitnessTestimony #CriminalJustice #BexarCounty #LegalInvestigation #CitizenPortal
Jury trial in Bexar County over alleged choking centers on inconsistent witness statements and investigative choices
At a jury trial in the 187th District, prosecutors presented testimony that a complainant was choked; defense counsel highlighted inconsistencies in accounts (hand used, number of hands, seat position) and cross-examined police on forms, bodycam footage and investigative follow-up. The jury was charged and sent to deliberate.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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Waco City Council just made big moves by approving major zoning changes and a new Public Arts Commission that will reshape the future of the city!

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#WacoMcLennanCounty #TX #WacoDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #CommunityGrowth #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal
Council approves multiple zoning, annexation and ordinance items including West Village PUD and two voluntary annexations
On Dec. 2 the Waco City Council approved a package of zoning and ordinance items on second reading and individual consideration, including PUD zoning for West Village/Westlake, voluntary annexations, and multiple ordinance cleanups and code updates.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 2:11 AM
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Waco residents are rallying against a massive 500-acre data center, fearing it could threaten their long-standing way of life and the local environment.

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#WacoMcLennanCounty #TX #EnvironmentalImpact #PublicParticipation #WacoCommunity #CitizenPortal #WaterConservation
Residents urge Waco council to act as opposition grows to proposed 500‑acre data center in county ETJ
Multiple residents urged the Waco City Council to oppose or address a proposed ~500‑acre Infra Key data center planned in the county/ETJ, citing water use, noise, pollution and limited local benefits; the mayor noted those proposals are in extraterritorial jurisdiction and have not yet come before the council.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 1:55 AM
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Sweetwater City Council has greenlit up to $200,000 in performance-based funding for a new nonprofit childcare center set to open in 2026, but can it hit the enrollment targets?

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#SweetwaterNolanCounty #TX #EducationAccess #CommunitySupport #LocalGovernance #SweetwaterChildcare
Council OKs up to $200,000 in performance-based incentives for new nonprofit childcare center
The Sweetwater City Council authorized Seed MDD to provide up to $200,000 in enrollment-based incentives to Lone Star Learning Academy, a nonprofit childcare operator that plans to open in early 2026 at Emmanuel Fellowship; the council recorded one abstention tied to a disclosed family connection.
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December 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM
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Waco is reimagining its subdivisions into vibrant, walkable neighborhoods by proposing innovative design changes that prioritize connectivity and pedestrian access.

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#WacoMcLennanCounty #TX #WalkabilityInitiatives #UrbanDesign #AffordableHousing #CitizenPortal #WacoSubdivisions
Waco staff urge design changes to turn subdivisions into connected, walkable neighborhoods
City staff presented options to raise connectivity and pedestrian access in new Waco subdivisions, proposing a connectivity index, stronger stub-out and access rules, revised sidewalk timing, and a traffic-calming 'menu' to balance walkability with affordability concerns.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
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The Supreme Court of Texas is faced with a pivotal argument that could redefine the boundaries of litigation by clarifying when a later suit should be blocked under the first-filed rule.

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#TX #LitigationGuidance #JudicialAccountability #TexasCourts #LegalReform #CitizenPortal
Texas high court hears argument on whether later suit is barred by first‑filed rule
At oral argument before the Supreme Court of Texas, counsel argued the court should clarify whether a later‑filed suit is barred by the first‑filed rule and urged adoption of a material‑elements test to avoid duplicative litigation; counsel cited filing dates and disputed whether alleged misconduct continued after 2012.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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La Marque is taking a bold step towards safer streets with a comprehensive plan to eliminate roadway fatalities and injuries, backed by crucial funding opportunities.

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#LaMarqueGalvestonCounty #TX #CommunityEngagement #LaMarqueRoadSafety #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal
HGAC updates La Marque on roadway safety plan after review of seven years of crash data
HGAC consultant Peyton Arons briefed council on a La Marque safety action plan aligned with USDOT’s Safe System approach, citing 24 fatal crashes and 113 serious-injury crashes from 2018–2024 and outlining public engagement and project prioritization steps for SS4A funding readiness.
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December 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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Residents are making explosive allegations against La Marque Councilman Joseph Lowry, claiming harassment, cyberstalking, and more during a heated public-comment session.

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#LaMarqueGalvestonCounty #TX #HarassmentAllegations #PublicComment #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability
Residents accuse La Marque councilmember of harassment; council reiterates free-speech protections
Multiple residents used public comment to accuse Councilman Joseph Lowry of online harassment, stalking and making false statements about deceased relatives; speakers said they have filed complaints and demanded action; city attorney advised council on public-comment protections and decorum.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
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La Marque City Council is reshaping your water and sewer rates with a new five-year plan that could impact your monthly bill—find out how!

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#LaMarqueGalvestonCounty #TX #LaMarqueUtility #FiscalStability #CommunityTransparency #CitizenPortal #WaterRates
La Marque council advances first reading of five-year water and sewer rate plan
Council approved a first reading of a five-year water and sewer rate ordinance that raises the fixed monthly charge and restructures per-thousand-gallon tiers, citing the need to stabilize the utility fund and protect bond ratings.
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December 12, 2025 at 12:27 PM
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Judge Tammy Long Hayward navigated a bustling hybrid arraignment calendar, skillfully accepting pleas and managing cases while emphasizing the importance of communication for defendants.

