The Latest Breaking News from Llano County

SCOTUS' denial of Texas case fuels First Amendment fears

The clash that pits First Amendment rights against government and parental controls is playing out across the country.

Axios · Dec 9, 2025

S. Ct. Declines to Rehear Fifth Circuit's Holding That Public Libraries May Select/Remove Books Based on Viewpoint

Here's my summary of the May 23 majority en banc opinion by Judge Kyle Duncan in Little v. Llano County,… The post S. Ct. Declines to Rehear Fifth Circuit's Holding That Public Libraries May Select/Remove Books Based on Viewpoint appeared first on Reason.com.

Reason · Dec 9, 2025

Llano County library book removals allowed after U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear challenge

Seven residents launched a challenge in 2022 to the removal of 17 books, which included topics on race and gender. They won a reinstatement of the titles, but lost on appeal.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 8, 2025

Llano County libraries case has lawyers and publishers worried about existing legal precedents

Libraries have been at the receiving end of book challenges, threats and new laws. Now, some worry a federal appeals court could chip away at long-standing protections.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 19, 2023

“Seems obscene” says federal appeals court judge during hearing for Llano County library book removal case

A 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans heard oral arguments Wednesday for an appeal to overturn a judge’s order that Llano County officials return to shelves books they had removed. It was not clear how or when the appellate panel would rule.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 8, 2023

Llano County library supporters declare victory as officials decide not to close all branches

Llano County commissioners had considered closing the three libraries in response to a ruling from a federal judge who ordered banned books returned to the shelves.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 14, 2023

Texas county roiled by book ban considered closing libraries

Leaders in a rural Texas county held a special meeting Thursday to consider the drastic option of shutting their public library system down rather than heed a federal judge’s order to return books to the shelves ranging from teen sexuality and gender to bigotry and race

The Independent UK · Apr 14, 2023

Viewpoint-Based Removal of Books from Public Library Violated First Amendments, Holds District Court

From Little v. Llano County, decided yesterday by Judge Robert Pitman (W.D. Tex.): In early July 2021, prior to their appointment to the New Library Board, Defendants Rochelle Wells, Rhonda Schneider, Gay Baskin, and Bonnie Wallace were part of a community group pushing for the removal of children's books that…

Reason · Mar 31, 2023

Llano County officials must offer library books they’d removed, judge orders

Local officials are appealing the order in a lawsuit that drew national attention. Seven library patrons say the book removals infringed their First Amendment rights.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 31, 2023

Plaintiffs say bans violate rights

"They can't censor books, unequivocally, based on viewpoints that they disagree with," attorney says

Salon · Apr 25, 2022