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July 31, 2025
Legislative Update:
Texas GOP once again tries to ban local governments from hiring lobbyists in Austin

(Texas Tribune) Senators on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to Senate Bill 12, which would forbid cities, counties and school districts from using public dollars to hire lobbyists. Local elected leaders have long argued the practice is needed for localities to advocate for their constituents at the state level. The bill, authored by state Sen. Mayes Middleton, a Galveston Republican, cleared the Senate by a 17-11 vote. Critics of the bill say the state’s smallest cities and school districts will be silenced at the Capitol.

These are the Texas districts targeted by Republicans’ congressional redistricting map

(Texas Standard) The proposed map targets districts dominated by coalitions of Latino and Black voters, with a focus on districts in the Rio Grande Valley, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and Central Texas. Houston Democrats would also see their districts shuffled. Related:

Texas Senate advances bill to ban THC — again

(Texas Tribune) The Senate’s decision signals another potential standoff with Gov. Greg Abbott, who vetoed a similar ban earlier this year as he called for more regulations instead.

Also Reported:
Dallas ISD asked Texas to rescore thousands of STAAR tests; about one-third went up

(Dallas Morning News) Of the 5,420 STAAR tests the Dallas Independent School District sent for rescoring, 35% showed improvement, according to data provided by the district to The Dallas Morning News. Last year, district officials requested the review of more than 4,600 answers and roughly 43% came back with additional points. “It has an impact on trust in the system,” Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said. “One time may be an outlier. I consider two times a pattern.”

Houston Federation of Teachers sues Houston ISD’s Mike Miles and Board of Managers over distribution of teacher raises

(Houston Chronicle) A local teachers union is suing Houston ISD’s Superintendent Mike Miles and the Board of Managers after the district decided to distribute new teacher pay raises from the state by performance, not years of experience. The union seeks a temporary restraining order to preserve what the lawsuit calls status quo and to prevent HISD from using any of these funds from the state for 2025-26 for any purpose other than payment of the Teacher Retention Allotment. Teachers start work Friday, according to the lawsuit.

What can be learned from Texas’ surge in uncertified teachers?

(K-12 Dive) The state is set to phase out uncertified teachers by 2029-30 after having one of the highest rates of underqualified educators in the nation.

Fort Worth ISD can’t count on nearly $10M from feds after funding freeze, superintendent says. Here’s why

(Fort Worth Report) Key Fort Worth ISD programs remain on pause as Texas schools wait for federal officials to distribute more than $6.8 billion.

For Decades, the Feds Were the Last, Best Hope for Special Ed Kids. What Happens Now?

(The 74) State-level complaints over disputes with districts have never been as easy as intended. Now, they’re all desperate families have left.

Dallas civil rights lawyer says case to restore Dept. of Education ‘not over’

(KERA) The Dallas location of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights closed in March, one of seven shut down nationwide after the Trump administration began dismantling the department. Cases were consolidated across the remaining five offices; Dallas OCR cases have moved to Kansas City. Brittany Coleman worked in the Dallas Office for Civil Rights for four years until the March 2025 closure, which she called “chaotic” and “frenzied.” She joined KERA’s Bill Zeeble to discuss the OCR’s work, what’s happened since March, and what’s next for the case to restore the Department of Education.

RFK Jr. is elevating vaccine hesitancy. Texas advocates were prepared to seize the moment

(Dallas Morning News) Federal health authorities, headed now by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are embracing vaccine hesitancy in a way they never have before. Kennedy’s actions have given new stature to a national effort that has found particularly solid footing in Texas: the self-titled medical freedom or medical liberty movement. At the core of that movement is a rejection of government-mandated — or government-recommended — vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine and tried-and-true vaccines such as the childhood shots that protect against measles and polio.

These are some of the major changes coming to North Texas schools this year

(KERA) State legislators approved changes to public schools this year, affecting almost every North Texas school. With the school year beginning right around the corner, many school districts are changing their policies.

North Texas school districts look to technology to secure campuses as safety business booms

(Texas Standard) Texas lawmakers recently increased school funding, doubling campus safety budgets that could help fund items like glass film, classroom panic buttons and drones. Reports show the industry is worth billions.

ACLU argues Texas social media law would limit minors’ access

(Legal Newsline) The American Civil Liberties Union, along with several other legal advocacy groups, recently filed an amicus brief in CCIA v. Paxton, arguing that a Texas law restricting social media content for minors violates the First Amendment. The brief, filed on July 10, argues that House Bill 18 (the SCOPE Act) restricts young people’s ability to use social media and blocks them from viewing content they have a constitutional right to see. 

Case dismissed against former Klein ISD sub who was accused of viewing inappropriate material in class

(KTRK) Kenneth Hartley, who was a sub at Klein Oak High School, was charged with displaying harmful material to a minor and fired in January. Court documents accused Hartley of “intentionally” displaying a video showing people engaged in “deviant sexual intercourse.” According to the district, students reported the situation to school administrators, and the substitute was immediately removed from the classroom. Records show the case was dismissed because the state could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt, adding that it’s subject to refiling.

Richardson ISD announces new school meal debt policy

(WFAA) Once students hit the debt maximum, they will receive an alternative entrée of sunflower seed butter and whole grain crackers, the district said.

Fort Bend ISD board position to remain unfilled until next year

(Fort Bend Star) A Fort Bend ISD trustee position will remain vacant until next year’s board elections after trustees were unable to reach a consensus on a candidate to replace departed Position 5 trustee Sonya Jones, board president Kristin Tassin announced at Monday’s meeting.

Canutillo ISD opens new law enforcement training facility for high school students

(KVIA) Just in time for the new school year, Canutillo High School students have a new building specially designed for a variety of law enforcement training scenarios. The Canutillo Academy for Public Safety, or CAPS building, features several small rooms where students can search for a suspect as part of their training. The CAPS facility allows students to participate in a wide range of simulated scenarios, including active shooter responses, domestic violence calls, rapid building entry, and even corrections and jail operations.

July 30, 2025
Legislative Update:
Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seats

(Texas Tribune) The first draft of the lower chamber’s new redistricting map targets Democratic members of Congress in the Austin, Dallas and Houston metro areas and in South Texas.

Greg Abbott is pushing a new plan to lower property taxes: cap how much cities can spend

(Houston Chronicle) Gov. Greg Abbott boasted about plowing another $3.5 billion into cutting homeowners’ property taxes in the latest legislative session. Now, he wants state lawmakers to go even further during the special session by capping how much cities and counties can increase their spending. 

A fight to save an Austin middle school puts families at odds with Texas over how to rate schools

(Texas Tribune) Legislators have a chance this summer to replace the STAAR test. What they come up with will decide the fate of schools like Dobie Middle School, where low test scores have pushed the Austin district to intervene.

Also Reported:
Measles update: ‘The height of the measles outbreak is behind us,’ says the Texas health department

(Texas Public Radio) For the third week in a row, Texas has not confirmed any new measles cases linked to the West Texas outbreak. The total number of known outbreak infections in Texas stands at 762. Chris Van Deusen, Director of Media Relations at Texas Department of State Health Services, is cautiously optimistic. “It appears the height of the measles outbreak is behind us, but we don’t want to let our guard down,” Van Deusen said. “If a person who isn’t immune travels somewhere measles is spreading, gets infected, and brings it back to a community with lower immunization rates, we could see another outbreak.” Related:

Judge issues gag order for Frisco track meet stabbing case

(Fox 4 KDFW) Judge John Roach cited the extensive pretrial publicity surrounding the case and concerns that it could affect the fairness of the trial. The order bars attorneys, witnesses, spokespersons, and law enforcement from speaking substantively about the case.

North Texas School Districts Implement New Policies To Improve Parental Oversight

(Texas Scorecard) Grand Prairie and Coppell independent school districts are updating their policies in light of new Texas laws focusing on student learning environments and parental rights. 

Houston ISD is down to 19 open teaching positions ahead of 2025-26 school year, vacancies list shows

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD is down to 19 open teaching positions after its 11th and final summer hiring event on Saturday. The state’s largest school district seeks to start the school year with no vacancies – a statistic that state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles was quick to emphasize at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. Related:

Pleasant Grove ISD Board approves cafeteria price increase

(Texarkana Gazette via PressReader) During a special board meetng, Pleasant Grove ISD Superintendent Chad Pirtle shared about a price adjustment for cafeteria meals so that the district will be in compliance with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

UT-Dallas track & field athletes left scrambling after sport is cut

(Fox 4 KDFW) Several student-athletes are scrambling after learning that the University of Texas at Dallas will eliminate its track and field and cross-country programs. Both sports are being eliminated for the 2025-2026 academic year because of budget issues and the lack of on-campus facilities. The decision comes just weeks before the fall semester begins, leaving the student-athletes with nowhere to run unless they can transfer to another school.

Board member’s wife named lone finalist for super at Edcouch-Elsa ISD

(myRGV) The school district’s interim superintendent Sandra “Sandy” Ochoa was named lone finalist for the position here on Monday night. She is married to school board member Ricardo Ochoa.

From racism claims to a $725,000 settlement, a University of North Texas professor’s lawsuit mirrors Texas’ shifting views on free speech

(Texas Tribune) Professor Timothy Jackson was accused of making racist remarks at the height of the racial reckoning that followed George Floyd’s murder. His free speech suit against the university comes to an end in the era of DEI bans.

Right-Wing Crackdowns Drive Academics Away From UT and the U.S.

(Austin Chronicle) Staff morale, federal funds, and state confidence dry up.

More Young Dallas Mothers Now Have Hope for a College Education, Bright Future

(Dallas Observer) Generation Hope has arrived in Dallas to mentor students and keep a generation of young women from being left out.

Texas Is Still in Drought, and AI Data Centers Are Quietly Guzzling Up Water

(Austin Chronicle) Texas continues to attract AI giants, despite resource strain.

Immigration officials detain Texas A&M Ph.D. student after attending brother’s wedding, report says

(KBTX) A Texas A&M doctoral student, researcher, and green card holder has been detained by immigration officials for more than a week without explanation, according to a report by The Washington Post. Tae Heung “Will” Kim, a 40-year-old South Korean citizen who has lived in the United States since he was five, was reportedly taken into custody on July 21 at San Francisco International Airport following a two-week trip to South Korea for his younger brother’s wedding. He has reportedly been held since then without access to legal counsel, according to statements from his attorney.

Former North Texas pastor, school volunteer indicted on child porn charges

(Dallas Morning News) A former pastor and school volunteer who was booked into the Denton County jail in May has been indicted on possession of child pornography charges, according to court records. Jim Dale Mustain, who worked as a mentor and volunteer in two Dallas-area school districts, was indicted on four counts of possession or promotion of child pornography, records show.

Tarrant County high school graduates set up for success at Girls Inc. College Shower

(Fort Worth Report) Twenty-eight participating girls received gifts such as school supplies, bedding and a new laptop.

Embattled UT El Paso aerospace leader Ahsan Choudhuri to retire, launches local defense firm

(El Paso Matters) Ahsan Choudhuri, a University of Texas at El Paso professor who secured tens of millions of dollars in mechanical and aerospace engineering grant research awards during the past 10 years, plans to retire in December. Choudhuri served as associate vice president of the UTEP Aerospace Center until he was relieved of that duty in May 2024 for alleged irregularities with a National Science Foundation proposal.  The professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering has denied any wrongdoing.

July 29, 2025
Legislative Update:
Reporter’s notebook: Texas lawmakers want to keep hemp out of the hands of kids. Educators don’t think it will work

(Texas Public Radio) TPR Education Reporter Camille Phillips wanted to know if regulating or banning THC could help keep more students in the classroom, so she went and talked to several people on the front lines. She shared what she learned. Related:

Texas House Democrats are fundraising to potentially leave the state to block GOP-backed redistricting

(Texas Tribune) The money could be used to cover the $500-a-day fines lawmakers would incur under House rules set to discourage members from absconding after Democrats fled the state in 2021.

Also Reported:
Pod Schooling app gives parents alternative school choice

(Center Square) A new school-based app, Edefy, recently launched as part of another school choice alternative for parents. Edefy is an app that connects families to teachers of their choice at nearby host sites, a method known as Pod schooling. 

Canutillo ISD launches free dinner program for all Borderland kids aged 1-18

(KFOX) The Canutillo school district will be giving Borderland kids free dinners. According to the Canutillo Independent School District, starting Monday August 4, the district will start offering free dinners to any child between the ages of 1 and 18. The Canutillo ISD said kids DON’T need to be enrolled in any district school to receive a free meal as it is open to any child in the age range. Canutillo ISD said the program is made possible through funding and support from the Texas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

UT Dallas cuts Track & Field, Cross-Country programs citing budget, facility issues

(Fox 4 KDFW) UT Dallas is cutting its men’s and women’s indoor/outdoor track & field and cross-country programs for the 2025-2026 academic year. The decision is due to budget constraints and a lack of on-campus facilities. Affected student-athletes will keep their scholarships if they stay at UT Dallas, and the university will help those who want to transfer.

Big Bend students to participate in inaugural career program this fall

(Big Bend Sentinel) High school students from Alpine, Marathon and Marfa ISDs will participate in a new collaborative career training program, coined the Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education (BBRISE), starting this coming school year. Through the new program students from all three districts will be able to participate in Alpine ISD’s preexisting nursing science “pathway” and Marathon ISD’s new business, finance and marketing pathway. BBRISE is a “Rural Pathway Excellence Program” (RPEP), a Texas Education Agency designation that allows neighboring districts to share career training resources while earning additional state dollars — around $3,000 to $4,500 — per each student that participates in the initiative.

Civic Tech Scholars tackle the San Antonio’s public works challenges with the help of AI

(San Antonio Report) For the last four academic semesters, Better Futures Institute has gathered college students from all fields of study together to figure out how to better connect San Antonio as a community through its Civic Tech Scholars internship. The students are working every day to analyze data on services requested by San Antonio residents through the 311 online app and to develop an AI tool that helps the city’s Public Works department predict repair schedules and improve their maintenance workflows. These could include potholes, trash collection, and any other request that comes in through the 311 reporting system.

Vidor ISD maintenance crew gets creative with racoon dumpster rescue

(KBMT) With steady hands, the crew successfully grinded around the hole to create enough room to rescue the animal.

Warnings issued against the latest TikTok challenge that has teens kicking in stranger’s doors

(KRLD) Called the “door kick challenge” on Tik Tok, it involves teens running up to a home, kicking the front door loudly, and running off, usually while recording the incident for social media.

Woman arrested for injury to a child at a North Texas private school, police say

(WFAA) According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a woman reported her 4-year-old son was the “victim of physical and mental abuse” by a worker while he was at the Sloan School, a private elementary school and preschool in Irving. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the 4-year-old, during an interview with investigators, described the suspect, identified by police as Sandra Randall, 62, hurting him by grabbing his face and scratching him in the face. Video footage from the school from June 20 also showed Randall “grabbing the victim’s face in an aggressive manner for no apparent reason, which was later found to have caused bodily injury,” according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

July 28, 2025
Legislative Update:
Texas lawmakers could scrap the STAAR test. But what would replace it?