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#TX #TexasCourtSystem #DefendantRights #JudicialProcess #ProbationGuidelines #CitizenPortal
Clayton County State Court handles large arraignment calendar; multiple pleas accepted and some cases dismissed
Judge Tammy Long Hayward ran a hybrid arraignment calendar in Courtroom 304 on Dec. 4, 2025, accepting negotiated pleas and first-offender pleas, issuing and recalling several bench warrants, and directing defendants to probation intake and payment procedures.
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December 12, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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A patient claims she was sexually assaulted by a surgeon during a post-operative visit, leading to a trial that will explore the complex definitions of consent and penetration.

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#TX #ForensicEvidence #LegalTerminology #SexualAssaultAwareness #TexasCosmeticSurgery
Port Arthur surgeon on trial after patient says he slipped fingers between her labia; SANE nurse and DNA tests discussed
On the first day of a criminal trial in Jefferson County, the prosecution presented testimony from the patient, her mother and a SANE nurse claiming the defendant touched and inserted a finger past the labia during a post‑operative visit; the defense focused on the legal meaning of 'penetration' and DNA evidence that did not show a male profile on labia swabs.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
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In a heated La Marque City Council meeting, members voted 3-2 to extend interim city manager Barbara Holly’s contract amidst serious allegations of misconduct, sparking a contentious debate over transparency and stability.

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#LaMarqueGalvestonCounty #TX #GovernmentTransparency
La Marque council extends interim city manager’s contract after divided vote amid allegation review
The La Marque City Council voted 3–2 to extend interim city manager Barbara Holly’s contract six months (plus a 45‑day transition) and to begin a search for a permanent city manager; a councilmember asked to table action after saying an email alleged illegal conduct by the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
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The Texas Supreme Court is grappling with a landmark case that could redefine the boundaries of commercial negotiations and fraud claims—can mere discussions about leases lead to actionable misrepresentations?

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#TX #LegalPrecedents #FraudClaims #TexasCommercialLaw
Supreme Court of Texas hears dispute over whether continued lease talks can support a fraud claim
The court heard arguments in Maya Walnut v. Lee about whether statements that lease negotiations will continue can be treated as actionable misrepresentations and whether the 'red flag' doctrine bars a fraud claim where a tenant might have discovered contrary facts.
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December 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
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The Texas Supreme Court is set to decide a pivotal case that could change how businesses are served legal documents, raising questions about address accuracy and due-process rights.

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#TX #DueProcess #TexasBusinessLaw #LegalReform #CitizenPortal #PublicAccountability
Texas Supreme Court weighs which address counts for substitute service in Huffman Asset Management v. Coulter
At oral argument the court considered whether the phrase “most recent address on file with the secretary of state” refers to an entity’s principal office or to the registered agent/registered office, a determination that could affect when substitute service via the secretary of state satisfies due-process notice requirements.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 9:14 AM
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Commissioner John Wiley Price is sounding the alarm on soaring misdemeanor case backlogs and questioning if judges are making the most of their resources.

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#DallasCounty #TX #JudicialPerformance #CaseManagement #CourtTechnology #CitizenPortal
Commissioners press judges and staff over kiosks, Odyssey reports and large misdemeanor caseloads
Commissioner Price and others raised concerns about apparent backlog spikes in certain county criminal courts, questioned kiosk license costs and asked staff to pursue tools and data that better track case settings and judicial performance.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 7:41 AM
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Dallas County celebrated remarkable achievements by honoring dedicated employees, nonprofit milestones, and cultural icons at their recent Commissioners Court session!

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#DallasCounty #TX #SmallBusinessSupport #DallasCountyCommissioners #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal
Court adopts recognition resolutions, presents SBE awards and approves consent agenda
Dallas County Commissioners Court adopted ceremonial resolutions honoring long-serving employees, nonprofit anniversaries, and cultural leaders, presented Small Business Enterprise awards and approved the consent agenda and several bids; several items were pulled for separate review.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 7:35 AM
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The 187th District Court made waves today with a mix of guilty pleas and significant sentencing decisions, including a six-year probation for Jasmine Lim and a four-year prison term for David Romero.

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#TX #TexasCourts #PleaAgreements #CriminalJustice #CitizenPortal
Court calendar: guilty pleas, deferred adjudication and a revocation in Bexar County 187th District Court
The court accepted plea agreements, deferred adjudication applications and a motion‑to‑revoke outcome: Jasmine Lim pleaded and was given six years probated with partial GPS in lieu of 10 days in jail; David Romero pled true to a probation violation and the court revoked and sentenced him to four years; other plea hearings and deferred adjudications were continued or taken under advisement.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 7:07 AM
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Denison has just secured a staggering $16.95 million to tackle water loss, with nearly $12 million in grants—transforming the city's water system for the better!

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#DenisonGraysonCounty #TX #CommunityFunding #DenisonWater #InfrastructureImprovement #CitizenPortal
Denison wins $16.95 million award to reduce water loss; council to take final action next meeting
City staff said Denison secured $16,950,000 from the Texas Water Development Board for water-system improvements — roughly $11.8 million of that is grant funds — and the council will consider final funding steps at its next meeting.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 6:49 AM