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Sept. 30, 2026
Texas seniors are getting a huge property tax break. Everyone else is picking up the tab
(Texas Tribune) State lawmakers passed generous homestead exemptions that have allowed some 60% of Texas homeowners age 65 and up to pay $0 in school property taxes.
After 2 Houston-area student killings, officials push broader safety measures beyond campus
(Houston Chronicle) Royce Witchet, 15, and LePaul Warran, Jr., 17, died in separate shootings near their high schools. Elected officials are calling for stronger gun violence prevention. Related:
Uvalde CISD plans to sell Robb Elementary site to city for memorial, community park
(News4SA) Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District will transfer the Robb Elementary campus to the City of Uvalde, opening the door for a permanent memorial and community park at the site where 19 students and two teachers were killed in the 2022 shooting. The district did not disclose the proposed sale price or say when the agreement could be finalized.
Charter School Contracts: What Houston ISD Didn’t Want Released
(Houston Press) In response to an appeal from the Houston Press, the Texas Attorney General’s Office has ordered Houston ISD to release detailed information about the contracts signed between HISD and four high-performing campuses that allowed those schools to become independent charters under Senate Bill 1882. Related:
Texas wants districts to consider childcare before expanding pre-K
(Dallas Morning News) Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts and charter schools will have to obtain approval before expanding their pre-K programs through certain facility projects or charging tuition for pre-K. The new requirements, passed in the 2025 Legislature as part of House Bill 2, are intended to encourage more collaboration between public schools and private childcare providers.
Harlingen CISD school board approves $21.2M health plan
(myRGV) The Harlingen CISD school board has approved a $21.2 million self-insured employee health plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield, taking effect Jan. 1, to address a $5.3 million shortfall caused by rising employee health claims in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Employee costs under the HMO option stay the same, but the new PPO option carries steeper monthly payroll deductions.
Sharyland ISD takes new approach to managing fuel consumption
(ValleyCentral) Sharyland ISD’s transportation department began the 2026-2027 school year with changes aimed at controlling rising fuel costs: it consolidated service into 20 new bus routes, installed GPS in every bus, and cut after-school tutoring from five days a week to three. Transportation Director Enrique Mata said the GPS tracks vehicle locations and flags unnecessary idling, and that the reduced tutoring schedule has noticeably improved efficiency. The district also gave all bus drivers a pay adjustment in its 2026-2027 compensation plan, and Mata credited added staff and drivers’ fuel-saving habits with helping manage costs.
Copperas Cove ISD moves closer to expanding district boundaries
(KXXV) A judge has signed off on the boundary adjustment between Copperas Cove and Lampasas school districts, and the final approval is now moving through county commissioners court.
Leander ISD to consider ‘termination’ of police chief
(KXAN) After Leander ISD Police Chief Shā Rogers was placed on administrative leave following a state investigation over the department’s hiring practices, the Leander ISD school board agenda for this week shows the district may be considering firing the police department’s top cop. “Consider recommendation for termination of term contract of Police Chief Lucretia “Sha” Rogers, for cause and in the best interests of the District pursuant to Board Policy DFBB(LOCAL) and DFAB(LEGAL),” the Oct. 1 board meeting agenda item says.
Police stop armed parent suffering mental health crisis at Mesquite ISD school
(Fox 4 KDFW) Mesquite police stopped and arrested an armed parent experiencing a mental health crisis at Berry Middle School on Tuesday morning. A school resource officer prevented the parent from getting past the second set of locked front entrance doors and safely seized a handgun. The suspect’s identity has not been released due to the nature of the incident.
Warren ISD says charges filed after substitute employee made threatening comments
(KFDM) Warren ISD says in a statement that an investigation into allegations a substitute employee made threatening comments at Warren Elementary has led to charges filed and the employee’s removal from the district.
Tomball ISD parents say voicemail recording destroyed trust in school leadership
(Fox 26 Houston) The parents of a 5-year-old at Grand Oaks Elementary in Tomball ISD say they’ve lost trust in campus leadership after Principal Heather Myers, who handled the initial investigation into their report that another student had inappropriately touched their daughter, left them a voicemail that kept recording after she thought the call had ended. In the recording, she allegedly disparaged the parents to colleagues. The district placed Myers on administrative leave and called her remarks unprofessional, but it maintains that the campus investigated the underlying safety report promptly and in line with policy. The family has pulled their daughter from school, says she won’t return under the current administration, and, with an advocacy group, is urging the district to change how it investigates campus safety reports.
Magnolia West High School students subjected to unsafe, unsanitary conditions, parents say
(KTRK) The Magnolia Independent School District says school at Magnolia West High School will be canceled for a second consecutive day on Wednesday due to a mechanical issue with a water well. Multiple parents tell ABC13 the problems started on Monday morning around 9:30, and that students were forced to spend most of the day on campus without functioning bathrooms or air conditioning. Parents also said that the school smelled like sewage and that some students became ill due to the conditions. “There was no water,” said one parent to ABC13 via text message. “Our kids deserve better.” Parents said students were dismissed at the standard time on Monday afternoon.
Why SMU historian Ariel Ron received $800,000 as a MacArthur ‘genius’ grant winner
(Dallas Morning News) SMU historian Ariel Ron is one of 20 recipients of the 2026 MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the “genius grant,” for his research exploring how Northern agriculture affected economic growth and the expansion of federal power in the 19th-century United States.
Hasan Piker to speak at UT Austin Wednesday
(KUT) The far-left Twitch streamer is coming to the Forty Acres. The journey here hasn’t been a smooth one.
Report Calls for Texas to Clarify Campus Harassment, Free Speech Standards
(Texas Scorecard) New Public Policy Foundation research suggests that Texas fill gaps in its legal code that currently allow varied interpretations of free speech and harassment.
Texas A&M senior, son of Brazoria County Sheriff, dies after heatstroke during training run
(KBTX) A 21-year-old Texas A&M University senior Austin Stallman died Tuesday morning, nearly two weeks after suffering heatstroke during a 9-mile training run as part of a semester-long tryout for a student group that prepares candidates to become Navy SEALs. He was the son of Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman and Angleton ISD coordinator Jeanna Stallman. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help the Stallman family cover medical expenses.
North Central Texas College professor arrested after sending explicit Snapchat messages to undercover officer he believed was 14
(Fox 4 KDFW) 34-year-old Aaron Wood, a former Professor of Drama at North Central Texas College, was arrested in Denton on September 25. Wood was charged with solicitation of a minor via computer. An affidavit states he sent sexually explicit Snapchat messages to an undercover agent in Florida. NCTC says they do not believe any of Wood’s alleged actions involve their students, and that Wood was fired from his position on September 28.
Breaking down every high-profile UIL eligibility case in 2026 that has impacted D-FW
(Dallas Morning News) Several highly ranked high school recruits have been declared ineligible to play University Interscholastic League sports this year, which might appear as if there’s a crackdown on high school transfers. But the UIL’s state executive committee rarely grants appeals when an athlete has been ruled ineligible for transferring for athletic purposes. Related:
Texas ag commissioner candidates trade charges that the other isn’t legally qualified to serve
(Houston Public Media) The Texas Agriculture Code requires a potential agriculture commissioner to have been engaged in “the business of agriculture” for five of the past ten years.
Best private high schools in Texas
(KVIA) Media company Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Texas using 2027 rankings from Niche, a K-12 schools ranking/review service. Online schools were not included. Niche uses 10 weighted factors for its rankings, including: college enrollment, culture and diversity, parent/student surveys, top enrolled colleges, and student-teacher ratio.
Northside ISD carpentry teacher earns $75k award for trade program
(San Antonio Report) Chase Haecker is used to making small budgets stretch in his construction classroom at Warren High School in Northside Independent School District. But, on Tuesday, he was surprised with a $75,000 check for “teaching excellence” from national tool company Harbor Freight. Every year, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools awards skilled trade educators in programs ranging from carpentry to automotive and electrical programs. It’s meant to acknowledge teachers “frequently overlooked and under appreciated.”
Meet the Collin County high schoolers preparing for ‘AI-proof’ jobs
(Dallas Morning News) Anna ISD high schoolers are training to become heavy equipment technicians, a career that might be immune to automation.
Twenty Years Ago, ‘Friday Night Lights’ Gave Us the Texas Role Models We Needed
(Texas Monthly) The iconic show redefined the state at a critical moment and gave us the leaders we were looking for in Coach Eric and Tami Taylor.
Sept. 29, 2026
From kindergarten to disciplinary school: Texas sends kids as young as 6 to harsh alternative campuses
(Hechinger Report) State data show thousands of elementary school students receive this punishment a year.
Fact-check: Is Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles leaving?
(Houston Chronicle) A social media post gained popularity this weekend after it inaccurately claimed Houston ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles had resigned and an interim superintendent had been named. HISD said in a Monday statement that Miles is not leaving the district.
How is the Fort Worth ISD takeover going? A parent shares her thoughts after a district-wide survey
(KERA) Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, founding executive director of the advocacy organization Parent Shield Fort Worth and a parent of two students in the Fort Worth school district, shared her insights about how the takeover has been going so far. She also warned that survey respondents were disproportionately white compared with the district’s majority-Hispanic enrollment, and that many Black and Hispanic families doubt the board will actually listen to them.
South Texas ISD board votes out deputy superintendent, finance chief
(Progress Times) The South Texas Independent School District Board of Directors voted to approve voluntary resignation agreements with Deputy Superintendent Efrain Garza and Assistant Superintendent for Finances and Operations Marla Knaub Tuesday before also voting to terminate Knaub’s contract. The board discussed those decisions — along with a couple of unrelated items — behind closed doors in executive session for over an hour Tuesday. Superintendent Sandra Ochoa largely declined to comment on the departures after the meeting, though she said she expected ongoing negotiations between attorneys.
Barbers Hill ISD built a $200 million education foundation, now its structure is under scrutiny
(Houston Public Media) For nearly 20 years, Barbers Hill ISD Superintendent Greg Poole pursued an unconventional strategy to grow the district’s finances. Lawmakers are now questioning the foundation’s aggressive investments, unusual structure, and potential conflicts of interest.
Childcare providers take Northwest ISD to court over expanding pre-K programs
(KERA) A Texas childcare industry group is challenging Northwest ISD’s expansion of public pre-K, arguing the district should have done more to partner with existing childcare providers before building new pre-K centers. The Texas Licensed Child Care Association is arguing that Northwest ISD expanded its own pre-K program without doing enough to partner with existing providers. The childcare industry group is seeking an injunction to halt further expansion of Northwest ISD’s early childhood centers while the dispute plays out. The dispute centers on what Northwest ISD was required to do before expanding.
Abbott declares disaster in Texas over diesel prices, waives restrictions on commercial shipping
(Texas Tribune) Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster on Monday over soaring diesel prices and a worsening fuel shortage created by wars abroad. The declaration expands the use of dyed diesel — used in farming and commercial shipping — on Texas roads, suspends Texas Low Emission Diesel rules to the limit the federal government authorizes and raises the allowable weight for fuel, agricultural and timber loads. The governor also requested the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to waive federal ultra-low sulfur diesel requirements to boost supply.
Texas to investigate Blue Cross Blue Shield over prior authorization delays
(KXAN) The Texas Office of the Attorney General announced Monday an investigation into the health insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas over “potentially burdensome prior authorization requirements” that could delay “urgent and medically necessary care,” according to an agency press release.
Education Department formally rescinds Title IX protections for LGBTQ students
(The Hill) The Education Department announced Monday it has formally rescinded the Biden-era Title IX interpretation that gave sex-based discrimination protections to students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identiy.
Why federal regulators keep investigating Waymo’s robotaxis around stopped school buses
(Morning Overview) A driverless Waymo robotaxi struck a 9-year-old walking to an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on Jan. 23, 2026, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a federal investigation five days later. It was the agency’s second preliminary evaluation of Waymo’s behavior around children in four months, and it landed alongside a separate National Transportation Safety Board inquiry into Waymo vehicles driving past stopped, flashing-light school buses in Austin, Texas. Both investigations followed a recall of more than 3,000 Waymo vehicles for a software defect tied to stopped school buses. Regulators are not chasing one crash; they are chasing a failure that keeps resurfacing after being patched, across two cities and two very different kinds of mistake.
Documents: Woman says abuse by former Klein ISD High School coach began when she was a Tomball ISD student
(KHOU) Nick Codutti faces two felony child sex crime charges. A charging document obtained by KHOU 11 details the woman’s account of how the alleged abuse began.
Former Aubrey ISD educator arrested, accused of improper relationship with student
(Fox 4 KDFW) On Sept. 28, Aubrey Police arrested 21-year-old Wesley Huber, a resident of Providence Village and an educator in Aubrey ISD. Huber is accused of having an improper relationship with a student in Aubrey ISD, and was identified through collaboration with the Aubrey ISD Police Department. He faces charges of improper relationship between a student and educator, possession of child pornography, and sexual assault of a child.
Former Harper ISD employee sentenced to 15 years for recording of minors, Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office says
(KENS5) Former Harper ISD employee Pedro De Luna III was sentenced to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 16 felony counts, including invasive visual recording of high schoolers. According to a Facebook post by the Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office, De Luna was initially arrested in December of 2025 for recording a 15-year-old girl in a bathroom inside of his residence. Investigators were later able to identify a total of 10 victims similarly recorded by De Luna when they were able to lawfully seize other digital devices. Sheriff Chris Ayala said the other nine victims were recorded in a dressing room at a local high school where De Luna had been employed. Additionally, Ayala said, over 50 photographs and videos were recovered from these devices depicting Child Sexual Abuse Material.
18-year-old taken into custody after Charlotte ISD school shooting threat
(San Antonio Express-News) An 18-year-old man, whose name was not released, was arrested Monday, accused of making a school shooting threat toward Charlotte Independent School District, according to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Texas Education Official Wants Muslim Student Associations Off Public University Campuses
(Dallas Express) Muslim Student Associations maintain a presence across several North Texas universities, prompting State Board of Education member Brandon Hall (R-District 11) to raise concerns about the organizations’ historical origins and what he described as their growth on college campuses.
Report says fired Texas Tech volleyball coach accused of battery, physical abuse
(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) A report from Texas Tech University’s student newspaper sheds more light on the recent firing of Texas Tech volleyball coach Tony Graystone.
Texas A&M Fans Splash Out $1M+ To Buy Tailgating Suites in Private Complex
(Realtor.com) Texas A&M football fanatics can now buy their own luxury suites designed specifically for game day, priced as high as $1.23 million and offering a personalized tailgating experience. Gameday Suites Aggieland, a development of 50 private suites under construction (and located 3 miles from where the university’s Aggies football team plays at Kyle Field), currently has two offerings: two-level Legacy Club and Champions Club Suites with private backyards, with prices starting at $615,000. Every unit is 1,876 square feet; however, doubles can be bought with no wall.
A year after the merger, UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy highlights tangible benefits
(San Antonio Report) This month marks one year for the University of Texas at San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio as a single institution. University leaders say the merger has boosted student applications, student enrollment and overall institutional growth. UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy says that since the merger, they have boosted student applications, enrollment and overall institutional growth.
Valley Baptist Medical Center concerned about slow enrollment for LVN school
(myRGV) Licensed Vocational Nurses, or LVNs, play a crucial role in many labs, doctors’ offices, and other medical settings. That’s why the Valley Baptist Medical Center School of Vocational Nursing in Harlingen is concerned about the slow enrollment for the next class which begins in January.
Communication in times of Crisis: South Plains area school leaders attend PIO training
(KCBD) Superintendents from Hale Center, Smyer, and Olton ISDs are completing public information officer (PIO) training this week at the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Training Academy in Fort Worth, a requirement under House Bill 33. Lawmakers passed the bill after the 2022 Uvalde shooting to make every Texas district employ or designate a PIO certified through the Texas Division of Emergency Management, with annual refresher classes. In small districts that can’t afford a dedicated PIO, the job often falls to the superintendent.
Childcare centers at TCC campuses open opportunities for kids and their parents
(Fort Worth Report) Two studios at Tarrant County College give student parents access to on-campus care where their young children begin their own education.
Tarrant County: Girls Inc. launched a pilot program last year to similarly serve boys. How has it gone?
(Fort Worth Report) Girls Inc. of Tarrant County created Vantage Point last year, a mentorship and leadership pilot for boys in grades 3–12, after Crowley ISD’s superintendent told the nonprofit his campuses needed a “Boys Inc.” The resulting pilot runs at one Crowley ISD middle school with a leadership focus and two Castleberry ISD campuses with a STEM component, aiming to address boys’ lack of connection through mentors, career exposure, and college readiness. Now in its second year, leaders report strong engagement and turnout, partly because the program adds male role models.
Corpus Christi Could Owe Texas $235M for Failed Desalination Plant
(Texas Observer) City leaders hope to revive the twice-rejected project to avoid returning money loaned by the state.
Mom on a mission: Anahuac ISD board okays school bus cameras after daughter nearly struck
(KFDM) The Anahuac ISD board is making a six-figure investment in a new school bus and cameras for existing buses, but the mother of a young girl nearly struck and killed by a pickup driver says you can’t put a price tag on their importance.
Irving ISD MacArthur High School Teacher Jennifer Espinoza Wins 2026 Yale Educator Award
(Irving Weekly) Jennifer Espinoza, MacArthur’s science department chair and a teacher at the Irving ISD school for 14 years, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Yale Educator Award. The honor recognizes educators who inspire students and support them in reaching high levels of achievement.
Ector County ISD Police Department mourns the loss of Mounted Patrol Horse
(KMID/KPEJ) A horse known as Maximus, or “Max,” who served in the Ector County ISD Police Mounted Patrol Unit, died after a battle with cancer.
Sept. 28, 2026
From hiring to curriculum, Texas schools say they are complying with DEI limits
(San Antonio Express-News) Texas school districts must certify they are complying with the state’s DEI ban by the end of September. Districts are reporting little cost savings.
San Antonio ISD puts two senior leaders on leave amid questions about bond funds
(San Antonio Express-News) Two senior San Antonio Independent School District administrators – including the most recent interim superintendent – are on leave over concerns about how $1.3 billion in 2020 bond funds have been spent, according to four people with direct knowledge of the matter. The decision sidelines two of SAISD’s most senior administrators as the district prepares to ask voters to approve another bond issue and as a new superintendent, Adrian Bustillos, starts his tenure.
Katy ISD joins Texas school voucher program through virtual high school
(KTRK) Katy Independent School District has entered Texas’ school voucher program through its virtual learning program, a move the district says will provide more educational options for students while generating additional revenue. The district’s Virtual Legacy High School, its 16th high school, is approved to participate in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, allowing students statewide to enroll in virtual classes. Individual classes cost $250 for students who live within the district and $400 for students from outside the district.
Beaumont ISD warns families of court action after thousands of unexcused absences
(KFDM) Thousands of student absences in the first weeks of school have prompted Beaumont ISD to warn that some families could soon face truancy cases in court if attendance does not improve. In the first 26 instructional days, Beaumont ISD recorded 23,921 student absences. More than 2,100 students have already missed at least four days, district officials said. “We will file truancy with the court after 10 unexcused absences,” said Richard Yoes, Beaumont ISD’s chief of schools and academics.
Alief ISD Partners with Groundwork Outreach to Reach 1,100 Families Who Missed Enrollment
(Alief ISD) Alief Independent School District and Groundwork Outreach, a Texas nonprofit that connects families to public benefits, are going door-to-door together to find out why over 1,100 students missed enrollment or registration this year and to help them complete enrollment.
Lockhart ISD Cuts Classroom Screen Time by 50% for Elementary Students, Promotes Play
(Texas Scorecard) The Central Texas school district’s new initiative aims to promote healthier habits and hands-on learning while reducing students’ reliance on classroom technology.
Laredo ISD board approves $2M early notification incentive for veteran staff
(KGNS) The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a $2 million early notification incentive program Thursday, Sept. 17, offering bonus pay for veteran employees. The program is open to full-time staff members with at least 20 cumulative years of service who have worked in the district for their last five consecutive years. Payouts follow a sliding scale from 10% to 20% of an employee’s base salary.
Texas Democrat who championed A-F trigger law says he’s trying to fix schools
(Texas Tribune) The Democratic legislator responsible for a provision in Texas law that allows the education commissioner to take over underperforming school districts stood by it Friday, saying his top priority was “fixing the public schools.” State Rep. Harold V. Dutton Jr. said he opposes the removal of school boards’ elected officials when they receive five consecutive F ratings. But he also suggested their responsibility to educate every child, irrespective of background, was more important.
Killeen ISD proposes starting high school earlier than elementary as parents raise transportation concerns
(KXXV) Killeen ISD is surveying families and employees on a proposed schedule change for next school year that would start high schools earlier than elementary and middle schools. The district says the change would ease transportation and safety problems, free up time for extracurriculars, and let older students look after younger siblings after school, though no specific times have been set yet. Parents described elementary children catching buses before dawn, trouble arranging childcare, and frustration with rezoning and chronic bus problems, with one calling for administrators to take pay cuts to hire more drivers. The survey closes September 30.
Texas-appointed school boards in Fort Worth, Lake Worth face trustee vacancies, elections
(Fort Worth Report) Elected trustees in Tarrant County’s two takeover districts are concerned Texas appointees are not maintaining local representation. Lake Worth ISD missed the deadline to call its November trustee election. In Fort Worth ISD, an elected trustee seat has remained vacant for more than seven months after Wallace Bridges resigned. Both districts plan to hold special elections in May. But elected board presidents Tammy Thomas and Roxanne Martinez say the delays leave voters without the representation that is supposed to continue even while state-appointed managers govern.
Hays County area school districts plan affordable housing communities
(Community Impact) Hays CISD broke ground on an exclusive neighborhood Sept. 1. Upward Communities is working with multiple Central Texas school districts to create affordable housing communities for employees. Hays CISD is building a 362-home subdivision called Live Oak Commons near Uhland Elementary School to retain and recruit staff. With more than 600 employees on the waitlist, HCISD is developing a selection system. Options will range from one- to four-bedroom homes.
Stockdale ISD Superintendent Todd Deaver has passed away
(Wilson County News) Todd Deaver, superintendent of the Stockdale Independent School District (ISD), has passed away. Deaver was named Stockdale ISD superintendent in August 2022. The district announced Sept. 23 that Deaver would be “temporarily unavailable” and named Roxanne Moczygemba, the district’s Programs and Testing Coordinator, as acting superintendent.
‘A wonderful kid’: Sanger community mourns 13-year-old killed in school bus crash
(WFAA) Julian Amador died after the school bus he was traveling in veered off the road, hit a culvert and rolled over on Thursday, DPS said.
Top Texas high school forfeits wins after transfer QB from Oklahoma ruled ineligible
(Houston Chronicle) The Lewsiville ISD Fighting Farmers’ perfect start disappeared just as the top-ranked program prepared to begin district competition.
Tarleton State University rodeo student athlete dies after accident at Alpine rodeo
(WFAA) Tarleton State University rodeo athlete Alejandra Franco was fatally injured in an accident involving her and her horse in the roping box during the Thursday night event at the S.A.L.E. Arena, officials said.
State Suspends Credentials of Federally Indicted Forney ISD Principal
(Texas Scorecard) Wendy Bailey, charged with participating in a “pass the trash” scheme, was among 11 educators whose certifications were temporarily suspended in September.
Houston ISD Westbury High School homecoming football game canceled after deadly shooting
(KPRC) Houston ISD cancelled the Westbury High School homecoming football game scheduled for Saturday following Friday’s deadly shooting of a senior student LePaul Warran just steps from the school campus. A 17-year-old suspect was subsequently apprehended, police said. Warren, a wide receiver and starter on the school’s varsity football team and a shooting guard for varsity basketball, was described by his godfather as a “good kid, very respectful, very polite.” School officials are working to reschedule the game.
