Texas reactions to the leaked SCOTUS document that could spell the end of Roe v. Wade
From lawmakers to activists on different sides of the abortion issue, Texans are weighing in on the Supreme Court’s potential reversal of the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision. The Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán reports.
How does Texas’ Roe v. Wade “trigger law” work?
If the Supreme Court officially overturns Roe v. Wade, Texas is one of more than a dozen states where a “trigger law” will automatically take effect, ending abortion almost entirely in the state. Breaking the law could result in a fine of at least $100,000. For more, we turn to University of Miami constitutional law professor Caroline Mala Corbin.
The revolt against giant highways – even in Texas
Historically, Texas has had one strategy for dealing with congested highways: build more of them. But in recent years, there has been more pushback against that idea from Texas transportation advocate and the federal government as well. Oliver Milman has been writing about the issue for the Guardian
W.F. Strong considers Toadsuck, Texas
Texas has had perhaps more than its share of unusual names of cities and towns. Cut and Shoot, Dime Box, Bug Tussle. But perhaps the strangest was Toadsuck, Texas. You won’t find it on a map today because it eventually became Collinsville in western Grayson County. But for a relatively brief and shining historical period, Toadsuck was a real Texas town. Texas Standard commentator W. F. Strong has the story of how it got that strange name.
Texas is big and diverse – we all know this. The experiences of someone in far West Texas are pretty different than someone who has spent their whole life along the Gulf Coast. But their experiences are equally Texan. A new program by the non-profit organization Texas Folklife aims to lift up the voices of some Texans to share their traditions with the rest of us. Jeannelle Ramirez is a program manager with Texas Folklife. We’ll talk to her today.
Your weekly fact check: are massive amounts of fentanyl coming across the border?
A Republican congresswoman from New York said more than 11,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2021, and that the amount is enough to kill every American nearly seven times over. Is that a Fact? We’ll get the answer from Nusaiba Mizan with Politifact Texas, based at the Austin American-Statesman.
Texas school districts have faced a wave of book challenges from conservative residents this year as part of a national GOP push to control the way racism and sexuality are framed in public schools. San Antonio’s North East Independent School District hasn’t received a single formal book challenge this year, but the district took it upon itself to pull hundreds of books for review. Texas Public Radio’s Camille Phillips explains.
What overturning Roe v. Wade could mean for other cases before the Supreme Court
While the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion could overturn 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion rights, some legal experts are saying the ruling could open the door for other rights to be challenged. When asked about the document by reporters yesterday, President Biden said, “Every other decision based on the notion of privacy is thrown into question.” For more on what overturning Roe could mean aside from access to abortion, we’re joined by Stephen Vladeck, the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Shelly Brisbin with the Talk of Texas.
