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Texas Court Upholds Drag Show Ban Amid FAA Incident

2/13/2026

30 4 Full Breakdown

Center

Court Upholds Drag Ban

A federal appeals court upheld Texas Senate Bill 12, reversing lower court ruling.
The law prohibits suggestive drag shows and imposes fines on businesses hosting them.
The court found that plaintiffs failed to prove harm.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded flights at El Paso International Airport after a drone incursion tied to cartel activity.
The ban was lifted hours later, with officials saying there is no threat to aviation.

Right

Court Upholds Voting Law

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Texas Senate Bill 1, banning paid ballot harvesting, reversing a lower court ruling.
The court said the law aims to prevent voter coercion and fraud in mail-in voting, and its terms are clear, aligning with a Supreme Court decision on Arizona's ballot collection restrictions.
The ruling notes the law targets paid interactions and does not affect unpaid volunteers.

History

Historical Context

In 2021, Texas enacted Senate Bill 8, banning most abortions after six weeks, marking a significant shift in reproductive rights following the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. This law's unique enforcement mechanism, allowing private citizens to sue, has faced numerous legal challenges, reflecting ongoing cultural conflicts over LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedoms, and influencing similar legislation in other states.

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Court Upholds Drag Ban

A federal appeals court upheld Texas Senate Bill 12, reversing lower court ruling.
The law prohibits suggestive drag shows and imposes fines on businesses hosting them.
The court found that plaintiffs failed to prove harm.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded flights at El Paso International Airport after a drone incursion tied to cartel activity.
The ban was lifted hours later, with officials saying there is no threat to aviation.

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