Ex-Valley Mills ISD teacher who had sex with teen boys placed on deferred probation
(KWTX) Judge Thomas West of McLennan County’s 19th State District Court on Friday approved a plea deal placing former Valley Mills ISD High School teacher/coach Shelby Dawn Lashombe, 25, on six years of deferred probation with a $1,000 fine, four weekends in jail, and 60 days on a county work detail. She had pleaded guilty in April to two second-degree felony counts of improper relationship between educator and student involving two 16-year-old boys from West and Axtell high schools, who were not her students, and in return prosecutors dropped two sexual assault of a child charges. Under deferred adjudication she avoids a felony conviction and sex-offender registration if she completes probation. Lashombe, who now works at a Waco furniture retailer, was supported during the sentencing hearing by a crowd of about 50, including one of the victims’ fathers.
Loaded gun confiscated at Round Rock ISD Stony Point High School, 2 officers injured
(KXAN) Officers confiscated a loaded gun from a student’s backpack at Stony Point High School on Friday, Sept. 25, according to a letter sent to families from the school’s principal that was shared with KXAN by Round Rock ISD. One of the students allegedly fled from officers when they approached him in the cafeteria, the letter said. The student allegedly fought with officers before being detained. Two officers required medical attention from EMS because of the fight with the student, the letter said. A spokesperson for the district said the officers were treated at the scene before being released.
Court Records: Former Klein ISD athletic coordinator arrested, accused of child sexual abuse
(KTRK) A former Klein ISD athletic coordinator was arrested on Saturday, charged with multiple child sex crimes, according to court records. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, 43-year-old Nicholas Alan Codutti was charged with indecency with a child and sexual performance by a child. Court records obtained by ABC13 show that the alleged abuse happened in 2018 and 2019, while Codutti was employed with Tomball ISD as a coach. Records allege that Codutti started a long-term sexual relationship with a then-16-year-old student, which continued until she was 23 years old.
Warren ISD removes employee after statements ‘raise concerns about student safety’
(KFDM) The Warren Independent School District says it’s aware of an incident involving an employee and students in which statements were reportedly made that raised concerns about student safety at the Warren Elementary campus. The district says the staff member in question has been removed pending the outcome of the investigation.
Mystery sonic booms rattle Winters ISD, prompts brief school lockdown
(KTXS) A series of unexplained sonic booms has rattled Winters over the past month, shaking windows and buildings and, in one instance, prompting Winters ISD to place its schools on a brief lockdown. Residents and business owners say the loud booms have been heard repeatedly during the past 30 days. Witnesses describe the sounds as powerful enough to shake windows and buildings throughout the community.
United ISD High School facing $50 million lawsuit over alleged classroom mistreatment
(KGNS) Parents are suing United ISD in federal court, claiming staff locked their teenage son in a high school classroom and mistreated him for months. The 11-page lawsuit names the district and six individual employees and points to 100 surveillance clips allegedly showing daily mistreatment. The lawsuit involves twin brothers who are mostly nonverbal with severe autism. Both were allegedly mistreated at United High School, but the family says one brother suffered more.
University workers from across Texas rally over academic freedom, curriculum changes
(KVUE) University workers and state employees from across Texas rallied near the University of Texas at Austin on Friday, raising concerns about academic freedom, university programs and changes to the school’s curriculum. Members of the Texas State Employees Union organized the rally as the union kicked off its General Assembly.
New funding supports AI safety research and training at UT San Antonio
(Texas Public Radio) UT San Antonio assistant professor Nishant Vishwamitra is leading a $500,000 National Science Foundation–funded project to train students to spot and fix security flaws in AI-generated code before they enter the workforce.
Texas State University bets big on pitching lab in $16M baseball, softball overhaul
(Houston Chronicle) A pitching lab and expanded ballparks will support the school’s growing postseason ambitions.
This Texas college built a sports dynasty. Now comes a huge $43M upgrade
(Houston Chronicle) Construction of a new “Sports Complex” at Blinn College is set to begin in November, featuring new practice facilities, locker rooms, and more, with an estimated cost of $43 million.
Tarrant County College trustees approve $1M funding for GED, English and job training classes for adults
(Fort Worth Report) Tarrant County College aims to serve 745 adults in Tarrant, Johnson, Hood, Erath and Somervell counties with English classes, GED prep and job training.
Camp Mystic faces auction amid bankruptcy and unresolved flood-related lawsuits, reports say
(KENS5) A bankruptcy plan filed Friday proposes putting Camp Mystic up for a court-supervised auction, potentially ending the Eastland family’s ownership of the Kerr County camp. According to the Kerr County Lead, the plan, filed in bankruptcy court, calls for an auction in which the first bid is expected to come from a buyer backed by Camp Mystic families and alumnae. The filing does not identify the group or specify the amount of the anticipated bid.
Bexar County elections chief: State error likely caused some ballots to be rejected in past elections
(San Antonio Report) Bexar County’s top election official said Saturday that a state error stopped more than 45,000 people’s voter registration applications from reaching her office in the past year. Some of the applications date back to last October — meaning some Bexar County residents who followed the legal steps to register likely had their ballots rejected in recent elections, including in the March primaries. Bexar County elections administrator Michele Carew said she doesn’t believe those votes would have been enough to change the outcome of any races.
Sept. 25, 2026
‘Tragedy’: Student dies after school bus crash, Sanger ISD confirms
(WFAA) Police are investigating after a school bus overturned in Sanger on Thursday, Sept. 24. A senior law enforcement source told WFAA that a student died in the crash. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says a Sanger ISD school bus was headed northbound on Huling Road when it veered off the roadway, hit a culvert, and rolled over. DPS says a 13-year-old student died after being transported to the hospital. The 38-year-old driver and three students were treated on the scene for minor injuries, DPS says.
Decades after lawsuit helped patch Texas school funding gaps, a surprising source is widening them
(San Antonio Express-News) As Texas school districts struggle to meet budget demands with state funding, education foundations provide playgrounds, programs or teachers — depending on a district’s wealth.
The School Reform Movement Driving Texas’s State Takeovers
(Texas Monthly) Fort Worth ISD implemented the gold standard for overhauling its struggling schools. It wasn’t enough to stop a takeover of the entire district.
Houston ISD state takeover could end this school year, but elected trustees face a long road to full control
(Houston Public Media) Both Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles said in August Houston ISD could exit the intervention soon, but exiting the takeover is a years long process.
Scripted lessons, lack of trust among Fort Worth ISD parents’ biggest concerns
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Parents and community members who attended Fort Worth ISD’s recent series of community listening events and superintendent strategic action sessions most commonly named scripted lessons, campus-wide mandates, micromanagement and rigid schedules as their largest concerns since state-appointed leadership took over the district in March, according to data released by the district.
Lake Worth ISD hopes curriculum, instruction changes lead to academic gains
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Lake Worth ISD, which was taken over by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year, has adopted a “loosely” scripted curriculum style.
Austin parents should have say in future of failing schools, state takeover, superintendent says
(Austin Current) Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura shared his support of a parent petition to close schools allowed in the state’s intervention policy. Related:
Eanes ISD approves one-time payment for staff
(Community Impact) Eligible Eanes ISD staff will receive a one-time payment of $1,306.32 after the board of trustees voted 5-2 for the payment during its Sept. 22 board meeting. The board adopted the 2026-27 budget in June with an $80,000 budget surplus and postponed voting on the staff compensation plan until the sale of a piece of district-owned land was finalized. Out of four potential compensation options, trustees ultimately approved Option 2 with a one-time payment of $1,306.32, resulting in a projected fund balance of 24.1% in 2026-27.
Round Rock ISD proposes higher employee healthcare costs
(Community Impact) As Round Rock ISD staff forecast a multi-million-dollar shortfall for the district’s self-funded health insurance going into 2027, the district is proposing an increase to employee healthcare costs.
New Braunfels ISD Facing $7 Million Funding Deficit
(Texas Scorecard) New Braunfels ISD is preparing for potential changes to staffing, facilities, and academic programs as the district projects a $7 million budget deficit for the 2027-28 school year. NBISD Superintendent Dr. Laurelyn Arterbury made the announcement in a video posted last week.
Dallas’ new museum charter school takes learning outside the classroom but draws questions
(Dallas Morning News) The tuition-free, Museum School of East Dallas charter school uses museums, gardens and other Dallas sites as classrooms, but some parents worry it will pull students and resources away from neighborhood schools.
14-year-old now charged with murder in fatal shooting of Spring ISD Westfield High School student
(KPRC) A day after being arrested, a 14-year-old is now charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Westfield High School student, according to an official with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting happened on Tuesday, shortly after school was dismissed along a sidewalk near Westfield High School and the Spring ISD administration building on Ella Boulevard. The suspect, who isn’t being named because of his age, is also believed to be a student in Spring ISD, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Police: 5 arrested in connection with assault that led to 14-year-old girl airlifted at Livingston HS
(KTRK) A 14-year-old girl had to be flown to a Houston hospital Wednesday following what her family describes as an unprovoked attack by fellow students at Livingston High School. Livingston police told Eyewitness News that five people have been arrested in connection with the assault, including four juveniles. They didn’t specify what roles each of them played and didn’t immediately release the name of the adult suspect. Related:
Charges dismissed against San Antonio mother accused of aiding son in alleged school attack plot
(KENS5) Multiple charges Ashley Pardo was facing have been dismissed more than a year after her arrest in San Antonio. However, officials say Pardo is still charged with endangering a child in a separate case. That charge stems from evidence police said they discovered while searching Pardo’s phone during the school threat investigation. According to an arrest affidavit, investigators found a photo from March 2023 that allegedly showed Pardo pointing a shotgun toward an 11-month-old girl.
Illegal Alien Indicted In Shooting Of Dallas ISD Police Officer
(Dallas Express) A federal grand jury has indicted Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales, a 27-year-old illegal alien from Mexico accused of taking Dallas ISD police officer Justin Jone’s firearm and shooting him during a struggle in August. If convicted, Pantoja-Morales faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. The gunshot caused a serious injury to Jones’ right leg.
Minor injuries reported in Navasota ISD bus crash on State Highway 105
(KXXV) Students were taken to the hospital for minor injuries following a crash involving a Navasota Independent School District school bus Thursday morning. School officials say Bus 4 was involved in a rear-end crash on State Highway 105 just before 8 a.m. Eleven students reported minor pain and were taken to Grimes St. Joseph Hospital. Navasota ISD arranged for the remaining students to be taken to the same hospital. The driver of the Dodge pickup was taken to Tomball Hospital with minor injuries.
Snapchat tip leads to school College Station ISD custodian’s arrest on child pornography charges
(KBTX) A tip from the social media app Snapchat led to the arrest of a College Station ISD janitor on Wednesday, according to a probable cause statement. According to the affidavit, a user later identified as Gerardo Gonzalez shared more than a dozen files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving a preteen girl. The tip also indicated 18 other reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving Gonzalez’s IP address. Related:
Juvenile charged after target practice gunfire flies over Moody youth sports practice
(KWTX) A suspect is in custody after gunfire interrupted a youth sports practice Wednesday evening near Moody ISD Middle School.
UT-Austin didn’t violate student’s rights in handling of pro-Palestinian protest, judge rules
(Texas Tribune) A federal judge ruled Thursday that the University of Texas at Austin did not violate a former student’s First Amendment rights when it canceled the April 2024 pro-Palestinian protest and later suspended him. This means Ammer Qaddumi’s three-semester suspension will remain on his disciplinary record. Related:
Texas Tech leaders face questions over their role in Ken Paxton U.S. Senate race fundraiser
(Texas Public Radio) Chancellor Brandon Creighton and Cody Campbell, who chairs Tech’s Board of Regents, are identified by their official university titles on the invitation to the Sept. 29 fundraiser. Lubbock County Democrats are questioning whether their public positions — or university resources — were used to promote the event.
University of Austin Plans Tuition-Free Law School for Fall 2028
(The Texan) The university plans to create a tuition-free law school with an $11 million gift.
Our Lady of the Lake University enrollment dips again as university hires new strategist to bring in students
(San Antonio Express-News) Our Lady of the Lake University has named Shobi Sivadasan as its vice president for enrollment and strategy as the university’s enrollment is down 12%.
Central Texas College opens new cyber range to train students for growing cybersecurity workforce demand
(KXXV) Central Texas College in Killeen has launched a new cyber range, giving students hands-on experience in cybersecurity as demand for trained professionals continues to grow across the state and nation. Inside the cyber range, students track live cyber threats and work with in-house servers, practicing skills to combat hackers. The cyber range was funded through a $20,000 Carl D. Perkins federal grant and a $50,000 investment from the college.
Baylor re-records 80-year-old fight song to dodge major copyright threat
(Houston Chronicle) Baylor University pulled a Taylor Swift, announcing a new arrangement of its nearly 80-year-old fight song to secure ownership rights. In a statement released Wednesday, Baylor University announced it now officially owns the copyright to its own fight song.
Rice University to offer Master of Artificial Intelligence degree program in 2027
(Houston Public Media) The university, which also offers a bachelor of science in AI, says the new graduate program will focus on engineering, development, and research for artificial intelligence.
Texas counties uncover 100,000+ delayed voter records dating back to October 2025
(KTAB) Due to an undisclosed error, records dating back to October 2025 were not transmitted to county election officials until this week after DPS identified an issue affecting certain online voter registration transactions. Nexstar reached out to two dozen counties across the state to assess the scope of the problem. Six responded. Combined, the six counties reported receiving more than 102,000 voter registration records. Together, those counties account for roughly 12.5% of Texas’ population, suggesting the statewide total could be significantly larger.
Fort Worth education advocacy group names new leader as founder expands model nationwide
(Fort Worth Report) A new pastor will lead Fort Worth-based Pastors for Texas Children as its founder takes the group’s public education advocacy national. The Rev. Holly Gaskill Bandel is the nonprofit’s new executive director. She takes over from the Rev. Charlie Johnson, who founded the group in 2013 as a way to connect faith leaders and their congregations with public education advocacy.
Texas court vacates Crystal Mason’s illegal voting conviction, ending nearly 10-year legal battle
(CBS Texas) A nearly 10-year legal battle is over for Fort Worth resident Crystal Mason after Texas’ highest criminal court left in place a ruling that acquitted her of illegal voting, vacating her conviction. “I am so happy my nightmare is over and I can move on,” Mason said in a statement.
Alamodome parking could cost up to $75 under San Antonio’s new budget
(News4SA) Going to an event at the Alamodome is about to get more expensive, with higher parking prices and an increase in a fee charged on tickets included in San Antonio’s FY 2027 budget.
Sept. 24, 2026
Houston ISD directs schools to cut staff and slash spending amid higher than expected enrollment losses
(Texas Tribune) The announcement comes after a Texas Tribune investigation revealed the reforms the district’s state-appointed superintendent implemented, known as the New Education System, are straining finances.
‘I don’t see it getting any better’: Why Valley public school enrollment continues to decline
(ValleyCentral) Several Rio Grande Valley school districts have steadily lost enrollment since 2020, per TEA data cited by ValleyCentral — Brownsville ISD the hardest hit (nearly 6,000 students), followed by McAllen ISD (2,200+). School attorney Jay Pena attributes this to a durable trend, not a pandemic blip: falling birth rates, competition from charter schools, and families relocating — including some leaving areas with heavy Border Patrol/ICE presence — with elementary and middle grades affected most. Since state funding follows enrollment and attendance, shrinking districts face budget pressure that can trigger TEA intervention (as at La Joya ISD), pushing officials like Mission CISD’s superintendent to say public schools must now actively market themselves.
Schools in Fort Worth ISD are getting security upgrades. Who pays after the first year?
(Fort Worth Report) A $1 million donation covers the first year of Fort Worth ISD’s Centegix contract. After that, leaders are banking on philanthropy.
Iran war sends Austin ISD diesel costs soaring
(Axios) The pain over spiking nationwide diesel prices, driven by the Iran war, has extended to Austin public schools. Why it matters: Austin ISD, like so many school districts in Texas, is already feeling a budget crunch, scrambling to save schools and staff jobs.
Lamar CISD Trustees Unanimously Approve $10.1 Billion Tesla Solar Plant Tax Incentive
(Texas Scorecard) A proposed $10.1 billion Tesla solar plant in Fort Bend County cleared the school district’s part of the state approval process and the application is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.
Teen in custody after deadly shooting outside Spring ISD high school
(Houston Public Media) A 14-year-old-boy was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the deadly shooting of another teenager just outside Westfield High School in Spring ISD, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said on Tuesday. The victim was identified as 15-year-old Royce Witchet, a student at Westfield. Around 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, law enforcement began responding to calls that a boy had been shot. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The boy taken into custody is also believed to be a student in Spring ISD, Gonzalez said in a post on social media.
Boyd ISD says staff responded ‘appropriately’ to alleged violent hazing incident
(KERA) Boyd ISD leaders say their staff did not mishandle an alleged hazing incident that took place earlier this month in a Boyd High School locker room. In a statement released on social media, the district defended the school and the staff accused of downplaying and ignoring the allegedly violent locker room incident. The four alleged attackers — two juveniles and two of adult age — were arrested on Sept. 16 for injury to a child causing bodily injury and unlawful restraint of a child, both felonies.
Petition calls for Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo coaches’ side to be heard after indictments
(Fox West Texas) Supporters of the five former TLCA San Angelo coaches charged in connection with a February punishment workout are asking for the coaches’ side of the story to be heard. Supporters said they want the coaches’ accounts of what happened, their intentions, the instructions they received, what they observed, actions taken when concerns arose and their response to the allegations.
College Station ISD custodian arrested on child pornography charges
(KBTX) A College Station ISD custodian was arrested Wednesday on promotion and possession of child pornography charges, according to the district. Gerardo Gonzalez, 22, of College Station, was an evening custodian at Greens Prairie Elementary School, according to the district. He was hired in February 2025 and was terminated immediately when district officials were notified of his arrest. The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and CSISD administration says there’s no indication that any students were involved or connected.
16-year-old Odem-Edroy ISD student detained after threatening to shoot up school, sheriff says
(KIII) Sheriff Oscar Rivera said the student made the threat after allegedly being bullied by three other students. No weapons were found.
Socorro ISD Educator Charged With Raping Boy He Met Online
(Texas Scorecard) An El Paso educator is charged with sneaking into a home and raping a 14-year-old boy he met on a dating app. Armando Guadalupe Saucedo, 38, is a diagnostician at Vista Del Sol Environmental Science Academy, an elementary campus in the Socorro Independent School District. El Paso police arrested Saucedo after the boy’s mother allegedly found the educator hiding in her son’s closet.
A dozen Texas universities earn D,F grades on free speech report card, advocacy group says
(Texas Tribune) Seven Texas universities failed a free speech report card while five others earned Ds, according to a national advocacy group’s annual review. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, based its grades on surveys of undergraduates, policies governing student expression and how schools handled controversies involving students, faculty and campus events.
Aggravated assault charge filed against former TCU player by Tarrant County DA
(Fox 4 KDFW) On September 23, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office filed an aggravated assault charge against former TCU safety Jacob Fields. Fields’ charge stems from an August 13 locker room incident where Fields is accused of striking TCU wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma in the head. Ezukanma suffered a concussion and spent three days in the hospital with a brain bleed following the incident. Fields turned himself in to authorities on August 30.
Student journalist sues University of Texas at Dallas for First Amendment violations
(Dallas Observer) On Oct. 15, 2024, former editor-in-chief of The Mercury, Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez, received an email from the University of Texas at Dallas administration saying he was under investigation for discrimination. This was the day he knew he would have to pursue legal action against the college. Olivares Gutierrez, a current UTD student, filed a lawsuit against the school’s administration last week for free speech and press freedom violations.
Remains of missing Texas State student identified nearly six years after disappearance
(KBTX) Human remains recently discovered in Caldwell County have been conclusively identified as Jason Landry, the Texas State University student who disappeared nearly six years ago following a car crash, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday. Landry, then 21, vanished on Dec. 13, 2020, while driving from San Marcos to his family home in Missouri City, Texas for the holidays. Investigators noted that the skeletal remains did not provide additional insight into the cause or manner of death, and officials have found no indication of foul play.
Austin-area colleges see enrollment growth in fall 2026, including at UT Austin and Texas State
(Austin American-Statesman) Most central Texas colleges added students this fall, though a few campuses saw smaller or declining enrollments.
Hotels sued over alleged sex trafficking of teen linked to Klein ISD Cain High School prostitution case
(KPRC) Attorneys for a woman identified as Jane Doe have filed a federal lawsuit against several Houston-area hotel operators, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, alleging the businesses enabled and profited from a sex-trafficking scheme allegedly organized by a former Klein Cain High School teacher and her adult son. Jane Doe is represented by civil rights attorneys Bakari Sellers and Jonathan Jackson. The lawsuit alleges she was 17 when she was lured from her home and forced into a life of violence, repeated sexual assault and commercial sex trafficking.
Hereford ISD junior high football player airlifted to Lubbock after injury awake, talking
(KVII) A Hereford ISD junior high football player is awake and talking after being airlifted to Lubbock following an injury during Tuesday night’s game against Canyon West Plains. Superintendent Dr. Ralph Carter said the student-athlete became unconscious at the end of the game. As of 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, the student had been extubated and taken off sedation. He was awake, following commands and talking, and was expected to remain under observation for at least 24 hours.
Pasadena ISD school bus caught fire after football game, team evacuated by coaches
(Fox 26 Houston) A Pasadena ISD school bus carrying the Queens Intermediate football team caught fire due to a mechanical issue while they were returning from a game. The coaches were able to evacuate all the students safely before the fire broke out. The cause of the mechanical failure remains under investigation by local authorities. The students were taken from the scene by a METRO city bus and the coaches stayed with them until every student was safely reconnected with their family.
5 pigs killed in dog attack at Kress ISD ag farm; donations sought
(KVII) Five pigs were killed and another was injured after dogs attacked animals at the Kress Independent School District agricultural farm Tuesday morning. Superintendent Leah Zeigler said the farm is used by Kress ISD 4-H students, and the pigs were student project animals. The surviving pig was being treated for its injuries. A school resource officer shot and killed one dog, which will be tested for rabies, according to the district. A second dog ran away.
State error in Texas creates huge backlog in voter registration applications as midterm voting nears
(AP) County election offices throughout Texas are scrambling to process a massive backlog of voter registration applications stemming from an error at the state level, a headache that is hitting just as they are preparing for voting to begin in the midterm elections. The problem, which officials in the Republican-controlled state have not publicly defined, also could have disenfranchised people who wanted to vote in the state’s March primary but whose registration applications were never processed, local election officials said during a news conference Wednesday.
Education Department announces earliest FAFSA launch in program history
(The Hill) The Education Department announced Wednesday the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms for the 2027-2028 school year were open for students, the earliest the forms have been available. The FAFSA forms, which traditionally opened Oct. 1, had a few chaotic starts under the Biden administration while reforms were made to the applications, leaving schools and students in a time crunch.
Feds target school internet subsidies in ed-tech backlash even as Trump touts AI
(Chalkbeat) E-Rate is the fifth-largest source of federal funding for schools. Now it’s in the crosshairs of the backlash to ed tech.
Texas Private Schools Are Getting Website Privacy Demand Letters: 3 Steps You Can Take Before You Get One
(JDSupra) The Texas Attorney General just warned businesses and nonprofits about a surge of demand letters claiming that routine website tools violate a California privacy law, and private and independent schools in Texas should read that September 17 warning as if it were addressed directly to them.
Permanent daylight saving time? Schools and students would suffer, experts say
(The Hill) A major hurdle stands in the way of permanent daylight saving time: schools. Despite momentum from the White House, lawmakers in the lower chamber and nearly 20 states to stop switching the clocks, the Senate does not seem ready to make the leap — largely because of how schools would be affected by the change. Sunrise coming after 8 a.m. is an unattractive option for many, including sleep experts who warn of the health implications for both students and educators because most schools begin the day earlier than that.
