Three Texas Women File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Challenging Capitol Ban

CNN Newsource on May 4, 2026

By Lisa Valadez

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    Houston, TX (Houston Style Magazine) — Earlier today, a press conference was held on the steps of the U.S. District Courthouse for the Western District of Texas in Austin, where three Texas women announced the filing of a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging their continued bans from the Texas Capitol Complex.

The Austin Community Law Center said the lawsuit was filed on behalf of plaintiffs Angel Carroll, Jessica Cohen, and Jill Van Voorhis, and targets the Texas State Preservation Board along with state leaders including Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, Dustin Barrows, and other board members. The legal action challenges year-long criminal trespass notices issued following a peaceful protest in August 2025, which the plaintiffs argue remain in place despite the Travis County Attorney declining to pursue charges.

According to the lawsuit, the bans function as an unconstitutional restriction on First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, amounting to what the plaintiffs describe as a prior restraint on future political speech and assembly.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Carroll said the case stems from what she characterized as retaliation following protest activity connected to redistricting debates. She said that after the August 2025 demonstration, she and others were arrested and held in county jail for several hours before being released, and that prosecutors ultimately rejected the charges due to insufficient evidence. Carroll added that the broader implications of the case extend beyond the individuals involved.

“This is so much bigger than one night. When a government can arrest peaceful advocates, ban them from public spaces without charge, and offer no path to appeal, they are not simply bending the rules, they are dismantling the very framework that protects every American, regardless of party and ideology. This is an attempt to set another dangerous precedent and the implications will reach far beyond the walls of the Texas Capitol. If we allow the rights guaranteed to us by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to be quietly eroded without consequence, we will have failed not only ourselves, but every generation that comes after us,” Carroll said.

Carroll said that despite the dismissal of charges, she and the other plaintiffs remain barred from entering the Capitol Complex, including surrounding grounds and facilities, with no formal appeal process available. She described the restriction as overly broad and said it effectively prevents access to public spaces beyond the Capitol building itself.

The plaintiffs also referenced State Representative Nicole Collier of Fort Worth, who previously resisted compliance measures tied to the protest response and remained inside the House chamber for several days in solidarity with demonstrators. State Senator Sarah Eckhardt was also present at the press conference in support of the legal effort, along with attorney Brian McGiverin of the Austin Community Law Center.

The nonprofit law center, which focuses on civil rights litigation and public interest advocacy, said the lawsuit seeks to challenge what it views as unlawful restrictions imposed without due process. Carroll said the group is pursuing legal action after concluding that other avenues of redress had been exhausted.

The case is expected to proceed in federal court in the coming months.

Read full complaint here:

Case 1:26-cv-01169

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Lisa Valadez
Lisa@stylemagazine.com
713-748-6300

UCSB Physicist Wins Top Global Science Prize

KEYT on May 4, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A University of California, Santa Barbara physicist was awarded one of the most prestigious awards in science, shining a global spotlight on the incredible work happening right here on the Central Coast.

David Gross has been named a recipient of a special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics — often referred to as the “Oscars of Science.” The award recognizes groundbreaking achievements in fields like physics, mathematics, and life sciences.

Gross, who previously won the Nobel Prize in Physics, is being honored for decades of research that helped shape modern understanding of the universe. His work in particle physics and string theory has influenced generations of scientists and continues to guide research today.

The recognition comes with a multi-million-dollar prize and highlights the importance of investing in fundamental science — work that often begins with big questions about how the universe operates.

For students and researchers at UCSB, the moment feels personal. It’s not just a global achievement — it’s happening in their classrooms and labs, offering a close-up look at the kind of curiosity and persistence that drives scientific discovery.

This story will highlight how one physicist’s legacy is inspiring the next generation to keep asking the biggest questions about our universe.

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SLO County tourism saw record breaking 7.7 million visitors in 2025

KEYT on May 4, 2026

Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Official tourism data released Monday morning showed a record number of visitors spent time in San Luis Obispo County last year.