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Most lawmakers agree that STAAR needs to go. But figuring out what to put in its place is a thornier issue. Related:

Lawmakers Sign New Pledge To Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

(Texas Scorecard) While Texas’ 30-day special legislative session is wrapping up its first week, a growing list of state lawmakers are announcing their commitment to banning taxpayer-funded lobbying—one of the 18 special session items. State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park) was the first to announce his pledge, writing on X: “I just signed the pledge to support legislation stopping taxpayer-funded lobbying!” Cain is not the only one to support the initiative. The Texas Public Policy Foundation reports that 22 other state representatives have signed this pledge thus far.

Texas House redistricting committee’s Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of maps

(Texas Tribune) Democratic members slammed the process, questioning why hearings were happening before maps were available for review. Chair Cody Vasut said follow-up public hearings will be scheduled once maps are filed.

Also Reported:
Experts at odds over Texas’ controversial reading materials in Bluebonnet curriculum

(Houston Chronicle) Conroe ISD and the handful of other Texas districts implementing the reading portion of Bluebonnet, a state-created curriculum that includes Bible references, for the 2025-26 academic year will do so as controversy abounds over the material. A new research paper from the Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University calls the state-created Bluebonnet materials a win for Christian nationalists and accuses the Texas Education Agency of prioritizing Christianity over all other religions. Related:

North Texas school boards begin forming councils to recommend which books stay in libraries

(KERA) North Texas school districts are beginning to plan for a new law that could ban books on the recommendation of some parents. Called a “parental rights” bill, Senate Bill 13 says districts can create a school library council that would be responsible for recommending which books can enter a school library, and which need to be removed. Signed into law after the recent regular session, it goes into effect Sept. 1. If a district doesn’t opt to form a council, parents can petition trustees to create one.

AI-driven education: Founded in Texas and coming to a U.S. school near you

(Boston.com) At Austin’s Alpha School, students spend just two hours a day on academics, led by artificial intelligence tools. And with ambitious expansion plans in the works, a pricey private AI school in Austin, called Alpha School, will be replicating itself across the country this fall.

Dallas ISD Breaks Records With 8,500 Students In Early College/Career Programs

(Dallas Express) Dallas ISD has hit a historic milestone with over 8,500 students enrolled in early college and career programs for the 2024-2025 school year. The district’s Pathways and Technology (P-TECH) and Early College High School programs now span 26 campuses, providing students with the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. These programs promise to save students two years of college time and tuition costs. They’re designed for students of all academic backgrounds, not just top performers.

Canutillo ISD says it has already been enforcing cell phone ban for years

(KTSM) Canutillo Independent School District says it won’t have a huge adjustment to meet the new Texas law banning cell phone use during classroom time. Gustavo Reveles, a spokesman for Canutillo ISD, said that the district has had a similar policy for years. “We have already been limiting the use of cell phones and other devices during class time,” Reveles said. “We are going to continue doing that. We will inform our parents and inform our students that during class time, during instructional time, they are to keep their cell phones turned off and in their backpacks.”

Free Pre-K enrollment a ‘win’ for Corpus Christi ISD teachers

(KIII) Instead of paying the $468 enrollment fee, Corpus Christi ISD will offer the program free of charge to the children of full-time employees this school year.

Brazos County indicts father, daughter employed by local private school for crimes against children/students

(KBTX) A Brazos County father and daughter were formally charged this week for inappropriate behaviors with students or minors. They were both employed with Still Creek Ranch Academy at the times of their arrests earlier this year.

Former Austin ISD executive sentenced in district theft case

(KXAN) Court documents reflect former Austin ISD compensation and benefits executive director Lynn Brennan, 46 was given two years’ deferred adjudication after she entered a guilty plea. During the two years, Brennan must complete 100 hours of community service in addition to other requirements. Records showed she pleaded guilty to theft of property greater than or equal to $750 but less than $2,500, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Brennan was initially accused of stealing between $30,000 and $150,000 from the district using gift cards between May 2022 and March 2023, records reflect.

Former LaPoynor ISD coach sentenced to 3 years in prison, 10 years’ probation for tampering with evidence

(KLTV) A jury has declared former LaPoynor ISD coach Jammie Allen Maze, 45, guilty of two counts of tampering with evidence, one for deleting a video taken on a phone that was left on while hidden in a shoe box in a girls’ locker room and one for stealing evidence (the phone) during a subequent break-in in the administration buiilding. The state asserted that Maze admitted to an assistant coach that he deleted a video, although the defense claimed he did so to protect the girls. The jury sentenced him to 10 years of probation for the first charge and three years in prison for the second. The sentences will run concurrently, and he will be given credit for time served.

Former Krum band director pleads guilty to 11 counts of sexual misconduct

(KERA) A former Krum ISD band director has pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecency with a child and two counts of sexual assault of a child. Carol Turner, 61, was given deferred adjudication in exchange for her guilty plea. Her deferred adjudication requires her to adhere to terms of probation for 10 years. Turner will also be required to register as a sex offender for life. The original indictment reported that the incidents had taken place in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Affidavit: Laredo ISD officer assaulted girlfriend, threatened her family member with gun

(Laredo Morning Times) A Laredo ISD police officer arrested during a disturbance claimed that the firearm fired one round when it slipped from his swimming shorts during a struggle, according to court documents. Michael Landin added that tensions arose during a gathering because he suspected his girlfriend had a romantic relationship with one of the parties present, court documents state.

Former Literacy Volunteers of Laredo treasurer sent to prison for bank fraud

(Laredo Morning Times) The former treasurer of the Literacy Volunteers of Laredo has been sentenced to prison for embezzling money from the non-profit to spend it on personal items, including porn, court documents state. On July 22, Christian Ochoa was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $178,806.44 in restitution. Ochoa had pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 to bank fraud.

Texas A&M System’s new leader hints faculty senates in state leaders’ crosshairs will stay

(Texas Tribune) In an interview with the Tribune, Chancellor Glenn Hegar also said he would prioritize student outcomes over big projects and skirted questions about diversity and academic freedom.

What you need to know about the upcoming ‘Games of Texas’ in Bryan-College Station

(KBTX) The 2025 Summer Games of Texas officially begin Thursday, drawing thousands of amateur athletes and spectators to venues across Bryan and College Station. The Olympic-style festival, hosted by the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF), runs from July 31 to Aug. 3. More than 8,000 youth and adult athletes are expected to compete in over a dozen sports, including swimming, track and field, boxing, tennis, esports, and ultimate frisbee.

Football season looms with no clear guidance in athlete battles to win more eligibility from NCAA

(Concho Valley Homepage) The stream of lawsuits across the country from college athletes trying to grab another season of eligibility appears ready to fizzle out for a bit. With fall football practice cranking up this week, players still hoping for a judge allowing them to take the field may be left waiting for a ruling that likely won’t help them compete again.

Texas buys land for new state parks that will be developed using $1 billion voter-approved fund

(Texas Tribune) The fund opens a new era of public land acquisition and park development for Texas, which ranks 35th nationally in state park acreage per capita.

July 25, 2025

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.

Legislative Update:
Lawmakers Eye $13B in Federal Funds for Property Tax Cuts

(Texas Scorecard) While Gov. Abbott’s special session agenda includes “additional property tax relief,” the details remain undefined.

Tempers flare at Texas redistricting hearing as critics slam mid-cycle map effort

(CBS Austin) Tensions ran high at the Texas Capitol Thursday as lawmakers held their first public hearing on a controversial plan to redraw the state’s congressional map, just four years after finalizing the last one. The five-hour hearing, hosted by the Texas House Redistricting Committee, drew dozens of speakers from across the state. Though not a single person testified in favor of redrawing the maps. The most dramatic moment came at the end of the hearing, when District 18 congressional candidate Isaiah Martin was forcibly removed by Capitol security after refusing to yield the microphone when his two-minute time limit expired. Related:

Texas again trying to restrict the bathrooms transgender people can use

(Texas Tribune) The bills would carry a $5,000 fine for a first-time violation and comes as momentum for such restrictions has increased in the state and nationally.

Also Reported:
Frisco ISD subpoenaed for student records related to track meet stabbing

(Fox 4 KDFW) Frisco ISD will release student data related to an April 2, 2025, track meet due to a murder subpoena. The data is for the criminal case of Karmelo Anthony, charged with fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf. Parents have until Tuesday, July 29, 2025, to object to the release by seeking protective action.

Tyler ISD anticipates talent possibilities as Texas law opens public school sports to homeschoolers

(CBS 19) A new state law is opening the door for homeschooled students to join public school sports and extracurriculars, and Tyler ISD says it’s already seeing interest. The change comes from Senate Bill 401, which now requires public school districts to allow homeschool students to participate in UIL athletics and activities, unless the district votes to opt out by Sept. 1. Tyler ISD Superintendent Marty Crawford says they’ve welcomed homeschoolers for years, but the new law could boost both participation and talent.

UIL discussing home-field advantage for first round in 4A and below, but obstacles remain

(Dallas Morning News) Currently, the higher seeds in the Class 6A and 5A football playoffs are able to play their first-round playoff games at home, while schools in 4A and below have to negotiate a neutral site for their postseason openers. There has been a push to change that. And the University Interscholastic League thinks it will happen at some point, but not before a huge sticking point can be negotiated.

Socorro ISD seeks state certification waiver to name interim chief James Vasquez as superintendent

(El Paso Matters) The Socorro Independent School District, which is seeking to appoint James Vasquez as its permanent superintendent, must first obtain a certification waiver from the state before finalizing an employment contract. Related:

Lawsuit Reveals Disturbing Details in Millsap ISD’s Special Needs Student Abuse Scandal

(Texas Scorecard) New documents filed in a lawsuit against Millsap Independent School District and four now-former employees reveal disturbing details about teachers abusing special needs students and administrators attempting to cover up the child abuse. The federal lawsuit was brought in June by parents of three Millsap Elementary students who were victims of educators’ alleged physical and verbal abuse. An updated complaint was filed July 22, just days after a grand jury indicted former Millsap ISD Superintendent Mari Edith “Edie” Martin for failing to report the abuse. The affidavits document “a horrifying, longstanding, and escalating pattern of abuse of children at Millsap Elementary that began around December of 2024.”

New Texas law banning cellphones in schools sparks debate over distraction reduction and student safety

(CBS Texas) This fall, a new state law will go into effect in public schools. It requires districts to ban students from using their cell phones during the school day. Supporters say it’s a step towards cutting down classroom distractions but some parents are concerned about not being able to reach their kids. A big question in all of this: how will it impact learning?

Grandmother seeks custody of teen accused in planning attack at San Antonio ISD middle school, judge declines

(KSAT) A 13-year-old boy accused of planning a mass attack at Rhodes Middle School earlier this year will remain in custody, a Bexar County judge ruled Thursday — despite a plea from the teenager’s grandmother to release him into her care.

Funding restored for United ISD after-school programs after brief uncertainty

(KGNS) United ISD is moving forward with its after-school programs for the new school year after receiving official confirmation that funding has been approved for its Cycle 11 and Cycle 12 programs.

Baylor eSports signs professional Rocket League player as program’s first-ever recruit

(KCEN) Baylor University just recruited one of the biggest names in sports Thursday. What sport? Esports. Baylor eSports Director and Coach Adam Stanley announced they signed professional Rocket League player Colby “hockser” James as the program’s first-ever student-athlete recruit. James has totaled more than $160,000 in career winnings over 78 Rocket League tournaments since 2018, including World Championships and Majors.

Head of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue reportedly resigns over frustration at Texas flood response

(San Antonio Current) The head of the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s Urban Search and Rescue branch has resigned over his frustration with the agency’s sluggish response to this month’s catastrophic Central Texas floods, CNN reports. Sources within FEMA told CNN that Ken Pagurek, a longtime agency employee and chief of its nationwide rapid-response unit, stepped down over the 72-hour delay in the force’s deployment to assist in the wake of floods that have so far claimed at least 135 lives. The agency’s delay was the result of new cost-control measures implemented by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

San Antonio refugee families targeted in widespread SNAP benefits scam

(KENS) A widespread scam targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is leaving hundreds of refugee families in San Antonio without immediate money to buy food. Margaret Costantino, executive director of the Center for Refugee Services (CRS), noted the scale of the fraud is unlike anything she’s encountered in her time on the job. The center quickly contacted the Texas Health and Human Services and learned that the problem wasn’t isolated, but part of a nationwide scheme targeting SNAP recipients. Costantino stressed fraud isn’t slowing down as at least a dozen people came into CRS to report unauthorized charges on their Lone Star card.

Hildago County’s Head Start largely in dark over Trump’s immigration directives

(myRGV) Hidalgo County’s Head Start executive director says federal funding cuts and an effort to bar undocumented children from the program has left it with a flat budget and no official direction about collecting data on a child’s legal status.

Fort Worth parents brace for higher costs of supplies this back-to-school season

(Fort Worth Report) The school supplies on the rising sixth graders’ shopping lists were typical. Notebooks for Naylee Flores. Pencils for Sebastian Rubio. The students’ mothers expressed concern about costs, and they are not alone. A NerdWallet survey showed that 56% of K-12 and post-secondary parents find back-to-school shopping financially stressful. Credit Karma found that 39% of K-12 parents say they cannot afford the supplies.

West Texas A&M University’s embedded associate degree program a benefit to students

(KFDA) West Texas A&M University has released new numbers on the success of its inaugural embedded associate degree program. The program gives students an opportunity to receive an associate degree once they complete the required 60 course hours at the university. During the 24-25 academic year, 864 students at WT received an associate degree.

A deaf North Texas mother of six pursues her dream of medical school, overcoming barriers

(WFAA) With advanced hearing technology and determination, Nicole Everitt is redefining what’s possible for deaf students in pursuit of medical careers.

San Antonio ISD phlebotomy program is ‘stepping stone’ for jobs in growing health care industry

(San Antonio Report) SAISD has offered phlebotomy certifications for six years now, and so far this year, 50 students have completed certifications. This program helps students learn skills for drawing blood for medical testing, research or donation. Piloted at Edison High School and SAISD’s Adult and Community Education Center, the certificate is accessible to nearly all of the district’s high schools.

Nacogdoches high schoolers build, donate house to East Texas non-profit

(KTRE) The Village Nac, a mental health rehabilitation center in Nacogdoches, exists to serve as a stepping stone for individuals struggling with mental health issues and to provide a comfortable environment for healing within a community. Recently, Nacogdoches High School students made a big contribution to The Village by building a tiny house and donating it to them.

Irving ISD Celebrates Grand Opening of Baby University South

(Irving Weekly) Irving Independent School District (IISD) officially opened Baby University South, marking a significant milestone as the first completed project from the May 2023 Bond and the district’s inaugural tuition-based early learning center for staff and their families. Baby University will also offer classes to expecting mothers, further broadening its impact within the community.

Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School aerospace program soars with $12K grant from Dow

(KBMT) Students at Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School are reaching new heights in education, thanks to a $12,000 grant from Dow Chemical that will expand and modernize the school’s aerospace engineering program. The funding will allow the district to purchase drones, update curriculum, and provide certification opportunities. These are efforts that aim to better prepare students for careers in emerging technology fields.

Nearly $100 million of taxpayer money awarded for affordable housing in Texas

(Center Square) The latest Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ Housing Tax Credit Program (HTCP) grants total more than $99 million in housing tax credits to subsidize the development or rehabilitation of 63 rental properties that offer reduced rents and increased housing options statewide. The funds will be used by property developers to construct or rehabilitate more than 4,410 units that offer affordable rents to households earning up to 80% of the area median family income.