Half of Texas families have someone skipping meals or eating less as food costs rise, new poll says
(KERA) Half of Texas families surveyed reported via a No Kid Hungry Texas poll that at least one member of the household is skipping meals or eating less because of concerns about cost. Advocates warn food insecurity and the effects of inflation could worsen as federal changes to food assistance programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, go into effect.
Sept. 23, 2026
Pasadena ISD cancels vote that would have quadrupled some employee healthcare premiums
(Houston Public Media) After intense backlash from employees, Pasadena ISD Superintendent Toni Lopez removed the vote from the agenda just hours before the school board meeting and committed to keeping the current medical plan in place. In a short statement on its website, Pasadena ISD said the current self-funded medical plan ran a deficit for several years. The district proposed transitioning to the Teacher Retirement System TRS-ActiveCare. If approved, the changes would have begun to take effect Jan. 1.
Santa Fe ISD board approves plans and contract tied to Santa Fe 10 Memorial
(KTRK) The Santa Fe ISD board unanimously approved plans and a contract tied to the Santa Fe Ten Memorial. The board voted Monday night to approve the memorial foundation’s plans and a contract between the foundation and the general contractor. The memorial will honor the 10 people who died and other victims of the May 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School.
Former Fort Bend ISD superintendent reimburses district $17K in lawsuit settlement, officials say
(KTRK) Fort Bend ISD says it has settled the defamation and breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in December 2024 by former superintendent Christie Whitbeck, who claimed she was forced to retire in late 2023, just months after the board unanimously extended her contract. Her suit named the district and trustees Sonya Jones, David Hamilton, and Judy Dae, and alleged they violated her Voluntary Retirement Agreement by making disparaging public remarks instead of issuing the agreed unified statement. Whitbeck’s attorney, Chris Tritico, said on Sept. 17 that the case was resolved and closed. In a Monday release, the district called the suit baseless and said Whitbeck reimbursed it $17,500 for legal fees it had paid with taxpayer money to defend the case.
Cy-Fair ISD Bond Proposals Carry $3.2 Billion Price Tag With Interest
(Texas Scorecard) Voters in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District will decide in November whether to approve more than $3.2 billion in new bond debt. This proposal comes as the district faces a projected $80.9 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year.
Fired Houston ISD veteran teacher alleges discrimination and retaliation in federal court filing
(Houston Chronicle) A 26-year teaching veteran who was fired from Houston ISD in April has filed a federal lawsuit, alleging discrimination and retaliation and seeking a jury trial. Alaster Gaines, who taught eighth grade math at Patrick Henry Middle School, reported issues with testing, retaliation, special education requirements, discriminatory treatment and workplace safety, according to the lawsuit. Gaines, who is representing herself in the legal proceedings, alleges HISD violated her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, among other claims.
Keene football cancels remainder of 2026 season and all of 2027 schedule
(Cleburne Times-Review) Head coach Ethan Stepp and the Keene Chargers announced the cancellation of all remaining 2026 scheduled games and all 2027 games on Tuesday afternoon. In an email sent to multiple outlets, Stepp stated the high number of injuries and lack of available players as reasons for the decision.
Gunter ISD votes to fire its head baseball coach
(KTEN) This week, Gunter ISD administrators announced they’ve proposed firing their head baseball coach. Daryl Hellman has been leading the baseball team since 2021. It comes after district staff did an investigation into allegations that Hellman made inappropriate comments.
Spring ISD Westfield High School ramps up security after 15-year-old shot, killed near campus — Search for shooter continues
(KHOU) A 15-year-old Westfield High School student was shot and killed on a sidewalk near the school in north Harris County Tuesday afternoon, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Gonzalez said during a news conference that the shooting happened around 2:35 to 2:40 p.m., shortly after Westfield High School dismissed for the day. The teen was shot on a sidewalk adjacent to the Spring ISD administration building and Westfield High School. Gonzalez stressed that the shooting did not happen inside the school, in its parking lot or on school property. The teen was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Former Northside ISD teacher indicted on child sexual assault charges
(San Antonio Express-News) A San Antonio elementary school teacher previously accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a former 5th-grade student has been indicted by a Bexar County grand jury. Cecilia Mueller, 47, a former fifth-grade teacher at Henderson Elementary School, was indicted this week on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency with a child. If convicted, Mueller could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
2 Willis ISD High School students taken into custody after ‘bomb’ statements
(Fox 26 Houston) Two students were taken into custody on Tuesday for allegedly making statements about having a bomb. The incident comes a day after a gun was found on campus. On Tuesday, new safety measures were put in place due to two guns being found on campus within a month. Students will now enter the school through a metal detector, and their bags will be searched. Students will have to place all items except laptops into their backpacks before entering the building.
Student detained after bringing gun to Kaufman ISD junior high campus
(Fox 4 KDFW) Kaufman ISD says a student brought a gun to O.P. Norman Junior High School on Tuesday. The district says the student is now in custody and campus police secured the firearm, and that no students or staff members were harmed.
Missouri woman facing federal charges for Karmelo Anthony trial threats
(Fox 4 KDFW) 34-year-old Sharifa Nicole Henderson, of Missouri, was federally indicted and charged with making interstate threatening communications. Prosecutors say Henderson threatened the family of Austin Metcalf at least three times in June 2026, during the murder trial for Karmelo Anthony, the teen convicted of killing Metcalf during a track meet. Court documents state Henderson messaged Metcalf’s family on her Facebook page, saying she would “demolish” them and wanted to “strangle” a family member.
Livingston ISD PTO member arrested for forging bank statements
(KETK) Livingston police have arrested a parent-teacher organization board member accused of falsifying bank statements. Matthew Anderson, 40, of Livingston, is charged with forgery. Detectives and Texas Rangers began an investigation and determined Anderson had falsified PTO bank statements for personal financial gain.
Hays CISD, Pflugerville ISD students walk out of class following ICE shooting in Austin
(KXAN) Students at schools in Hays County and Pflugerville walked out of class Tuesday following the shooting of a 28-year-old man by an ICE agent in north Austin over the weekend. Several Hays CISD students gathered outside their schools Tuesday afternoon, saying they wanted to raise awareness about immigration enforcement and concerns they have about its impact on families. Dozens of students in Pflugerville also participated in a walkout, with students expressing similar concerns about immigration enforcement.
UNT removes webpage about LGBTQ library archives after North Texas lawmaker’s posts
(Dallas Morning News) State Rep. Brian Harrison said he wanted the library’s archive, one of the largest collections of LGBTQ history in North Texas, to be “gone.”
Women and Gender Studies class among courses struck from Texas A&M University-San Antonio core curriculum
(San Antonio Express-News) A women and gender studies class and 11 other courses will no longer count toward core curriculum requirements at Texas A&M University-San Antonio after a university committee reviewed all the classes that satisfy general education standards.
Humanities degrees see lowest award rates in decades
(Daily Texan) Bachelor’s degrees in humanities were awarded at a significantly lower level compared to the past decade in 2025, according to a Sept. 8 report from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ Humanities Indicators project. UT Austin’s numbers over the same period dipped even further, according to University data. The humanities are defined as the “knowledge, skills, and activities that help people interpret and engage with language, culture, history, and the ongoing search for meaning and connection in human life,” according to the organization behind the report. Examples of humanities degrees offered at UT Austin include cultural, ethnic & gender studies, history, philosophy and religion.
This TCU school helps special education students succeed. What’s unique about it?
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A unique laboratory school in Fort Worth helps students with learning disabilities succeed in the classroom. It’s ingredients to success aren’t novel, but duplicating the model would require investment in Texas public schools. The Starpoint School at Texas Christian University serves children with learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. The ability to meet each student’s needs through small class sizes, small-group intervention and evidence-based reading instruction are the components driving student success, said Interim Executive Director Jan Lacina. Related:
- TCU reissues novel that Fort Worth’s elite suppressed over 85 years ago (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Trump admin cancels Obamacare coverage for 760,000, citing improper signups
(KXXV) The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is canceling 315,000 “unauthorized enrollments” in the federal health insurance marketplace, affecting more than 760,000 people.
Texas Rangers pursuing criminal investigation of Camp Mystic, court documents show
(Texas Tribune) In an affidavit, the Rangers said they believe camp leaders committed multiple crimes including manslaughter in connection with the deaths of 27 campers and counselors in the July 2025 flood.
TRS CIO Jase Auby to Retire Next Year
(Chief investment Officer) After 17 years directing the portfolio of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, including seven as its investment chief, Jase Auby will retire as CIO of the pension fund on January 31, 2027, the fund announced on September 21. The TRS board of trustees will undertake a nationwide search for the fund’s next CIO. Auby will continue to serve as CIO through the end of January to support the leadership transition.
Bigger welding shop means more opportunities for Somerset ISD High School students
(San Antonio Express-News) When Somerset High School students returned to campus in the fall, they had a new state-of-the-art welding classroom waiting for them. A nearly $2 million investment from the district allows more students to take welding classes, earn college credit, receive industry certifications and enter the workforce directly after graduation.
Humble ISD asks Harris County Commissioners Court to keep graduations at Reliant Stadium
(Community Impact) Humble ISD is continuing to push back on a new policy that would bar high schools from holding graduation ceremonies at Reliant Stadium. Humble ISD is seeking help from the Harris County Commissioners Court to continue holding high school graduation ceremonies at Reliant Stadium, formerly known as NRG Stadium. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA), which oversees Reliant Park, has opted not to hold graduations at its stadium and will instead offer the Reliant Arena, a smaller venue, HCHSA Director Martye Kendrick said.
Sept. 22, 2026
Pasadena ISD employees fight proposed insurance switch that could raise monthly premiums by more than $1,800
(KPRC) Pasadena ISD teachers and employees are fighting back against a proposed health insurance change they say could devastate their finances, and some are now seeking a court order to stop the district from voting on the plan Tuesday night. The Pasadena ISD board is expected to vote Tuesday on a proposal to switch employees to TRS ActiveCare beginning in January. Some teachers are seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the vote and buy more time to gather information about the proposal before a decision is made. The district says it is spending more on employee health care than the insurance fund is bringing in, prompting the proposed switch.
70 Years After Mansfield’s Desegregation Crisis, a New Debate over Representation
(Texas Observer) The time has come for this North Texas school district, and others like it, to move from an all-at-large board to a mix of geographic districts and at-large seats.
Houston ISD enrollment drops trigger budget cuts, teachers union raises alarms
(KPRC) The Houston Independent School District is facing scrutiny after announcing budget adjustments tied to student enrollment numbers — moves that could mean significant cuts for several campuses. “We are very concerned because getting cuts of that magnitude can lead to employee layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, lack of support and supplies and materials from HISD,” Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson said. The teachers’ union is calling for an independent audit amid the budget cuts.
Inside the rebranding of San Antonio ISD’s Democracy Prep into Unity Prep at Stewart
(San Antonio Report) San Antonio ISD’s Stewart campus on San Antonio’s East Side renamed itself from Democracy Prep to Unity Prep this fall after the New York-based Democracy Prep charter network ended its operations there, handing control to a new local nonprofit led by the same superintendent, Virginia Boyce. The school keeps its old colors, mascot, and uniforms, and its SAISD partnership contract still runs through 2028 under the same terms as the original 2018.
Stop Six parents pushed Fort Worth ISD for safer school routes. Two years later, buses arrived
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD added three new school bus stops in the historically Black Stop Six neighborhood, after parent advocacy group Parent Shield Fort Worth renewed its request for transportation this month. The change followed two years of petitioning by mother Adrienne Haynes, who had watched kids walk unsafely alongside construction near Loop 820 to get to school.
Judson ISD cuts bus routes once considered hazardous, raising safety concerns for families
(KSAT) The district says sidewalks and other improvements mean some routes no longer meet the state’s hazardous-route criteria.
Boyd ISD superintendent denies culture of hazing claims after felony charges against 4 students
(Fox 4 KDFW) Boyd ISD’s school board on Monday met for the first time since four Boyd High School students were arrested and charged with felony injury to a child for a locker room hazing incident. The district’s superintendent says Boyd ISD does not have a culture of hazing, and that he wants the investigation to continue before making any conclusions. Boyd Police are still interviewing witnesses, and said more charges could be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Fifth and final former Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo coach arrested in student injury lawsuit
(Fox West Texas) Stetson Emfinger was booked on eight felony charges, making him the fifth and final former Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo staff member arrested in the February workout case. The charges stem from allegations that student-athletes were made to complete hundreds of pushups as punishment over several days in February. A civil lawsuit filed by families of students alleges that about 50 athletes took part and that 20 were hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition caused by muscle breakdown. The lawsuit identifies Emfinger as a coach who allegedly observed the exercises without intervening.
3 teens charged with sexual assault of child after alleged abuse at Houston private school
(KTRK) Three former students of The Briarwood School in west Houston have been charged with sexual assault of a child following an investigation that began after an April outcry from a 16-year-old student. Charging documents identify two alleged victims aged 14-17, describing repeated incidents in bathrooms, locker rooms, and on team buses during the school year, including being pinned against walls, stripped of towels, and forcibly dragged from a bathroom stall; investigators believe additional victims may not have come forward yet. The accused were removed from campus last spring and barred from returning after the allegations surfaced, and the school says it has cooperated fully with law enforcement.
Former Amarillo and Canyon ISD teacher pleads guilty to child sex charges
(KFDA) A former Amarillo and Canyon ISD teacher has pleaded guilty to indecency with a child sexual contact (rape). 59-year-old Patrick Kenneth Farmer appeared in court Monday with counsel, where he waived jury, confrontation of witnesses and entered a plea of guilty. Farmer taught at Lakeview Elementary in Canyon ISD in 2000 and later became a substitute for Amarillo ISD.
Willis HS to install metal detectors after second gun found on campus this school year; parents demand action
(KPRC) Willis High School will begin screening every student through metal detectors and searching backpacks Tuesday after a second gun was discovered on campus this school year, prompting safety concerns among parents who say they have had enough. The announcement came Monday, Sept. 21, hours after school administrators discovered a gun inside a student’s backpack and took the student into custody.
Mother speaks out after Crowell ISD teacher allegedly misses student’s seizure
(KFDX) A Crowell mother is speaking out after surveillance footage showed her son’s teacher on her phone while her son was having a prolonged seizure in January 2026.
New 2026 Texas college rankings from U.S. News include some notable shakeups. Here’s a look
(Houston Chronicle) Rice University inched up a spot to rank No. 16 among the nation’s “Best Colleges” while the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University fell slightly on the 2027 U.S. News & World Report list.
‘The pressure felt human’: UT Dallas student stands up to AI trying to slip in harmful code
(WFAA) Sinan Can Demir, a UT Dallas computer science junior, flagged harmful code on GitHub — a website where programmers share and fix software — and held firm when two users pushed back. They turned out to be fake personas created by an AI agent.
Fort Worth police, UT Arlington partner on AI-driven de-escalation training
(Fort Worth Report) A collaboration between the Fort Worth Police Department and the University of Texas at Arlington is utilizing virtual reality and artificial intelligence to enhance de-escalation training for police officers. Through a Department of Justice grant called the Virtual Reality De-escalation Site-Based Initiative, the partnership supplements traditional police training role-play with an AI-driven system to provide unpredictable, scalable and safe de-escalation training.
Texas Tech professor develops motion-based musical instrument for people with disabilities
(KCBD) A Texas Tech School of Music assistant professor has spent 12 years developing an instrument that uses motion sensors instead of traditional keys or strings. Hideki Isoda, an assistant professor of composition, created the device using an accelerometer and gyroscope to track motion.
Texas youth prison lockdown records detail self-harm, delayed care and escalating use of force
(KERA) A child’s assault on a juvenile correctional officer at the Gainesville State Juvenile Correctional Facility in August prompted a days-long lockdown at all five youth prisons across the state. Internal records show the lockdown heightened kids’ troubling behaviors and exacerbated the effects of staff shortages across the agency’s facilities.
New $7.8M Lubbock complex aims to transfer youth sports in West Texas
(Houston Chronicle) For aspiring athletes in West Texas, a new facility is being developed to serve as a one-stop shop for pursuing athletic dreams. Arriving in September 2027, The Forge Athletic Complex aims to become the region’s premier sports facility. According to the Texas Department of Regulation, a new project has been filed to build a 63,000-square-foot indoor arena focused on basketball and volleyball. Construction officially began in July, with an estimated cost of $7.8 million.
‘Mumflation’: Why Texas homecoming mums are costing Houston families more this year
(Fox 26 Houston) High school homecoming “mums” are hitting record prices across Greater Houston, with high-end custom orders topping $500 to $1,500. Lion Ribbon Company, a major domestic supplier, went out of business and liquidated its ribbon operations. Mum-makers are having to raise prices or adapt their creations to keep up with higher material costs.
Sept. 21, 2026
After outcry, Texas lieutenant governor says schools should teach Holocaust books
(Jeruselum Post) The lieutenant governor of Texas says his recent call for the state’s public schools to remove “over 2,000 titles” of “dirty, filthy and vulgar books” was not meant to include books about the Holocaust. Dan Patrick’s statement, provided exclusively to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Friday, comes after a month of confusion following a press conference in which he and a conservative Christian activist threatened schools with potential loss of state funding if they did not comply with his directive to purge their libraries.
North Texas high school readiness rises, but college completion remains low
(Dallas Morning News) North Texas high school seniors are increasingly meeting a state benchmark for college, career or military readiness, but a much smaller share is enrolling in postsecondary education or completing a program, according to the Dallas Regional Chamber’s 2026 Regional Outcomes Report.
Houston private school says TEFA helped boost enrollment 200% as it opens first brick-and-mortar campus
(KPRC) A Houston private school operator says Texas’ new school choice program has dramatically increased enrollment at his school, helping fuel an expansion into a new brick-and-mortar campus. Andrew Green, founder of PSAT Academy, said the school’s enrollment has grown by about 200% since the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program launched. He said the growth comes as the school moves into its first true brick-and-mortar location in Houston.
High costs, dwindling enrollment: Is Houston ISD’s playbook under takeover sustainable?
(Texas Tribune) The high price tag, coupled with less state funding from students leaving the district, raises questions about whether the academic improvements are sustainable in the long run and whether other districts can afford to replicate it. Related:
Austin ISD appeals two failing school ratings in bid to avoid takeover
(KUT) Burnet Middle School missed a D by one point and Webb Middle School by two, leaving Austin ISD a narrow path to overturn the ratings. If the two schools ratings rise, the district could stave off a state intervention.
Fort Worth ISD working to adopt silent panic alert system to comply with Texas law
(WFAA) Fort Worth ISD is working to implement a silent panic alert system for its schools in order to comply with a new state law. The Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers approved the purchase of Centegix on Sept. 8, the same system that Argyle ISD has in place for years, and the system is also being used in Mansfield ISD. Related:
‘We need to rightsize’: Mission CISD plans for fewer students to avoid financial hit
(ValleyCentral) Leaders with the Mission Consolidated Independent School District are looking ahead to continued enrollment declines and the potential financial impact on the district, including possible changes to campuses and staffing. The district’s enrollment has declined from about 15,000 students to roughly 13,000 over the last decade.
Judson ISD rewinds policy that made it easier for middle schoolers to move to the next grade
(San Antonio Report) Wanting to hold students more “accountable,” the school board at Judson Independent School District backtracked on a previous rule that let middle schoolers fail math or reading and still move on to the next grade level. The new policy, passed in a 5-1 vote on Thursday, requires that students score an overall average of 70 in all their classes and a grade of 70 or above in English, math and science or social studies.
If Texas schools must offer voter registration, why are so few teens signed up?
(San Antonio Express-News) An obscure state law requires Texas high schools to give eligible students an opportunity to register to vote. But voting-rights groups say many schools don’t bother. New data from a national nonprofit advocacy group shows Texas and Bexar County lag behind much of the country in the percentage of 18-year-olds registered to vote.
NBA player Myles Turner pledges up to $2M to Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD as Trinity arena takes his name
(Fort Worth Report) Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD trustees Sept. 14 approved an agreement naming Trinity High School’s new arena the Myles Turner Fieldhouse. The naming was paired with a pledge from the 2014 Trinity graduate and NBA veteran of up to $2 million (up to $100,000 a year for 20 years) for athletics across the district. The vote was 6-0, with trustee Becky Ewart absent. Dobie Williams, deputy superintendent of business operations, told the Fort Worth Report the pledge is the largest donation he has seen during his time with HEB ISD.
Aldine ISD pulls Nimitz High School band T-shirts depicting a Black person tied to a stake
(Houston Chronicle) The Nimitz High School band will stop wearing this year’s marching season T-shirts after activists, parents and students complained about offensive imagery, Aldine ISD officials said Friday. The black shirt provided to band students depicted a Black person tied by rope to a wooden stake with fire burning behind it. At the top of the shirt are the words “The trial.” Sheila Adams, Aldine ISD’s chief communications officer, said the shirt was designed to coordinate with the UIL competition-approved theme of “The Crucible,” a play about the Salem Witch Trials. She said another entity designed and printed the shirts. “Once district officials became aware of the matter, we acted promptly to stop distribution and asked students to return the shirts,” Adams said.
Ex-Forney ISD principal, special ed teacher indicted after allegedly concealing teacher’s background, federal prosecutors say
(CBS Texas) A federal grand jury has indicted a former Forney ISD elementary school principal and a special education teacher on charges they conspired to circumvent district hiring safeguards, authorities said. According to the seven-count indictment, Michael Raymond Roell, also known as Johnathan Michael, and former Crosby Elementary Principal Wendy Bailey allegedly concealed Roell’s prior criminal charges and disciplinary history during the district’s hiring process. Prosecutors said Roell legally changed his name after a previous arrest for indecency with a child and multiple abuse-related leave placements in other school districts.
Fourth Texas Leadership Charter Academy coach charged: Brandon Richardson booked into Tom Green County jail
(Fox West Texas) Former Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo (TLCASA) coach Brandon Rydell Richardson, 33, of San Angelo, was arrested Friday after being indicted Sept. 9 on eight felony charges by a Tom Green County grand jury. Richardson is the latest of four coaches charged in connection with the Feb. 25, 2026, incident at TLCASA, in which approximately 50 student-athletes were forced to perform hundreds of pushups over three consecutive days without water or breaks as punishment for a jersey mix-up, according to a civil lawsuit filed April 10 by 12 families. The lawsuit alleges 20 students were hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition caused by rapid muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure and death.
Parents seek answers after Lamar CISD says a parent entered a campus, classroom, without permission
(KTRK) Some Lamar CISD families are demanding answers after a viral video showed a parent walking through a school and entering a classroom full of students to confront a teacher. School leaders told ABC13 that last week a parent got past Pink Elementary School’s security measures. A spokesperson told ABC13 a parent accessed the building without permission and went into a classroom. The parent recorded the incident and shared it on social media. The widely seen video has caused an uproar with parents we spoke to, who are questioning school security. The spokesperson said the mom was issued a criminal trespass warning.
Beaumont mom seeks accountability from Beaumont ISD after 3 hour search for daughter’s bus
(KFDM) A Beaumont mother is demanding accountability after she said her 5-year-old autistic daughter spent about three hours on a Beaumont ISD school bus Tuesday afternoon and arrived home in urine-soaked clothes. Apryl Essien said her daughter, who is autistic and nonverbal, was picked up around 3:20 Tuesday afternoon but did not get home until around 6 p.m. In an email to Essien, Beaumont ISD Transportation Director Corey Metts said several employee absences affected route times and that, because of the staffing shortage, the route had to be doubled. Metts also apologized for the length of the ride and for Essien’s daughter arriving home in a soiled pull-up.
