Faculty in the Media

Austin American-Statesman April 22, 2024

Texas inmates are ‘being cooked to death’ in state prisons, advocacy groups allege in suit

Professor Michele Deitch discusses the dangerous heat conditions in Texas prisons, stressing the severe impacts on both staff and inmates.

More of: Michele Y Deitch

New Republic April 22, 2024

How Religious Freedom Could Help Liberals Win the Abortion Rights War

Professor Elizabeth Sepper describes allegations of insincerity regarding religious objections to anti-abortion laws as an example of systematic distrust of women.

More of: Elizabeth W Sepper

Texas Tribune April 22, 2024

Texas inmates are being ‘cooked to death’ in extreme heat, complaint alleges

Professor Michele Deitch notes that excessive heat negatively impacts all functions of Texas prisons, making physical labor more difficult for staff, increasing violence among inmates, and leading to more use of force.

More of: Michele Y Deitch

The New York Times April 21, 2024

Government Surveillance Keeps Us Safe

Senior Lecturer Adam Klein co-authored an opinion piece about the benefits of Congress's bipartisan decision to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

More of: Adam I Klein

Houston Landing April 17, 2024

Other cities and counties have tried guaranteed income programs. Ken Paxton didn’t sue them.

Adjunct Professor Randall Erben discusses how Article III, Section 52 of the Texas Constitution, which says public money cannot be used for private purposes, is factoring into Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Harris County's guaranteed income pilot program.

More of: Randall H Erben

Salon April 20, 2024

“Ridiculous”: Experts say Trump’s court defiance threatens to “backfire” at looming contempt hearing

Professor Jennifer Laurin provides insight on prosecutors' allegations of Donald Trump's gag order violations during his hush money trial, discussing the legal implications that could result.  

More of: Jennifer E Laurin

KXAN April 17, 2024

The impacts of a new state-funded section of border wall

Professor Denise Gilman discusses the potential impacts of a new state-funded section of border wall, noting that increasing immigrant arrivals are a result of human rights situations in home countries rather than border enforcement measures.

More of: Denise L Gilman

Texas Standard April 16, 2024

Texas protest organizers could see more lawsuits against them after U.S. Supreme Court decision

Professor Tara Leigh Grove analyzes the Fifth's Circuit's decision in Mckesson v. Doe, in which the court ruled that a protestor organizer could be held financially responsible for a police officer's injury that occurred during the protest.

More of: Tara Grove

NPR April 17, 2024

Can President Biden unilaterally shut down key functions of the border?

Texas Law Immigration Clinic Co-Director Denise Gilman defines what is meant by "shutting down the border" and speaks about the Biden administration's authority to take this action.

More of: Denise L Gilman

The Texas Tribune April 15, 2024

State district judge recommends overturning Melissa Lucio’s death sentence

Professor Jordan Steiker comments on the rarity of district attorney offices acknowledging an error in court after a determination of  prosecutorial misconduct in the Melissa Lucio trial.

More of: Jordan M Steiker

KERA News April 15, 2024

Report: ‘Junk fees’ add a hidden burden to Texas tenants already struggling with high rents

Clinical Professor Heather Way speaks on the Housing Policy Clinic's new report, which focuses on how "junk fees"–added fees that tenants pay for mandatory services–have contributed to rising rent costs and a lack of affordable housing.

More of: Heather K Way

Texas Standard April 12, 2024

How many landlords pad rent with ‘junk fees,’ and what can be done

Clinical Professor Heather Way is interviewed about the Housing Policy Clinic's new report, "Combating Junk Fees in Texas Rental Housing: A Pathway to Fairer and More Transparent Leasing Practices."

More of: Heather K Way