Collin College adds statewide online course access through new partnership

(Community Impact) Collin College students will soon have access to online education from schools across the state through a partnership with the Texas Statewide Course Sharing Exchange Program, according to a July 21 news release from the college. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is sponsoring the exchange program, which allows students to sign up for online courses from schools statewide while also enrolled in Collin College courses, the release states. This program was first tested in 2023 with 15 schools and will expand to include 24 schools this fall.

July 24, 2025
Legislative Update:
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Advances in Texas Senate

(Texas Scorecard) Legislation to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying is once again gaining momentum in the Texas Senate, as the special session in Austin begins. Senate Bill 12 by State Sen. Mayes Middleton was approved unanimously by the Senate State Affairs Committee on a 10-0 vote and is expected to pass the full Senate in the coming days.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is handing more of his office’s work to costly private lawyers

(Texas Tribune) Despite having an office with hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton frequently opts to hire private lawyers. One cost taxpayers more than $24,000 in one day.

‘We are better than this’: Lawmakers address flood response

(KXAN) With more than 100 people dead in Kerr County, including young campers, and two people still missing, lawmakers convened Wednesday to address what went wrong and find solutions. “We are better than this,” said Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso. “We’ve lost a lot in this. And it could have been better – both before, during and after – we know that. And that’s not a blame game. That’s accountability.” For the first time this special session, the Texas House and Senate Committees on Disaster Preparedness met for a rare joint hearing. Outside the chamber, there was anger from some residents impacted by the Fourth of July flooding. Related:

Also Reported:
How Ted Cruz won a tax break for people who donate to private school scholarships

(Houston Chronicle) Two months after Texas lawmakers greenlit a private school voucher program, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is pushing to supercharge the plan with a new federal tax break for people who help fund private school tuition. Tucked into President Donald Trump’s massive spending and tax bill is a provision Cruz crafted that will give people tax credits up to $1,700 for donations they make to nonprofits that provide private school scholarships. “The result will be billions of dollars flowing into scholarship-granting organizations, awarding scholarships to low-income kids in Texas and across the country,” Cruz said in an interview with the Texas Take Podcast.

Feds release $5.6M in after-school funds for 3 Fort Worth-area districts

(Fort Worth Report) More than $17 million remain frozen for schools in Fort Worth as the U.S. Department of Education and White House review funds.

Feds plan to build nation’s biggest migrant detention center at Fort Bliss

(Texas Tribune) The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a contract to build and run a 5,000-bed tent camp at the Army base in El Paso.

Socorro ISD anticipates $7M surplus after turning around $38M budget deficit

(KFOX) The Socorro Independent School District (SISD) is on track for a financial turnaround, projecting a $7 million surplus for the next fiscal year after previously grappling with a budget deficit as high as $38 million. The district’s Chief Financial Officer, David C. Solis, said that the improvement comes after the district reduced its spending from $455 million in 2024 to $416 million in 2025. This was achieved through cuts to department budgets, stricter spending rules, a reduction in vacancies, and a hiring freeze.

Texas billionaires should hate Trump’s new NIL order, but they’ll secretly love it

(Houston Chronicle) Yahoo Sports revealed detailed provisions of Trump’s executive order to save college sports, many of which underlie the mission of billionaire’s lobbying efforts.

10 takeaways from Texas High School Coaches Association convention: Recruiting a hot topic among coaches, more

(Dallas Morning News) Here are 10 things we learned at the THSCA’s Coaching School in San Antonio.

Killeen ISD Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey leaving district to serve as Dr. John Craft’s #2 at Northside ISD

(KWTX) The Northside Independent School District Board of Trustees on July 22 approved the hiring of Dr. Jo Ann Fey, currently the Superintendent of the Killeen Independent School District, to serve as their district’s Deputy Superintendent for Administration. Fey’s tenure as superintendent was recently blemished by a deadly on campus stabbing that led to public outcry over safety issues at local schools.

Houston ISD launches new ‘modern, mobile-friendly’ website ahead of 2025-26 year

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD has launched a new website as part of its rebrand and “refreshed visual identity,” although some pages, including individual campus websites, may be unavailable until Aug. 12, according to the district’s new site.

Dallas has 133 ordinances in violation of ‘Death Star’ law, Texas Public Policy Foundation says

(KERA) The Texas Public Policy Foundation says it will sue the city of Dallas if it does not repeal or amend 133 ordinances the group says are in violation of the so-called “Death Star” law, which limits the power of cities to enforce its own rules.

VIDEO: McAllen coach arrested after assaulting umpire during softball game

(ValleyCentral) An umpire’s call during a McAllen girls softball game resulted in one coach behind bars. Joel Gonzalez was arrested for assault causing bodily injuries after allegedly pushing an umpire to the ground during a Protect Our Nation’s Youth International Softball League game last Saturday.

Beaumont ISD unveils new bus system ahead of school year to improve efficiency and safety

(KBMT) Starting this year, middle and high school students will ride the same buses, while elementary students will continue on separate routes.

Laredo ISD police officer arrested on domestic violence charge

(Laredo Morning Times) A Laredo ISD police officer has been arrested on a domestic violence allegation, according to Laredo police. Police identified the suspect as Apolonio Zamora, 52. He was arrested on the charge of assault of a family, household member by impeding breath, circulation, a third degree felony.

Former coach indicted for sex assault, improper relationship

(KWKT) A Bell County Grand Jury has handed up indictments of sexual assault and improper relationship against a former Cedar Crest Hospital coach. A Belton spokesperson said 58-year-old David Paul Jones was arrested May 22 following a lengthy investigation that began when a 15-year-old student made an outcry in September 2024. A Cedar Crest staff member had reported the complaint to police. Jones had worked as a contract Physical Education coach at the Belton psychiatric facility and residential treatment center from November 2023 until September 2024.

Former Fort Worth private school piano teacher sentenced to 10 years for indecency with students, prosecutors say

(CBS Texas) A former piano teacher at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of indecency with a child by exposure, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. Trent Muse, 29, received what prosecutors described as the maximum sentence for repeatedly exposing himself to at least five students during private piano lessons in the 2022-2023 school year.

North Texas organization warns parents about growing concerns over kratom use among teens

(WFAA) Kratom is typically sold in powder or pill form and is marketed as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, and even opioid withdrawal. While it’s not approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it remains legal in most states, including Texas. Youth180, which provides services and support for teens dealing with substance use, says kratom is showing up more frequently — and could pose a serious risk to young people.

This University of North Texas sophomore created a website to solve a common issue students face with degree planning

(KERA) Sophomore UNT student Benjamin Wilcox created his own website to help other students plan their degrees. The site fills a gap in university resources for students wanting to have a better idea how to chart a path for their degrees.

‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’ — North Texas mom cleared of medically abusing her child talks with WFAA

(WFAA) “Any normal parent would do exactly as I did,” said Jessica Gasser, who was charged with injury to a child but no-billed by a Tarrant County grand jury.

July 23, 2025
Legislative Update:
Lt. Gov. Patrick announces 16 priority Senate bills for special session

(Nexstar) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Tuesday 16 bills in the Texas Senate to be filed for the first called special session. Senate Bills 1 through 16 are reserved for the highest priority legislation, and they correspond to the 18 agenda items put forth by Gov. Greg Abbott in his proclamation calling a special session of the legislature. SB 8 is a bill to eliminate the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test, the state’s standardized test required for all K-12 students. A bill to ban the test failed during the regular session. The bill will be filed by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston. Bettencourt will also carry SB 9, to cut property taxes.

Texas Senate committee doubles down on THC ban, saying state and local governments don’t have the resources for regulations

(Texas Tribune) Senate Bill 5 would ban products containing any detectable amount of any cannabinoid, creating criminal offenses for possession of hemp-derived THC.

Also Reported:
East Texas school district receives federal funding to revive afterschool program

(CBS19) An East Texas school district announced on Tuesday federal funding for its afterschool program has been reallocated. Linden-Kildare CISD last week said the program would not be offered due to “an unexpected loss of federal funding.” Now, the school district said in a Facebook post Tuesday that the federal government has returned the funding, meaning the ACE Afterschool Program will be available for the upcoming school year. Related:

Union Grove ISD accepts superintendent’s resignation at special meeting

(KLTV) The Union Grove ISD school board accepted Superintendent Kelly Moore’s resignation at a special-called meeting Tuesday night. This comes after several upset Union Grove parents voiced their concerns at a school board meeting last week. Sparking their concern is an investigation of a student for alleged invasive visual recording. This led to another case involving Moore, who they say failed to report the incident. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office began investigating in June and has said both cases related to the student and the superintendent are still open and will be sent to the district attorney.

Texas schools lag behind in national rankings, study finds

(KDAF) Every parent wants the best for their child’s education, but where in the U.S. can students access the strongest school systems? A new study from the University of Technology Sydney Online has revealed that Texas school systems are not near the top of the list. The study analyzed all 50 states based on multiple education quality metrics, including standardized test scores, teacher qualifications, classroom sizes, school safety, and dropout rates. Texas ranked 41st on the list, with low SAT and ACT scores, no digital learning plan, and a higher pupil to teacher ratio.

First IDEA Public Schools graduating class in El Paso loses over half its students since eighth grade

(El Paso Matters) As the first graduating class of IDEA Public Schools in El Paso donned caps and gowns mid-May, it was less than half the size that were in the school system in eighth grade four years earlier. In 2021, IDEA’s first two El Paso campuses, Edgemere and Rio Vista, had a combined 256 eighth-graders, according to data from the Texas Education Agency. Four years later, 124 seniors were enrolled in IDEA’s class of 2025 at graduation time, all set to continue their education in college. That 52% shrinkage is cause for concern, said Manny Soto, the data director for the Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development, or CREEED.

The Last Reformer: Houston Schools Chief Mike Miles on the Case for Going Bold

(The 74) After years of underperformance, Texas appointed an unapologetic reformer to take over its biggest district. Huge improvements followed.

North Texas school districts look to technology to secure campuses as safety business booms

(KERA) Texas lawmakers recently increased school funding, doubling campus safety budgets that could help fund items like glass film, classroom panic buttons and drones. Reports show the industry is worth billions.

Gordon ISD students will return to school late after tornado damages school

(WFAA) The district is still working to rebuild after a tornado ripped through the community this spring.

As Texas embraces federal immigration database to verify voter citizenship, some experts are worried

(Texas Tribune) Texas officials praise the revamped immigration database, but some critics are raising concerns about data privacy and accuracy.

Texas lawmakers changed the rules. Colleges now have to charge undocumented students higher tuition rates

(San Antonio Report) It is not yet clear how many students in San Antonio will be impacted by this change, as several institutions stated that they are reviewing the law requirements and its impact. But advocates warn that lack of clarity and early communication has students confused.

Dallas dance group dares to take on Uvalde school shooting in real time

(KERA) That’s a bad idea, Favian Herrera Jr. thought when his wife, a teacher, suggested the Robb Elementary School shooting as the next subject in their dance series, “Echoes of Justice.” Herrera Dance Project’s ‘Unanswered for 77’ refers to the number of minutes it took police to enter classrooms after the killer did.

Games of Texas to bring thousands of visitors to Bryan-College Station

(KBTX) The Summer Games of Texas is returning to Bryan-College Station for the eighth time in its history. Thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators will be in town for the Olympic-style festival from July 31 through August 3. It’s the largest amateur sporting event in Texas, providing a significant economic boost.

New pre-k in Texarkana, Texas almost ready for upcoming school year

(KSLA) Construction on the new Paul Laurence Dunbar Early Education Center is nearing completion just in time for the upcoming school year. School leaders say they believe this new center will be a showcase for other schools in the area. The school is divided into four pods, each with nine different experience classrooms. “Three and four year-olds will go through 18 different experiences each school year, spending two weeks in each experience before rotating to a new one,” said TISD’s Kelley Bixler.

Fort Worth ISD students required to wear ID badges starting 2025-26 school year

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) All students in the Fort Worth Independent School District will be required to wear photo ID badges during the school day and for after-school activities starting in the 2025-26 school year. The badges, a new security measure, will also be used by students to check out library books and equipment such as laptops, in addition to buying à la carte food during lunch. Students who don’t have their IDs visible could face consequences ranging from verbal warnings to school suspensions.

How do colleges retain students? Fort Worth counselors say it begins in high school

(Fort Worth Report) During a recent summit at Texas Christian University, Tarrant County counselors and students discussed ways to better prepare young adults for postsecondary success.

Former United ISD teacher appears in court for final pretrial hearing

(KGNS) The state is currently reviewing a plea deal involving a former United ISD teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. On Tuesday morning, July 22, Adriana Mariel Rullan appeared before 341st District Judge Beckie Palomo for a final pretrial hearing. In 2023, Rullan was employed as a teacher at Gonzalez Middle School when she was arrested on multiple charges, including child sexual abuse and an improper relationship with a student. Ultimately, Rullan’s trial was postponed until August.

Exclusive: Kerr County river authority chose tax cuts over alert system upgrades before deadly floods

(Houston Chronicle) The Upper Guadalupe River Authority had a $3 million reserve, but cut taxes rather than replacing an outdated flood alert system before the July 4 Hill Country flood.

July 22, 2025
Legislative Update:
Day one of special session reveals rift over priorities

(WFAA) Tensions flared at the Texas Capitol Monday as lawmakers returned for a special session sharply divided over what should take priority: disaster mitigation and relief or a controversial redistricting effort. Democrats insist that nothing should come before addressing the deadly flooding that killed more than 130 people earlier this month. But Republicans, following the lead of the White House, have set their sights on redrawing the state’s congressional maps—an unusual mid-decade move aimed at tightening their party’s grip on Congress. Related:

How will the Texas DEI ban change public schools?

(Dallas Morning News) When Texas public school students return for classes this fall, their clubs and classrooms will be subject to a new DEI ban. The law’s Sept. 1 implementation date has already triggered changes in Dallas ISD and other districts across the state.

Also Reported:
‘A step in the right direction’: Uvalde school board votes to release Robb Elementary shooting records

(KENS) The Uvalde CISD Board of Trustees has approved releasing the district’s records related to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting following a lawsuit by KENS 5 and other news outlets seeking emails, texts and other communications connected to the tragedy. The school board’s decision comes on the heels of last week’s Texas appeals court order that Uvalde County and the school district must release their records. Trustees on Monday night unanimously agreed to do so, with many board members noting the importance of transparency. Related:

Streaming of Texas high school football goes global with Texas High School Coaches Association, Victory+ game of the week

(Dallas Morning News) On Monday, the Texas High School Coaches Association announced a partnership with Victory+, a free streaming service, and this season they will have a statewide Game of the Week every week during the regular season and playoffs, with the Week 1 matchup scheduled to be two-time state champion Denton Guyer at 12-time state champion Aledo on Aug. 29. Related:

Texas A&M athletes more than doubled total NIL compensation in last academic year

(KBTX) Texas A&M’s name, image, and likeness compensation (NIL) more than doubled over the last academic year, according to data obtained by KBTX via open records request. From July 2, 2024, to July 1, 2025, Aggie athletes raked in $50.5 million in NIL deals, an improvement of more than $31 million from the year prior.