Teen arrested after reported sexual assault during Magnolia High School football game
(KHOU) A 16-year-old boy has been taken into custody after a 15-year-old reported being sexually assaulted near the athletic field during a football game at Magnolia High School, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Magnolia County sheriff’s deputies were called to the school around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, after receiving a report of a sexual assault that had just occurred. Sheriff’s deputies and Montgomery County Precinct 5 constable deputies working as school resource officers met with the 15-year-old. Because the teen taken into custody is a minor, his name isn’t being released.
Profs who sued Texas A&M over free speech ask court to block system’s limits on teaching race, gender
(San Antonio Current) The American Association of University Professors and four individual professors have asked a federal court to block the Texas A&M University System from enforcing a policy that they argue amounts to censorship and stops them from teaching material critical to their disciplines. This filing comes after the plaintiffs sued in August to challenge a policy the Texas A&M Board of Regents adopted last year that restricts professors’ ability to teach material related to race, gender and sexual orientation. The new motion seeks to stop the policy’s enforcement until the Houston-based court renders a final decision on its legality.
Opinion: College Football Doesn’t Need Friday Night. High School Football Does
(Sports Illustrated) Texas Tech and Houston delivered a fantastic game Friday night, but it was played at a time that should still belong to high school football.
Hallsville ISD cancels classes Monday as city addresses water supply leak
(KLTV) A leak in the Hallsville water supply line has caused city officials to advise residents to limit water usage and forced the cancellation of classes Monday.
‘Can’t guarantee a winning team, but I can guarantee a team where…winners play’: Winona ISD launches first-ever soccer program
(KLTV) Winona ISD is starting its first-ever soccer program this fall after students spent years playing informal games on their own.
Amid new fentanyl variant warnings, Laredo schools point to existing Narcan access
(KGNS) Amid White House warnings about new, far more potent fentanyl variants like carfentanil, Laredo officials say the threat is being treated seriously even though overdose deaths in Webb County are currently down. Locally, United ISD has placed Narcan inside every defibrillator unit on its campuses, trains all staff on recognizing overdose signs, and is warning students that vapes or street pills can be laced with fentanyl or carfentanil. Laredo ISD similarly stocks Narcan at every campus, with nurses and athletic trainers carrying doses and receiving annual training to spot and respond to overdoses.
Sept. 18, 2026
Texas calls this school district wealthy. Its students tell a different story
(KIII) Three Rivers ISD sends millions of dollars back to the state despite about 75% of its students being considered economically disadvantaged. Three Rivers ISD has just over 500 students across two campuses. Yet the district is classified by the state as property wealthy because of the value of property within its boundaries. The district is considering joining a lawsuit filed by Midland ISD that challenges the state’s recapture system.
Spring Branch ISD Trustees Criticize State Lawmakers Over Funding, Educator Misconduct Reporting
(Texas Scorecard) Spring Branch Independent School District trustees criticized state lawmakers over a new law governing educator sexual misconduct reporting and funding rules. Trustee Chris Earnest argued that although educator misconduct reports have at least tripled in the last six years, he does not believe that there are that many more “legitimate cases.” Board President Courtney Anderson told other members that the rules surrounding funding enacted by lawmakers and the Texas Education Agency “feels like a clown show” and are like “playing a board game with my four-year-old niece that changes rules every hand she gets.”
Houston ISD deputy superintendent instrumental in special education overhaul resigns
(Houston Public Media) State-appointed superintendent Mike Miles tapped Kristen Hole to become deputy superintendent in February. The district said she is leaving to reunite with her family, who moved out of state in the spring. Hole is the third high-profile recent departure from the district. Chief of Strategic Initiatives Orlando Riddick and Chief of Staff Monica Zdrojewski have also left.
Dallas ISD rolls out guidelines limiting classroom screen time
(Dallas Morning News) Dallas ISD earlier this month announced guidelines limiting classroom screen time, with recommendations ranging from less than an hour for pre-K through second graders to a maximum of two hours for sixth through eighth graders. Other North Texas districts, such as Richardson ISD and Garland ISD, have also implemented guidelines to curb screen time in classrooms, with a focus on reducing passive time in front of devices and limiting daily screen time to one to two hours.
Officials: Middle school football player charged with assault after an incident during football game
(KTRK) The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating actions by a middle school player at a football game in Willis. The sheriff’s office confirms charges have been filed against a Willis ISD Barbham Middle School teen accused of assaulting a 13-year-old player from the opposing Conroe ISD Stockton Junior High team. In a video obtained exclusively by ABC13, cameras captured the moment the Barbham player shoved the Stockton player to the ground, kicked him, and then pulled him by his helmet.
Two more former Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo coaches arrested in student-athlete punishment case
(Fox West Texas) Two former Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo coaches were booked into the Tom Green County jail this week after a grand jury indicted each on eight felony counts connected to a February incident in which 20 student-athletes were hospitalized following a punitive workout. Former TLCA coaches Bradley Oh and Emmanuel Serna were booked into Tom Green County jail, each indicted on eight felony counts in the student-athlete pushup case. The news comes a day after the arrest of Kent Sherrill, 51, the school’s former athletic director.
North Texas high school football players face felony charges in alleged locker room hazing
(CBS Texas) Four Boyd High School (Wise County) football players face felony charges — injury to a child and unlawful restraint — after allegedly hazing a 14-year-old teammate in the locker room on Sept. 3, with two 17-year-olds being charged as adults. Investigators say the victim was dragged into a dark shower area, partially stripped, held down while a 17-year-old sat on his chest, and only escaped when a coach intervened; he suffered bruising and aggravated a prior wrist injury. Police say a coach initially told the victim the matter should be “handled in the locker room,” though two other coaches reported it to the principal that night and the victim’s parents contacted the school the next morning. Boyd ISD says it’s conducting an investigation, but can’t release further details due to student privacy rules.
Student pulls kitchen knife, cuts another student during fight at Jersey Village HS, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD says
(KHOU) District officials said one student was cut and another was detained after a fight broke out at Jersey Village High School Thursday. The injured student was taken to an area hospital with injuries to their arm. The student is expected to be OK.
Chapel Hill ISD student arrested after gun, ammo found in backpack, district says
(CBS19) A Chapel Hill student was arrested after a handgun and ammo were found in their backpack, prompting an investigation by the Chapel Hill ISD Police Department. According to Chapel Hill ISD, after dismissal on Thursday, administrators searched a student’s bag over a report about a student having a vape. When they searched the bag, they found a gun and a separate ammunition magazine.
University of Austin Won’t Seek American Bar Association Accreditation for Legal Program
(Inside Higher Education) The University of Austin (UATX), a five-year-old institution founded by CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss and others, says it won’t seek the American Bar Association Accreditation Council’s recognition for its legal program. UATX General Counsel Adam Biggs condemned the ABA and said UATX will partner with the conservative Federalist Society in its undergraduate legal education, supporting courses “that go further into the Constitution’s text, history, and tradition, taught by judges, practicing lawyers, and scholars.”
Mexican American, African American, women’s studies majors struck from UT application
(Austin American-Statesman) As students apply for admission to UT for fall 2027, the option to apply as an ethnic or gender studies student is already missing. As of Wednesday evening, students cannot select Mexican American and Latina/o Studies; African and African Diaspora Studies; Women’s, Sexualities and Gender Studies; or American Studies as their first or second major of choice when they apply to the university. Related:
UT Arlington sees record enrollment with first-time students amid growing demand for affordable education
(WFAA) UTA has enrolled its largest-ever class, bolstered by the Blaze Forward program covering tuition for low-income students. Acting UTA President Archie Holmes said the growth reflects demand for an affordable education and the career opportunities associated with a UTA degree.
2 people charged with murder after St. Edward’s University student dies from overdose: Austin Police Department
(Fox 7 Austin) Two people have been charged with murder after a St. Edward’s University student, 19-year-old Ethan Westgard, died of an overdose in his dorm room on June 11 — it’s being counted as Austin’s 40th homicide of this year. Police say Jordan Breck, 22, and Alysia Rodriguez-Mabry, 27, supplied him the drugs; both were tracked down and arrested by U.S. Marshals this week and now face murder charges.
Ector County ISD school bus with 14 students crashes into parked vehicles
(KCBD) An Ector County ISD school bus carrying 14 students crashed Thursday afternoon in south Odessa near the La Promesa Apartments on W. Monahans Street. Police said the bus, headed east, failed to control its speed, left the roadway, struck a parked trailer, then continued into a private lot and hit two parked vehicles (a Dodge Charger and another car). The bus driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and cited for Failure to Control Speed; no other injuries were reported.
Hill Country school bus involved in crash with tractor-trailer
(San Antonio Express-News) A Hill Country school bus and a tractor-trailer collided in New Braunfels on Thursday morning, according to police. The Comal Independent School District bus was not carrying any students when the accident occurred near the intersection of Loop 337 and Altgelt Lane, New Braunfels Police said. The drivers of both vehicles were taken to hospitals with “non-life-threatening injuries,” according to police. Officials did not provide further information about the cause of the crash.
ICE detains two Texas teens who say they planned to join Marines
(Stars and Stripes) Two teenagers detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Texas last week say they were on their way to deliver paperwork related to joining the Marine Corps. Video of the encounter appears to show an agent repeatedly striking one teen, while the other says he was pepper-sprayed. The confrontation took place Sept. 11 in Alamo, Texas.
Dallas nonprofit creates guide to better prepare young students for school shooter drills
(KERA) Momentous Institute, which provides children’s mental health services and education, has developed a guide for how to conduct safety drills without frightening children.
New initiative aims to connect Valley students to construction industry opportunities
(myRGV) Rio Grande Valley Linking Economic and Academic Development (RGV LEAD) are teaming up with the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) with a memorandum of agreement to establish the RGV LEAD Architecture and Construction Workforce Pipeline Initiative, connecting students to the area’s construction industry. The new regional partnership is for the 2026-27 academic year and aims to create an industry aligned workforce pipeline connecting students in the Valley.
Houston Rodeo breaks ground on $300 million Ag Complex ‘The Farm’ — Here’s what it means for visitors
(KPRC) The Houston Rodeo is not leaving Reliant Park. Its new 1 million-square-foot agricultural complex will create a second campus for livestock, horse shows, youth competitions and year-round events.
Location and Income Remain a Factor for Measles Vaccination Rates in Austin Area Schools
(Austin Chronicle) An analysis by the Austin Chronicle found significant differences in MMR coverage – which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella – with several districts just west and southwest of the city having lower vaccination rates. This comes as a second 2026 measles case was reported in Travis County last week in a patient believed to be an unvaccinated infant who was most likely exposed to the virus while traveling internationally, according to Austin Public Health.
A Dallas ISD officer was bleeding out from a shooting. The city’s blood program saved him
(Dallas Morning News) After Justin Jones was shot in the leg in a parking lot near a Sam’s Club in northwest Dallas, paramedics and doctors raced to save his life. The reason Jones survived is that Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics carry actual units of donated blood on their ambulances, not just IV fluids. Paramedics — not hospital staff — delivered this first, critical round of blood. This capability comes from a mobile blood program Dallas launched as a pilot in February 2025, which has since become permanent.
Legally blind Denison ISD student plays euphonium in marching band
(KXII) Keshawn Kemp, a student at Denison HS, has been legally blind since he was 2 months old. He plays euphonium in the Denison “Touch of Gold” marching band. Band director Melissa Lewis said the band has known Keshawn since his days at B. McDaniel Intermediate School, when he was first learning an instrument.
Sept. 17, 2026
New policies are reshaping Texas schools. What parents should know
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The changes could reshape classrooms and district budgets for years.
Tax break for proposed $10B Tesla solar cell factory in Fort Bend advances after Lamar CISD school board vote
(Houston Public Media) In exchange for the projected tax revenue that’ll come from the proposed Tesla facility anchored in the southeastern portion of the county, the company’s tax bill would be cut in half from 2029 through 2038, according to the application.
NBA player pledges $2 million to Fort Worth-area school district
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner pledged $2 million to Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and signed a sponsorship and pledge agreement Monday. New Trinity High School Arena is now the Myles Turner Fieldhouse, according to a HEB ISD Facebook post. Turner’s donation to HEB ISD comes two weeks after his foundation presented $1 million to Empowering the Masses, a Dallas-Fort Worth nonprofit. According to DMagazine, he also gave $15,000 to Trinity’s visual and performing arts department.
Rising gas prices put pressure on local school districts’ transportation budget
(KCEN) Temple ISD is grappling with fuel prices well above what it budgeted for, paying $5.99 per gallon as of Wednesday — nearly $600 to fill a 100-gallon bus tank. Transportation director Amy Scopac said the district spent about $50,000 on fuel in August alone (a partial month) and expects to amend its budget later in the fiscal year to cover the rising costs. Despite the financial strain, she emphasized that regular bus routes, field trips, and extracurricular transportation won’t be cut, and the district will reassess its fuel budgeting more fully once spring planning begins.
As enrollment falls, San Antonio ISD trustees debate bond spending and school future
(San Antonio Express-News) The San Antonio Independent School District board meeting turned tense Monday night as trustees questioned unfinished bond projects and debated the district’s future months before a November election for more bond funding. In 2020, voters approved a $1.3 billion bond for major renovations and upgrades at dozens of campuses. But hundreds of millions remain unspent.
Carroll ISD to ban personal computers, devices for grades 5-8 in 2027-28 school year
(Community Impact) Starting in August 2027, Carroll ISD students in grades 5-8 will no longer be allowed to use personal electronic devices during the school day. The Carroll ISD board of directors approved the update to the academic planning guide at its Sept. 14 meeting as an expansion of its previous initiatives to reduce screen time in the district. Students will also no longer be allowed to have privacy screens on technological devices, which will be effective immediately.
Moms For Liberty Questions Houston Muslim Student Coalition Promo
(Dallas Express) Moms for Liberty’s Harris County chapter is calling for greater transparency about material it says is being promoted through a coalition connecting Muslim Student Associations at Houston-area high schools.
Tomball ISD reviews proposal for virtual academy for Cybersecurity
(Community Impact) A proposed Tomball ISD Virtual Academy for Cybersecurity, a new Career and Technical Education program that focuses on college credits and training in cybersecurity and computer science, would be the 11th virtual school of its type in Texas. The presentation for the virtual academy was given on Sept. 15 by TISD Chief Academic Officer Michael Webb. Webb said that the purpose of the virtual academy is to allow students to earn an associate degree or 60 transferable college credits in cybersecurity or computer science alongside their diploma. The program, if approved, is set to open for the 2027-28 school year.
Clear Creek ISD director calls data-driven tool a “living organism” to help district prioritize urgent facility improvements
(Community Impact) A year-long facility study by Clear Creek ISD, conducted with Houston-based PBK Architects and concluded in August, found the district could face over $124 million in facility upgrades and repairs over the next five years. Superintendent Karen Engle presented the findings at a Sept. 14 board workshop, explaining that the analysis catalogued thousands of individual assets (like heat pumps, air handling units, and chillers) across every campus and fed the data into a software platform called Origin to forecast five- and ten-year repair costs.
Texas just published a nutrition guide just for Texans. Here’s what’s on it
(KHOU) Texas has released its first state-specific nutritional guidelines, offering Texans new recommendations on everything from fruits and vegetables to protein, whole grains, and what they drink. The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) published the guidelines as part of its inaugural report. The committee was created last year to review scientific findings on nutrition and ultra-processed foods and recommend ways Texans can improve their health through what they eat.
Texas public libraries generate nearly $5 for every $1 invested, per new study
(Axios) The report estimates libraries produced $3.8 billion in economic benefits and supported 11,200 jobs statewide in fiscal year 2024. The findings come as libraries face tighter local budgets, which can mean fewer staff, reduced hours and cuts to services, Texas Library Association executive director Shirley Robinson said at a press conference.
Will Cy-Fair ISD Bring Back Laid-Off Librarians?
(Houston Press) Cypress-Fairbanks ISD parents say they think that reinstating libraries at every campus hinges heavily on whether a voter-approved tax hike passes in November.
Savoy ISD High School cancels football game due to health concerns
(KTEN) Savoy High School is canceling Thursday night’s scheduled football game due to health concerns. The Savoy Independent School District released a statement saying that there were several high school athletes with staph infections.
Tyler ISD student-athlete taken to hospital after medical emergency
(KLTV) A Tyler Independent School District student was taken to the hospital Wednesday afternoon. According to Tyler ISD spokesperson Jennifer Hines, during football activities on Wednesday, a Tyler Legacy High School student-athlete experienced a medical emergency. EMS personnel immediately responded and took the student by ambulance for further medical evaluation and care.
4 Boyd ISD High School students arrested in connection to hazing incident
(Fox 4 KDFW) The Boyd Police Department announced four Boyd High School students have been arrested in connection to a September 3 hazing incident. Two 17-year-olds have been charged with injury to a child causing bodily injury and unlawful restraint. The other two suspects are juveniles. The exact nature of the hazing incident is currently unknown. The alleged incident took place in the high school field house.
Former Texas Leadership Charter Academy Athletic Director indicted on 8 felony charges, arrested
(KTXS) Former Texas Leadership Charter Academy San Angelo athletic director Kent Sherrill was arrested Tuesday night after he was indicted on 8 felony charges. According to court documents, Sherrill is accused of recklessly or with criminal negligence causing bodily injury to the children by requiring them to repeatedly perform pushups and not letting them stop. Court documents also alleged Sherrill placed the children in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical or mental impairment.
Former Rockport-Fulton teacher faces new child sex crime charges
(Crossroads Today) Former Rockport-Fulton High School teacher Joshua Nguyen is facing additional child sex crime charges in Aransas County, according to public jail records. Records show Nguyen was booked Wednesday on four counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact. The records also list four pending counts of an improper relationship between an educator and student. Nguyen was previously indicted in August in connection with allegations involving a student. The new charges come as Nguyen and his brother, Brandon Nguyen, face separate legal proceedings and are also named in a civil lawsuit that alleges the sexual abuse of a minor.
Parent alleges son was sexually assaulted at Fort Bend ISD middle school
(KPRC) A parent alleges their son was sexually assaulted by another male student at Christa McAuliffe Middle School and is calling on Fort Bend ISD to provide protection and educational support while the matter remains under investigation. The parent said it happened at the gym locker room earlier this week. In a statement, the district said campus and district administrators responded according to established procedures after learning of allegations involving students associated with Christa McAuliffe Middle School. The district also said appropriate authorities were notified.
Hearne ISD board votes to fire Hearne Elementary principal
(KBTX) The Hearne ISD Board of Trustees voted to fire Hearne Elementary Principal Marsha Shico “for good cause” during Monday night’s board meeting. The district has not said why Shico was fired, but we’re aware of an ongoing investigation, and additional details are expected to be shared publicly in the coming days as this stage of the investigation wraps up.
UT Austin plans to cut Mexican American, African, women’s and gender studies majors
(KUT) The University of Texas at Austin is planning to eliminate four majors: African and African diaspora studies, Mexican American and Latina/o studies, women’s and gender studies, and the race, indigeneity and migration major. Danielle Pilar Clealand, the interim chair of the Social and Cultural Analysis Department, told faculty Tuesday that “the Provost’s office rejected our proposal to keep our majors,” in an email obtained by KUT News.
Alamo Colleges District increases tax rate to address budget shortfall for the first time in more than a decade
(San Antonio Report) Months of presentations on how to address a shortfall of $27 million and keep up with rapid growth, culminated in a vote on Tuesday evening to raise the Alamo Colleges District tax rate for the first time in more than a decade.
2 Lone Star College System centers now offering new bachelor’s degree in education
(Community Impact) With the start of Lone Star College System’s fall semester Aug. 24, a new bachelor’s degree in education is now being offered at two college centers.
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching is now available at the LSC-Atascocita Center in northeast Houston and the LSC-Creekside Center in Tomball, a spokesperson for LSCS confirmed via email Sept. 9.
Assistant Police Chief sues Blinn college for alleged retaliation
(KBTX) Blinn College Assistant Police Chief Jennifer Taylor says she reported what she believed was a crime, and claims Blinn College punished her for it.
Lufkin ISD to relocate turf to middle school amid stadium rebuild
(KLTV) Lufkin ISD plans to move its two-year-old turf and track from Abe Martin Stadium to Lufkin Middle School as part of a $42 million bond renovation at the high school. The renovation will bring new turf and a new track to Abe Martin Stadium. Athletic Director Carl Abseck said the project benefits the district’s programs. Instead of discarding the old field, the district plans to move it, track and turf, to Lufkin Middle School, which currently has only grass. Abseck said quality turf can last 10 to 12 years, giving the middle school a long-term upgrade. The current middle school track lacks markings and will be fully replaced.
As Texas expands public pre-K, longtime childcare providers struggle to keep their place
(Texas Standard) Texas is trying to expand access to preschool by encouraging school districts to partner with private child care centers. But some longtime Dallas providers say the school district that’s supposed to be their partner is also becoming their competition.
Sept. 16, 2026
Mike Morath wanted Texas to reach No. 1 in education. Test scores show there’s more work to do
(Texas Tribune) Appointed a decade ago, the education commissioner insists that when he has direct oversight, academic gains follow. His critics await better student outcomes.
Texas Lawmakers Explore Path to Replacing School Property Taxes
(Texas Scorecard) The Texas House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday reviewed property tax relief options ahead of 2027, weighing dueling plans from Abbott (eliminate school M&O taxes for homeowners plus spending caps) and Patrick (expanded exemptions, senior freeze at 55). Education Commissioner Morath testified that fully eliminating M&O taxes would cost the state about $29.2 billion annually to replace, on top of $23.5 billion already spent on relief since 2019 — and stressed that funding levels and funding sources are separate questions, with total school funding rising from $47.44 billion to $72.55 billion since 2015-16.
El Paso ISD adopts new tax rate, but more than 20,000 homeowners will pay nothing
(El Paso Matters) The new EPISD tax rate will generate $13,389 per student – $183 less than last year but $396 more than this year’s no-new-revenue rate – while more than 20,000 owner-occupied homes will owe no school property tax.
Voucher in hand, no school to spend it on. Thousands of Texas students with disabilities returned state aid
(Dallas Morning News) Politicians promised vouchers would give students with special needs options. Some families were turned away, couldn’t make the commute, or never heard back from prospective private schools.
This Houston-area school district is still missing thousands of Bluebonnet materials
(Houston Chronicle) Officials at Conroe ISD knew there might be hiccups getting their state-created Bluebonnet textbooks and lesson plans this school year. But they weren’t prepared for how bad it would be. The Texas Education Agency’s printing contractor blew every delivery deadline. When boxes of workbooks and lesson plans did arrive, they were unlabeled, mislabeled, or went to the wrong school. As of Tuesday, a month into the school year, the district was still waiting on about 35,500 materials from the state, according to a Conroe ISD board member who detailed the problems in an email to members of the State Board of Education on Monday.
‘Something we’ll need to do’: North East ISD identifies 16 schools facing closure
(KENS) The futures of 16 elementary schools in San Antonio’s second-biggest district are up in the air amid continued financial challenges.
Houston ISD removes race, income and disability from gifted student criteria despite past ‘rampant’ inequity
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s board approved bans to race, ethnicity, income, sex and disability in gifted-and-talened scoring as districts respond to federal DEI scrutiny.
Austin ISD launches new dashboard tracking turnaround plan progress
(Community Impact) Austin ISD launched a public dashboard Sept. 15 on its School Improvement Page tracking academic and staffing data at 29 campuses carrying “unacceptable” ratings from the Texas Education Agency, giving families and staff an ongoing look at teacher quality and student performance throughout the school year. Related:
- How parents at Burnet and Webb middle schools could change an Austin ISD TEA takeover (Austin American-Statesman)
Bryan ISD faces bus driver shortage, approves pay raise
(KBTX) Bryan ISD is running more than 100 bus routes daily while being 30 drivers short, forcing transportation staff, mechanics, and administrators to drive routes to cover the gap. In response, the district’s school board voted Monday night to raise starting pay for bus drivers from $18.65 to $22 an hour, a change that takes effect immediately, with the goal of boosting recruitment and retention.
