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Earlier this month, there were about 180 vacant jobs in the Tarrant County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. Understaffing can make the jail less safe for detention officers and the people incarcerated there.

Critics of the new maps say they are racially discriminatory. Republican commissioners say they just wanted to gain another seat on the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court now only meets once a month. Local progressive groups are filling the gap with their own strategy meeting.

The contracts with Collin County to house juveniles are intended to address detention center overcrowding, a move officials call temporary.

The Tarrant County jail has struggled with staffing — a common problem in jails and prisons around the country.

Tarrant County commissioners voted to close the county rental and utility assistance department, after county staff said it was inefficient. Fort Worth's Center for Transforming Lives will replace it.

The two Democrats on the court did not attend last week's meeting. Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. returned Monday, which allowed the vote to take place.

Commissioners Roderick Miles Jr. and Alisa Simmons were not in attendance at the Sept. 16 meeting. Despite having a majority, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court was unable to vote on adopting the new hospital tax rate, which was capped by the court at 16.50 cents per $100 earlier this month.

A Fort Worth federal judge ruled he has no authority to decide whether Tarrant County's new precinct map that favors Republicans disenfranchises voters of color in violation of the First Amendment. The other constitutional claims in a lawsuit filed by a group of Black and Latino voters against the county will still proceed.

Democratic Commissioners Roderick Miles Jr. and Alisa Simmons say the proposed tax rate is too low to keep up county services. Republicans passed a budget amendment that will slash their staff and travel funds, which could be reversed when they return.

A judge said the petitions didn't meet the necessary requirements to remove Tarrant County District Clerk Thomas Wilder. One petitioner has already appealed the dismissal.

Charles Hermes was arrested for clapping out of turn at a Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting in January.