Baird ISD stands by employee detained by immigration officials

(KTAB/KRBC) Baird ISD employee Waldo Rodriquez is now facing deportation even though his employer says he was meeting the conditions set out for him by U.S. Immigration. For the last three years, Rodriquez has been working for Baird ISD as a member of their maintenance team. Rodriquez came to the U.S. illegally from Cuba roughly 20 years ago and was arrested in the early 2000s for that offence. Due to the U.S.’s policies at the time, Rodriquez was allowed by U.S. Immigration to stay in America to live and work so long as he adhered to strict conditions, including yearly check-ins with U.S. Immigration regarding his status. However, at his most recent annual check-in, Rodriquez found himself detained by ICE and scheduled for deportation.

Judson school board ends contract with financial consultant

(Texas Public Radio) Trustees for the Judson Independent School District voted late Thursday to end their contract with an outside financial consultant. The decision came after TPR reported the consultant was paid $1,500 a day.

San Antonio’s Northside ISD moves closer to $15 an hour minimum wage

(Texas Public Radio) The board of trustees for the Northside Independent School District has approved raises for the upcoming school year that gets San Antonio’s largest school district closer to a $15 an hour minimum wage. The decision to give hourly employees a higher percent increase than salaried staff is a compromise between the reality of budget constraints and a push from the board’s new trustees to ensure all staff are paid at least $15 an hour.

Federal funding hold risks 100 Austin ISD jobs, ‘deeply valued’ programs

(KXAN) More than a hundred Austin Independent School District employees could lose their jobs as the White House reviews billions of dollars in federal education grants, effectively holding up the release of the funding as the summer nears an end. The district said it does not have alternative funding for these programs or the staff. “We’re facing a significant loss in federal funding that will impact how we deliver some of the programs we deeply value,” Superintendent Matias Segura said in a note to Austin ISD families.

Boerne school will provide temporary home for flood first responders from North Texas

(Texas Public Radio) The Guadalupe River doesn’t run through Boerne, but that doesn’t mean Boerne isn’t doing its part to help in the cleanup after the record-breaking floods of July 4. Among its contributions is shelter. The Hill Country town is hosting a team of first responders at one of its middle schools.

Barbers Hill ISD files motion to dismiss CROWN act case against Darryl George

(Houston Chronicle) Lawyers for Barbers Hill ISD say the long-standing court case over whether a student could wear dreadlocks should be dismissed now that the student has graduated. While the district filed a suggestion of mootness last month, lawyers for former student Darryl George say the case should continue because of the emotional toll he suffered during his high school years.

John Zerwas sole finalist for UT System chancellor; Jim Davis lone candidate for UT-Austin president

(Texas Tribune) Both Zerwas and Davis have been serving as interim leaders of the university system and its flagship.

$3.8 million awarded to Dallas College for in-demand jobs training

(KERA) The three grants will go toward training new and current workers in fields like construction, aerospace engineering, manufacturing and plumbing.

Pro-Abortion Leader Slaps UT Austin With $6K Invoice Linked to Abortion Pills

(Texas Scorecard) The University of Texas at Austin received a $6,000 invoice from the founder of an organization that distributes abortion drugs through the mail, including in states where the procedure is illegal. According to emails Texas Scorecard obtained from an open records request, Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, founder of the group Aid Access, submitted a $6,000 invoice to the university in 2021 for assistance given to the work of Dr. Abigail Aiken.

Herzing University Ready to Strengthen Texas Nursing Workforce with New Online BSN Program Offering

(PR Newswire) Herzing University, an accredited, private nonprofit institution, announced it is now offering its online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Texas, with Fall 2025 enrollment open for students in the Dallas and Houston areas. Already available in 19 other states, the program combines flexible online coursework with hands-on clinical experience and intensives, creating new capacity for aspiring nurses while addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Texas. 

Grand jury indicts woman accused of stealing over $29k from Alba-Golden ISD

(KLTV) A Wood County grand jury has indicted a woman accused of stealing over $29,000 from Alba-Golden ISD. Jade Sheridan Bowden, 28, of Mineola, was arrested on July 18 after being accused of stealing the money while working for the school as a financial officer from February of 2024 to April of 2025, according to a release from the Wood County District Attorney’s Office.

Gainesville ISD employee one of two men arrested for online solicitation of a minor, officials say

(WFAA) A Gainesville Independent School District employee was one of two men arrested this week in a child exploitation sting operation led by the Cooke County Sheriff’s Department, authorities said. One of the suspects, Hunter Clayton Jordan, 26, was arrested after arriving at a pre-arranged location in Gainesville. According to officials, Jordan was employed by Gainesville ISD at the time of his arrest and was driving a school district vehicle.

Fort Worth Christian school navigates AI in classrooms, religious learning

(Fort Worth Report) While the use of AI in education has drawn concerns, Southwest Christian School is taking the charge in discerning how to utilize the technology as a tool that enriches student learning and aligns with their faith. Cross checking information the student receives from the AI tool with scripture is just one example.

The Adoption Trap

(Texas Observer) Private foster care and adoption agencies in Texas are brokering contracts for moms to turn over their children in a murky legal world, spawning protracted civil custody battles.

July 21, 2025
Legislative Update:
The Texas Legislature is back for a special session. Here’s what we’re watching

(Texas Tribune) Texas lawmakers start a 30-day special session July 21. They will tackle consumable THC, flood dangers, new congressional districts, abortion pills and other conservative priorities.

Also Reported:
Trump White House to release some after-school money but billions for education still frozen

(Chalkbeat) Federal funds for before- and after-school programs that were frozen for weeks will start flowing to states, a senior official with the Office of Management and Budget confirmed Friday. The budget office has finished reviewing the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and will release $1.3 billion on Monday, according to a copy of the email sent to states by the U.S. Department of Education on Friday. But school leaders and public education advocates caution they are not out of the woods yet, as billions more in federal funds, including money meant to boost academic offerings in schools and help the children of migrant farmworkers, are still on hold. Related:

Klein ISD faces $21.1M budget gap for FY 2025-26 amid increased expenses

(Community Impact) Klein ISD is expected to see a 9.9% year-over-year increase in state revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, but the district will still be left with a general fund budget gap, according to budget documents posted on KISD’s website.

Prosper ISD officials project $39M shortfall in 2025-26 school year

(Community Impact) Prosper ISD may be facing a multimillion-dollar shortfall in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, according to preliminary budget totals. Historically, about $10 million of projected expenses are not spent by the district, said Kyle Penn, PISD’s deputy superintendent of district and employee services, during a June 13 board meeting. While estimated revenue and expense totals show a $45 million difference, district officials are projecting the shortfall in the 2025-26 school year to be approximately $39 million.

Texas High School Coaches Association is pushing for legislation to protect recruits from being manipulated by agents

(Dallas Morning News) The Texas High School Coaches Association is trying to help get legislation passed to keep agents from manipulating high school athletes in Texas and nationwide when it comes to recruiting. THSCA executive director Joe Martin was candid Sunday as he discussed an issue that could become a political battleground now that revenue-share contracts are possible under the recently approved House v. NCAA settlement that allows colleges to directly pay their athletes for the first time. Related:

Texas coach Ayden Burt’s unsolved murder remembered as one year anniversary nears

(KENS) This week marks one year since the tragic incident in San Antonio, where a Texas high school coach was killed at a downtown bar. 28-year-old Ayden Rose Burt was shot and killed by a stray bullet in the early morning hours of July 23, 2024, while she was sitting on the patio of Smoke Skybar. Burt was in San Antonio for the Texas High School Coaches Association conference.

Austin ISD LBJ football vacates wins from 2024 season after ‘paperwork mistake,’ letter says

(KXAN) One of the most consistently successful football programs in the state is vacating all wins from last season. LBJ Early College High School will forfeit all 11 of its wins in 2024 after a “mistake in paperwork,” according to a letter obtained by KXAN. In the letter, LBJ Principal Randy Bryant and Athletic Director/football coach Joe Rauls laid out the program’s decision to the community.

How much would college football teams sell for? University of Texas leads our Power 4 valuation rankings

(New York Times) How much would it take to buy your favorite college football program? Our ($2.38 billion) price tag makes the Longhorns comparable to the 2018 sale of the Carolina Panthers (almost $2.3 billion).

Lawyer argues Call of Duty maker can’t be held responsible for actions of Uvalde, Texas, shooter

(AP) A lawyer for the maker of the video game Call of Duty argued Friday that a judge should dismiss a lawsuit brought by families of the victims of the Robb Elementary School attack in Uvalde, Texas, saying the contents of the war game are protected by the First Amendment. Three sets of parents who lost children in the shooting were in the audience at the Los Angeles hearing.

Anger, allegations at one of Tarrant County’s oldest charter schools

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Dozens of parents of students at Treetops School International, a Euless charter school, are accusing school officials of mismanagement and misdeeds. Others say the ones making those allegations are merely disgruntled after Treetops did away with its middle school and high school grades. Now, in what was a formerly tight-knit community, there is dissension and anger, much of it aimed at Superintendent James Whitfield, who is himself no stranger to controversy and who is under investigation by the Texas Education Agency stemming from at least one parental complaint, though it’s unclear exactly which one.

Better testing, less vaccine messaging among lessons learned from historic Texas measles outbreak

(Texas Tribune) Faced with a skeptical religious community that became the center of the outbreak, public health officials say they may have pushed too hard on vaccine messaging.

Texas Schools Add Attack Drones To Protect Students

(Dallas Observer) The drones, which come in boxes of six for $15,000, are permanently stored in ceiling-high containers on site, allowing for instantaneous deployment. Related:

Internal Texas A&M Email Advising Aggies To Report ICE Sightings Triggers Backlash

(Texas Scorecard) Texas A&M is facing criticism after an internal email by the university provost and executive vice president asked staff, faculty, and graduate students to contact university police if they see a “federal law enforcement officer on campus.” Related:

Appeals court upholds Texas law limiting cities’ enforcement of local ordinances

(Texas Tribune) The 2023 law, previously ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge, prevents cities from enforcing ordinances that don’t align with broad swaths of state law.

What the ‘big, beautiful bill’ means for health coverage, hospitals and Medicaid in Texas

(Houston Chronicle) Texas avoided some steeper Medicaid cuts, but hundreds of thousands of Texans are still projected to lose health coverage due to the new law.

New Owner Voids U.S. Warranties of Lion Electric School Buses

(School Transportation News) Customers’ worst fears were realized Friday, when Deloitte Restructuring released a letter detailing that all previous warranties for all purchases made outside of Quebec are null and void.

July 18, 2025
Former Millsap ISD superintendent and three educators indicted for failing to report child abuse, officials say

(WFAA) A Parker County Grand Jury has indicted four former Millsap ISD educators, including the ex-superintendent, on charges of failing to report alleged abuse in a special needs classroom.

What’s the Latest on Trump’s School Funding Freeze? What We Know and Don’t Know

(Education Week) The Trump administration has injected fresh chaos into school budget planning for the quickly approaching academic year with its abruptly announced and unprecedented nationwide halt on $6.8 billion in education funding Congress allocated in March. Related:

See what each Texas state employee is paid: Search our updated database.

(Texas Tribune) The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation is updated to represent salaries as of July 1.

‘Give Mama the Money’ Crusade Launches in Fort Worth to Promote School Choice

(Dallas Express) A coalition of pastors, parents, and education reformers launched the “Give Mama the Money Crusade” Thursday morning at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth — aiming to turn Texas into a school choice-friendly state. Related:

The loss of hope as Abbott vetoes funding for a summer lunch program

(Dallas Morning News) Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, a state-wide hunger relief network, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates about 3.75 million children in Texas would have received the $120 benefit per summer. That would add up to approximately $450 million for the program, covered with federal funds.

Fewer Houston ISD students are drinking and smoking, but use of heroin and other opioids is rising

(Houston Chronicle) Even as marijuana and alcohol use continues to decline, Houston ISD students are more likely to say they’ve abused prescription drugs and other opioids than a decade ago, according to a new brief from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

LBJ (Austin, TX) football team forced to forfeit all 11 wins from 2024

(ON3) According to a report by the Austin American-Statesman’s Caleb Yum, the LBJ (Austin, TX) Jaguars football program is being forced to forfeit all 11 of its 2024 victories due to use of an ineligible player. The Jaguars finished 11-1 last year in Texas’ UIL Class 4A, Division 1, losing to La Vernia in the playoffs.

Burnout, mental health issues spark high turnover among Texas high school football coaches

(Dallas Morning News) The coaching profession has changed dramatically in recent years, and it is taking a toll across the state, especially for the many head coaches who have dual responsibilities and also serve as their school’s athletic coordinator or the school district’s athletic director.

Valley Mills ISD High School unveils new Esports lounge

(KWTX) It might sound crazy but Valley Mills high school with a student population a little over 200 may have just become a hub of esports in central Texas. Josh Jones the Assistant Superintendent of Academics and now Esports coach at Valley Mills applied for and received a grant from Howmet Aerospace that was aimed towards furthering STEM development in rural schools. That grant allowed the school to build a brand new esports lounge from scratch.

University of North Texas reducing athletic department staff to help free up funds to pay athletes

(KERA) UNT is restructuring its athletic department staff in the wake of the House v. NCAA case settlement. Athletic director Jared Mosley has spoken extensively over the last few months about how UNT is adjusting to the new landscape in college athletics that has schools paying players directly for the first time through revenue sharing as well as name, image and likeness opportunities. Mosley acknowledged Wednesday that those adjustments include layoffs.

UT Austin requests documentation of ‘lawful status’ from non-citizen students who qualify for in-state tuition

(Daily Texan) Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States and qualified for in-state tuition received a letter from the University on July 11 requesting documentation that could prove “lawful status,” according to a copy of the email obtained by the Texan. Students who received this letter have until July 24 to submit their documentation. If they do not meet this deadline, they will be automatically reclassified as non-residents and will have to pay the out-of-state tuition rate.

Former Grandview ISD High School band director arrested, charged with sexual assault of a child

(WFAA) The former band director at Grandview High School has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault of a child, officials say. Russell Lee Brown, who has since retired from Grandview ISD, was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child, sexual contact.

Federal agents arrest Belton ISD teacher on federal child pornography charges

(KCEN) Federal authorities arrested and charged Belton High School teacher Pietro Giustino with possession of child pornography. Pietro Giustino, who was recognized by the district for 10 years of service in 2021, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Antonio Field Office, according to a message sent to all Belton ISD families by Superintendent Malinda Golden.

July 17, 2025
Appeals court orders release of Uvalde school shooting records

(Texas Tribune) Eighteen news organizations including The Texas Tribune have been seeking the records since 2022, when 19 children and 2 teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School.

East Texas school districts say they can’t continue afterschool programs due to federal funding cuts

(KSLA) Some school districts in east Texas say they can no longer run their afterschool programs due to federal funding cuts. Linden-Kildare Consolidated Independent School District posted on Facebook Tuesday, July 15 that this school year, the afterschool program will no longer be offered. And on July 10, Atlanta ISD posted a similar message, saying funding for its ACE (BLAST) program is in jeopardy of immediately ending. Normally, they say, when there’s a change in president, existing contracts are allowed to expire. However, this time is different. Related:

Clear Creek ISD secures 3-year deal with Galveston County for nearly 50 school resource officers

(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees approved at its July 14 workshop a three-year contract with Galveston County to receive 47 school resource officers, or SROs, from July 2025 through July 2028. The agreement comes as the current three-year contract, which started in 2021 and was extended to July of this year, nears its end, according to district agenda documents.