Beaumont ISD targets higher attendance after finishing last year at 89.6%
(KFDM) Beaumont ISD is asking parents, staff and community members to help tackle a problem that state appointed superintendent Sandi Massey says “is not looking very good” right now: student attendance. The district reported more than 17,000 student absences, with some students absent more than once. Massey said the district is trying to determine what barriers are keeping students from school.
Socorro ISD board approves virtual academy pilot program for eligible high school students
(KFOX) High school students at the Socorro Independent School District may soon have a new way to attend class after the Socorro school board approved a pilot program for a virtual academy on Tuesday.
North Texas schools set AI rules as educators weigh risks and rewards
(Dallas Morning News) School districts across Texas and nationwide are developing guidelines to regulate student and teacher use of AI tools in classrooms to ensure responsible usage. Researchers warn that the risks of AI in schools, such as students becoming overly reliant on AI tools, could outweigh the benefits to student learning, emphasizing the importance of proper implementation and guardrails.
More than 250 uncertified teachers taught in Webb, Zapata County classrooms last year
(KGNS) More than 250 uncertified teachers taught in Webb and Zapata County classrooms during the 2025-26 academic year, according to data from the Texas Education Agency published in the spring. That figure represents roughly 6% of teachers in the two counties. The data shows 64 uncertified teachers at Laredo ISD, 163 at United ISD, one at Webb CISD and 31 in Zapata County.
UT Austin students say Hasan Piker event is being pushed off campus. What’s actually happening?
(Austin American-Statesman) Student leaders from the University of Texas’ University Democrats chapter this week accused their school of forcing an event with liberal political commentator Hasan Piker off campus. UT has not cancelled the event nor ordered its relocation. But the event’s future remains uncertain as more than 2,400 people have said they want to attend, and conservatives and a Democratic congressman have pressured UT to shut down the talk.
For second year, UNT score dips in free speech analysis among US colleges
(KERA) A civil liberties advocacy group found that the University of North Texas fared worse in protecting the freedom of speech this year than it did during an analysis of the 2025-26 school year.
UT Rio Grande Valley professor on yearlong suspension without resolution
(myRGV) For more than a year, UTRGV political science professor Clyde Barrow has been on suspension with pay with no resolution. The professor, however, is claiming his criticism over certain choices is the root cause. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) published Barrow’s case on Monday in an effort to draw public attention.
In Hidalgo County, teachers who prey on students rarely go to prison
(ValleyCentral) During the past decade, 17 educators in Hidalgo County admitted to inappropriate relationships with students. Just four spent any time in prison. The era of slap-on-the-wrist sentences, though, may be coming to an end. When the Texas Legislature returns to Austin in 2027, Gov. Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to create a new, 10-year mandatory minimum for any educator convicted of an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Venus High School ‘Teacher of the Year’ arrested for improper relationship with student
(Fox 4 KDFW) Former Venus High School Teacher of the Year Jamie Corder was arrested and held on a $1 million bond for an alleged improper relationship with a student. Venus ISD placed Corder on leave after receiving an allegation, and he is no longer employed by the district. The exact timeline of when the district received the report and removed Corder, as well as whether there are other victims, remains unknown.
Juvenile taken into detention after bringing gun to KIPP academy, Houston police say
(KTRK) A juvenile was taken into detention after law enforcement confiscated a gun at KIPP Mosaic Academy on Tuesday, according to Houston police.
Student taken into custody after gun found in backpack at Somerset ISD Elementary
(News4SA) A student was removed from Somerset Elementary School on Tuesday after a gun was found in the student’s backpack. According to district officials, Somerset ISD police were notified about the firearm around 12:45 p.m. School staff and officers took the student into custody and seized the weapon.
Chief appraiser takes heat for changes to Bexar County’s 1-year appraisal reprieve
(San Antonio Report) The Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD) is adjusting a popular 2024 policy that sought to keep property owners from having to challenge their appraisal values as often as usual. Chief Appraiser Rogelio Sandoval said Monday the change is merely a language compliance issue that won’t impact taxpayers — but several board members accused him of misrepresenting the situation to clawback hard-fought protections. Two years ago, Bexar County was among several Texas counties where appraisal districts pursued innovative policies after the Legislature expanded boards.
When Texas Sex Ed Falls Short, Gen Z Women Turn to Social Media
(The Nation) With Texas requiring no mandated sex education (and its abstinence-only Texas Abstinence Education Program excluding topics like consent, contraception, and sexual orientation), many Gen Z women in the state say they’ve turned to TikTok and YouTube shorts to learn about reproductive and menstrual health, with a 2025 study finding 70 percent of adolescents sought reproductive health information through social media platforms.
Even with government assistance, many Texas families can’t find affordable childcare options
(KERA) Thousands of Texas families are waiting for help paying for childcare – but government payments don’t always cover the full cost, so even families who get that help can struggle to find care they can afford.
New Dallas ISD program teaches students how to fix DART buses
(KERA) Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is launching a new program that gives Dallas students hands-on bus maintenance experience and a chance at a good-paying job right after graduation. DART’s High School Student Bus Maintenance Externship program focuses on valuable mechanic skills ranging from automotive basics to fixing buses with supervised hands-on training. Related:
Sept. 15, 2026
UT Austin students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
(Texas Tribune) Students at the University of Texas at Austin said they were dismayed — but unsurprised — by the racist attacks lobbed at them online after a Republican candidate for statewide office suggested white Americans were being “displaced.” Bo French, the Republican running for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, on Sunday posted racist comments on X that included an image of UT students of South Asian descent celebrating the victory. In a statement Monday night, university officials indirectly addressed Bo French’s comments, calling students at the game Saturday night “incredible fans.” Related:
- Bo French stands firm, and is fundraising on his UT post condemned as racist (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Texas school vouchers program raises questions over how families can use funds
(KPRC) Texas’ new school choice program has awarded funds to about 118,440 students, but as families begin using the funds, families raise questions about what the money can actually pay for and how the state-funded accounts interact with financial assistance offered by private schools.
A year later, what teens tell us about school cellphone bans
(Brookings) Our best evidence so far suggests that these restrictions are having generally positive effects. These studies show that cellphone bans reduce students’ phone use (albeit not to zero), increase academic achievement (although effects vary by age and subject), and after an initial adjustment period, do not increase students’ disciplinary problems.
School bus driver shortages persist at several San Antonio-area districts
(San Antonio Express-News) As school districts across the country struggle to find enough bus drivers to take kids to class, the North East Independent School District’s bus fleet is the most staffed it has been since before the COVID-19 pandemic. But driver retention challenges still plague nearby districts, including three of the area’s four largest: Northside, San Antonio and Judson ISDs. San Antonio ISD has 16 bus driver vacancies for about 125 total routes and Judson ISD needs 10 more drivers to be fully staffed, according to the districts.
Fort Worth ISD therapy, special education contract spending grows to $3.2 million months after cuts
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD will pay contractors $2.51 million more than planned to fill special education jobs it eliminated in April. Related:
- How many Fort Worth ISD kids are vaccinated? You have to file a request to know (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Austin ISD responds to parent petition plan to avoid state takeover
(KVUE) Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura responded to Mayor Kirk Watson’s proposal that parents at Burnet and Webb middle schools petition the state to close their own campuses as a way to avoid a full state takeover of the district, following the schools’ fifth consecutive failing accountability rating. In a Monday night email to families, Segura said the district won’t help gather petition signatures, but if a majority of parents at each school sign on, Austin ISD will submit a comprehensive closure plan to the state outlining how students would be supported next year. Watson noted that under state law, a successful parent petition would direct the commissioner to close just those two schools rather than allow a takeover of the entire district and elected board.
Back in the classroom: El Paso ISD administrators substitute as cost-saving measure
(El Paso Matters) On the Friday before Labor Day weekend, Veronica Reyes asked a group of attentive students at Silva Magnet High School in South El Paso to describe the three branches of government. It had been at least 14 years since Reyes, who is the assistant superintendent of specialized learning services at the El Paso Independent School District, last worked as a teacher. That was until EPISD began its central office substitute program, which requires salaried administrative employees who do not work on a school campus to substitute classes four days a semester — or eight days a year — on top of their regular duties. It is the only major district in the region that requires administrators to substitute.
Waco ISD superintendent responds to failing campus ratings, outlines plan to improve scores
(KXXV) Eight Waco ISD campuses received failing grades in the state’s latest accountability ratings, and district leaders are now outlining steps they say will turn those scores around.
Hutto ISD seeks to expand virtual academy enrollment
(Community Impact) Hutto ISD opened its online “virtual academy” to all Texas students this summer, mainly to bring in more state funding — since virtual students who transfer in count toward the district’s funding just like in-person kids. The program lets students learn at their own pace, and now offers dual-credit classes through Temple College. The district hired a new administrator to grow it further, and is even looking at eventually letting out-of-state students enroll.
Alief ISD: ‘Serious incident’ between staff member, student puts Hastings HS into ‘secure mode’
(KTRK) Parents at Alief ISD’s Hastings High School received a troubling letter from principal Dr. William Price on Monday morning about a ‘serious incident’. The district said an incident involving a staff member and a student ended with emergency responders on campus, but now the district isn’t answering questions. The district has not said how seriously the staff member was injured, or what job that staff member fills at Hastings HS.
Second Del Valle ISD police officer indicted for same reason
(KXAN) Former Del Valle Independent School District Police Department officer Ernest Ferniz has been indicted on six felony counts alleging he falsified records and information during the hiring process, according to court documents. The indictment marks the second case involving a former Del Valle ISD police officer to result in criminal charges.
Palestine ISD basketball coach accused of abusing, threatening to kill son
(KLTV) A Palestine High School teacher and coach was arrested Friday after police said he assaulted his 15-year-old son on campus, according to the Palestine Police Department. Maurice Heade was the head basketball coach for Palestine High School boys basketball, according to the Palestine ISD Athletics website.
Gunter ISD Baseball Coach placed on administrative leave
(KTEN) District officials have confirmed that their Gunter ISD baseball coach, Deryl Hellman, has been placed on administrative leave over allegations that he made inappropriate comments.
Retired Bridgeport ISD Educator Caught Soliciting Child for Sex Gets 12 Years
(Texas Scorecard) A retired Bridgeport High School athletic trainer was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of soliciting sex from a child online. William Lawrence “Billy” Newsom, 62, was caught in an online sting in March 2024 sending sexually explicit messages to someone he thought was a 12-year-old girl and arranging to meet her for sex. Newsom was caught by Alex Rosen of Predator Poachers, who uses adult decoys to track suspected pedophiles online then records their confessions and turns over evidence he collects to local authorities. According to Rosen, Newsom also admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material showing victims as young as 6 years old.
Harper ISD Band Teacher Gets 15 Years for Child Sex Abuse Material
(Texas Scorecard) A now-former Central Texas teacher arrested last year for illicit recordings of female students was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to 17 felonies including possession of child sexual abuse material. Pedro DeLuna III was first arrested in December 2025 and charged with invasive visual recording, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail. DeLuna was an assistant band director and music teacher in Harper Independent School District. A 15-year-old female student invited to DeLuna’s home along with her family members discovered a partially hidden cell phone in his bathroom that was recording video and told her mother, who notified authorities.
Mother says Austin ISD failed to do enough to stop teacher in sexual relationship with teen
(KVUE) A mother is suing Austin ISD, claiming it failed to act promptly after she reported a suspected inappropriate relationship between her 16-year-old son and Rodney Childers, assistant band director at LBJ Early College High School in July 2024. Childers faces seven pending criminal charges, including possession of child pornography and improper relationship with a student, and a second teenage victim has since been identified.
Venus ISD employee arrested for alleged improper relationship with student, district says
(Dallas Morning News) In a Monday statement, Venus ISD Superintendent of Schools Howard Gatewood said the employee was placed on administrative leave after the district received the allegation and is no longer employed there. It remains unclear when the arrest took place.
Texas Judge Disciplined for Requiring Parents To Be Vaccinated for Visitation
(Texas Scorecard) Judge Travis Kitchens Jr., presiding over the 258th District Court covering Polk, San Jacinto, and Trinity Counties, was publicly admonished by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after ordering a father in a 2021 custody case to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or produce a negative test within 72 hours before visitation, after the mother and children had been quarantined due to COVID exposure. Kitchens, first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, is running unopposed in the 2026 general election.
Former head of Walden Media to take over UT Austin’s Moody College of Communication
(KUT) Cary Granat has been appointed new dean of UT’s Moody College of Communication. Granat previously served as co-founder and CEO of Walden Media, a production and publishing company known for films like the “Chronicles of Narnia” series. He will take over as dean of the college from interim Dean Anita Vangelisti, who’s been in that role since August 2024. Granat will oversee the hiring of KUT and KUTX’s next general manager after Debbie Hiott’s firing earlier this summer.
UT El Paso enrollment reaches all-time high
(KVIA) A record number of students enrolled in the University of Texas at El Paso this fall, according to the school. For the first time, UTEP’s enrollment passed 27,000.
Lone Star College System student enrollment exceeds 100K for first time
(Community Impact) Over 100,000 students have enrolled at Lone Star College System for the fall semester, marking a milestone for the college system, according to a Sept. 14 news release.
St. Mary’s University, Texas Lutheran University Partner to ease pathway into law school
(San Antonio Report) In efforts to create more “clear and predictable” pathways toward a higher education degree, St. Mary’s University President Winston Erevelles signed an agreement securing entry into the St. Mary’s School of Law for Texas Lutheran University students. The three-year agreement, signed on Sept. 4, secures seats for qualifying students who are on track to earn a bachelor’s degree, as well as those who completed a bachelor’s within three years of applying.
UT Austin launches $30 million effort to study what happens when robots move into everyday life
(KXAN) From dorms to hospitals, robots are increasingly leaving the lab and entering the real world. Now, a new National Science Foundation-funded center led by The University of Texas at Austin aims to better understand what happens when people and robots share the same spaces over long periods of time. The Center for Human and Robot Co-Adaptation will bring together researchers from six universities and industry partners to study how humans and robots learn from one another.
Donna ISD awarded $3.12 million for outdoor classrooms
(ValleyCentral) The Donna Independent School District was awarded $3.12 million by the Texas A&M Forest Service Schoolyard program to build new outdoor classrooms, increase tree canopy and add nature-based learning spaces to eight district schools. According to a release, the program is a partnership between Texas Trees Foundation, Donna ISD, Region One ESC and the Texas A&M Forest Service Schoolyard Program.
Perry Weather Lands $110M Growth Investment, Plans Major Dallas Hiring Expansion for Weather Ops & Safety Platform
(BusinessWire) More than 20 state high school athletic associations now mandate wet bulb globe temperature monitoring and require activity adjustments when readings cross defined thresholds, including Texas, where the University Interscholastic League’s mandate took effect in August.
Coach saves choking LaPoynor ISD sixth-grader with Heimlich maneuver during school lunch
(CBS19) A sixth-grader’s choking incident during lunch at LaPoynor ISD highlights the life-saving impact of emergency training.
A high school football team scored 105 in a game. What can be done to avoid running up the score?
(Dallas Morning Texas) Both coaches shared their perspectives on the outcome, the first time a Dallas-area team has scored more than 100 points in nearly 100 years.
Sept. 14, 2026
Teacher prep programs across Texas directed to bar faculty from teaching about the 1619 Project
(Texas Public Radio) A new mandate from the Texas Education Agency says teacher preparation programs at both public and private colleges must promise to follow the state’s K-12 anti-DEI law under penalty of perjury. The promise comes with the apparent weight of a legal document. The form obtained by Texas Public Radio required the signature of the leadership of every Educator Preparation Program in the state by September 1, including their full name, birthdate and address.
Texas has a new plan to better include young children with disabilities in classrooms
(KERA) Texas is trying to do a better job of including young children with disabilities in preschools and childcare centers alongside their peers.
Houston ISD special education program improved class sizes, staff-to-student ratios, district leaders say
(Community Impact) A majority of Houston ISD self-contained special education classrooms have met the district’s goals for size, staff-to-student ratios and number of grade levels per class, after the district rolled out a new program in August, district leaders said Sept. 10. Related:
More choices, fewer students: How San Antonio school options are changing this year
(San Antonio Express-News) As school choice expands in San Antonio, microschools, virtual schooling and new charter options are redefining education.
‘The fear is palpable’: Fort Worth ISD managers hear concerns as listening sessions near end
(Fort Worth Report) As Fort Worth ISD’s state-appointed board of managers wraps up its community listening tour ahead of a Sept. 15 deadline, a recurring theme has emerged: pervasive fear among teachers and parents about violating new district expectations, from pausing instruction to help a struggling student to unclear bathroom policies. The board will use feedback gathered through Sept. 15 to set districtwide goals and define limits on Superintendent Peter Licata’s leadership.
Related:
These 5 Houston-area districts are asking voters for $137M as enrollment drops and costs climb
(Houston Chronicle) Five Houston-area school districts are asking voters for a combined $137 million in new revenue this November to shore up multi-million dollar budget deficits driven by declining enrollment, inflation and rising insurance costs. Voters in Cy-Fair, Channelview, Huffman, La Porte and Spring ISDs can expect to see a voter-approved tax-rate increase, or VATRE, measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Behind Austin ISD’s Paredes Middle School closure: Emails show rushed planning and trustee concerns
(Austin American-Statesman) In late July, Austin ISD moved quickly to shutter Paredes Middle school, just three weeks before classes began. The change came in the face of a growing state takeover threat because of failing state scores at two North Austin middle schools — Burnet and Webb.
Nacogdoches ISD adopts new curriculum to avoid TEA takeover
(KETK) The Nacogdoches Independent School District is making major changes to avoid a potential takeover by the Texas Education Agency following consecutive years of low accountability grades. The district’s efforts follow ratings released in August, when three out of the six elementary schools in Nacogdoches ISD received “F” ratings.
Ysleta ISD offers $7,500 separation incentive
(El Paso Matters) The Ysleta Independent School District is offering employees a $7,500 payout to voluntarily resign at the end of the semester to reduce personnel costs for the remainder of the school year. In an email sent out to administrators last week, YISD states it is offering to buy out the first 100 teachers or administrators who submit an early notice of their plan to retire or resign in December. YISD offered a similar $7,500 separation incentive earlier this year for teachers who planned to resign or retire over the summer. More than 220 teachers left the district at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
POLICE: Palestine ISD High School coach arrested, charged with assault
(CBS19) Palestine High School head boys basketball coach Montez Heade was arrested Friday at the high school following an alleged assault involving a student at the school, according to the Palestine Police Department. Palestine Police Chief Mark Harcrow confirmed Heade was arrested and charged with assault of a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation, a felony offense. Police have not released additional details about what led to the arrest. Palestine ISD said in a news release that the incident involved a student and the student’s parent, who is also a district employee. The parent was arrested.
Frost ISD authorized guardian placed on administrative leave after leaving unattended gun in restroom, officials say
(WFAA) The firearm was located by another campus employee moments later who took measures to properly secure the weapon and reported to the campus principal, officials say.
Richardson police arrested local teacher after reading a conversation he had on Grindr
(Dallas Morning News) A Richardson teacher was arrested after the social media platform Grindr flagged a conversation he allegedly had with a minor that eventually was sent to police, according to an arrest warrant affidavit recently obtained by The Dallas Morning News. The teacher, Michael Fouse, was arrested on suspicion of online solicitation of a minor Aug. 28, but police released little information about what they reviewed that led to Fouse’s arrest. Fouse, 41, was not on campus when he was arrested. He argued in an interview with police that he had never met the 16-year-old face-to-face, nor did he ever have any sexual relationship with any of his students. Richardson Independent School District, which employs Fouse, placed him on administrative leave shortly after his arrest, according to a statement from the district.
Two Lamesa ISD employees arrested in security breach
(KMID/KPEJ) Two Lamesa ISD employees were arrested yesterday for their involvement in allegations of a security breach. According to Lamesa ISD, the allegations do not involve disclosing or compromising District data or student, personnel, or security information. LISD insists that it involved the alleged deletion of a set of records maintained by law enforcement. The investigation is still ongoing.
University of Houston removes professor over child abuse material allegations
(Houston Chronicle) A University of Houston adjunct professor has been suspended over allegations of possessing child abuse material after he was confronted on campus by a social media predator catcher. The UH police department removed the adjunct faculty member and Ph.D. candidate from campus. The University is currently investigating the allegations.
Profits over kids? No more graduations to be held at Reliant Stadium
(KTRK) The corporation that operates Reliant Stadium says the venue will no longer host graduation ceremonies for area school districts. The Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation (HCSCC) tells ABC13 that those ceremonies will now be held at Reliant Arena. Members of the Humble ISD community attended Harris County Commissioners Court earlier this week in hopes of reversing the decision. District officials who spoke at the meeting said they believe Reliant Stadium is the only venue in the area that allows graduates to bring their entire support groups to the ceremony. Harris County commissioners court ultimately decided to discuss the matter further at its next meeting, in part to discuss the possibility of reversing the HCSCC decision.
One year after Texas phone ban, Valley schools see positive impact
(myRGV) After a full school year with the Texas cellphone ban in place in schools, Rio Grande Valley school district administrators and educators are highlighting the benefits they see in students, learning and a decline in bullying.
More professors want to leave Texas this year, citing political climate, censorship, survey says
(Dallas Morning News) A greater percentage of Texas professors want to leave the state this year than last year, citing its political climate and concerns about censorship, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Association of University Professors.
Reporter Shares Shocking Field Temperature Ahead of Ohio State-Texas Game
(Heavy) AccuWeather lists a temperature of 97 degrees at kickoff in Austin. That is the temperature in the air itself. One reporter shared her own thermometer reading that almost seems impossible. ESPN’s Holly Rowe appeared for some pregame coverage and was holding a thermometer that read 163 degrees on the field. Her report sounded like a mistake, but it’s the reading she had. CBS Austin shared its own reading, coming in at nearly 152 degrees. The account also shared a post noting how fans are already huddling in cooler areas before kickoff. Related:
Family sues Fort Worth daycare over alleged child fight club, lawyer says that puts all daycares on notice
(WFAA) A Fort Worth family is suing their child’s daycare over “fight club” allegations. The family claims the daycare employee instigated a fight between some of the children.
Fort Worth girl’s death highlights guns as leading killer of Tarrant County kids
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) After a 5-year-old Fort Worth girl accidentally shot and killed herself, experts stressed the importance of safe gun storage to save lives. Fatal gun injuries are the leading killer of children and teenagers from age 1 through 19 in Tarrant County, according to federal data.
Several Texas Republicans condemn Bo French’s racist posts calling Asian students at UT a “problem”
(Texas Tribune) Bo French, the Republican nominee for a statewide position regulating Texas’ oil and gas industry, posted a photo of University of Texas students, while decrying “foreigners” displacing Americans. The morning after the Texas Longhorns pulled off a major comeback to upset Ohio State, French shared a photo of students of South Asian descent cheering in burnt orange gears from the stands. The former Tarrant County GOP chair, who has called for the deportation of 100 million people which would include U.S. citizens, said the scene shows “how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners.”
Texas universities limit their brands in political ads. Dan Patrick used them anyway
(Texas Tribune) It is not clear if Patrick’s campaign sought permission from three Texas universities to use their trademarks in a college football-inspired ad that appears to be AI-generated.
The Threat of Service: Texas officials face rise in hostility, insults
(Dallas Morning News) Local officials have been experiencing an uptick in threats and harassment in the past three and a half years, according to data from Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative.
