State of Texas - August 4, 2024

Biden in Austin - President Joe Biden commemorated the 60th anniversary of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin Monday, calling for major reforms to the justice system as his solution for preserving those liberties. Matt Grant breaks down what those reforms look like and the chances it will get through Congress. Texas Prison Heat - Inmate advocates asked a federal judge to declare the state prison system’s lack of air conditioning as unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment. In a multi-day hearing former prisoners described the suffocating heat in Texas lockups. School Voucher Poll - A new survey of Texas voters revealed seemingly contradictory feelings about a contentious issue that could dominate next year’s legislative session. Our Will Dupree dove into the numbers and found some contradictory information. Crosswalk Crimes - The Lisa Torry Smith Act went into effect in September 2021, making it a crime to kill or hurt a person in a crosswalk. Statewide data shows more drivers are being arrested and prosecuted for breaking the law, but as Arezow Doost shows us some worry challenges are impacting enforcement.