Ector County ISD team helps recover victims and belongings in Kerrville flood

(KMID/KPEJ) Ector County ISD Chief of Police Jeff Daniels gave an update to the community on ECISD’s operations in Kerrville after massive flooding swept hundreds of people away over the Fourth of July Weekend. Daniels said when the Fire Chief in Ingram made a request for additional first responders to assist with victim rescue and recovery operations, several members of ECISD’s police force jumped into action.

San Antonio ISD strikes out on demands in land deal for new San Antonio Missions ballpark

(San Antonio Current) San Antonio ISD demanded $45 million for a new school and 1,250 low-income apartments. They got a bunch of free parking instead.

Judson ISD is paying $1,500 a day for a financial consultant

(Texas Public Radio) The consultant was hired to help the school board understand the budget and cut costs.

Texas attorney general investigates Mars Inc. for alleged deceptive practices

(News4SA) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into Mars Incorporated, the company behind popular candies such as M&M’s and Skittles, for alleged deceptive and illegal practices. In 2016, Mars pledged to remove all artificial colors from its human food products, but later decided not to implement this change in the United States. Paxton said, “Mars needs to remove the toxic chemicals in their products in the U.S. like Nestle and Hershey.” He claims these chemicals pose a health risk, a claim that Mars disputes.

Enchiladas, USDA regulations and government cheese: A look inside San Antonio’s school lunches

(San Antonio Report) Thousands of school nutritionists from across the country swooped into San Antonio this week for a conference all about one thing: what K-12 students eat. Two local experts guided the Report through food taste-testing, federal nutrition requirements and one school district’s famous enchiladas. Related:

Mesquite ISD aims to cultivate future teachers through innovative program

(WFAA) Mesquite ISD launches Teach Mesquite to inspire students to pursue teaching careers amid a teacher shortage.

New El Paso ISD dress code claims to simplify school life with universal uniform colors

(KFOX) The new dress code applies to elementary, middle, and high school students and introduces universal uniform colors — white, gray, and navy — to streamline uniform shopping and ease transitions for students who may transfer within the district.

‘You are an incredible danger’: Texas man sentenced to 245 years after Lubbock jury convicts him of sextorting minors

(EverythingLubbock) Juelz Sincere Armstead, 21, from San Angelo, Texas, was sentenced to 245 years in federal prison for sextorting minors and an adult across the United States on Tuesday.

The FBI is requesting information from victims regarding an investigation into a former Laredo music teacher who has been charged with crimes against children

(KGNS) The FBI’s Phoenix (Arizona) Division is seeking to identify possible victims of Carlos Jobany Castaneda Lechuga, who faces charges related to the production of child pornography. The agency suspects that Lechuga mainly targeted underage female students from 2015 to 2019. They also encourage anyone who might have been a victim or who has information that could assist the investigation to complete a questionnaire. Lechuga’s federal case was transferred from Texas to Arizona, and unlike the Texas federal documents, the Arizona complaint identified Lechuga as an instructor for multiple music courses at Texas A&M International University.

July 16, 2025
Legislative Update:
As Trump looks to net five GOP seats through Texas redistricting, Democrats grasp for response

(Texas Tribune) President Donald Trump said he thinks Republicans could flip a handful of congressional districts in Texas next year through “​​just a very simple redrawing.” Related:

Landgraf files bill to scrap STAAR ahead of special legislative session

(Odessa American) State Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, is renewing his push to scrap the STAAR test in Texas public schools. House Bill 92, filed Monday by Landgraf ahead of the upcoming special session of the Texas Legislature, seeks to reduce excessive standardized testing — specifically including STAAR — and refocus public education on meaningful classroom instruction. If passed during the special session, the bill would take effect beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.

Newly formed Texas disaster preparedness and flooding committee will visit Kerr County

(Texas Tribune).The joint House and Senate committee will first meet in Austin next week, then in Kerrville on July 31 to hear from Hill Country residents about their concerns.

Texas Counties Have Exploited a ‘Disaster Loophole’ to Hike Taxes

(Texas Scorecard) A new law going into effect next year could change that.

Alamo Colleges becomes top state earner under revised funding bill

(San Antonio Report) Alamo Colleges District is positioned to become the top earner of state funding under Texas’ recently revised outcomes-based funding model, which could bring in at least $4.6 million more into its colleges this year.

Also Reported:
See How Much Federal Money Trump Is Holding Back From Your District

(Education Week) For some districts, the losses will amount to a few thousand dollars; for hundreds of others, their budgets are now short millions of federal dollars from funding streams for migrant education (Title I-C), professional development (Title II-A), English-learner services (Title III-A), academic enrichment (Title IV-A), and before- and after-school programs (Title IV-B). Related:

Trump Admin Starts Moving Career/Technical Education to Labor Dept. After Supreme Court Order

(Education Week) The U.S. Department of Education is resuming a partnership that will move some of its functions to another federal agency after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a lower court’s order that temporarily halted mass firings and other changes to downsize the department. The department will partner with the U.S. Department of Labor, with Labor taking “a greater role in administering” programs that support career and technical education funded by the $1.4 billion Perkins program, and adult education and family literacy programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the Education Department announced Tuesday.

Timeline: Drugs and Politics in Progreso

(ValleyCentral) In Progreso, drugs and politics frequently go hand-in-hand. At least four members of the school board and two mayors were convicted on drug trafficking charges during the past four decades.

San Antonio ISD moves forward with land sale for downtown Missions ballpark

(San Antonio Report) The Missions Minor League Baseball team are one step closer to building a new $160 million 7,500-seat stadium in downtown San Antonio, following official approval by San Antonio Independent School District to execute the purchase of the final piece of land: a 2.29 acre gravel lot. 

Clear Creek ISD projects $13.5M shortfall for FY 2025-26 in updated discussion

(Community Impact) Since the district’s last budget discussion June 10, the projected shortfall for FY 2025-26 has grown from $12.1 million to $13.5 million. Several factors contributed to this increase.

Wichita Falls ISD secures $140K grant for body cams to enhance safety

(KFDX/KJTL) During the regular school board meeting on Monday, July 14, WFISD Superintendent Dr. Donny Lee said board members approved the purchase of body cameras through a grant totaling $140,000. This grant will be enough to outfit every WFISD police officer, which Dr. Lee said will provide an extra layer of protection for not only the students and faculty on campus but also the officers.

Final Cy-Fair ISD bus routes to be released in August; all students covered

(Community Impact) All Cy-Fair ISD students will have access to buses for the 2025-26 school year after the board of trustees voted June 23 to reinstate transportation. The decision follows a year of parental backlash after the district cut over 70 bus routes for FY 2024-25 to manage its budget shortfall.

‘It could have been prevented’ — Family warns of heat stroke dangers after Houston-area teen collapses at football practice

(KHOU) A Houston-area high school football player is on the road to recovery after a terrifying, near-fatal heat stroke landed him in a coma for over a week. Jarvis Spires, a student-athlete at Cypress Springs High School, collapsed after pushing through a football practice with a personal trainer in the intense Texas heat on July 5. His mother, Alzadia Spires, said her son had to be resuscitated, underwent emergency surgery and was in a coma for nine days at Texas Children’s Hospital. Now, the Spires family is using their story to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stroke, especially as extreme temperatures continue across Texas.

Virginia Tech releases football helmet safety ratings

(CBS 19) Virginia Tech is one of the leading researchers in helmet safety for sports ranging from football, to equestrian, and Wednesday they released an updated list for the top rated football helmets. The Light Apache, Vicis Zero2 Trench, and Xenith Orbit Pro are the top three rated helmets in high school football according to the new research.

Teens accused of plotting bomb attack at Spring Branch ISD’s Memorial HS will remain on probation until 18, FBI says

(KTRK) In February, a 15- and 16-year-old were arrested after police said the two were planning a “mass casualty attack” with pipe bombs throughout the school. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, one of the girls pleaded “true to conspiracy to commit murder.” The 15-year-old student attended Willis High School and was charged with an unrelated charge, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. On Tuesday, the FBI announced that both of them will remain on probation until 18 and will receive mental health care.

Rio Grande Valley’s biggest free health clinic event of the year is canceled due to federal cuts

(Texas Tribune) It’s the first time Operation Border Health in McAllen has canceled in 26 years. More than 6,600 people received check-ups, dental services, diabetes screenings and more last year.

Texas City teacher arrested, accused of planning to take minor to hotel

(Fox 26 Houston) John Derrick Taylor, a math teacher and girls & boys power-lifting coach at Texas City High School, has been charged with online solicitation of a minor. Taylor is accused of planning to meet with a 15-year-old girl at a hotel for sex, according to the constable’s office. He faces up to 10 years in prison. He has also worked in other districts in the region as well as in Fort Stockton in West Texas.

Former Texas A&M–San Antonio employee faces investigation into $70K fraud allegations

(KSAT) Christina Gomez resigned after she was placed on leave; A&M-San Antonio PD probing her use of university credit card.

Fort Bend County Library System Still Rebuilding After Cyberattack

(Covering Katy News) Fort Bend County Library officials continue working toward full restoration of their digital services following a cybersecurity attack that required a complete system rebuild. Library Director Roosevelt Weeks provided an update Friday, noting that the library’s current timeline is “late summer or early fall” for full restoration.

July 15, 2025
U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump to lay off nearly 1,400 Education Department employees

(AP) The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track — and to go through with laying off nearly 1,400 employees. The court did not explain its decision in favor of Trump, as is customary in emergency appeals. The court’s three liberal justices dissented. In a post Monday night on his social media platform, Trump said the high court “has handed a Major Victory to Parents and Students across the Country.” He said the decision will allow his administration to begin the “very important process” of returning many of the department’s functions “BACK TO THE STATES.” Related:

Adult learning programs are in limbo after the Trump administration pauses funding

(Texas Standard) Over a million people rely on about $716 million in federal funding for things like GED classes.

Texas’ 2023 property tax relief has had moderate impact on El Paso property tax bills, analysis shows

(El Paso Matters) El Paso school district property taxes have gone down sharply over the past two years, but increases by other governments have eroded those savings for average taxpayers, an El Paso Matters analysis says.

Can rural schools teach us how to get along?

(Texas Standard) A new study suggests public schools in rural Texas can be models of pluralism.

Texas child advocacy group claims 11 legislative wins among tough losses

(KERA) The child advocacy nonprofit Children at Risk says 11 bills it drafted passed in the 89th legislature and were then signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. The organization’s president and CEO, Bob Sanborn, said in a virtual press conference Thursday recapping the recent session that months of preparation and hard work paid off last session — including funds in the state budget for childcare scholarships.

Ex-Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Whitbeck loses bid for lawsuit to be reheard

(Fort Bend Star) A judge last week dismissed former Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck’s motion to have her breach-of-contract lawsuit against the district continue. 

Community supervision complete for 2 assault cases against former Edinburg football player, lawsuit pending

(ValleyCentral) Ex-Edinburg High football player Emmanuel Duron has completed his community supervision for two assault cases, one arrising from his tackling a referree during a 2020 football playoff game and his most recent arrest on allegations he bit his romantic partner (a young woman) on the neck in 2024. Duron must still serve community supervision for a drug charge for which he plead guilty. Additionally, Alfredo “Fred” Gracia — the referee that Duron tackled — is suing Duron and the Rio Grande Texas Association of Sports Officials Football Chapter Division and Southwest Officials Association (Texas Association of Sports Officials). Gracia is seeking monetary relief in excess of $1 million in this lawsuit. Gracia failed to appear in court this May for a pre-trial hearing.

After 3-consecutive-year high, school shootings drop 23% in 2024-25

(K-12 Dive) The 2024-25 school year saw a 22.5% decrease in school shootings compared to the prior school year, breaking a three-consecutive-year high in gun violence for the 2021-22 through the 2023-24 school years. The number of school shootings has also dropped year over year for the 2025 calendar year thus far according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. There were 254 total school shooting incidents in 2024-25, compared to the nearly 330 school shooting incidents in each of the school years between 2021-2022 and 2023-24 school year. 

‘People get tired of alerts’: Why getting the word out about public hazards can be tricky

(Texas Standard) Warnings sometimes aren’t reaching phones because individuals have turned them off.

Document: Canyon Teen accused of plotting July 4th attack had explosives used by terrorists

(KVII) The teenager accused of plotting a 4th of July attack had “highly sensitive explosives” used by terrorists. According to a court document obtained by ABC 7 News, the Department of Public Safety found hexamine, hydrogen peroxide, and citric acid in the Canyon home of 18-year-old Kevin Alexander Hunt. According to the same court document, DPS said Hunt had the chemicals “with the intent to combine the components into an explosive weapon” known as HMTD. The National Counterterrorism Center, Department of Homeland Security, and FBI said HMTD, which is “of interest to terrorists,” is “generally easy to detonate and may be used in improvised detonators.”

Chair of Texas Tech Regents Launches ‘Save College Sports’ Initiative

(Texas Scorecard) Cody Campbell, chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, has launched an effort to “save college sports” at a time when Name, Image, and Likeness compensation has placed unparalleled pressure on university athletic departments. Campbell outlined his vision in interviews with 365 Sports and USA Today. In those interviews, he identified several challenges posed by the current economic model. Campbell has launched a nonprofit organization, SavingCollegeSports.com

Texas Christian University student group Legacy Frogs combines business and sports to create NIL deals

(Fort Worth Report) With the NCAA settlement finalized, the group is poised to maximize student-athlete’s social media presence.

Amarillo College launches updated fire protection degree for working firefighters

(KFDA) Beginning this fall, Amarillo College (AC) will offer fire protection technology courses with more flexibility. The courses, designed to earn an associate degree in applied science, are set up in an eight-week online format and tuition-free options. Once a student completes a fire academy and basic emergency medical technician courses—whether at Amarillo College or another accredited provider—they can complete all remaining coursework for the degree 100% online.

July 14, 2025
Mental health programs could bear the brunt of $600M federal cuts to Texas schools

(Texas Tribune) Federal cuts and a lack of dedicated mental health funding from the state could erode programs to address chronic absenteeism, crises and more. Related:

Trump defends federal government’s response to Hill Country floods during Texas visit

(Texas Tribune) The president met with state and local officials, who praised the White House response, and lashed out at a question on whether aid and rescue efforts occurred fast enough.

El Paso homeowners face rising property taxes amid increasing valuations

(KFOX) Residents like Alan Surratt and Lynne Wilson are grappling with the financial strain. “I didn’t think the taxes were that bad, but then came the tax bill and it got a lot worse,” said Surratt, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in the community.

Harlingen closes school year with $25.4 million fund balance

(myRGV) Capping the school district’s most challenging year in decades, the school board closed its ledgers with a $25.4 million fund balance after slashing $4.9 million while “right-sizing” staffing levels, cutting about 100 positions. Officials were marking the closure of a year that plunged the district into its deepest financial crisis in decades.