Risky Risk Pools Plague Texas School Districts
(RiskManagers.us) An article by Robert Reim on Texas school district risk pools argues that these pools — essentially unregulated mutual insurance arrangements — shift all financial risk onto member districts while the pool managers and agents bear none, since no outside insurer or state guaranty fund stands behind them if losses mount. The article also notes that agents’ own errors-and-omissions insurance typically won’t cover claims tied to unrated pools or insolvent insurers. Overall, it frames risk pools as a significant, underappreciated financial vulnerability for Texas school boards and superintendents acting as fiduciaries of public funds.
Tarrant County College trustees approve property tax increase 5-1 after spending debate
(Fort Worth Report) Trustees approved a 12-cent rate after debating wether TCC had found enough savings before asking property owners to pay more.
Texas House Committee Considers CPS Compliance With Records Law
(Texas Scorecard) Witnesses testified that parents have struggled to acquire medical records from Child Protective Services.
Texas Supreme Court blocks Galveston County from using new precinct map in November election
(Houston Public Media) The 2026 precinct maps were redrawn and approved on June 29 — between the March primary election and the November general election. The Texas Supreme Court now barres the county from using those new boundaries in November.
Dallas-area charter high school football team drops 105 points in blowout win
(Houston Chronicle) There have been epic beatdowns in the history of Texas high school football. Life School in Dallas’ Oak Cliff area just added its name to the list. On Friday night, the open-enrollment charter school serving kindergarten through 12th grade took on Bonham, which has 559 students in grades 9 through 12. That figure did not matter to Life Oak Cliff, who managed to put up 100+ points on Bonham in a 105-14 rout. What was even worse for Bonham? This was their homecoming game, according to the school’s website.
Sept. 11, 2026
A Texas Cheer Squad’s Performance Set To The Sounds Of 9/11 Has Everyone Talking
(BuzzFeed) The video of the Lumberton ISD High School cheerleaders doing a routine to audio from the day the towers fell has been viewed more than 18 million times.
Parents say they won’t support closing failing Austin ISD schools to avoid state takeover
(KUT) Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is urging parents from two middle schools to ask the state to close the campuses to avoid a total takeover of the Austin Independent School District, but some parents have already said they won’t sign a petition because they have fought for resources for years and have felt ignored.
Houston ISD partners with 10 pre-K centers to boost enrollment. See the list
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD has partnered with 10 pre-K centers to boost enrollment and reach students earlier in their education, according to documents from the board of managers’ September meeting. HISD’s state-appointed board of managers approved the final list of child care centers in the partnership at its meeting Thursday, making the centers public for the first time since the partnership was announced earlier this year. Related:
Mansfield ISD principal resigns during investigation for “concerning comments,” district says
(CBS Texas) A North Texas principal has resigned after her school district opened an investigation into allegations that she used inappropriate language, CBS News Texas has learned. In a statement to CBS News Texas, Mansfield ISD said the investigation began last week regarding allegations of concerning comments made by Principal Elizabeth Hostin at Linda Jobe Middle School. The investigation was underway when the principal independently submitted her resignation.
Police: Former Manor ISD teacher ‘forcefully grabbed’ special needs students
(KXAN) The Manor Independent School District Police Department accused a now-former teacher at Presidential Meadows of hurting students with special needs. In an arrest affidavit, police report that an investigation found no less than 23 “overly aggressive physical encounters” between Pamella Craig and 5 students over 11 days. Police said Manor ISD-owned cameras caught several incidents in a classroom, including moments where Craig “forcefully” grabbed students by the upper arms, jerked them off the floor or a chair and caused them to cry. Related:
7 On Your Side finds a dozen East Texas districts running daily route buses without A/C
(KLTV) From nosebleeds to nausea, heat on some East Texas school buses is taking a toll.
Former Galena Park ISD employee charged with indecency with a child
(Fox 26 Houston) Michael Lynn Jackson Jr., 35, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with Indecency with a Child. He was booked into the Harris County Jail. According to court records, Jackson was a Special Education Aide at North Shore High School for over one year. He resigned from his position in late July.
Four students hospitalized after ingesting gummies at San Antonio charter school, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says
(KENS) Four students were taken for medical evaluation after ingesting gummies alleged to have THC at Harmony School of Innovation Thursday afternoon, BCSO said. The students between the ages of 10 and 13 were taken to the hospital for evaluation after ingesting the gummies and reported feeling unwell. One additional student ingested the gummies, but was not taken to the hospital, school officials said. Deputies are still investigating to see how the students were able to get ahold of the gummies and how the candies got into the school.
Sherman ISD school staff swings into action to care for ailing player
(KTEN) Sherman Middle School football player Vance Govan suffered heat exhaustion during practice, struggling to breathe and stand before a teammate alerted coaches. Staff quickly placed him in an ice bath, gave him electrolytes, and called 911. Coaches and the trainer stayed by his side at the hospital until he was discharged, comforting his mother, Courtney Govan, who wasn’t present when it happened. The family, new to Sherman, said the staff’s care reassured them they’d made the right choice moving there. Coach Steven Wade said he treats all his roughly 350 players like his own kids.
As AI raises stakes of cyberbullying, Alamo Heights mother turns tragedy into change
(KSAT) Alamo Heights mother Maurine Molak lost her 16-year-old son David to suicide after a year-long struggle with cyberbullying and online gaming addiction, before AI-driven harassment even existed. She channeled her grief into advocacy, co-founding David’s Legacy Foundation and helping push Texas lawmakers to pass David’s Law in 2017, which requires schools to address cyberbullying in conduct policies and notify parents of victims or aggressors. Experts now say AI has made cyberbullying faster, more graphic, and harder for parents to catch, with local advocates noting a rise in AI-generated deepfake nude images that can spread through a school in minutes. Molak points to emerging laws criminalizing the sharing of non-consensual images as a needed next step. Alamo Heights ISD says it has strengthened training and support for families and educators in response.
Court Records: Cy-Fair ISD mother charged with hitting her son, threatening to shoot up his school
(KTRK) A Cypress-Fairbanks ISD mother is facing two criminal charges after school administrators reported seeing her hit her young son at Moore Elementary and later threaten to shoot up the school, according to court records. Although the charges were filed months ago, records show she has not been arrested.
University of Houston investigating ‘concerning’ video with faculty member, talk of child sexual exploitation
(Houston Public Media) The University of Houston said it is investigating after an adjunct faculty member appeared in an apparent To Catch a Predator-style social media video Thursday, the university confirmed in a statement to Houston Public Media. “The video involves discussion of child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse materials. UH Police responded to the place where the video was being made in progress,” the spokesperson said. “UHPD is currently conducting interviews and gathering more information related to this situation.”
Police searching for suspect in attack at UT San Antonio football game at Alamodome
(KENS) Police are seeking a suspect in an assault at the UT San Antonio vs. UT Rio Grande Valley game, leaving a victim with facial injuries. Video of the incident, which has circulated widely online, shows a fight break out between a UTSA Roadrunners fan and an 18-year-old UTRGV student who attended the game to support the Vaqueros.
Texas Southern University breaks ground on 3 new buildings in first phase of $1.7B campus transformation
(KHOU) TSU broke ground Thursday on the Catalyst for Urban Transformation, Health and Wellness Center and Nabrit Science Center. The three projects mark the first phase of TSU’s 2025-2035 campus master plan, a $1.7 billion roadmap unveiled in July that calls for 20 projects over the next decade.
Ex-La Vega football star Malachi Wright trying to pick up the pieces of his life after murder case dropped
(KWTX) Malachi Wright, a former La Vega football star with NFL dreams, spent over four years in jail on a murder charge before it was dismissed in 2024 due to weak, conflicting witness testimony. His co-defendant pleaded guilty and got prison time, but Wright was released with his name still clouded by suspicion. Now 25 and running a small business, he’s speaking out about the toll the wrongful accusation took on him — and the fact that, unlike exonerated prisoners, he gets no compensation since he was never convicted.
El Paso ISD launches Cougar Care Center under Community Schools initiative
(KFOX) The El Paso Independent School District celebrated the opening of a new family resource hub that aims to connect families with basic needs and support services across the district’s Franklin Feeder Pattern. District officials said the center will offer services based on community needs, including food, hygiene, and clothing resources, English and citizenship classes, and other family supports. The new center is part of EPISD’s broader Community Schools initiative, which aims to connect students and families with resources intended to remove barriers to success.
City of Amarillo tax rate errors raise questions with millions at stake
(High Plains Pundit) Amarillo taxpayers will have to wait a few more days to learn what the city’s property tax rate could look like after errors were discovered in calculations being used during the 2026-2027 budget process. The Amarillo City Council has scheduled a special meeting for 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, where they are expected to discuss recalculated property tax figures and consider a proposed tax rate for maintenance and operations and debt service.
Texas SNAP application backlog skyrockets as enrollment sinks
(Dallas Morning News) Federal changes to SNAP eligibility may be hurting food-insecure Texans.
Second measles case of 2026 confirmed in Travis County
(KVUE) Austin Public Health officials say an unvaccinated infant was likely infected while traveling abroad.
City of Dallas to Dedicate New Football Field at Thurgood Marshall Park to Honor Longtime Coach Who Led Oak Cliff’s Redbird Raiders for More Than 40 Years
(Texas Metro News) Coach Earl Thompson, who spent more than four decades mentoring young athletes, was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the Prairie View Interscholastic League Association Hall of Fame. He died earlier this year.
Sept. 10, 2026
Austin mayor releases plan to prevent Texas from taking over the school district
(Austin Current via Texas Tribune) In an effort to keep the Austin school district independent, Mayor Kirk Watson is pushing to close two chronically-failing middle schools that triggered the state’s takeover law. He’ll need parents’ help to do it. Watson’s plan, released in his newsletter Wednesday morning, cites a little-known state rule that would give weight to a parent petition asking for the schools’ closure.
Edinburg CISD to solicit forensic audit as district faces $15M deficit
(myRGV) The Edinburg CISD school board voted Tuesday to solicit requests for qualifications (RFQ) for an independent forensic audit that sparked a discussion on what the scope of the audit should include. The solicitation for an independent forensic audit comes to the board with the district amidst a $15 million deficit in the proposed budget for next fiscal year.
Education Advocates Continue to Blast Voucher Program
(Houston Press) As the Texas comptroller seeks to double funding for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) voucher program to $2 billion, education advocates say new data undercuts claims it helps low-income families leave struggling public schools. Groups including the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency and the Houston AFT argue the $1 billion program is largely subsidizing families already in private school rather than expanding access for low-income students, and a review of 221 voucher-accepting schools found many use religious criteria in admissions, don’t publicly post full tuition costs, and can deny “right fit” students despite advertising services for disabilities. The Texas State Teachers Association opposes the funding increase, warning that public schools are cutting programs while state dollars flow to private and religious schools with limited transparency. Related:
Nacogdoches ISD works to avoid potential TEA takeover as district improves accountability grade
(CBS19) Nacogdoches ISD is working to improve student performance at three elementary campuses that remain under scrutiny after receiving multiple failing accountability grades as district leaders try to avoid a potential state takeover. Nacogdoches ISD Superintendent Grey Burton said the district was aware of the situation before the latest ratings were released and has been preparing for the challenge since last school year.
Students, parents voice concerns over AI use in Fort Worth ISD schools
(Fort Worth Report) Incorrect science diagrams, figures with six fingers and unrecognizable animal pictures on AI generated slides were just some of the concerns presented by parents and students who say they are frustrated by how AI is being used in Fort Worth classrooms. The Fort Worth school district is one of the 55 schools across 20 states partnering with OpenAI to take part in its ChatGPT for Teachers program. Four other Texas school districts are part of the program, though Fort Worth is the only district in Tarrant County participating. Related:
- Tax rate remains level as Fort Worth ISD expects bigger shortfall amid frozen appraisals (Fort Worth Report)
- Wearable panic buttons coming to staff in Fort Worth school district (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
- Fort Worth ISD to report up to 14 additional teachers for contract abandonment (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
- Fort Worth ISD earns grant to create, expand business and entrepreneur classrooms (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Pampa ISD enrollment continues to decline as district adds hybrid program
(KVII) Pampa Independent School District’s student enrollment has declined each year for the past 11 years, a trend that school leaders say is affecting funding and staffing. District officials said declining enrollment is a challenge for Pampa ISD and other rural school districts across Texas because state funding is tied to enrollment and daily attendance. This school year, Pampa ISD introduced a hybrid program designed to give students and families more flexibility while allowing the district to continue tracking attendance.
Socorro ISD weighs virtual academy to keep students, funding from leaving district
(KFOX) Socorro Independent School District leaders are moving closer to launching a full-time virtual learning program for high school students, an effort aimed at giving families more flexibility while also keeping students — and state funding — in the district. The Board of Trustees received an update during a briefing on a proposed Socorro Virtual Academy, which would offer an online option within SISD rather than requiring families to look outside the district.
Judson ISD begins a pivotal year with hopes of quickly boosting academics
(San Antonio Express-News) Judson ISD started the 2026-27 school year facing a critical deadline: two campuses have just one year to improve academics or risk triggering state takeover, after new state A-F scores released in August pushed the district closer to that threshold. Interim Superintendent Ann Dixon, who started in late June, has a short timeline to enact districtwide changes, including major staffing reassignments made before the school year began. The district is weighing measures other struggling districts have used, from flooding campuses with new resources and data tools to closing schools or handing operations to a third-party turnaround organization.
Part of Trinity University’s education department mandated to comply with K-12 education codes
(Trinitonian) In mid-July, the Texas Education Agency required all Educator Preparation Programs — including Trinity University, previously exempt as a private institution — to sign a “State Law/Prohibition Attestation” by Sept. 1, extending public-school-style restrictions on discussing “controversial” issues and advocacy activities to Trinity’s teacher-certification programs, with faculty personally liable “under penalty of perjury.” Critics, including UT San Antonio’s AAUP chapter, called the form coercive and vaguely worded, warning it could chill discussion of topics like race and gender. Trinity’s provost said the requirement is under review; department head Angela Breidenstein, the sole required signee, declined to comment.
Texas A&M accelerates $33.5M virtual production facility in Fort Worth
(Fort Worth Report) The 30,000-square-foot facility would house a studio, labs, classrooms and offices — the third piece of Texas A&M’s downtown expansion.
Phony food vendor allegedly conned over $253,000 out of Hidalgo County Head Start Program
(Progress Times) The Hidalgo County Head Start Program allegedly paid an imposter masquerading as a representative of its food service provider $235,457.20 in 2024, continuing to pay the fraudster even after being alerted about the likely theft. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office arrested Susan Ware, 57, of Cucamonga, California in May of 2025 and charged her with felony theft in the second-degree for allegedly misappropriating the program’s funds. Ware, also known as Janet Johnson, allegedly tricked Hidalgo Head Start into diverting more than a month’s worth of direct deposits for legitimate food and beverage deliveries to herself instead of Labatt Food Service, the program’s actual vendor.
Project Safe Schools: Federal grand jury charges former Muleshoe ISD high school teacher with enticement offense for alleged sexual relations with a minor
(U.S. Attorney’s Office) A federal grand jury in Lubbock returned an indictment Wednesday charging former Muleshoe ISD high school teacher Allegra Fey Mora, 28, with enticement of a minor for allegedly having sexual relations with one of her students. Mora was arrested earlier this year.
Plano ISD Principal To Appeal Firing for Failure To Report
(Texas Scorecard) A Plano principal fired for failing to report sexual misconduct allegations appears to be challenging the district’s decision to terminate her contract for cause. Brinker Elementary Principal Jennifer King was placed on administrative leave in July after she was accused of failing to report allegations that 2nd-grade teacher Paul Campbell was sexually abusing female students in his classroom.
Socorro ISD educator arrested, accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old he met on dating app
(KFOX) A Socorro ISD educator was arrested after a 14-year-old boy told detectives he had been sexually assaulted over several months by someone he met through a dating app, according to a criminal complaint affidavit. Armando Guadalupe Saucedo, 37, is accused of sexual assault of a child. Saucedo is listed on the Socorro Independent School District as an Educational Diagnostician in the Special Education Department.
Second former Manor ISD employee arrested on injury to a child charge
(CBS Austin) Manor ISD confirmed Tuesday that a second former employee at Presidential Meadows Elementary has been arrested on a charge of injury to a child, in a case the district says is unrelated to a separate recent arrest involving another former employee at the school. The district said it is limited in what it can release because of employee and student privacy rights.
Balmorhea ISD substitute teacher arrested after alleged inappropriate relationship investigation
(NewsWest9) A 22-year-old Balmorhea ISD substitute teacher has been arrested on a improper relationship between student and teacher after an investigation. According to an affidavit obtained by NewsWest 9, the Reeves County Sheriff’s Office investigated allegations of inappropriate conduct involving 22-year-old Meranda Jasmin Valerio a former substitute teacher with BISD and a former student during the 2025-2026 school year and into the summer.
Callisburg ISD teacher arrested, accused of solicitation of a minor
(KXII) A Callisburg ISD teacher has been arrested, accused of soliciting who he allegedly thought was a teenage girl. Collinsville Police told KXII 12 News that they arrested Spencer Brewer at his Collinsville home Wednesday afternoon. Brewer is employed as a 4th grade math teacher in Callisburg. The arrest came as part of a sting operation conducted by a third party that posed as a 13-year-old girl, according to police. They called Collinsville police when they made contact with Brewer.
Cy-Fair ISD mom demands answers after 7-year-old put on wrong bus, left outside for hours
(KPRC) A Cypress-Fairbanks ISD second-grader at Tipps Elementary was mistakenly put on a school bus instead of her after-school program on Sept. 8, leaving her alone outside for nearly three hours until a neighborhood friend helped her get home. Her mother, Rataja Pruitt, filed a formal complaint demanding an investigation and accountability after the school initially couldn’t locate the child. The district said a substitute staff member’s procedural error caused the mix-up and that it’s reviewing dismissal procedures, but Pruitt says the apology isn’t enough.
Student brings bullets to Winona ISD Elementary, school officials say
(KLTV) A student brought bullets to Winona Elementary Wednesday, according to a notice from the district superintendent. According to a notice to parents, two students told officials another student had shown them three .22-caliber ammunition shells in a plastic bag. While administrators and a counselor were discussing the situation with the student, the student admitted to throwing the shells outside, where they were found, the notice said. The superintendent said there was no firearm involved, and there was no threat to the safety of our students or staff.
Spring ISD staff member placed on leave after alleged off-campus conduct
(KPRC) A Westfield High School staff member has been removed from campus and placed on administrative leave following allegations involving off-campus conduct, according to Spring ISD. Additional information about the employee was not released.
$10M verdict in defamation case is ‘distracting,’ Trinity Valley School head says
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The $10 million verdict issued last week against Fort Worth’s private Trinity Valley School is distracting and unsettling, Head of School Ben Courchesne said in a statement emailed to parents Tuesday. “Trinity Valley has received the jury’s decision, and the Board is reviewing the outcome with counsel and with the school’s insurance providers,” Courchesne wrote.
Bexar County spent big modernizing elections. It’s still stuck with a system that ‘destroyed’ voter confidence
(San Antonio Report) Bexar County has poured money into new voting equipment, poll pads, and a wait-time website ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, but its switch to a private voter registration vendor is delayed until January, leaving it stuck with the state’s TEAM system, which Elections Administrator Michele Carew says has “destroyed” voter confidence due to lost data and tracking failures. The county meets the legal minimum for polling locations (301) but still lacks staff to expand further, and Carew expects long lines again despite mixed signals on turnout.
Nearly 1,500 layoffs hit North Texas healthcare, foster care and logistics companies
(Dallas Morning News) Three North Texas companies announced significant layoffs, adding up to nearly 1,500 job losses, according to WARN Act filings registered Tuesday with the Texas Workforce Commission, including more than 1,000 workers from one local healthcare company.
Iranian hackers claim credit for massive Texas AT&T outage. AT&T says no way
(Houston Chronicle) A group of Iranian hackers claimed responsibility for a widespread AT&T outage that left hundreds of Texans without service Monday, but AT&T says it has no evidence to support that claim.
Laredo commission tracks youth drug trends, cocaine spike in wastewater
(KGNS) The Laredo Drug and Alcohol Commission is addressing a rise in youth substance use and a spike in cocaine detected in wastewater. Laredo Police Department Assistant Chief Ricardo Gonzalez said he has seen an increase in THC and vape pen use among younger people. Webb County is among the top five counties in the country where a specific drug was found in wastewater, according to the commission. The samples come from city wastewater treatment plants.
Lack of players forces Hull-Daisetta ISD to end varsity football season
(KBMT) Hull-Daisetta ISD has canceled the remainder of its varsity football season because it does not have enough available players, Superintendent Tim Bartram announced. While the varsity season is ending, Hull-Daisetta officials are working to create a junior varsity schedule for the remaining players.
Sept. 9, 2026
TribCast: How Texas schools will teach about Islam
(Texas Tribune) In this week’s episode, the podcast crew discusses the state’s new social studies curriculum, and the concerns from Muslims that it portrays their religion as violent.
TEA is pushing for more third-party groups to run struggling schools. Does it work?
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said more districts should use third-party groups to help guide improvement. Data is mixed.
New $1,700 education tax credit could help students. Why San Antonio schools are holding back
(San Antonio Express-News) Taxpayers can receive up to $1,700 for donations supporting K-12 scholarships, but San Antonio public schools are waiting to see whether they can benefit.
Fort Worth ISD parents frustrated with new state-appointed leadership
(Fox 4 KDFW) Parents of children in Fort Worth ISD met before Tuesday’s school board meeting to express their frustration with the district’s state-appointed leadership. The parents at the meeting wore T-shirts reading “unacceptable,” and claimed the new leadership has created a “culture of fear” for students and parents. During the Fort Worth ISD school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata highlighted the gains the district has made since the takeover.
Drones are being installed in schools across the nation. Here’s why a Texas-based company believes they will save lives
(KHOU) The Austin-based company says its remotely operated drones can respond to school shooting threats within seconds and could soon expand to Texas campuses.
“AI slop” in the classroom? Houston ISD parent questions errors in children’s worksheets
(KPRC) A Houston ISD mother says parents should not have to fact-check every worksheet their children bring home. The district’s AI guidebook requires staff to review AI-generated material for errors and bias, but questions remain about how those rules are enforced.
Texas school buses use more than 700 railroad crossings that lack safety gates
(CBS Texas) Every school day, hundreds of buses carrying children to school throughout Texas cross railroad tracks that are not protected by safety gates. A CBS News Texas investigation identified 704 railroad crossings used by school buses where federal records do not show gates. Nearly 300 of them have a history of crashes, including 29 where at least one person was killed.
Lewisville ISD Principal Sanctioned for Failing to Report Teacher-Turned-Murder Suspect
(Texas Scorecard) Heather Shorter received a one-year SBEC suspension for failing to report allegations against teacher Andrew McGann, who was later arrested for a double murder in Arkansas.
New hearing denied in fight over Texas law that gave undocumented students in-state tuition
(Texas Tribune) A federal appeals court denied an advocacy group’s request Tuesday for a new hearing in its effort to defend the Texas Dream Act, a longstanding state law that allowed some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
Texas A&M executive arrested on child sex abuse charges
(KBTX) Darvis Griffin, 55, Texas A&M’s executive director of information technology, is behind bars, charged with a first-degree felony that carries a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison. He was arrested Sept. 3 by Texas A&M University police on a warrant out of McLennan County, charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child. Much about the case remains unknown. Before joining the university, Griffin worked as chief technology officer and assistant superintendent of technology for Waco Independent School District. Related:
- Wow! Over 650 Students at Texas A&M are Preparing to Enter the Catholic Church! (Catholic News World)
- Scooters could be banned from Texas A&M campus as regents say crashes rise 37% (KBTX)
- Texas A&M Welcomes New Maritime Training Ship to Galveston Campus (Maritime Executive)
- Texas A&M University Vashisht College of Medicine signs Space Act Agreement with NASA (KCEN)
Texas Tech chancellor addresses AI partnership, calls for regulation
(KCBD) Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton addressed the university’s partnership with Nvidia during his “State of the System” address on Tuesday afternoon. To support its growth and research capabilities, Texas Tech is bringing in what Creighton calls the most powerful AI chip in the world. The system is investing $25 million into Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra 8300 AI platform. It’s expected to power an AI factory on campus focused on military applications and health care. Creighton says there are well-founded concerns about AI and data centers, and says technology should help solve those problems.