According to a Visit California economic impact report, visitation in San Luis Obispo County totaled 7.7 million in 2025, a record-breaking amount with a 3.5% year-over-year (YoY) increase.

“2025 was a breakthrough year for tourism in SLO CAL,” said Cathy Cartier, President and CEO, Visit SLO CAL. “Across the region, our visitors, partners and communities came together to build something stronger than what came before the pandemic. These results speak to the power of consistency, collaboration and shared momentum.”

The information was part of an annual tourism summery released annually each May by Visit SLO CAL, the official destination marketing and management organization for San Luis Obispo County.

Several other tourism related metrics were also part of the report, including:

$2.37 billion in direct travel spending (up 3.8% YoY)

24,580 tourism-supported jobs (up 430 jobs YoY)

$1.01 billion in direct earnings (up 5.3% YoY)

$215.5 million in total state and local tax revenue, including $112.5 million in local taxes

Tourism accounts for 9.7% of countywide GDP

7.7 million visitors (up 3.5% YoY)

As those in the travel industry celebrate the accomplishments of 2025, they are also dealing with economic challenges, such as record high fuel costs, that currently happening now as the peak summer travel season is set to start in only a matter of weeks.

Visit SLO CAL said numbers so far this year are maintaining the strong momentum from 2025 and is expecting demand to continue.

In addition, with the recent reopening of scenic Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide south of Big Sur, already visitation numbers are increasing on the North Coast and throughout the entire county.

“We know there’s economic headwinds underway, but being the proximity and location where we’re at,” said Ashlee Akers, Visit SLO CAL Marketing and Communications Vice President. “We are in a great spot for road trip destinations where you can come and explore really close to home, especially within our California drive markets.”

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Emilio Nares Foundation increases local presence for pediatric care

KYMA on May 4, 2026

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The journey from the Imperial Valley to San Diego isn’t too long, but for a family with a child battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, that distance can feel insurmountable.

For years, the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF) has been the bridge, providing transportation for underserved families to reach their medical appointments.

In a major move to expand that support, the foundation is bringing more of its expertise directly to the Imperial Valley.

Plans are underway to open a local resource center that will mirror the foundation’s hub at Rady Children’s Hospital, providing a central location for support and advocacy. 

The center is designed to be a sanctuary for families, offering the guidance and resources necessary to navigate the challenges on the road to recovery.

To introduce these new services, ENF is hosting a Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Cambria Hotel in Imperial.

The event is free and open to the public, offering residents a first-hand look at the foundation’s mission and future local projects.

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City of El Centro to host community meeting on city budget

KYMA on May 4, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro is inviting residents to attend a virtual community meeting next week.

According to a press release, the meeting, taking place Monday at 6 p.m. on Zoom, will give residents an opportunity to learn about the City’s “financial planning process and the use of local funds.”

During the meeting, the City says their staff will present an overview of the budget process and how the funding will be used, along with residents being given an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.

“Understanding how the City plans and uses its budget helps residents stay informed and engaged in the process,” said El Centro City Manager Robert Sawyer. “We are looking forward to connecting with the community. Our goal is to make the budget process more accessible and encourage residents to take part in the conversation about how decisions are made for the City.”

The City also says the council adopts the Annual Operating Budget each June, ahead of the new fiscal year, in order to ensure a spending plan is place before July 1.

“The process begins with the Director of Finance and the City Manager reviewing the initial budget before bringing it to the City Council,” the City adds.

If anyone would like to make their voices heard, they can submit their questions ahead of time at publicinfo@cityofelcentro.org.

To learn more about this, click here or read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

CommunityVirtualMeetingPREngDownload

CommunityVirtualMeetingPRSpaDownload

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Wildfire preparedness: Rep. Bynum joins Central Oregon leaders to urge residents to prepare now

KTVZ on May 4, 2026

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from Rep. Bynum, Sisters Mayor, and Fire Defense Board member)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With wildfire risk no longer confined to a few months, local and federal leaders are urging Central Oregonians to prepare now, before the next fire sparks.

