The Latest Breaking News from John Bryant

Private Prison Giant Looking to Expand Migrant Detention Faces Fierce Local Resistance in One of America's Most Pro-Prison Towns

When CoreCivic applied earlier this year for a permit in Leavenworth, Kansas to reopen a migrant detention facility, city officials balked and the community protested

Latin Times · Jul 1, 2025

Judge blocks private prison operator from housing ICE detainees at shuttered Kansas center

A judge has blocked a private prison operator from housing immigrants facing possible deportation in a shuttered Kansas City area detention center unless it can get a permit from frustrated city officials

The Independent UK · Jun 4, 2025

GOP Lawmaker Defends Legalizing 'Sawed-Off' Shotguns: 'We Just Don't Have That Kind of Gangland-Style Shooting These Days'

Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1596, a measure that removes short-barrel firearms, known as sawed-off shotguns, from the state's prohibited weapons list.

Latin Times · May 27, 2025

Texas bills requiring air-conditioned prisons languish despite temperatures being ruled unconstitutional

The five bills that would require complete air conditioning in state prisons haven’t had a hearing yet, and the money set for the upgrades falls short of the estimated cost.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 4, 2025

Reds break Force hearts again, hit 13-year Super high

The Queensland Reds sit in top spot on the Super Rugby ladder for the first time in 13 years after their second last-gasp win over the Western Force this month.

AAP · Mar 29, 2025

Texas Democrats criticize school leaders for being too “nice” about their funding needs

Lawmakers this week listened to testimony on House Bill 2, which would raise schools’ base funding per student by $220 — a figure that falls short of what many Texans say is needed.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 5, 2025

Texans remember Jimmy Carter, the last Democrat to take the state’s presidential election

The Georgia peanut farmer turned politician won Texas’ 26 electoral votes in 1976 but couldn’t repeat the feat four years later against Ronald Reagan.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 29, 2024

Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative session

Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 5, 2024

Texas legislators approve bill allowing police to arrest people who cross the border illegally

The Texas House also voted to spend $1.5 billion on new state border walls, though that measure must be reconciled with the Senate version before it’s sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration.

The Texas Tribune · Nov 15, 2023

Texas House Democrats hint at disunity ahead of possible October special session

State Rep. John Bryant said Democrats will need to work together to block the “school choice” bill in October.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 24, 2023