The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - January 12, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Monday, January 12th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Managing Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, a South Central Texas district attorney says public accountability still matters after securing guilty pleas from two separate county commissioners within her district. According to the office of 81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Gossett Lewis, Atascosa County Commissioner Kenard Bubba Riley and Wilson County Commissioner Russell King both entered guilty pleas in criminal cases her office brought against them. The cases were unrelated.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Lewis's district includes both Atascoza and Wilson counties, as well as Frio, Carnes, and LaSalle. According to the news release, Riley pleaded guilty to theft by a public servant after he was reported by a county employee for stealing gasoline that belonged to the county. King's conviction stemmed from a deadly conduct charge investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, where the Highway Patrol Division said King intentionally collided his vehicle with another on State Highway 329. In other news, in response to a question about whether judges who refuse to perform same-sex ceremonies based on their religious beliefs are prohibited from also performing traditional weddings, the Texas Supreme Court said no.

Starting point is 00:01:29 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit certified a question to the Texas Supreme Court in the case of Jack County Judge Keith Umphras, who sued the State Commission on Judicial Conduct in 2020 to clarify his ability to refuse to officiate ceremonies of same-sex couples because of his Christian beliefs. Umphras continues to perform traditional weddings of heterosexual couples. The district court dismissed Umphers's claims, saying that he had not suffered any threat of enforcement by the commission, nor had he altered his practices since the disciplinary action for the same issues against McLennan County, Justice of the Peace, Diane Hensley. He appealed the dismissal to the Fifth Circuit, which then certified the question to the Texas Supreme Court, which promulgates and clarifies the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct governing judges in Texas. Last but not least, both U.S. senators for the state of Texas say that more needs to be done when it comes to preventing those illegally present in the country from committing drunk driving offenses that result in serious injuries

Starting point is 00:02:32 or death and have filed joint legislation to address the issue. U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn announced their bill, dubbed the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act, which would amend current law by making it an aggravated felony for any illegal alien to commit any level of offense related to driving under the influence that results in severe bodily harm or death. Secondly, the would deny entry into the United States for any foreign national convicted of, or admitted to having committed, acts constituting the essential elements of the aforementioned drunk-driving laws. Cruz said in a press statement regarding the bill, quote, this legislation closes a legal loophole that has prevented and would continue to prevent law enforcement from protecting

Starting point is 00:03:18 Americans. He added that he is urging support from his Senate colleagues. Cornyn said the stiffer penalties are needed to send a tougher message of deterrence. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan. News and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - January 12, 2026

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