Oregon Representative, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, met Monday with local leaders and fire officials, with a following press conference at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District building to discuss wildfire readiness and prevention ahead of what could be another high-risk year.

“Wildfires are no longer seasonal,” Bynum said. “They are year-round threats that are growing more intense, more destructive, and more dangerous.”

Bynum emphasized the need for expanded training, stronger mitigation efforts, and increased public education. In addition, her push for federal funding to fill the gaps.

“This meeting today shows how coordinated our different agencies are and how willing they are to work together,” she said. “There was one central message — we need to be prepared.”

As fire seasons grow longer and more severe, the focus is shifting from reacting to fires to preventing damage before flames reach homes.

Bynum compared wildfire preparedness to a football game, with homeowners playing a key role early on.

“The first three quarters are what homeowners can do — home hardening and preparation,” she said. “When the fire department comes in, that’s the fourth quarter. They’re in defense mode.”

Fire officials echoed that message, stressing that the work done around homes can make all the difference.

“The front end of fighting any wildfire is really all the work people do around their homes,” said Bill Boos of the Fire Defense Board. “That’s what determines whether a home is savable or not.”

In Sisters, recent fires have served as a wake-up call, prompting more residents to take preparedness seriously.

“More people are getting interested in preparing their homes and having an evacuation plan ready,” said Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz.

Still, challenges remain — especially when fires spread quickly.

“Making sure you have a go-bag and a plan, and thinking about neighbors who may need extra help, is critical,” Letz added.

Leaders say coordination between agencies is stronger than ever, but ultimately, protecting homes starts with individual action.

Officials urge residents to take steps now to prepare for wildfire season, including creating defensible space, hardening homes, and having evacuation plans in place.

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Warm winter and dry spring spell trouble for Oregon’s tree population

KTVZ on May 4, 2026

Matthew Draxton

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon trees are facing another challenging year as climate change continues to impact the state. This spring’s conditions are similar to those in 2015, a period marked by peak high temperatures and drought. These current conditions follow a winter that tied 1934 for the warmest since accurate records began in 1896.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the record-tying warm winter, signaling continued stress for the region’s tree population.

For at least two decades, trees in Oregon have experienced chronic stress from hot droughts. The compounding effect of frequent or prolonged warm and dry conditions has taken a significant toll on many trees. These conditions include higher than average temperatures, inconsistent precipitation patterns where more rain falls than snow and earlier snow melt.

Christine Buhl, a Forest Entomologist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, explained that a warm or dry spring is particularly detrimental for trees. “A warm or dry spring is particularly harmful for trees as this is their most active growing period. This stress reduces growth, weakens defenses against opportunistic insects and diseases and can outright kill tissues or whole trees,” Buhl said.

Buhl also noted that warmer winters create more favorable conditions for tree pests. “Warm winters reduce pest deaths from cold, increasing their growth or number of pests. It also extends the range of less cold-tolerant pests and lengthens their feeding periods,” she stated.

To help landowners manage their trees amid these conditions, Buhl offered several recommendations. She advises planting species and seedlots only within their current and climate-projected range. When planting seedlings, it is best to avoid dry seasons and keep roots moist and out of direct sun to ensure proper establishment.

Landowners should also work to reduce competition for moisture by controlling weeds and decreasing stand density to match the carrying capacity for the specific tree species, site quality and climate. If currently adapted species or seedlots are struggling, Buhl suggests shifting toward a nearby, more drought-tolerant seedlot, or in extreme cases, a more drought-tolerant species.

Other practices include using native understory vegetation and mulch to help retain soil moisture. Landowners should avoid root compaction caused by heavy equipment when the soil is wet. Additionally, fertilizing should be avoided if a site is already drought-stressed, as fertilizer increases biomass and thus water requirements.

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Young musicians to learn from Grammy-nominated cellist Peter Wiley at First Presbyterian Church of Bend

KTVZ on May 4, 2026

Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Renowned cellist Peter Wiley will lead a free public master class on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Bend, Ore. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Heritage Hall in the First Presbyterian Church.