‘The Excel of the 21st century’: Why Tarrant County universities are turning to AI degrees
(Fort Worth Report) Texas Wesleyan’s new bachelor’s degree pairs AI with the humanities. The University of Texas at Arlington is taking a business route, replacing its business analytics degrees with bachelor’s and master’s programs focused on solving workplace problems with AI.
UNT receives $20M gift to launch new college focused on Artificial Intelligence
(WFAA) The Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics will focus on preparing students to build, govern and apply AI responsibly at UNT.
Midwestern State University set to unveil AI engagement officer
(KFDX/KJTL) Artificial intelligence is making its way into a new role at Midwestern State University, focused on reconnecting with alumni. She doesn’t have an office, she doesn’t need a lunch break, and soon she will be having conversations with a thousand former Mustangs at once. Her name is Mara, MSU’s new AI engagement officer.
University of Houston-Downtown launches research center to unite Houston-area police data, help solve crimes
(Houston Chronicle) The Center for Crime, Urban Research and Education, or C-CURE, aims to partner with agencies in the Houston region and help them spot crime patterns and craft policy solutions.
Texas State University sets new records with 7% enrollment increase
(Community Impact) Texas State University received a record-breaking number of applications for the 2026-27 school year, with a total of 83,479 applications. Heading into the fall semester, the university set 11 additional attendance records as it continues to grow year over year.
UT Austin expands national security curriculum, programs
(Daily Texan) UT Austin is expanding national security education with new hires, fellowships and majors across multiple colleges, it announced in multiple August news releases. The University hired more than 20 faculty to work in the School of Civic Leadership, the Clements Center for National Security, the LBJ School for Public Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts, the Strauss Center and the Center for Humanities.
El Paso school districts to retrofit, purchase buses to meet state’s new seat belt law
(El Paso Matters) Texas school districts have three years to ensure all their school buses are equipped with lap-and-shoulder seat belts, costing the districts millions.
Texas mom pushes for mandatory autism training in courts after daughter’s case
(KTXS) A Breckenridge mother named Bridges is bringing her daughter’s story to the Texas Capitol to push for mandatory autism training across the justice system, after her daughter’s own experience going through a forensics interview and legal process. Bridges said she began researching after learning that nine out of ten autistic girls will be sexually assaulted, and that no state currently mandates autism training in its judicial system. She argues that without accommodations or trained personnel, the process — forensic interviews, feeling interrogated — is traumatizing and can trigger meltdowns that undermine victims’ ability to participate effectively.
Former Somerset Academy Collegiate charter teacher indicted on multiple charges, records show
(KSAT) Jesse Orta, 34, is accused of improper relationship between educator and student, and possession of child pornography. According to the indictments, the improper relationship accusations include sexual contact with two students between Nov. 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024.
Alamo Colleges police officer faces family violence charges, records show
(KSAT) An Alamo Colleges police officer is on administrative duty after she was arrested on multiple family violence charges earlier this summer, KSAT Investigates confirmed. San Antonio police confirmed officers arrested Kimberly Ann Villarreal, 31, in July 2026.
Texas childcare waitlist grew as families struggled to afford care
(Dallas Morning News) AP data shows Texas’ waitlist topped 93,000 children as parents cut essentials and worked longer. Related:
Tarrant Appraisal District biennial appraisal schedule for residential property to continue in odd-numbered years
(Fort Worth Report) Board members voted 5-4 to continue using the plan despite concern that it produced less equitable taxation.
Inadvertent Harm From State Veterans Property Tax Exemptions
(Texas Signal) In most cities, the veterans property tax exemption accounts for very little financial burden. But for cities like Killeen and El Paso, which are next to major military installations like Fort Hood, that burden can be extraordinary.
Divided Harris County Commissioners Court approves highest property tax rate in modern history
(Houston Chronicle) Harris County commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to adopt the highest county property tax rate in modern history in a bid to bridge a more-than $180 million projected budget deficit.
Texas’ smartest schools? See who produced the most National Merit semifinalists
(Houston Chronicle) These schools are home to Texas’ top test-takers.
Sept. 8, 2026
State education board finalizes anti-Islamic rewrite of Texas social studies lessons
(Texas Tribune) State Board of Education members on Friday approved a rewrite of what Texas high schoolers learn in social studies, disregarding pleas from Muslims who testified that schools should teach how people of Islamic faith positively contributed to world history. The final votes conclude years of debate over how social studies lessons should broach race and religion.
After rescoring STAAR exams, 11 Texas districts seeing A-F grades improve
(Texas Tribune) About a dozen districts will see a bump in school accountability ratings on Tuesday after a manual rescoring of thousands of STAAR tests improved some results, the TEA said Friday. The affected districts consist of Chester, Crandall, Daingerfield-Lone Star, Floydada Collegiate, Forney, Fredericksburg, Galveston, Jim Hogg County, Odem-Edroy, Southwest and Walnut Bend ISDs, agency spokesperson Jake Kobersky said.
As classes start, thousands more students gone from San Antonio public schools
(San Antonio Express-News) Across the 18 San Antonio area districts that shared enrollment numbers with the Express-News this fall, a combined 9,000 fewer students have registered than had last year.
Bracing for enrollment losses, San Antonio charter schools combine central offices
(San Antonio Express-News) The School of Science and Technology is bringing Compass Rose Public Schools under its umbrella.
Houston ISD executive who led Mike Miles’ school autonomy plan resigns after three years
(Houston Chronicle) Orland Riddick joined Houston ISD on the day of the state takeover and helped lead its school autonomy strategy. Now he is leaving with a payout. Under the resignation agreement, Riddick will receive the remainder of his salary for the month of August at his 2025-26 salary rate; a payout of his unused leave and vacation days; and any incentive compensation he earned for his performance last school year. Riddick earned $246,844 last school year; at that rate, he earned about $20,570 a month. Related:
The highest-earning superintendent in the state leads a North Texas district. It’s probably not the district you think
(WFAA) Compensation for Texas superintendents can surpass corporate CEO salaries. Dr. Gayle Stinson of Birdville ISD leads the way with $551,576/year.
School fund showdown: Southeast Texas superintendent fires back at House hearing
(KFDM) Barbers Hill ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Poole is defending the district’s education foundation after tense questioning from Texas lawmakers about money directed to the nonprofit, its investments, and his daughter’s former job with the firm managing its portfolio. Poole told the House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight at the Texas Capitol on August 26 that the foundation’s investment fund is worth approximately $250 million.
Laredo ISD board rejects tax rate increase after tie vote
(KGNS) The Laredo ISD board of trustees held the line on taxes after a proposed rate increase failed on a tie vote. Trustees met Thursday, Aug. 20, to consider a tax rate increase of about five-and-a-half cents. District leaders said the increase would have cost the average homeowner less than two dollars a year and would have helped pay off bond debt sooner. Several trustees pushed back, citing concerns about the impact on families in higher-valued homes. Because of the tie vote, the tax increase failed. Officials say that could leave the district $2.2 million short of what they had planned to collect. The board instead adopted a lower rate of $1.07.
South San Antonio ISD still must hold board elections under takeover. Only 3 people signed up, including ‘suspended’ trustees
(San Antonio Report) Two familiar faces from South San Antonio Independent School District, currently under state takeover, are planning their comebacks to the school board. Although they’ll have no power on the dais.
Former Waco charter teacher sentenced to 20 years in prison in sexual assault of young girl, inappropriate touching of student
(KWTX) Former Premiere High School charter teacher Octavio Sanchez was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday in the sexual assault of a young child, for inappropriate behavior with a student and for violating his bond conditions.
‘It’s very painful’ — Manor father speaks out after teacher’s arrest in alleged child assault
(KVUE) A Manor family is demanding answers after a teacher allegedly assaulted their 9-year-old son at school last week. Michael Nathan, 47, a former English teacher at Presidential Meadows Elementary School, was arrested and charged with injury to a child. Manor ISD confirmed Nathan is no longer employed by the district. According to an arrest affidavit, Nathan allegedly grabbed the child by his backpack while he was walking past him. Investigators say Nathan then allegedly pulled the child back into the school, slammed him against the wall, pinning the 9-year-old with his arm, and the child reported having trouble breathing and neck pain.
Southwest ISD resource officer arrested for child endangerment, resigns from position at district
(News4SA) Melanie Miriam Gonzales, 23, a now former-Southwest ISD school resource officer, was arrested Sunday after San Antonio police responded to a 3:45 a.m. report Sunday of a crying child left alone in a hallway on the Southeast Side. Officers found a 5-year-old boy who said he’d been left alone; he was unharmed. Gonzales returned hours later and was arrested, then charged with abandoning or endangering a child without intent to return, a state jail felony.
Educators Resign After Admitting Misconduct, Still Free to Teach
(Texas Scorecard) A husband and wife who taught in the Killeen Independent School District resigned after admitting to sexual misconduct involving their own child years earlier, but both remain free to teach in Texas.
“I Haven’t Seen Anything Like This In A Long Time”: 100-Degree Chaos Causes Spectators To Collapse At Texas Longhorns Season Opener
(Total Pro Sports) Paramedics rushed stretchers into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium during Saturday’s season opener. The 2:30 p.m. kickoff collided with temperatures above 100 degrees in Austin. Hunter Schuler posted a photo of hundreds packed under the concourse for shade. Spectators sat on concrete stairs and filled the tunnels instead of the bleachers.
Man arrested at Texas A&M football game after police catch him secretly recording woman
(KBTX) An arrest report from Saturday’s Texas A&M football game reveals a disturbing incident on the third deck of Kyle Field, where a Brazos County man was caught allegedly taking non-consensual “upskirt” videos of a female fan. Manuel Ramirez, 61, was arrested on September 5, 2026, and charged with Invasive Visual Recording, a state jail felony in Texas.
Family demands answers, woman faces felony after child found trapped on Forney day care bus for hours
(NBC DFW) A 5-year-old girl in Forney fell asleep on an Arka Montessori after-school daycare bus on Aug. 14 and was left trapped inside for about two hours in triple-digit heat, only discovered after staff couldn’t find her when her sister came for pickup and her mother heard banging from inside the bus. The girl was treated at a hospital for dehydration and has since recovered. Forney police confirmed one arrest has been made, and the family’s attorney says Texas law requires every child to be accounted for during childcare transport.
Trinity Valley School should pay $10M in damages to former employee, jury decides
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A federal jury on Friday ordered Trinity Valley School (a private school) to pay former HR director Carrie Skains just over $10 million after finding the school defamed and retaliated against her for speaking up about sex discrimination tied to the Trent Muse piano teacher abuse scandal.
The Dallas Public Library is getting rid of English classes. A volunteer calls the cuts ‘baffling’
(KERA) The Dallas Public Library is cutting its adult education programs, including classes for English language learners, as the city tries to deal with a $51 million budget shortfall. Similar resources will now be much harder to find, especially for undocumented students, one library volunteer said. The Dallas Public Library’s classes didn’t ask participants for identification. Undocumented students now have few options, said Kathy Wooten, who was a volunteer English teacher this summer at the Hampton-Illinois Branch Library.
McAllen ISD educator spearheads new driver’s license designation
(myRGV) Just in time for September’s Deaf Awareness Month, Texas residents can now add a deaf or hard-of-hearing designation to their driver’s license or ID card, a change that took effect a few months ago. The option is meant to improve communication between law enforcement, first responders, or hospital staff and Texans who are deaf or hard of hearing. It originated with McAllen ISD’s Liza Lara, director of the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf, who pointed out at a conference with first responders that state IDs and driver licenses had no way to indicate someone is deaf or hard of hearing. Lara helped write and advocate for House Bill 3132 during the 2023 legislative session, which led to the new designation.
Houston-area teacher creates a ‘fart corner’ for students in her fourth-grade classroom
(Houston Chronicle) On the top shelf of a bookshelf in Valecia Broussard’s classroom sits a bottle of Lysol spray with a yellow construction paper sign above it. In all capital letters are the words “fart corner.” It’s the Alvin ISD teacher’s first year with an area specifically for students to pass gas without interrupting class, and it’s been a success beyond her classroom. A video of Broussard showing her fourth–graders how to use the corner has more than 6.3 million likes on TikTok.
Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
Comptroller requests doubling Texas school voucher program to $2 billion
(Texas Tribune) Texas’ chief financial officer requested that lawmakers double the amount of money available for the state’s private school voucher program, resulting in a total of more than $2 billion. In the appropriations request for 2028–29 biennium, Texas Comptroller Don Huffines asked the Legislature to raise the program’s base funding by $1 billion so more families can use taxpayer money to cover private school or home schooling costs.
Houston ISD Mike Miles’ charter network faces layoffs, $14M deficit after tripling footprint
(Houston Chronicle) One of Texas’ most high-profile charter school networks could soon begin laying off staff amid a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, throwing its future into question just as more and more districts have turned to it to avoid a state takeover. The Texas branch of Third Future Schools, founded by Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, is facing a $14 million deficit, forcing it to cut many of the 700 new employees it hired this year.
School librarians hesitant to discuss books, order more amid Texas battles to restrict titles, they say
(Texas Tribune) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest push to restrict what students can access adds to Texas school librarians’ angst, the educators said.
Texas Parental Rights Debate Moves From Policy to Enforcement
(Texas Scorecard) While a new state law expanded parental authority, advocates suggest Texans need clearer remedies for families who believe government agencies have overstepped.
Texas Schools Embraced Technology, but What Is the Cost?
(Texas Scorecard) Texas schools pour millions into digital instructional materials each year, yet new research is raising concerns about whether more screen time actually benefits students.
Embattled Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City trustee Matthew Short resigns as school board seeks replacement
(Focus on San Antonio) Matthew Short has resigned as a Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District trustee, nine months after his election to the board. Short’s brief tenure as a school board member was marred by controversy, as fellow trustees twice voted to censure him, and Short sued the school district and its top two leaders. But more recent revelations about Short spurred SCUCISD officials to contemplate removing the beleaguered board member from public office.
United ISD board meeting ends after walkout over financial advisor vote
(KGNS) A United Independent School District board meeting ended abruptly after two members walked out, breaking quorum and leaving a vote on a new financial advisor unresolved. The walkout came moments before the board was set to vote on which firm should manage the district’s finances. Without a quorum, the meeting had to adjourn. Three firms were under consideration.
Coahoma ISD school board to investigate claims of financial mismanagement
(NewsWest9) Coahoma Independent School District announced Tuesday that the school board would meet for a special session on Sept. 8 in response to community concerns about financial impropriety. In a statement by Board President Dr. Kandy Alaman and District Superintendent Brad Cox, the district says it received a formal complaint last Friday about no-bid contracts and noncontractual salary increases. The district emphasized that board members take such allegations seriously and were addressing the complaint properly.
‘Us vs. them’: Parents confront Fort Worth ISD superintendent, leaders over growing trust gap
(Fort Worth Report) Following Superintendent Peter Licata’s recent engagement sessions, Fort Worth ISD parents hope he repairs community relationships.
DOCUMENTS: Winnsboro ISD board president knew of alleged abuse by coach, concealed phone information from investigators
(CBS19) Arrest documents allege Winnsboro ISD Board President Brandon Green was aware that a student was the victim of an unlawful relationship with an educator and attempted to hide messages connected to a Texas Rangers investigation. Green was arrested Aug. 5 on charges of failure to report child abuse and tampering with evidence. His arrest came after five other people connected to Winnsboro ISD had been arrested since as early as June 2025.
Magnolia ISD teacher mistakes thunder for gunshot, prompting lockdown, district says
(KTRK) A clap of thunder mistaken for a gunshot prompted a multi-school lockdown and a multi-agency police response, according to Magnolia Independent School District officials. The district said that a teacher at Williams Elementary called 911 shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday and reported hearing gunfire. According to MISD, the teacher, whose classroom is located in an interior room with no exterior windows, did not know a thunderstorm was moving into the area.
Former Manor ISD teacher charged with felony after allegedly slamming student against wall
(KVUE) Michael Nathan, who formerly worked as an English teacher at Presidential Meadows Elementary School, is facing a charge of injury to a child.
Sheriff: Bushland ISD student admitted posting ‘Cat in the Hat’ threat video as joke
(KVII) The Potter County Sheriff’s Office identified a Bushland ISD student as the suspected owner of an account that posted a potential threat toward multiple other students. The student admitted posting the video and told investigators it was intended as a joke, according to the sheriff’s office. The student, who was not identified because of their age, is charged with making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony. The report was made Monday and was connected to the current “Cat in the Hat” TikTok trend, Sheriff Brian Thomas said. The sheriff’s office immediately began investigating and conducted several interviews before identifying the student.
Former Canyon ISD Randall High student gets 60 days for bomb threat
(KFDA) Cesar Alcocer, a former high school student at Randall High School in Canyon ISD, was sentenced to 60 days in jail Thursday after pleading guilty to making a false bomb threat in 2024. Police determined the reported bomb in a school bathroom was a hoax and later identified Alcocer as the person who made the threat. Alcocer previously reached a plea agreement that placed him on probation, but a violation in March led to stricter conditions. After his release, he will remain on probation and must participate in behavioral treatment.
El Paso police apprehend man at Jefferson Silva High School
(KVIA) El Paso police apprehended a man at Jefferson Silva High School Thursday. El Paso ISD said a man allegedly running away from law enforcement entered the high school’s grounds. Officers apprehended him. “At no time were students or staff in danger, and campus operations continued safely,” EPISD said.
Texas A&M System removes courses on LGBTQ, ethnic studies and climate change from core offerings
(Texas Tribune) Students at 11 Texas A&M University System schools will see fewer classes related to LGBTQ literature, climate change and women writers meet graduation requirements under a proposal to remove more than 200 classes from general-education course lists. System regents voted Thursday to scale back the classes that qualify after a review prompted by a new state law that requires public university boards to examine what classes undergraduates must take regardless of their majors.
UT Austin proposes cutting more than 100 ‘narrow’ courses from core, starting this spring
(Austin American-Statesman) UT courses on slavery, race, sexuality and environmental history are among those that could stop counting toward UT’s core.
Dallas breaks ground on long-awaited police training center at UNT Dallas as leaders seek additional funding
(NBC DFW) The current academy still operates out of a warehouse the city leased as a temporary location in 1990.
SMU Volleyball Head Coach Sam Erger Suspended for ‘Impermissible Communication’
(Sports Illustrated) The Mustangs’ head coach served her suspension during the team’s recent road trip.
Why this South Texas university is getting national attention
(KIII) Texas A&M University-Kingsville is getting national recognition for its work serving students from rural communities across South Texas. Washington Monthly ranks Texas A&M-Kingsville fifth in the country on its inaugural Best Colleges for Rural America list.
Trump administration pushes to remove tax exemption for private colleges with DEI policies
(AP) The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would strip private schools and colleges of their tax-exempt status if they provide targeted help to students based on their race, a significant escalation in the White House’s campaign to eradicate diversity programs directed at Black, Hispanic and other minority students. The Treasury Department proposed the change Thursday in a new regulation that, if made final, would kick in after May 2027.
Coach of second-winningest high school football program in Texas abruptly resigns
(USA Today) Mart ISD head football coach and athletic director Chris Lancaster has resigned after just one game into the 2026 season. The second-winningest program in Texas’ illustrious high school football history, Lancaster joined the Panthers in 2025, leading the program to a 7-6 record. This year, they opened the season with a 40-0 home loss to Whitney.
Viral Handshake Snub Drew National Backlash. Now DeSoto’s Coach Is Telling His Side
(Sports Illustrated) DeSoto ISD High School football coach Claude Mathis is explaining the controversy after three of his four captains declined to shake hands with St. Thomas Aquinas players before their nationally televised season opener, an incident that sparked widespread criticism. Mathis said his players had been subjected to racist comments before the game, although Sports Illustrated could not independently verify that claim. DeSoto apologized for the players’ actions, calling them poor sportsmanship and saying the incident would be used as a learning opportunity. The controversy was compounded by DeSoto’s 38-14 loss after St. Thomas Aquinas led 38-0 at halftime.
Corpus Christi ISD middle schools return to previous schedule amid ongoing bus delays
(KIII) Corpus Christi ISD middle schools will return to an 8:50 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. schedule Sept. 21 as the district works to address ongoing bus delays and improve transportation. The change comes after CCISD moved middle school start and dismissal times earlier ahead of the school year in an effort to better manage demands on the district’s bus system.
As Houston ISD schools battle heat, parents say they struggle to get answers on AC issues
(Houston Chronicle) As HVAC problems continue during Houston’s extreme heat, parents say they’re relying on one another, not the district, to understand which classrooms are affected.
Grand Prairie ISD parents push for permanent fix after AC fails in classroom
(NBC DFW) Parents at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy are pushing Grand Prairie ISD for a permanent solution after several classrooms have struggled with inadequate air conditioning. One parent said temperatures in a music classroom have exceeded 84 degrees, making it difficult for students to learn. The district says the HVAC problems are tied to damage to the school’s geothermal system following a 2024 water-main issue and that it is working with the city on repairs, but additional damage has delayed the process.
Plainview ISD cancels homecoming vendors, citing backlash
(Plainview Herald) Plainview ISD canceled outside vendors at homecoming, saying negativity, accusations and misinformation shifted focus from students. PISD made a separate post on the district’s Facebook page encouraging fans and community members to support the football concession stand during games, noting that “the concession stand is operated by Plainview FFA … and the money raised directly supports its students and programs.”
Liberty Hill ISD warns of unauthorized sponsorship solicitations
(KVUE) Liberty Hill ISD is warning businesses and the community to use caution if approached by third-party organizations regarding sponsorship requests on behalf of schools, athletic programs or student organizations in the district. In a letter sent to families and staff on Thursday, the district said it has become “aware of concerns from a local business regarding solicitations from a Dallas-based company identifying itself as Campus Box Media.”
Inside Arlington ISD’s $65M South Davis Elementary rebuild plans
(Arlington Report) The initial design is based on the nature and trees surrounding the campus.
Better Business Bureau warns of high school sports streaming scams
(KTBS) As students return to the classroom, officials with the Better Business Bureau are warning fans to watch out for fraudulent high school sports streaming schemes.
Thousands of Texas families are waiting for help paying for childcare — and the list is growing
(Texas Public Radio) The number of Texas families waiting for financial assistance to help pay for childcare has grown drastically in recent years. Tori Mannes is president and CEO of ChildCareGroup, which manages the federal childcare assistance program in Dallas County, said the growing list reflects a real affordability problem.
Sept. 3, 2026
UIL weighs streaming options for 2026 Texas football state championships without Victory+
(Dallas Morning News) The UIL is seeking a new broadcast partner for the 2026 Texas football state championships after Victory+ dissolved. In a prepared statement to The Dallas Morning News, the UIL said it “will make a formal announcement once a decision is made” to ensure Texans will be able to watch the state championships.
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD trustee repeatedly falsified teaching applications — and kept getting hired, records show
(KSAT) KSAT Investigates began digging into Matthew Short’s background after we first broke the story of his employment dispute with Judson ISD. This week, a Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD meeting agenda shows the board will decide on Short’s future as a trustee.
13 Austin ISD candidates are running for school board seats that may lose power
(Austin American-Statesman) Despite the looming threat of a state takeover of Austin Independent School District — which would sideline the district’s elected trustees — 13 people are vying for five spots on the school board in the Nov. 3 election. It’s the first time since 2014 that every Austin ISD trustee race is contested, even as candidates face uncertainty about the extent of their powers.
