PIA

Texas A&M refuses to release animal testing records; AG agrees

2015-07-20T13:21:53-05:00

By Nicole Cobler Houston Chronicle Originally published July 19, 2015 AUSTIN - Backed by a legal opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas A&M University is refusing to divulge information about dozens of animals used in lab testing. At least 40 people have requested daily care logs and health records of cats and dogs used in research. But a recent attorney general's opinion maintains veterinarian-patient privilege and allows the university to withhold the records, presenting a unique roadblock and a "terrible precedent" that other Texas universities might follow, animal rights activists said. "Almost every other state that has a veterinarian-patient statute [...]

Texas A&M refuses to release animal testing records; AG agrees2015-07-20T13:21:53-05:00

UT-Austin students take McRaven’s side in records fight with regent Hall

2015-07-17T17:21:46-05:00

By Benjamin Wermund Houston Chronicle Originally published July 16, 2015 In the ongoing fight over records between University of Texas System leaders, the students of the system's flagship UT Austin have sided with Chancellor Bill McRaven. UT Regent Wallace Hall, Jr. sued McRaven last month, saying he should be allowed to see federally protected student information that the University of Texas turned over to a private investigator. In a letter sent to the chancellor and regents this week, the presidents of the student government, Senate of College Councils and the president of the Graduate Student Assembly - three groups representing 50,000 [...]

UT-Austin students take McRaven’s side in records fight with regent Hall2015-07-17T17:21:46-05:00

Judge prevents public release of Twin Peaks video, issues gag order

2015-07-01T21:31:52-05:00

By Tommy Witherspoon Waco Tribune-Herald Originally published June 30, 2015 A state district judge ruled Tuesday that a Dallas attorney can have a copy of a Twin Peaks franchisee’s video of the May 17 biker shootout, but the judge barred the release of the video to the public. Judge Matt Johnson of Waco’s 54th State District Court also granted a prosecution request to place a gag order in the Matthew Alan Clendennen case, preventing attorneys on both sides, law enforcement officers and witnesses from discussing that case only in the media. In arguing his case for release of the video, Dallas [...]

Judge prevents public release of Twin Peaks video, issues gag order2015-07-01T21:31:52-05:00

City of McKinney charging $79K for emails about pool party cop

2015-07-01T15:25:08-05:00

By Andy Cush Gawker Originally published June 29, 2015 Days after McKinney, Texas, police officer Eric Casebolt was filmed pointing his service weapon at a group of unarmed black teenagers at a pool party this month, Gawker submitted a Public Information Act request to the city of McKinney asking to see Casebolt’s records and any emails about his conduct sent or received by McKinney Police Department employees. Today, we received a letter from the city’s attorneys claiming that fulfilling our request would cost $79,229.09. Click here to read the full Gawker story.

City of McKinney charging $79K for emails about pool party cop2015-07-01T15:25:08-05:00

Texas Supreme Court limits reach of open government law with GHP ruling

2015-06-26T21:31:44-05:00

By Mark Collette Houston Chronicle Originally published June 26, 2015 In a 6-3 opinion with profound reach on the state's open government laws, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday decided that Greater Houston Partnership doesn't have to open its check registers, even though it receives funds from the city of Houston. The case stemmed from a 2007 request by Jim Jenkins of Montgomery County, who wanted to see how GHP spends the city's money. GHP, the region's major economic development group, argued that it wasn't a governmental body for the purposes of the Texas Public Information Act, and eventually sued to [...]

Texas Supreme Court limits reach of open government law with GHP ruling2015-06-26T21:31:44-05:00
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