The Latest Breaking News from Priscilla Villarreal

The 5th Circuit Says Criminalizing Journalism Is Not Obviously Unconstitutional

The appeals court dismissed a civil rights lawsuit by a Laredo gadfly who was arrested for asking questions.

Reason · Jan 31, 2024

She Was Arrested for Her Journalism. A Federal Court Says She Can't Sue.

Priscilla Villarreal, also known as "Lagordiloca," has sparked a debate about free speech and who, exactly, is a journalist.

Reason · Jan 30, 2024

Nice Dig at Qualified Immunity, by Judge Don Willett (5th Cir.)

I'm not sure where I stand on qualified immunity—I haven't looked at its history closely enough—but I thought this was well put, in Judge Willett's dissent yesterday in Villarreal v. City of Laredo (en banc): [O]ne of the justifications so frequently invoked in defense of qualified immunity—that law enforcement officers…

Reason · Jan 25, 2024

Cynthia M. Allen: Texan was arrested for questioning government. Will court defend her free speech?

At first glance, Priscilla Villarreal is not a particularly empathetic figure. Not to most conservatives, anyway.

Tribune News Service · Feb 1, 2023

She Was Jailed for Basic Journalism. A Federal Court Isn't Sure if That's Unconstitutional.

Priscilla Villarreal's case will be heard again tomorrow at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. She has attracted some unlikely supporters.

Reason · Jan 24, 2023

Finally Approved as House Speaker, McCarthy Aims To Cut IRS Funding

Plus: More documents showcase government pressure on social platforms, appeals court to reconsider ban on nonviolent felon gun ownership, and more...

Reason · Jan 9, 2023

Appeals court to decide if First Amendment should have protected Laredo’s “big crazy lady” from arrest

Priscilla Villarreal was arrested over her Facebook postings. In a rare proceeding, the entire 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will weigh whether she can sue, a case that could have major ramifications for citizen journalists like her -- and professional ones.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 6, 2023

This Court Case Could Make It a Crime To Be a Journalist in Texas

Priscilla Villarreal found herself in a jail cell for publishing two routine stories. A federal court still can't decide what to do about that.

Reason · Nov 4, 2022