‘We are here with a purpose’ — Marble Falls ISD pushes back on proposed H-1B teacher ban
(KVUE) Marble Falls ISD says H-1B teachers help fill critical bilingual positions. Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing to ban them from Texas public schools.
Some Southeast Texas schools will be closed on Thursday following Tropical Storm Edouard
(KBMT) Several Southeast Texas school districts are closing their doors for Thursday or in some cases beyond after being battered Tuesday evening by Tropical Storm Edouard.
Classes cancelled for two Grand Prairie ISD schools Thursday following water main leaks
(WFAA) Classes are canceled Thursday for students at Grand Prairie High School and the Fine Arts Academy because of a water line leak outside the high school, the district says.
Parent removed from Fort Worth ISD meeting while seeking answers about teaching methods
(WFAA) “I used the F bomb or dropped the F bomb one time,” Daniel Woolford said. Related:
El Paso ISD audit flags financial and oversight failures in Andress High School band
(KFOX) An El Paso ISD audit found serious financial and oversight problems in the Andress High School band program, including allegations that district purchasing rules were bypassed and that the school’s principal did not provide sufficient oversight.
EXCLUSIVE: Richardson ISD Filter Flags Trump – Glitch, Rule, Or Censorship?
(Dallas Express) Richardson ISD is facing questions after a parent alleged that the district’s internet filtering system blocked her son’s search for President Donald Trump while allowing searches for former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Jeffrey Epstein. Richardson ISD did not respond by the publication deadline.
Denton ISD refinances existing bonds, saves taxpayers more than $6M
(Community Impact) Denton ISD announced Sept. 2 it has refinanced its voter-approved bond debt, saving DISD taxpayers $6.75 million and shortening the debt lifespan by eight years. The district refinanced $15.85 million of outstanding voter-approved bond debt, which is now expected to be paid off by 2030 instead of 2038, according to a news release.
Two former Marfa ISD educators indicted
(Big Bend Sentinel) A Presidio County Jury indicted two former Marfa ISD teachers charged with improper contact with students. Juan Tarango Martinez — 55, of Marfa, was indicted on charges of indecency with a child/sexual contact and improper relationship between an educator and a student after allegedly fondling a Marfa ISD student. Rebecca Romjin Ontiveros — 26, of Marfa –– was indicted on charges of improper relationship between an educator and a student for allegedly developing a sexual relationship with a high school teen.
Potential ‘gang-related’ activity being investigated at Austin ISD Akins ECHS
(Fox 7 Austin) In a letter to parents and staff, Akins Early College High School has confirmed that a recent fight is believed to be gang related. The letter was first sent out by Akins Principal Carman De Leon on Tuesday. It states that last week, Austin ISD Police began an investigation into a fight that happened in the Akins cafeteria on August 25. The letter goes on to state that the individuals involved were charged with riot, a class B misdemeanor, and the incident is believed to be gang related.
1 hospitalized after Chapel Hill ISD bus crash
(KETK) One person was transported to a local hospital after a Chapel Hill ISD school bus and an SUV crashed on Wednesday.
Karmelo Anthony’s attorneys outline appeal timeline, $250K fundraising effort
(NBC DFW) Karmelo Anthony’s family and attorneys said they remain hopeful as they prepare to appeal his murder conviction and 35-year sentence in the 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet. Anthony’s parents, legal team and supporters gathered at a church in far southeast Dallas to discuss the appeal and announce a new online fundraiser with a $250,000 goal to help offset legal costs.
Liberals Hate Aggies, Conservatives Loathe Longhorns, and Other Football Insights From Texan Voters
(Texas Monthly) In a new poll from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, we learn that members of the electorate butt heads even when it comes to which team’s fans they most despise.
Texas A&M System could cut dozens of core courses, including race, gender and climate classes
(Houston Chronicle) The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents will consider cutting dozens of courses from the core curriculum across 11 universities on Thursday, in response to a state law requiring all general education classes to be “foundational.” Among the proposed deletions are various courses about women and gender; climate and the environment; as well as Black and Latino history, literature and culture.
Bezos Academy opens largest Texas preschool at TWU with tuition-free model, officials announce
(WFAA) A new $6 million preschool in Denton will offer free, full-day early childhood education to up to 120 children.
Tarrant County College gives presidents dual roles to improve coordination, fiscal responsibility
(Fort Worth Report) Tarrant County College is giving campus presidents additional districtwide responsibilities to improve coordination and reduce administrative costs as the college faces tighter finances and changing workforce demands. Zarina Blankenbaker’s promotion to provost Sept. 1 is the latest move to give Tarrant County College presidents multiple leadership roles.
McLennan Communtiy College’s bet on career prep paid off. The state funding model that inspired it fell short.
(Waco Bridge) McLennan Community College connected more students with career-focused programs under a new state funding formula. Now a $3.1 million state shortfall has left MCC’s taxpayers to make up the difference.
Education Service Center Region 2 reopens after renovation to better serve Coastal Bend schools
(KRIS) Education Service Center Region 2 has reopened its downtown Corpus Christi facility following a significant construction and remodeling project, better equipping the organization to serve the educational needs of the Texas Coastal Bend region.
Four years after Robb Elementary shooting, longtime memorial caretaker seeks volunteer
(News4SA) Four years after Robb Elementary shooting, 70-year-old longtime memorial caretaker Teresa Nera seeks volunteers to take over the task of taking care of the memorial. She’s hoping to find six dedicated families to take up the task.
Morton ISD scraps football game following local tragedy
(EverythingLubbock) Morton ISD has decided to cancel Thursday’s JH scrimmage as well as Friday’s varsity football game at Olton. This comes in light of the shooting that took place in Morton, Texas, Sunday, August 30.
Richardson ISD adjusts football game schedule due to expected heat
(WFAA) Games at the 9th grade, JV, and Varsity levels are being pushed back to avoid being played in the most intense heat.
‘The glue that holds Ysleta together’: At Lower Valley high school, generations still come home to Hutchins Stadium
(El Paso Matters) Ysleta ISD High School enters its centennial year with a defending district champion and a renovated Hutchins Stadium, part of districtwide football field upgrades.
Federal crackdown closes 100+ truck driving schools, including 13 in Texas
(NBC DFW) More than 100 truck driving schools have been ordered to close, including 13 in Texas, as the federal government cracks down on truck drivers who are not proficient in speaking English.
Sept. 2, 2026
State education board advances anti-Islamic rewrite of Texas social studies lessons
(Texas Tribune) The preliminary votes occurred after hours of debate Monday and Tuesday, with final decisions expected Friday.
Victory+ dissolved, will no longer broadcast Dallas Stars or Texas high school football games
(Dallas Morning News) Victory+ has been dissolved by its parent company and will no longer stream Dallas Stars or high school games, according to an email sent to multiple North Texas school districts with games the service was set to broadcast this season. Victory+ was the exclusive home for the UIL Texas high school football state championships, signing a five-year deal in a deal brokered by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the UIL’s marketing arm. As of yet, there is no news on what happens to the media rights for the championships.
Nearly 40% of Texas homeowners pay no school property taxes, Senate analysis finds
(Houston Chronicle) The share paying no school taxes jumped from 28% to 39% in a year, according to a analysis presented Tuesday by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston. Now lawmakers face a fight over whether Texas can afford to push the breaks further.
Tropical Storm Edouard: Houston-area school closures, delays Wednesday
(Fox 26 Houston) Tropical Storm Edouard is bringing heavy rain to portions of Southeast Texas. Some school districts are canceling classes on Wednesday. Related:
Texas rejected an AI-driven school’s bid to open a charter. Then the state approved it for the voucher program
(Texas Tribune) Alpha School quadrupled its Texas private school campuses. Most are eligible for state dollars through the new voucher program.
Austin ISD continues to add bus hubs as parents raise concerns about dangerous routes
(KUT) The Austin Independent School District changed its transportation system for high school students for the 2026-27 school year as part of budget cuts. Under the new system, the district replaced neighborhood stops with hubs at elementary schools, Cap Metro bus stops and community centers. Two weeks into the school year, some families are struggling with the change. Related:
- Nonprofits step in as Austin ISD budget cuts squeeze schools (Community Impact)
Nacogdoches ISD Superintendent releases statement as district faces state takeover threat if elementary schools don’t improve
(CBS19) Nacogdoches ISD could face a state takeover if two elementary schools fail to improve their academic performance. The schools have struggled with state accountability ratings, putting the district at risk of increased state intervention. District leaders say they are working on improvement plans and providing additional support to raise student achievement. Overall, Nacogdoches ISD received a C rating for the 2026 year, which was an improvement from the past three years of having a D rating.
Hard work and healing: Uvalde CISD interim leader now set to become permanent superintendent
(San Antonio Express-News) Juan Hinojosa is poised to become the permanent superintendent of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District after leading the school system for the last few months. Hinojosa was tapped to temporarily lead the district in March, a month after Superintendent Ashley Chohlis announced she was stepping down. On Thursday, trustees unanimously voted to name him the lone finalist for the district’s top job. “We have a lot of work to do ahead of us,” Hinojosa said at that meeting. “But as a team of eight, we’ll get there.”
From TikTok to checkers: North East ISD rethinks the phone-free school day
(San Antonio Express-News) The North East Independent School District last week welcomed students back to a new bell-to bell cell phone ban. Now, instead of scrolling on TikTok or Instagram during lunchtime, high school students can challenge their friends to checkers. San Antonio’s second-largest district implemented the updated device policy on the first day of school on Aug. 17 after spending most of the previous school year at odds with the state over the interpretation of a 2025 Texas law requiring public school districts to ban student cell phone use during the school day.
School principal says only ‘partial information’ received about alleged threat targeting North East ISD Serna Elementary
(KENS) San Antonio police arrested Nathaniel Carrasco, who’s accused of threatening, through an AI program, to carry out a mass shooting at the elementary school. But questions are now being raised about what information was shared with North East ISD and when.
After Houston ISD’s student’s death, a pedestrian bridge is coming to Milby High School in his honor
(Houston Chronicle) Nearly two years after 15-year-old student Sergio Rodriguez was struck and killed by a train near Milby High School, state officials broke ground Tuesday on a new $10 million pedestrian bridge to be built in his honor. Starting in January 2027, students will be able to use the new bridge to walk above the railroad crossing and get to school safely, state officials said Tuesday.
Texas State University expands free tuition program to include more first-time freshmen in 2027
(KVUE) Texas State University (TXST) announced Tuesday it is expanding its Bobcat Promise program to offer free tuition for more qualifying first-time freshmen. Beginning with the fall 2027 freshman class, students who graduate in the top 25% of their high school class and whose family’s adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less will qualify for free tuition and mandatory fees, university officials said.
This 17-year University of Houston professor wants academic freedom. She decided she had to leave Texas to find it
(Houston Chronicle) After 17 years teaching at the University of Houston, professor Annalisa Quaini, left Texas for Germany, saying growing political interference in higher education had eroded academic freedom. Quaini now teaches at the Technical University of Munich and says she expects greater professional independence and respect for academic research there. Her husband, Duy Lap Nguyen, took unpaid leave from UH, where he has spent 12 years teaching while studying modern Vietnam and Marxism, to move abroad with Quaini and their two young children.
Texas A&M University–San Antonio adds 6 teams this fall in largest athletics expansion yet
(San Antonio Report) The Texas A&M University-San Antonio Jaguars now compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, or NAIA, in men’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, softball, track and field and cross country.
$30 Million Gift Renames Baylor School of Education
(Fox44) Baylor University officially unveiled the new sign for its School of Education following a $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation earlier this year. A sign unveiling event was held on Tuesday, where President Dr. Linda A. Livingstone and Dean of Moody School of Education Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke shared comments about the importance of this gift. The gift is the largest the Baylor School of Education has received in its 107-year-long history and marks a huge boost for an already successful program.
Lawsuit Says Islamic School Of Irving Failed To Call Police After Woman Reported Rape
(Dallas Express) The Islamic Center of Irving, which operates the Islamic School of Irving, faces a civil lawsuit alleging school officials failed to call police after a woman reported that a 14-year-old former student raped her while she cleaned the school. The 22-page petition, filed Aug. 24 in Dallas County’s 193rd Judicial District Court, seeks more than $1 million and a jury trial. The Dallas Express reached out to the Islamic School of Irving and Islamic Center of Irving for comment regarding the lawsuit and allegations but did not receive a response by publication deadline.
Fort Worth arts charter school takes no action against board chair as some parents protest
(Fort Worth Report) Leaders with the Texas Center for Arts + Academics will take no action against board chair Cheryl Bean as school parents demand her resignation following a now-deleted controversial social media post. Bean, the Republican Party nominee for a key Texas House seat in November, told the Fort Worth Report that she will remain as chair of the charter school. Bean said she had unanimous support from the board, but only one director confirmed support to the Report. The Texas Center for Arts + Academics, which held its latest meeting Aug. 31, governs the Texas School of the Arts and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, which offers dance, music and theater education to more than 1,000 children.
Gov. Abbott launches Project Watershed 250 to protect Texas water systems from cyberattacks
(KPRC) Gov. Greg Abbott and White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross announced the launch of Project Watershed 250 Monday, a new effort aimed at protecting Texas water and wastewater systems from cyberattacks. The project will connect Texas water utility providers with federal and private-sector cyber defense resources at no cost, according to the governor’s office.
Texas Legislature to consider funding formula that rewards student persistence and degrees tied to earnings
(El Paso Matters) A student’s drive to stay in college semester after semester could be a key funding metric for public universities under a proposed state performance-based model to be considered in the next legislative session. A University of Texas at El Paso administrator who helped formulate the proposal said student persistence is one the plan’s most unique – and important – aspects. John Wiebe, UTEP’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, served on the committee that developed the plan. He said the proposal, if adopted, would be the first time the Legislature used persistence as a funding metric.
Bexar County corrects record on new military widows’ tax exemption
(San Antonio Report) After Bexar County officials blamed a $1.3 billion property value loss on a new exemption for military widows during a recent budget session meeting, appraisal district data showed the financial impact was actually $24.8 million. In Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting, the county corrected the record.
Despite outrage, Tarrant County approves 30% reduction in voting sites for November
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Tarrant County will have 224 Election Day and 47 early voting polling locations for the November midterm election after numerous calls for more to be added to the original list.
What would 20 more years of Pre-K 4 San Antonio sales tax pay for?
(San Antonio Express-News) If San Antonio voters decide to extend sales tax funding through 2049, the city’s pre-K initiative will expand its programming to infants and toddlers. That’s part of Pre-K 4 SA’s “promise to voters,” said CEO Sarah Baray. The City Council last month voted 7-2 to put a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would reauthorize the 1/8-cent local sales tax that funds the program for 20 years. They did so before knowing how the program would use the revenue for that length of time – an unprecedented authorization period.
Permian Basin Contributes Over $100 Billion and Nearly 854,000 Jobs to the U.S. Economy
(Permian Strategic Partnership) The Permian Basin continues to grow rapidly, reflecting the region’s importance as an economic powerhouse for Texas, New Mexico and the country. This year’s Economic Report from the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) highlights the region’s essential role in supporting critical government functions such as road improvements, public schools and teachers, police and fire departments, community hospitals and universities.
Sept. 1, 2026
Huffines: School Audits Could Lead to Prosecutions for ‘Nefarious Spending’
(Texas Scorecard) Texas Comptroller Don Huffines says school officials could face prosecution if upcoming state audits uncover fraudulent spending. The comptroller says his office is expanding its focus on government fraud as auditors prepare to investigate four Texas school districts.
School districts announce closures, preparations underway as Tropical Storm Edouard heads towards Southeast Texas
(KTRK) Multiple school districts across Southeast Texas announced on Monday that they would be closing schools on Tuesday ahead of Tropical Storm Edouard as it makes its way to the region.
‘Cat in the Hat’ TikTok trend prompts increased security at schools
(KHOU) Texas schools are responding to circulating posts on the threatening online trend. The trend involves edited or AI-generated images and videos featuring a threatening version of the Cat in the Hat character, according to the Falfurrias Police Department. Some of the posts circulating in Texas have named schools, communities, or students. Four school systems in Texas have posted safety updates on their Facebook pages in response.
How Clint ISD holds strong reserves as other El Paso school districts struggle
(El Paso Matters) Clint ISD adopted a balanced budget and the highest tax rate allowed without an election, while maintaining strong reserves and investing into facilities.
Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers launches “Car Line Blitz” to connect with parents, get feedback
(CBS Texas) Fort Worth ISD is in its first full school year under a state takeover, and district leaders are taking an unconventional approach to gathering parent feedback: meeting families where they already are, in school pickup and drop-off lines. “For the first time, we will be knocking on car door windows asking them to open their window, have a conversation with us, and discuss the importance of this survey with them,” said Board of Managers President Pete Geren. The effort is dubbed the “Car Line Blitz.” Fort Worth ISD board members will visit 13 campuses on Thursday and Friday to encourage parents to participate in a districtwide survey aimed at shaping the future of the school system.
As school libraries are pushed to remove books, a West Texas district stands by its library council
(Texas Standard) Lubbock ISD is defending its school library advisory council (SLAC) process as state and national conservative activists push for the removal of books they consider inappropriate. The district says its process complies with Texas’ Senate Bill 13: challenged books are temporarily removed while the council reviews them, and fewer than 150 challenges in two years have resulted in 10 books being permanently removed. The debate has intensified after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened legislative action against districts that do not remove books he considers harmful, while supporters of Lubbock’s process say it provides a structured way to balance parental concerns and access to books.
Leander ISD appeals penalties after TCOLE found it improperly vetted police officers
(KXAN) The Leander Independent School District has sent appeals to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) after the state licensing agency found the district’s police department did not properly vet officers, according to TCOLE. Earlier this month, TCOLE sent notices to the district recommending Leander ISD Police Chief Shā Rogers lose her peace officer license for a year. They also said the district could be fined $15,000.
DeSoto ISD responds to viral video, apologizes for not shaking football opponents’ hands
(WFAA) DeSoto ISD’s athletics directors says the captains’ decision not to shake hands before Saturday’s game “is not in our standard” and will be addressed.
Plano ISD parents push back on new rules shifting JV halftime band performances
(WFAA) Parents of Plano junior varsity band and drill team members are pushing back against changes this year that can push those band and drill team performances out of their normal halftime slot and instead happen after the football games are already over. In a letter dated Aug. 24, parents and students were informed that the UIL District Executive Committee (DEC) changed to a new Conference 6A alignment and that changes would come to JV halftimes that, in the past, were treated much the same as varsity games.
Controversial posts spark rally to remove board chair of Fort Worth charter school
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A group of around 20 students and parents rallied in front of the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts on Monday to call for the resignation of Texas Center for Arts + Academics board chair Cheryl Bean, following a string of racially motivated social media posts. During the school board meeting that followed the rally, a dozen parents and community members spoke in support of, and against Bean.
Family of Houston ISD Milby High School student killed by train faces new fear after father’s ICE detention
(KHOU) The family of 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez is preparing to attend the dedication of a new pedestrian overpass near Milby High School in his memory, months after the teen was struck and killed by a train while walking to school. At the same time, Sergio’s father, Marco Antonio Ortuno, is fighting to remain in the United States after being taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Man arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot up a North East ISD elementary school in AI chats, affidavit says
(KENS) A man has been arrested after officials say he told an AI chatbot about wanting to shoot up a North East ISD elementary school, court documents say. One quote from the chat included: “I’m getting a gun as soon as I can, and when Serna Elementary starts, I’m just gonna walk in there and start shooting up kids.”
Former North East ISD math teacher arrested, accused of child sex crimes, records say
(KENS) A former MacArthur High School teacher was arrested Sunday on four child sexual abuse counts, according to Bexar County court records. Paul Pearcy formerly taught at MacArthur High School, according to North East Independent School District. He resigned in 2024. “We were unaware of any alleged wrongdoing at the time of his resignation,” a NEISD spokesperson said.
Willis ISD IT employee arrested for online solicitation of minor
(KBTX) A Willis Independent School District IT employee was arrested Sunday following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a child, authorities said. Austin Gwaltney, 27, faces a charge of online solicitation of a minor, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives with the agency’s Special Victims Unit determined that Gwaltney and a 14-year-old former Willis ISD student had exchanged inappropriate photographs.
Channelview ISD disciplines student after school threat reported on social media
(Houston Chronicle) Social media rumblings about a threat against Channelview High School over the weekend led to disciplinary action against a student, according to Channelview ISD.
UT Arlington President Jennifer Cowley to step down, focus on teaching
(KERA) University of Texas at Arlington President Jennifer Cowley will step down after more than four years of leading Tarrant County’s largest four-year college with plans to now focus on teaching and research. Cowley announced the decision Aug. 31 in an email to students, faculty and staff.
Former Texas A&M University-Victoria Staff challenge work-from-home narrative
(Houston Chronicle) A retired former Texas A&M-Victoria employee says the administration has been “running off” staff since the school started its transition from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System. The University previously described that process as one to ensure instructors had a more pronounced presence on campus. “It is a total cluster f**k and I couldn’t be happier to be the hell out of there,” the former employee told the Houston Chronicle.
TCU player hospitalized for 3 days with brain bleed after assault, warrant says
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) TCU wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma was in the hospital for three days with injuries including a brain bleed and a concussion after teammate Jacob Fields punched and kicked him in the head, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Fields was allegedly unhappy about Ezukanma playing better than him in practice before the assault inside the football team’s locker room that led to Fields’ dismissal and arrest, a TCU police officer wrote in the affidavit obtained by the Star-Telegram.
Former employee, students react to UT Tyler employee buyouts
(KLTV) UT Tyler offered 952 employees voluntary buyout packages as part of efforts to manage budget reductions, but only 99 accepted them. A former employee who took the package said it was surprising to hear the university could not afford to keep all of its staff while enrollment was growing. Some students said they were unaware of the buyouts, while university officials said some positions will be eliminated and others may eventually be refilled.
Texas District Uses Multimodal Transportation to Stretch Limited Resources
(School Transportation News) Mesquite ISD is using a multimodal transportation strategy to cope with rising costs, bus-driver shortages and growing transportation needs for special education and students experiencing homelessness. The district uses traditional school buses when practical but turns to smaller vehicles and outside providers when they are more efficient or better suited to a student’s needs. Officials say the approach can save money, free up buses and staff, and ultimately help improve student attendance and access to school.
Powerful winds topple North East ISD Johnson High School band trailer during Friday storm
(San Antonio Express-News) Powerful winds toppled Johnson High School’s band trailer during a lightning delay at Friday night’s football game against Judson at Heroes Stadium, one of numerous incidents caused by a severe storm that swept through San Antonio.
Bullard ISD reviews dress code amid parental concerns over enforcement practices
(CBS19) Bullard ISD is reassessing its dress code amid parent concerns about enforcement, with calls for clearer, gender-neutral policies.
Texas hospitals expect to lose $27 million a day in Medicaid funding starting Tuesday
(Texas Tribune) Starting Sept. 1, the Trump administration will withhold about $9.8 billion in extra funding that helps hospitals cover the difference between Medicaid payments and the actual cost of services.
Lawsuit: Fort Worth council member owes Texas up to $1M, mismanaged food program
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A ministry overseen by pastor and Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles is being sued by the state after officials alleged his ministry misused federal food program funding and owes more than $700,000 to the state. State officials filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in Travis County District Court against Purpose Driven Ministries, alleging it owed the state $787,873 in “disallowed expenses” through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Montgomery ISD fishing team advisors reflect on decade of success
(Community Impact) Since its inception in January 2014, the Montgomery ISD fishing program has seen much success under the leadership of Toni Luedke and John Hooker. This success includes not only scholarships for its prospective students, but state championships and a strong team bond.