The highest starting teacher salaries at Houston-area ISDs for the 2025-26 school year

(Houston Chronicle) The starting teacher salaries among Houston area school districts will be between $61,000 and $66,700 for the upcoming school year.

Cypress Springs HS football player in coma week after heat stroke, mom says

(KTRK) A Cypress Springs High School football player is still in a coma a week after suffering a heatstroke, according to his mother. Jarvis Spires, 17, was training outside of school on July 5 when the heat began to take its toll. “There’s a lot of athletes who don’t understand the importance of being hydrated and staying hydrated,” his mother, Alzadia Spires, said.

University of North Texas professor awarded $725,000 in settlement against university

(Denton Record-Chronicle via KERA) The University of North Texas settled a lawsuit brought against the university by a music theory professor who says he suffered professional and emotional damage following accusations of racism that were made in 2020. The settlement ends a five-year conflict that gained national attention and brought criticism to both UNT for violating a tenured professor’s academic freedom and music theory professor Timothy Jackson for controversial statements about racial barriers in classical music.

Texas company demos drone-led school shooting response at Colorado high school

(CBS Texas) Could the solution to school shootings be drone first responders? An Austin-based tech company thinks so and is testing them in Colorado. The drones are already in action in a few Texas schools and will soon be in hallways in Florida.

This T3 Partnership program helps Fort Worth-area high school grads reach their goals

(Fort Worth Report) Nearly 7,000 graduating seniors are taking part in a Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership program designed to tackle “summer melt,” the months where students can get distracted and lose sight of their goals.

Texas Rep Refers Texas A&M to Feds Over ‘Discriminatory’ Recruiting

(Dallas Express) In an interview with The Dallas Express, State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican from Waxahachie, said he referred Texas A&M (his alma mater) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in early May after receiving a letter from university President Mark Welsh acknowledging that the school continues such recruitment efforts, which Harrison says improperly factor in race, gender, or other identity markers. As of publication, no member of the Texas A&M University Board of Regents responded to requests for comment from The Dallas Express.

Why a new law to bring more doctors to Texas may not solve the physician shortage

(KERA) Texas lawmakers this year passed a bill to help offset a projected shortage of more than 10-thousand doctors by 2030. House Bill 2038, also known as the Doctor Act, allows experienced international medical graduates to skip residency programs required in the U.S. Dr. Ogan Gurel, a physician and faculty expert in the Health Care Administration program at the University of Texas at Arlington’s business college, tells KERA’S Sam Baker why he doesn’t think the Doctor Act addresses the real cause of the doctor shortage – a lack of residency positions.

UT School of Nursing cancels fall graduation ceremony, sparks petition

(Daily Texan) The School of Nursing announced the cancellation of its fall graduation ceremony in a June 24 email to students set to graduate that semester. The move sparked a petition by the fall cohort to reinstate its graduation, which has over 1,600 signatures at the time of publication.

Fewer than 40 Rosenwald Schools still stand in Texas. One is in Fort Worth

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Fort Worth’s century-old Sagamore Hill Negro School, with its slanted roof and gabled porches, has no historic marker and no sign above the door — yet it merits landmark status. Originally a four-room schoolhouse for Black children learning their ABCs, the building was constructed in 1924 with blueprints and partial funding from a Jewish philanthropist.

Head Start was born 60 years ago. Today it serves more than 7,000 children in San Antonio

(San Antonio Report) Months after being on the Trump Administration’s chopping block, the free early child care and education service Head Start celebrates its 60th birthday. In May, President Donald Trump proposed cutting $750 million from the Head Start program as a cost-saving measure. The move, experts said, would have left roughly 80,000 fewer children across the country with access to the program, and White House officials eventually backed down.

Dallas ISD Students Lead School Renovation Marketing As Bond Interns

(Dallas Express) Dallas ISD students are stepping beyond traditional classroom roles to document and promote the district’s massive school renovation projects as summer bond marketing interns. These student ambassadors craft social media campaigns, plan events, and conduct interviews with stakeholders while helping to preserve the historical significance of campuses undergoing modernization through the district’s bond program.

July 11, 2025
State leaders form select committees to investigate deadly Texas floods

(Dallas Morning News) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, both Republicans, said in a joint statement Wednesday that the new Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding in the Texas House and Senate would meet as one panel starting with a public hearing in Austin on July 23. Related:

Gov. Greg Abbott targets Houston congressional districts for major redraw

(Houston Chronicle) More than one million Houstonians could have new congressional representation as early as next year under Gov. Greg Abbott’s push to redraw the state’s political maps.

Dan Patrick won’t support Abbott’s call to regulate THC, setting up showdown

(Houston Chronicle) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday that he would not agree to Gov. Greg Abbott’s calls to regulate THC products — which he equated to legalizing marijuana in Texas —setting up an apparent impasse between the state’s two most powerful Republicans as lawmakers are set to return to Austin this summer.

Trump Endorses Texas Lawmakers Who Backed School Choice, Despite Party Pushback

(Texas Scorecard) In a move telegraphed months in advance, President Donald Trump has endorsed nearly every Republican state lawmaker in Texas who voted for the state’s new $1 billion school choice program, fulfilling a promise reportedly made during the legislative session.

Head Start preschools to bar undocumented children under new Trump rule

(Chalk Beat) This major policy change treats Head Start as a welfare program rather than an educational one.

More than 800 teachers left Houston ISD in the 2024-25 school year

(Houston Chronicle) More than 3,220 employees, including at least 840 teachers, left Houston ISD from August 2024 through May, exacerbating the higher turnover rates that have plagued the district since the state’s June 2023 takeover of the district. 

American Teachers in Red States Are Walking Away for Good

(New Republic) The predictable consequences of the right wing’s war on public schools are being felt as educators leave their communities — and their profession. Texas has also borne the brunt of this trend. A Houston Chronicle analysis found the average number of yearly teacher departures rose by 48% in the first two years of the state takeover of Houston ISD compared to the five years prior.

Sen. Angela Paxton files for divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton

(Texas Tribune) In a statement, Angela Paxton said she moved to end her 38-year marriage “on biblical grounds,” citing “recent discoveries.”

Houston Food Bank Steps Up to Fill the Gap After Abbott Vetoes Summer Meal Program

(Houston Press) Despite “disappointing” Abbott veto of summer food program, Houston kids won’t go hungry.

Faith Family keeps adding elite basketball transfers, but now doesn’t have to battle UIL

(Dallas Morning News) Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy charter school’s boys team has added seven transfers, including several of the nation’s top recruits and one of the best players in the Dallas area. Last November, the charter left the University Interscholastic League for all sports after the state’s governing body levied heavy penalties on the charter school’s girls basketball program for recruiting violations.

DOJ Says Chinese Hackers Stole COVID Research from Houston Universities

(Government Technology) A 2023 indictment unsealed this week alleges that two men were directed by China’s spy agency to target and access the emails of virologists and immunologists at two Houston-area universities.

17K backpacks prepped in Fort Worth for students in need across nation

(Fort Worth Report) Volunteers from The Salvation Army, Toyota, Toyota/Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association and Walmart packed nearly 17,000 backpacks with crayons, binders, notebooks and $10 gift cards at a Fort Worth distribution center. About 100 volunteers stuffed backpacks that will be delivered to 66 Toyota and Lexus dealership locations across the nation to be distributed to preregistered families and local schools across the country.

Sinton ISD parents upset over alleged unequal access to advanced courses, grading discrepancies

(KRIS) Several parents at Sinton ISD are raising concerns about inconsistent course enrollment policies they claim have unfairly disadvantaged some students, according to grievances filed with the district.

Marfa Education Foundation reports major growth as it prepares to pass largest budget yet

(Big Bend Sentinel) The Marfa Education Foundation (MEF), a local nonprofit supporting educational programs at Marfa ISD since 2011, is preparing to approve its largest-ever budget in early August. As the district faces another year of operating under a budget deficit, MEF’s expanded support is becoming increasingly vital. MEF funds essential programs that might otherwise be cut due to limited district resources and enables projects the school would likely never be able to consider.

Grand Saline ISD superintendent opposes proposed reservoir in Van Zandt County

(CBS 19) Grand Saline ISD Superintendent Micah Lewis released a statement on Friday opposing the City of Canton’s prospective acquisition of Grand Saline Creek. In his letter to the North East Texas Regional Water Planning Group, he highlighted the consequences for taxpayers.

This Fort Worth mom is a voice for her nonverbal child — and millions of others

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Kendra Frank is a wife, mother of two and founder of the nonprofit “Elliott’s Voice.” Her organization, which she founded in 2023, aims to provide accessible visual supports to children and adults who are nonverbal or have limited verbal abilities, according to the Elliott’s Voice Facebook page.

Who is Hearst? Meet the new owner of Dallas Morning News

(WFAA) Hearst will own the largest newspapers in all four of the largest cities in Texas.

Houston ISD teacher placed on leave, charged with posting explicit videos of ex-girlfriend, records say

(Fox 26 Houston) A Houston Independent School District Physical Education teacher has been charged after being accused of posting explicit videos of his ex-girlfriend. Christopher J. Hampton is charged with unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material and is a PE teacher at Pleasantville Elementary. 

Ex-Levelland middle school teacher’s aide accused of federal child sex abuse crimes

(Everything Lubbock) Camilo Reyes Castillo, 46, a former teacher’s aide at Levelland Middle School, was federally indicted on Wednesday and accused of child sex abuse crimes, court records stated. A federal complaint said in February 2025, the Texas Department of Public Safety interviewed a cooperating witness who was the suspect in another case related to child sex abuse material. Court records indicated this witness had been messaging Castillo about child sex abuse material. Castillo told the witness that he worked at the middle school, and that he worked with students who need behavior and emotional support, followed by a smiling emoji.

Attorneys were paid $745,000 to represent El Paso Walmart gunman in federal court

(El Paso Matters) Eight defense attorneys who represented the man who killed 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 were paid $745,000 to defend him against federal hate crimes and weapons charges, according to a document filed in federal court this week. Earlier this year, the gunman also pleaded guilty to state charges of capital murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

July 10, 2025
Kerrville ISD teachers and staff drove school buses to rescue hundreds of campers during flood

(Texas Public Radio) Several Kerrville Independent School District teachers and staff members drove school buses full of hundreds of campers from Camp La Junta and Camp Mystic to reunification sites on July 4. On the evening of July 4, KISD Superintendent Brent Ringo said he received a call from Katie Fineske, one of the owners of Camp La Junta, asking for the district’s help to get campers to safety before the sun went down. Within ten minutes of the call, Ringo said the district gathered about a dozen people who said they were willing to help. Related:

As Texas Republicans prepare for mid-decade redistricting, cautionary tales loom from the past

(Texas Tribune) Spurred by President Donald Trump’s political team, Texas lawmakers will try to redraw the state’s congressional map to boost Republicans — but some GOP incumbents are uneasy.

18-year-old pleads to 10 years for vandalizing Union Grove High School

(KLTV) George Osborn Merrill III, 18, of Gladewater, was charged with the second-degree felony of criminal mischief for causing damage to the Union Grove ISD high school on Jan. 24, according to a release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. District Attorney Billy Byrd said in a release that deputies discovered the damage the next day, including broken glass doors and windows, shattered trophy cases, broken hallway TVs, damaged ceiling tiles, broken water fountains, computers, copy machines, furniture, cameras and bathrooms. Merrill confessed and said he vandalized the school because he was “bored.” He was also ordered to pay an out-of-pocket insurance deductible of $25,000 on behalf of the school.

CEO indicted, accused of bid rigging for Moody Center development on UT Austin campus

(KXAN) A live entertainment CEO was indicted for orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for the “development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena that was to be located on the campus of a public university in Austin, Texas,” a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice stated. According to the release, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group (OVG). While the Department of Justice release doesn’t specifically name the Moody Center as the venue in the press release, the OVG’s website shows the Moody Center is the only venue it manages in Austin.

Trial date set for Karmelo Anthony, teen charged in fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at Frisco track meet

(CBS Texas) A Collin County judge has set a June 1, 2026, trial date for Karmelo Anthony, the now 18-year-old accused of fatally stabbing another teen during an altercation at a Frisco ISD track meet in early April.

UIL denies Highland Park ISD parent’s appeal, upholds decision for boys soccer team to forfeit state championship title

(WFAA) The UIL State Executive Committee Wednesday denied a Highland Park ISD parent’s appeal and upheld the decision that led to the Highland Park High School boys soccer team’s forfeiture of the state championship title in May. 

Texas A&M to open $24.5M emergency management hub in east Fort Worth

(KERA) The Texas A&M University System is gearing up to open an over 100,000-square-foot emergency management hub in east Fort Worth at the end of July. The $24.5 million building in the Handley area is not just a distribution center for emergency supplies, as it will have meeting rooms, an emergency operations center and training rooms. The Fort Worth center is part of a statewide plan to have a facility like it within three hours of every Texan.

Acclaimed Denton ISD Choir Director Arrested for Exposing Himself to a Child

(Texas Scorecard) An acclaimed choir director in Denton Independent School District is accused of performing a sex act in front of a child. Derrick Dewayne Brookins, 54, was arrested and charged with indecency with a child by exposure, a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison. Brookins was a choir director at Braswell High School in Denton ISD at the time of his arrest. Principal DeCorian Hailey stated in a message to parents that the incident was “unrelated to Braswell High School, Denton ISD, our students, or any school-related activities.” The message did not identify Brookins.

Baylor University rejects grant over LGBTQIA+ advocacy requirements

(Fox 26 Houston) Baylor University announced on Wednesday that it has rescinded its acceptance of a grant intended to research inclusion and belonging in the church. University President Linda Livingstone said the school’s Center for Church and Community Impact would return the money from the grant’s foundation. The grant was supposed to help the center’s research on inclusion and belonging in the church with a focus on LGBTQIA+ people in congregational settings.

Child dies in hot car after mother thought she dropped him off at school in San Antonio, police say

(News4SA) A five-year-old boy died on Wednesday after being left in a hot car all day after his mother thought she had dropped him off at school before leaving for work, police say. Detectives are investigating including determining whether it was accidental or criminal, Chief McManus said.

‘I’ve seen people elevate themselves’ — Waco Housing Authority marks 25 years of college tours for local teens

(KCEN) For the past 25 years, the Waco Housing Authority has made it its mission to expose students from low-income families to the possibilities of higher education through annual college tours. This weekend, that legacy continues as more than 30 teens prepare to visit universities across Texas. The goal of the program is simple: exposure. Al Davis, the longtime Community Services Youth Coordinator with the Waco Housing Authority, said many of the teens participating in the tours have never left Waco, let alone visited a college campus.

After revealing plans for an academy in Killeen, Lamar Odom announces another in Louisiana

(KCEN) A week after announcing his plans for the founding of a K-12 academy in Killeen, two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom revealed that he is planning to do the same in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana. Partnering with retired NBA veteran and Shreveport native, Stromile Swift, Odom intends to replicate his vision with a second Lamar Odom Academy.

July 9, 2025
Former Progreso school board president sentenced to 12 years in prison for smuggling drugs

(ValleyCentral) Former Progreso school board President Francisco “Frank” Alanis, who participated in a conspiracy to stash cocaine at Dorothy Thompson Middle School, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison Tuesday. During a hearing on Tuesday morning, Alanis apologized to his family and the community. Alanis told U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. that he was “hanging out with the wrong people.” Alanis served on the school board from 2016 to 2024. He also worked for the city of Progreso, where he served as both assistant city manager and city secretary.

