Convenience Big Store: Paxton whistleblowers break post-acquittal silence

Trial is over, but Paxton whistleblowers take center stage once again

The whistleblowers who reported Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to the FBI were quiet after the Senate acquitted Paxton of all the impeachment charges against him. During the votes, several sat together in the gallery, mostly stonefaced and occasionally murmuring amongst themselves.

Three broke their silence this week with a press conference at the Texas Capitol, telling reporters that they will continue the legal fight against their former boss in "real court."

"For us, this case has always been about more than money," said Blake Brickman, a former deputy to Paxton. "It's about truth. It's about justice. And although political pressure may have thwarted justice this month, we will continue our fight."

"Our judge will not receive a multimillion-dollar donation from Paxton's supporters on the eve of the trial," Brickman said, referring to $3 million that Patrick received from a pro-Paxton conservative PAC. "We will fight for justice in this case, as long as it takes."

One of the whistleblowers' lawyers told Hearst Newspapers that the attorney general's office has not reached out since the verdict to discuss a settlement. If state lawmakers decline to fund the proposed settlement, former Paxton deputy Mark Penley said the group is ready to take the case to trial and force Paxton and other critical witnesses to testify.

Edward McKinley, state government reporter

edward.mckinley@houstonchronicle.com

Who's up, who's down

Up: Drag queens.

A federal district judge declared Texas' new law restricting drag shows in areas where children could see them unconstitutional. The Reagan-appointed juror said the bill could outlaw "cheerleading, dancing, live theater, and other common public occurrences."

Down: Larry McMurtry.

The bill banning "sexually explicit" books from school libraries will now go into effect after initially being blocked by a federal judge. Bookstores accuse the bill of being unconstitutional and warn it could censor Texas classics like "Lonesome Dove." Here's what bill sponsor Rep. Jared Patterson had to say about that possibility during a legislative hearing earlier this year: "...They might need to ban 'Lonesome Dove,' though. I mean if it's sexually explicit… If it is, then it should not be in a school."

What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.

What else is going on in Texas

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Photo by: Jerry Lara/Staff Photographer

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Houston mayoral candidates, from left, Gilbert Garcia, John Whitmire, Sheila Jackson Lee and Robert Gallegos pose for a photo with moderator Lisa Hernandez following a forum on animal welfare held by Houston Petset Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

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Rogers Middle School 6th grader Evangeline Curless (foreground) and her classmates used eclipse glasses, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Pearland. Rogers' Principal Lakesha Vaugh said that between Pearland ISD and the teachers they were able to purchase about 820 eclipse glasses allowing the entire student body to witness the historic event.

Photo by: Steve Gonzales, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

Texas city named one of the best places to see solar eclipse

The Oct. 14 eclipse will go through San Antonio, but the best place to see it may be from New Braunfels, according to a new Space.com list.

Pick of the day

Photo by: Jeremy Wallace

Home, is it where the heart is? Is it where "when you have to go there, they have to take you in," as Robert Frost wrote? Is it where you belong (John Denver) or where you hang your hat (Marvin Gaye)? These are weighty questions anywhere, but in Loving County — Texas' least populous — they are particularly fraught. Hearst Newspapers' Eric Dexheimer takes us inside the election "blood feud" that has landed a significant percentage of the adult population of Loving County in court.