High Desert Chamber Music and the Cascade School of Music are presenting the master class, which is open to all interested individuals.

The master class aims to provide an inspiring educational opportunity for young musicians. Its presentation is made possible in part by Brooks Resources Corporation and sponsored by the Oregon branch of the American String Teachers Association.

Wiley enjoys a distinguished career as both a performer and educator, bringing a wealth of experience to the students and attendees.

The selected student participants, Peyton Cape, Ryley Jun, Hyun Lee, Julia Ma, Koyuki Blaumer and Tzippora Kreston-Duckles, range in age from 13 to 16. These students represent communities from Portland, Salem, Lake Oswego, Corvallis, Camas, Wash., and Bend. Their teachers include Jay Bednorz from Cascade School of Music, Hyun-Jin Kim, Steven Pologe, Anne Ridlington and Jason Duckles.

Wiley is an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and a two-time Grammy Award nominee. He performed for 12 years with the Beaux Arts Trio and later with the Guarneri String Quartet until its disbandment. Wiley currently teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

Isabelle Senger, executive director for High Desert Chamber Music, noted the lasting impact of Wiley’s previous visit to Bend. “Peter’s last visit to Bend nearly a decade ago made a profound impact, particularly through his master class,” Senger said. “To see another generation of dedicated students, many traveling from across the region, eager to take part in this opportunity speaks to how meaningful these experiences can be.” High Desert Chamber Music aims to bring exceptional chamber music and musicians to Central Oregon through its acclaimed series of classical chamber music concerts.

Robert Lambeth, executive director for Cascade School of Music, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting music education. “We’re proud to support Oregon students at every stage of their musical journey and we invite all music students to join us for the Master Class—an inspiring opportunity to learn, grow and be part of an exceptional musical experience,” Lambeth said.

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Florida man sentenced to 15 years in prison for Buffalo Wild Wings shooting

KMIZ on May 4, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Florida man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for shooting a man in the face at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Columbia.

Alexis Gonzalez, 38, of Orlando, was convicted in March of second-degree assault and armed criminal action in the Aug. 17, 2024, shooting of Gary Bitsicas at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant on Nifong Boulevard in Columbia.

Prosecutors originally charged Gonzalez with first-degree assault, which has a maximum sentence of 30 years. The jury convicted him instead of the lesser offense of second-degree assault. Judge Stephanie Morrell went with the jury’s recommendation of sentencing Gonzalez to seven years for the assault charge and eight years for armed criminal action.

The sentences will be served back-to-back, for a total of 15 years.

The state argued that Gonzalez went back into a restaurant with a gun and the intention to harm Bitsicas after an argument outside over a bar tab. Gonzalez claimed he was acting in self-defense and in defense of his girlfriend. Gonzalez expressed his regret one final time on the stand as jurors considered their recommendations.

His defense lawyer said at Monday’s sentencing hearing that Gonzalez accepts his responsibility for the shooting. But the state said his argument of self-defense proved that he didn’t accept culpability for the shooting.

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Bowman Museum presents interactive historical experience for the community

KTVZ on May 4, 2026

Matthew Draxton

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bowman Museum will present “Interviews with Our Past,” a free program bringing local history to life through a live, news-style broadcast on May 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at its location at 246 N. Main St. Prineville, OR 97754.

Steve Lent will act as news anchor, leading attendees through Prineville and Central Oregon’s early history with historical reenactors.

This one-of-a-kind program blends storytelling, historical interpretation and interactive performance. It offers a fresh and entertaining way for the community to connect with the region’s past.

Attendees will experience multiple snapshots in time, gaining insight into the people and events that shaped the community.

As the evening’s news anchor, Lent will guide the audience by delivering updates from specific time periods and conducting live “interviews” with historical figures portrayed by reenactors.

The program is presented with support from the Crook County Historical Society and the Friends of the Crook County Library. The event is free and open to the public for all who wish to attend. For more information, the Bowman Museum can be contacted at (541)447-3715 or Bowmanmuseum@gmail.com.

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