Texas measles outbreak: Gaines County no longer designated as ‘outbreak county’

(Fox 4 KDFW) Texas health officials on Tuesday said that Gaines County — the county at the center of the state’s measles outbreak — is no longer classified as an outbreak county. The county has accounted for more than half of all cases since the outbreak started in January. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported no new cases of measles tied to the West Texas outbreak in their weekly update.

Kerrville releases list of flood relief coordination, volunteer info, community resources

(KOSA) The City of Kerrville has released an updated list of the coordinated relief and support services, volunteer information and community resources.

Mansfield ISD adopts largest budget deficit in 10 years as it navigates new funding laws

(Arlington Report) Mansfield ISD school board member Michelle Newsom believes the district did what it could as it pushed the Texas Legislature to boost public school funding. Though districts received a slight funding bump, it was not enough for Mansfield ISD to avoid adopting a $13 million deficit on an over $400 million general fund budget. The deficit is the largest the district has adopted since at least the 2015-16 school year, according to district documents.

Student loan cancellation program could become Trump retribution tool, some advocates fear

(AP) President Donald Trump is reshaping a student loan cancellation program into what some fear will become a tool for political retribution, taking aim at organizations that serve immigrants and transgender youth.

Eliminating American Bar Association accreditation for Texas law schools is flawed proposal, some deans say

(Reuters) Dropping the requirement that Texas attorneys graduate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school would impede lawyer mobility and increase costs, law deans warned in a letter to the Texas Supreme Court. Deans from eight of the state’s 10 ABA-accredited law schools asked the court to maintain the ABA requirement — which has been in place since 1983 — amid a review of the rule initiated by the court in April.

Harvey E. Najim’s $6M gift boosts student success at UT San Antonio

(San Antonio Report) Harvey E. Najim’s contributions started in 2016 with the creation of the Harvey Najim Pathways Scholarship to help students transferring from Alamo Colleges to UTSA. In 2020 a $3 million gift led to the creation of the Najim Center, and in 2022 he donated $2 million to expand its reach to UTSA’s Downtown Campus. This latest gift aims to grow the Najim Center’s strategist consulting program, through which students get paired with partnering organizations and companies for consulting projects that aim to solve a real-world problem. UTSA officials said this most recent gift will allow the university to triple its annual scholarship fund from $10,000 per year to $30,000 per year.

University of St. Thomas in Houston names first female president

(Houston Chronicle) The University of St. Thomas has named Sinda K. Vanderpool as the school’s 10th president, looking to build off increasing enrollment while turning the page from a predecessor whose term was also marked by turnover  and financial woes.

July 8, 2025
Texas floods death count surpasses 100 as recovery efforts continue

(Texas Tribune) The number of people killed in devastating Central Texas floods surpassed 100 on Monday as emergency officials spent another day searching through snapped trees and wrecked homes for those who remain missing — and as clouds threatened to bring more rain and flooding to the region. Related:

Trump’s Office of Civil Rights steps up pace for dismissing complaints

(K-12 Dive) As public complaints continue to pile up at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, the agency is dismissing them at a pace that is alarming former OCR employees.

Pastors who endorse political candidates shouldn’t lose tax-exempt status, IRS says in filing

(AP) The IRS says pastors who endorse political candidates from the pulpit should not have to risk losing their tax-exempt status. The move effectively calls for a carve out for religious organizations from the rarely used IRS rule called the Johnson Amendment, put in place in 1954 and named after then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson.

Opinion: Trump’s DOGE Cuts Are a Texas-Sized Disaster

(Texas Observer) Reckless agency layoffs and the dismantling of federal relief programs could leave the Lone Star State in peril.

What triggers Texas Education Agency intervention in schools? Concerns rise as El Paso districts face budget, leadership struggles

(El Paso Matters) Sudden leadership changes and a multi-million-dollar budget deficit at the El Paso and Ysleta independent school districts, respectively, have spurred talks of a state takeover — one of the highest and rarest forms of intervention from the Texas Education Agency — with varying levels of merit. A TEA spokesperson told El Paso Matters that there are currently no intervention proceedings for either YISD or EPISD, but noted that the agency, which oversees public schools in the state, has received complaints concerning the El Paso district. The complaints are being reviewed to determine if any action is necessary.

Fort Worth ISD revamps dyslexia programs after uneven student progress

(Fort Worth Report) Superintendent Karen Molinar says the district’s old model wasn’t working. Now, two new programs are rolling out with training already underway.

Magnolia Christian Academy Brings Hybrid Education To North Texas Families

(Dallas Express) A new option for homeschooling families in North Texas has opened with the launch of Magnolia Christian Academy, a Christian homeschool partnership program based in North Richland Hills.

Higher Ed Footnotes: Quantum for All at UT Arlington explains physics concepts to high schoolers

(Fort Worth Report) Fifty high school students and science teachers attended the national program Quantum for All at the University of Texas at Arlington in June. The program was started by a UTA faculty member, Karen Jo Matsler. “Just the word ‘quantum’ scares most people, including many science teachers,” said Matsler, an assistant professor of practice and a master teacher in the university’s UTeach Arlington program. “I created ‘Quantum for All’ to give teachers the tools and language they need to easily integrate these concepts into secondary school STEM classrooms.”

Hispanic English Learners Are Underrepresented in Gifted Programs. What Can Help

(Education Week) Apolonio Trejo, an assistant professor of bilingual education at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, has been researching the underrepresentation of Hispanic English learners in gifted and talented programs since his Ph.D. dissertation. Trejo shared his insights on gifted programs in the Lone Star State, professional development for teachers who work with advanced learners, and how teachers can flag unconscious biases about Hispanic English learners.

Former Comal ISD teacher faces new charges related to alleged sexual offenses with student in 2024

(KENS) Jail records show four new felony charges were filed Wednesday against 51-year-old Jennifer Massey, a former art teacher at Davenport High School. She now faces felony counts related to sex trafficking, sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child sexual contact, according to officials.

Texas Woman’s University foster youth support program inspires statewide expansion

(Inside TWU) The success of a Texas Woman’s University program aimed at helping former foster care youth attain college degrees has spurred the creation of a statewide hub to help foster care youth navigate the college-going process. The Foster Care Alumni Success (FCAS) Center was authorized by the Texas Legislature. Additionally, the center will provide training to high school counselors to improve their ability to identify and support high school foster youth.

July 7, 2025
The Trump administration delayed over $6 billion in education funding. What does that mean for Texas?

(Texas Standard) Texas is estimated to be short about $660 million dollars in expected education funding because of this delay. Related:

Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local disaster warning systems this year

(Texas Tribune) A GOP state lawmaker who represents Kerr County says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which would have established a grant program for counties to build new emergency communication infrastructure. Related:

Beloved Humble ISD teacher killed in Kerrville flooding, wife and son missing

(KPRC) The Humble Independent School District is mourning the loss of teacher Jeff Wilson, who died in the Kerrville flooding. In a post on X, Humble ISD said Wilson was a 30-year veteran in the district. He worked as a teacher at Kingwood Park High School in Kingwood and previously worked at Humble High School.

Kerrville soccer coach, wife among dead in Kerr County floods; 2 children missing

(CBS Austin) Coach Reece Zunker, who coached the boys soccer team at Tivy High School in Kerrville, and his wife Paula both died in the floods in Kerr County, according to Kerrville ISD. Kerrville ISD also said that his wife, Paula, was a former teacher at Tivy High School. “The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later,” the district said. The school district says that the couple’s two children, Lyle and Holland, are still missing.

The Texas law banning the suspension of homeless students was overturned. San Antonio schools still face consequences

(San Antonio Report) Suspending the state’s homeless and youngest students will soon be a lot easier this September, but some San Antonio districts are still facing the consequences for breaking the old law that had largely banned the practice. That state law will become irrelevant once the next school year begins, but school districts found responsible for breaking it previously are still placed under “corrective action plans” from the Texas Education Agency.

Time’s Almost Up for Austin ISD’s Three Poorest-Rated Schools

(Austin Chronicle) Superintendent Matias Segura is fond of saying that Austin’s local school district can do hard things. But can it dramatically improve the performance of three of its struggling schools in just four months? AISD’s board of trustees seems to think so. Related:

Northwest ISD approves raises, balanced $544M budget after cuts, larger classes

(Fort Worth Report) The district will spend $13.4M on staff raises and insurance boosts, but leaders say state mandates limit how far that money can go.

Donna mayor sues school district over demotion

(Progress Times) Donna Mayor David Moreno sued the city’s school district in late June, claiming Donna ISD demoted him unfairly while he worked there after he allegedly failed to report some teachers causing a drunken disturbance on a school trip in 2023 quickly enough.

Midland ISD may revisit controversial school name change

(KMID/KPEJ) On July 4, Midland ISD District 7 Trustee Josh Guinn publicly announced a request to add an item to the August 12th school board meeting agenda: to rename Legacy High School and the future MISD high school currently in development back to “Midland Lee High School” beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The original name, Robert E. Lee High School, was changed in 2020 following months of debate over its Confederate associations. Guinn shared the announcement on social media, stating it is about honoring West Texas tradition, unity, and patriotic legacy, not division.

Fifth Circuit blocks Texas from enforcing immigration law, legal battle continues

(Texas Public Radio) A Texas law that would deputize state and local police to question and arrest people they suspect of being in the country illegally was blocked once again. The law would also authorize local judges to order immigrants returned to the border. The three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion late Thursday that kept the law, Senate Bill 4, from going into effect.

Lampasas Middle School band teacher charged with inappropriate relationship with a student

(KWTX) A band teacher at Lampasas Middle School was charged after concerned parents informed the sheriff’s office their daughter may be involved in a relationship with the educator. Authorities arrested Jeremy Flint on a warrant charging improper relationship between educator and student, a second degree felony.

Fort Worth ISD graduates blaze a trail as some of Texas’ first college flag football players

(Fort Worth Report) Isabel Ibarra broke barriers in Fort Worth. Now she’s headed to Texas Wesleyan, not just to play quarterback, but to inspire.

See what set Texas Tech’s historic deal for Felix Ojo apart from other substantial offers

(Dallas Morning News) Mansfield Lake Ridge five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo will receive a historic revenue share contract after committing to Texas Tech on Friday. It took a fully guaranteed three-year, $5.1 million deal for Tech to beat out several blue-blood college football powerhouses for the services of the No. 1-ranked recruit in Texas for the Class of 2026.

Three generations of the Land family make their impact on the Panhandle ISD High School track program

(KFDA) The Land family moved to Panhandle ISD back in 1978, never knowing the weight their family name would hold as the future generations continue the Land family legacy.

‘A sense of place’: 25 years later, Texas A&M-San Antonio channels Southside history and charm

(San Antonio Report) On a recent Friday afternoon, Texas A&M University-San Antonio President Salvador Hector Ochoa looked over the balcony outside his office and pointed east to the expanse of trees, shrubs and grass that adorns the nearly 700 acres his campus sits on. “Looking at the vastness, all of that is our land,” Ochoa said in amazement. “That’s how much we have to grow.”

Innovation infuses University of North Texas Health Science Center’s nursing school in Fort Worth

(Fort Worth Report) Nursing students will integrate virtual reality and artificial intelligence into their learning experience.

TxDOT says recent data breach released 300,000 crash reports

(Houston Chronicle) Getting in a car accident is bad enough, considering the potential seriousness of the crash, the headaches over insurance claims and, possibly, the cooperation of the other parties involved. But this summer some Texas drivers involved in accidents have yet another issue to deal with: their data being released.

Rice University faces $10.1M hit from new endowment tax in Trump bill

(Houston Chronicle) A 4% tax on Rice University’s annual endowment earnings could cost the university $10.1 million – more than double the amount it currently pays – after the House adopted the rate in President Donald Trump’s tax and policy megabill on Thursday.

Harris County Launches New Broadband Initiative to Close Digital Divide in Underserved Communities

(Covering Katy News) According to a new study by US Ignite, Harris County has a major digital divide problem: nearly 1 in 10 households don’t have reliable internet access. But the broadband gaps aren’t in western suburbs like Katy—they’re concentrated in central and eastern parts of the county. To address this digital equity challenge, county leaders just approved creating a special team called the Broadband Task Force to expand internet infrastructure and improve connectivity.

July 3, 2025
Legislative Update:
Texas’ public ed funding boost brings some relief but erodes districts’ independence, school leaders say

(Texas Tribune) A law providing $8.5 billion in new funding for Texas public schools lacks the spending flexibility that previously let districts address their campuses’ needs as they saw fit.

More parents sue to stop Texas’ Ten Commandments requirement in public schools

(Texas Tribune) The ACLU has filed a new lawsuit on behalf of 16 parents of various religious faiths, the second such suit against the new law.

Also Reported:
El Paso ISD faces backlash over cutting 90+ central office jobs including bus driver roles

(KFOX) The El Paso Independent School District’s recent decision to eliminate over 90 vacant central office positions has sparked concern among community members, following revelations that the cuts extend beyond administrative roles. The district initially announced the cuts as a measure to address budget challenges, claiming they would save approximately $3.5 million. However, a public records request revealed that a total of 115 positions were eliminated, including 27 bus driver positions, 20 bus monitor aides, and 18 speech therapist assistants.

San Antonio ISD to implement ‘turnaround plans’ for 2 failing, economically disadvantaged campuses

(San Antonio Report) Two schools within the San Antonio Independent School District that are deemed “unacceptable” by the state after poor academic performance for two consecutive years will now implement “turnaround plans.”

Spring ISD employees to receive raises despite projected $13M funding gap in FY 2025-26

(Community Impact) Spring ISD employees will be awarded raises and retention bonuses in the 2025-26 school year—which begins Aug. 12 for students—despite an estimated $13 million funding shortfall for the district’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget.

How Fort Bend ISD served all learners during the 2024-25 SY: Updates from special populations programming 

(Community Impact) With major shifts already underway for the 2024-25 school year, Chief Academic Officer Adam Stephens said at the June 23 board meeting that the district is preparing to enter the new school year with strides in special populations programming. In April, Stephens said officials have completed all outstanding special education evaluations, including referrals and initial assessments from both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. “The team really did two years of work in one school year. Now we’re not starting the next school year playing catch-up, and just in this never-ending hamster wheel.” The district is also launching a Partner PE pilot at Sartartia Middle School for the 2025-26 school year, which pairs special education students with general education peers in physical education classes, Stephens said.

Former El Paso ISD special ed teacher arrested for alleged abuse of child, faces six charges

(KFOX) Former EPISD Charles Murphree School special-ed teacher Rachael Lucas was taken into custody by EPISD police on Thursday on charges of bodily injury to a child, and was released on bond on Sunday. An affidavit alleges she’s caught on camera injuring six different non-verbal special needs students. It notes she allegedly assaulted multiple students with objects like her cellphone, a dust pan, several toys, and a red broom. She’s also caught on tape kicking the chair of one student, shoving several students, and verbally accosting many others. Jail records show that Lucas’ assistant, David Gonzales, was also arrested on the same charge. The affidavit states Gonzales struck a student with an open hand.

