Reported Elsewhere

Where possible, these headlines link to no-paywall or soft paywall articles, or to websites offering free trials. TexEdNews neither condones nor endorses the accuracy of this news feed.

July 24, 2026

Texas approved Bible lessons in public schools. Can parents opt their kids out?

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Yes. Texas law allows you to temporarily remove your child from a class or school activity if it conflicts with your family’s religious or moral beliefs. To do that, you’ll need to give the school a written request, according to the Texas Education Code. There are some limits, though.

Fort Worth ISD says threats, not social media posts, prompted principal’s reassignment

(KERA) An internal Fort Worth ISD investigation determined that a Muslim educator’s social media posts did not violate district policy or Texas law, according to federal court documents. A temporary reassignment was necessary for the safety of Shayma Alzubi and Western Hills High School staff after she received threatening messages, the district’s attorneys wrote. Alzubi’s attorneys noted her reassignment was made in anticipation of disruptions and threats to the school’s operations.

Katy ISD bans AI through sixth grade, imposes limits on older students after parent pushback

(Houston Chronicle) Katy ISD is banning generative AI for students through sixth grade and limiting its use in older grades as parents and educators debate whether the technology belongs in classrooms at all.

Beaumont ISD superintendent says student achievement “sorely lacking” amid state data

(KFDM) State-appointed Beaumont ISD Superintendent Sandi Massey delivered a blunt assessment of the district’s academic performance Thursday night as preliminary state accountability data showed widespread struggles across district campuses. “This district has failed the city. It’s failed our teachers, and it’s most importantly failed our students,” Massey told board members. “This should never be about what adults need… It should always be about what is best for our kids.”

Conroe ISD adds new e-bike, e-scooter safety rules for students

(KHOU) Conroe ISD is finalizing new student handbook language for the 2026-27 school year that will require students to dismount and walk e-bikes and e-scooters while on district property. “While the district can establish rules for the use of e-bikes and e-scooters on school property, we have no authority over their operation on public roads, sidewalks, pathways, or within neighborhoods,” the district said in a statement.

Gold-Burg ISD rejects proposed agreement with Bowie ISD over transfer student bus pickup

(KAUZ) Gold-Burg ISD trustees voted Tuesday night against entering into a proposed inter-local agreement with Bowie ISD that would have required the district to pay to continue picking up transfer students within Bowie ISD boundaries.

Trustees to Discuss: What is the future of Arlington ISD athletic projects voters rejected?

(Arlington Report) After voters rejected a roughly $31 million bond proposition for Arlington ISD athletic facilities, the proposal may pop back up on ballots in November. District officials say that without the funds for the projects, some AISD athletic facilities could be deemed unsafe or even be unusable in the future. On July 30, trustees are expected to discuss whether to table the projects, put them back on the ballot or pay for certain projects with interest earnings from previous bond issues.

Prosper ISD fires law enforcement teacher over past domestic violence arrest

(Fox 4 KDFW) Prosper ISD is in the process of terminating the contract of Luis Moreno, a newly hired law enforcement teacher, after learning about his past arrest for domestic violence. Moreno, a former McKinney police officer, was placed on administrative leave per district policy after his hiring post on social media sparked comments regarding his 2022 arrest. District officials confirmed Moreno took a plea deal that reduced his charge to a Class C misdemeanor, which would appear on a background check, though details on application responses remain unknown.

Here’s how Texas could change funding for public universities

(Dallas Morning News) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recommended Wednesday that the Texas Legislature consider funding public, four-year universities based on what fields students study and how long students stay enrolled. At the board’s quarterly meeting in Austin, a committee of university representatives from across the state presented its report on how Texas could use a performance-based funding model for four-year universities. The board unanimously approved the report’s findings, and the Texas Legislature will have the report in hand as it works on the state’s 2028-29 budget next year. Related:

Higher education agency prepares to cut 3% of spending as ordered by Texas leaders (Texas Tribune)

Community rallies behind deported TCU student, calls for his return from El Salvador

(CBS Texas) A TCU student who was arrested in Arlington last month has been deported to El Salvador, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prompting classmates, fraternity brothers, and other community members to call for his return. ICE Dallas said it took Luis Andrade into custody on July 10 after his arrest by the Arlington Police Department on charges of public lewdness and resisting arrest. The agency said Andrade was living in the United States without legal authorization.

Texas Tech University System ‘looking to the future’ with new partnerships

(KCBD) Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton says he’s looking to the future as new partnerships bring new opportunity and boost enrollment. Texas Tech University has entered a 15-year, $75 million naming rights agreement with Galaxy Digital, rebranding its football stadium as Galaxy Stadium beginning with the 2026 season. Creighton says the new agreement is the largest of its kind at the collegiate level. The agreement drew criticism for removing the Jones name from the stadium. For nearly 80 years, the facility honored Clifford B. Jones, Texas Tech’s third president. Creighton said the university intends to find other ways to honor the Jones family.

Dormant since 1976, a Texas college athletics program is making a comeback

(Houston Chronicle) The Brazosport College Blue Gators have been nonexistent as an athletics department since 1976. The junior college in Lake Jackson, Texas, has been without competitive varsity sports for 50 years, but now the university has made its first two hires with a focus on the diamond.

Texas Panhandle shaken by strongest earthquake to hit the region

(Texas Tribune) A 5.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the Texas Panhandle early Thursday morning, one of the strongest recorded in Texas. Effects from the earthquake were felt throughout the rural region and as far as southern Oklahoma and New Mexico.

How a push to protect parental rights is reshaping Texas’ foster care system

(Texas Tribune) Recent court rulings and new laws make it tougher for the state to remove children from their homes.

From local streets and heroes to SCOTUS justices and vibes, here’s how San Antonio schools got their names

(San Antonio Report) San Antonio has more than 1,000 schools named after aspects of local and national history, honoring famous residents — and in some cases, they have been renamed following community pressure. From John Jay High School to Tradition Elementary, here’s a rundown of how some of the community’s schools got their names.

Flu outbreak ends after sickening hundreds and killing one at Lackland Air Force Base

(San Antonio Express-News) An influenza outbreak that swept through Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for two months, sickening hundreds of recruits and killing one, has ended, officials said.

North Zulch ISD fundraising for facility dog after loss of senior

(KBTX) North Zulch Independent School District is raising money to bring a trained facility dog to campus following the death of a graduating senior last spring. The district is working toward a $24,000 goal to purchase and train a certified facility dog through Bella’s Buddies, an organization that trains and places facility dogs in schools. The school board approved the partnership in June. The push began after graduating senior Chloe Rae McLain died last spring.

Click for Earlier
“Reported Elsewhere” Dates

Up to “Reported Elsewhere”

Latest from TexEdNews!

$ = Subscribers Only

$ • Commissioner's Decisions • Employees

Morath Affirms Brownsville ISD Counselor’s Firing Over Daughter’s Altered Grades

Ruling: An ISD properly nonrenewed a school school counselor’s contract due to substantial circumstantial evidence that the she changed her daughter’s grades to boost the daughter’s school ranking to valedictorian status.