Texas Southern ‘marches forward’ after $60M in Trump cuts to environmental justice program

(Houston Chronicle) The Environmental Protection Agency pulled $60 million in grants that Texas Southern University would have funneled to community-based projects across five states – yet the program’s administrator vowed that environmental justice will not slow its progress as young people pick up the torch. 

15 suspects, including former Texas House candidate, charged in state-led vote harvesting investigation, DA says

(KSAT) A former candidate for San Antonio mayor and former Bexar County Democratic Chair, a former candidate for the Texas House and former Pearsall council members are among the seven suspects who turned themselves in to the Frio County jail on Wednesday in connection with a massive state-led election investigation, KSAT Investigates confirmed.

Pasadena police searching for more victims in select softball coach theft case

(KPRC) KPRC 2 is digging deeper into an investigation involving a select softball coach accused of taking money from parents. Pasadena Police released a photo of the coach, Thadde Lewis. According to Pasadena Police, Lewis is cooperating with detectives, and no charges have been officially filed against him at this time. However, authorities are asking the community for help as the investigation continues. According to parents on Lewis’s current 18 & Under team, he has not been seen or heard from since June. Parents of the HTX Sliders team said he vanished after collecting hundreds of dollars.

Texas Tech Police officers off administrative leave, use of force ‘justified’ in campus shooting

(KCBD) The four Texas Tech Police Department officers — Levi Ridley, James Black III, Tanner Eade and Dante Prater — who were involved in the June 24 shooting on the Texas Tech University campus have been removed from paid administrative leave following the use-of-force investigation. The Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit’s investigation found the use of force in the incident was justified. The findings were submitted to the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, which agreed with the investigation’s findings.

UTHealth Houston to offer tuition-free program for aspiring nurses

(KHOU) Good news for future Texas nurses! Announced Monday by UTHealth Houston, the Future Nurses Fund will offer free in-state tuition for eligible students enrolled in its accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Cizik School of Nursing. 

Almost half of the top 25 high school teams in the country hail from Texas

(ON3) Longtime high school sports writer Andy Villamarzo has released a way-too-early national high school football top 25 ahead of the 2025 season, and 11 teams from the state of Texas made the cut.

North Texas mom creates a one-stop shop for fellow homeschooling parents: “It’s special”

(CBS Texas) The Homeschool Hub, owned by Krissa Tejeda, is tucked on a quiet corner in Lewisville.  Stores like these are a rarity for North Texas and a necessity for homeschoolers. The store has been open for a year and has already served 3,500 homeschooled families.

July 2, 2025
Legislative Update:
Inside Elon Musk’s stellar year at the Texas Capitol

(Texas Tribune) While Elon Musk took Washington, D.C., by storm, his company representatives and lobbyists were also notching up big political wins in Texas.

Also Reported:
Texas measles outbreak: 3 new cases in connection to West Texas outbreak

(Fox 4 KDFW) The Texas Department of State Health Services says three new measles cases have been detected in the last week in connection to an outbreak in West Texas. Since late January, 753 measles cases have been confirmed by state officials. Related:

‘Immediate harm’: Education Department withholds $6.2B from schools

(K-12 Dive) School districts will be forced to cancel after-school programming, services for English learners and professional development as a result of $6.2 billion in federal K-12 grant money that the U.S. Department of Education is withholding from states and districts, according to education leaders who spoke at a press conference Tuesday.

La Porte ISD calls Texas’ recapture system ‘out-of-date, out-of-touch’

(Houston Chronicle) Following instructional expenses, recapture remains the second-highest budget expense for La Porte ISD, a $44.5 million cost that left trustees stumped during a school board meeting earlier this month. “It baffles me,” said Danny Hanks, District 2 trustee. “It blows my mind that we are still in this situation, and while I acknowledge the Legislature made strides to address some of the funding shortfalls, Robinhood has to be addressed in the totality of legislation.”

Houston ISD offers up to $6,000 bonuses for principals who boost enrollment to meet projections

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD plans to pay principals up to $6,000 in stipends if they recruit enough new students to their school and meet district enrollment projections in the 2025-26 academic year. The district’s list of stipends for the upcoming academic year includes “enrollment incentives” ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 for principals and $500 to $4,000 for assistant principals. The size of the available stipends varies based on campus size or whether a school is part of the New Education System. Related:

IDEA Public Schools invests $1.8M to recruit top educators

(KMID/KPEJ) IDEA Public Schools in the Permian Basin region is investing nearly $1.8 million over the next two fiscal years in stipends, signing bonuses, and tuition reimbursements to recruit, retain and develop high-quality educators across its campuses through the help of community partners. The funding awarded through the Permian Strategic Partnership, which spans Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, includes generous signing bonuses of $10,000 for new teachers, targeted instructional leadership roles, and tuition reimbursements for co-teachers pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. Combined, the initiative represents a commitment to academic excellence through educator support.

Parents sue Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch ISD over school closures, allege nepotism and secret meetings

(Fox 4 KDFW) Parents are suing Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch ISD over the closure of four elementary schools, alleging nepotism and secret meetings. The lawsuit claims school board members’ relatives received jobs with the district and that the board violated open meetings laws. The parents are seeking a temporary injunction to halt the school closures and the resignation of five board members and the superintendent. FOX 4 asked the district for a response to the allegations and were told: “The district has received a lawsuit and does not comment on pending litigation.”

4-day school weeks offer mixed, mostly negative outcomes for students

(News4SA) Four-day school weeks don’t appear to benefit students much, if at all, according to a new report from University of Oregon researchers. Related:

Fort Worth attempts to tackle literacy crisis, one screening at a time

(Fort Worth Report) Caroline James, an education consultant for the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, which is helping fund the screenings, said they often flag students who need extra help, sometimes through small clues like when a child makes repeated mistakes.

UT Rio Grande Valley researchers study autistic individuals raised in bilingual households

(Texas Public Radio) Many people with autism spectrum disorder are raised in bilingual or multilingual households. Nearly one in four Texas public school students speaks a language other than English at home. Now, a research project at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is exploring if being bilingual has an impact on autistic children, and it invites parents of autistic children to help.

New program to offer Tomball ISD students pathway to teaching careers

(Community Impact) TISD announced its new P-TECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School, program called Tomball Academy of Future Educators, via news release. The TAFE program will focus on preparing TISD students for careers in education and teaching.

Hidalgo ISD to pay new superintendent $210,000 per year

(myRGV) The Hidalgo Independent School District will pay its new superintendent J.A. Gonzalez an annual base salary of $210,000 for three years. Gonzalez’s experience as superintendent includes time at Harlingen CISD in 2023-2024 and at McAllen ISD from 2016 to 2023 where he was named Texas Superintendent of the year in 2020. He resigned from his position last September in Harlingen following the discovery of unbudgeted expenses by the school board which sank the district’s fund balance. This was five months after a job evaluation secured him a one-year extension on his three-year contract and a $10,000 pay bump to increase his salary to $310,000.

OPINION: The Sordid Pact That Is TASB

(Dallas Express) In the sprawling bazaar of Texas education, where young minds should be forged into instruments of reason, a venal syndicate holds court, peddling influence while piously cloaking itself in the garb of public service. Brandon W. Hodges is the State Republican Executive Committee Senate District 31 (SREC SD 31) committeeman and president of the Midland ISD Board of Trustees. This article represents his perspective and does not represent the body corporate of either entity for which he serves.

Documents reveal how a massive ransomware attack crippled the Fort Bend County libraries system

(KTRK) 13 Investigates received documents that reveal just how massive a Fort Bend County libraries cyberattack was and how systems could remain down for months. So far, the county has spent millions rebuilding the network. It’s still not fixed. Computers remain dark, and patrons told ABC13 they can’t renew library cards or search electronic catalogs.

Texas cities rank among least educated in America, WalletHub study finds

(KHOU) Four Texas metropolitan cities ranked near the bottom for education.

Montgomery County authorities arrest man threatening local elementary school

(KBTX) An elementary school in The Woodlands had a scare on Tuesday afternoon, leading to county authorities taking a suspect into custody. Deputies arrived and found the 21-year-old man on school property. They said the man was actively harming himself and displaying weapons. According to the school’s website, the campus was closed on Tuesday. So, no children were in danger.

Katy ISD advocate dies following son’s alleged hammer attack

(Houston Chronicle) A Katy woman known for her advocacy at Katy ISD school board meetings has died from injuries sustained in a brutal hammer attack allegedly carried out by her son, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Lisa Babin, 62, died June 20 – nine days after she was found severely injured in the backyard of her Katy home.

Glenn Hegar officially begins new role as Texas A&M University System Chancellor

(KBTX) Former Texas Comptroller Glenn Hager has officially taken over as Texas A&M University System Chancellor. “I’m a new employee,” he began. “So, I got to have orientation first thing. But I’m excited to close the official chapter on the comptroller’s office and start as Chancellor today.” When asked what Chancellor Hegar wants to carry over from Sharp’s time at the helm, he said he wants to see the system continue to grow.

Stephen F. Austin State university student-athletes file lawsuit after school cuts women’s athletics program

(CBS 19) A group of female student-athletes at Stephen F. Austin State University have filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming sex-based discrimination. This comes after SFA eliminated multiple athletic programs back in May, citing financial issues. On May 22, SFA announced they were cutting beach volleyball, bowling, and the men’s and women’s golf programs.

University of Texas announces new NIL agency as branding around student-athletes emerges

(Spectrum News) Texas Athletics has announced the creation of the Longhorn Sport Agency (LSA), in collaboration with Learfield’s Longhorn Sports Properties, a college sports marketing firm. The new agency’s goal is to “enhance marketing efforts by combining Learfield Impact NIL services with on-campus content producers from Learfield Studios, Longhorn Sports Network radio broadcast and LHN (Longhorn Network), Texas’ live and on-demand streaming service,” according to a release from the University of Texas.

July 1, 2025
Legislative Update:
Texas lawmakers have gotten used to state budget surpluses. That era may be ending

(Texas Tribune) As federal pandemic aid ends and sales tax revenues cool, analysts say it could constrain the Texas Legislature in coming years. But they don’t see an immediate budget crisis on the horizon.

Opinion: The man behind Texas’ historic property tax reforms

(Dallas Morning News) You may not know Paul Bettencourt, the Houston Republican. But he has grown into the position of one of the most powerful senators in state history.

Texas lawmakers hate the STAAR test. Why didn’t they kill it?

(San Antonio Express-News) Texas lawmakers widely agree on the need to scrap the state’s standardized STAAR test, which is loathed by kids, parents and teachers alike. But an effort to do so this legislative session failed at the eleventh hour, even after a bill passed both chambers by wide margins.

Lawmakers Ask Abbott To Put Library Limits on Special Session Agenda

(Texas Scorecard) Dozens of Texas GOP lawmakers are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to add legislation protecting minors from sexually explicit materials in public libraries to his special session agenda. A parent-backed plan to keep kids from accessing adult content in public libraries previously passed the Texas House but failed to get a vote in the Senate.

Also Reported:
Wealthy families are buying homes to get in-state tuition at Texas universities

(KUT) Texas lets out-of-state students buy homes to get in-state tuition. The law has fed a niche but growing industry of real estate agents, like Miller Gill, who specialize not only in buying homes but also helping primarily California, Illinois and New York-bred students use these homes to save tens of thousands of dollars on a degree from a public university.

Houston ISD omitted UIL athletics, extracurricular and fine arts stipends for 2025-26

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD no longer lists UIL athletics, fine arts and extracurricular employee stipends for the 2025-26 school year, according to an update to its stipends and extra duty webpage. It is unclear why the district omitted University Interscholastic League – commonly known as UIL – stipends. The district did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

Judson ISD slashes pre-K program amid budget crisis

(MySA) The Judson Independent School District board approved financial cuts across the district, including the elimination of athletic programs and staff positions. Related:

Fort Worth ISD approves non-religious phonics program from Bluebonnet. Why was it chosen?

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The Fort Worth Independent School District is adopting a new phonics program that officials say will further support the district’s mission to turn around its stagnant academic performance and improve its literacy scores. Although the program itself is considered to be high quality and secular, its connection to a larger, controversial state curriculum with religious references – predominantly Christian – prompted concerns from a couple of school board members. During the Tuesday school board meeting, a couple of board members voiced concerns about the district adopting a portion of the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, even though that portion doesn’t contain religious references.

Fort Bend ISD approves $901.6 million budget, eyes possible tax rate increase to trim deficit

(Houston Public Media) The school board for the Houston-area district is expected in September to approve a temporary tax rate increase to help fund operating expenses.

2 accused in Longview ISD elementary abuse case want charges tried separately

(KLTV) Two women accused in the abuse of multiple disabled Longview elementary students are asking their charges be tried separately. Cassandra Renee James, 51, of Hallsville, and Linda Kaye Brown Lister, 63, of Longview, are each charged with 18 counts related to child abuse. They are two of six people accused of abusing 11 students at J.L. Everhart Elementary from 2019 to 2021. James and Lister are scheduled for trial on Aug. 11.

Second arrest made in death of child at Brownsville pre school

(ValleyCentral) The Brownsville Police Department has arrested a second person in connection with the death of a 4-year-old boy at The Learning Club Pre School. On Monday, police announced that Sendy Ruiz, 38, was taken into police custody and arraigned on charges of injury to a child causing death, a second-degree felony. Authorities identified the child as Logan Urbina. He was attending the preschool at the time of his death. He was left in a daycare van and was found unresponsive on Friday.

New Katy ISD program to introduce a pipeline to water industry careers

(Community Impact) Katy ISD’s Raines Academy is set to launch a water operations certificate in partnership with water infrastructure company Inframark in the 2025-26 school year, district officials announced in a June 26 news release. Raines Academy is Katy ISD’s alternative high school for students in grades 9-12, offering a project-based learning environment to support students who may be at risk of not graduating, Principal Richard Merriman said at the June 23 board meeting.

Arp ISD expands facilities for pickleball, disc golf games

(KLTV) Pickleball and disc golf are popular around the country, and Arp ISD is expanding its facilities to the public to enjoy these two sports. Arp ISD is opening up their facilities for some fan-favorite sports. Shannon Arrington, Arp ISD Superintendent, says it all started with a project their national honors society students were working on during the school year.

Free residential training program for low-income youth in San Marcos stuck in limbo

(KUT) Hundreds of students at the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos were told the school would shut down Monday. Now, the program is resuming classes after a federal judge ordered a pause on its closure.

Unemployment among young college graduates outpaces overall US joblessness rate

(AP) Young people graduating from college this spring and summer are facing one of the toughest job markets in more than a decade. The unemployment rate for degree holders ages 22 to 27 has reached its highest level in a dozen years, excluding the coronavirus pandemic. Joblessness among that group is now higher than the overall unemployment rate, and the gap is larger than it has been in more than three decades.

Massive Proposed Telescope From UT Austin Enters Final Design Phase

(Austin Chronicle) UT-Austin just took a big step in its process of building one of the largest telescopes in the world as the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is moving into its final design phase to get federal funding through the National Science Foundation. The telescope is being built in pieces around the country, but it will be located in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Taft Armandroff, director of UT’s McDonald Observatory, said this is because light pollution is so low there that the skies are clear for more than 300 days a year.

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