Meet Vikki Goodwin, Nathan Johnson and the other Democrats who’ll run Texas

When Gina Hinojosa was asked about what she would do as governor of Texas during her campaign, her answers reflected her belief at the time that she would be the lone Democrat with power fighting daily against a wall of Republican officials determined to stop her. Vicki Goodwin, who upset Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after the Houston Republican had spent nearly two decades in office, has a history of flipping GOP seats.
Sarah Eckhardt pushes to start as Texas comptroller early to ‘right the ship’ before lege session

Democratic Comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt wants to take office before her January swearing-in to get on top of crafting the revenue estimate lawmakers need to write a state budget in the upcoming legislative session. She said the office is behind schedule because current Republican Comptroller Don Huffines has gutted the office and laid off hundreds of staff. Eckhardt defeated Huffines in Tuesday’s sweeping Democratic victories. “I need to be involved as soon as possible so that we can right that ship,” she said at a news conference Wednesday. “By Mr. Huffines’ own statement, he has — gosh, what were his exact words? That he had ‘ripped the agency apart?’”
Data center approvals could remain paused in Texas until legislators pass new state laws next year if Democrat Gina Hinojosa keeps her campaign promises after winning the governor’s race in a stunning victory Tuesday.

Data center approvals could remain paused in Texas until legislators pass new state laws next year if Democrat Gina Hinojosa keeps her campaign promises after winning the governor’s race in a stunning victory Tuesday. Her statements on the campaign trail went beyond Gov. Greg Abbott’s current freeze on environmental permitting and grid connections for data centers during an audit period expected to be completed this year.
Chapel Hill High School earns TEA distinctions in science and social studies

Chapel Hill High School earned academic distinction designations from the Texas Education Agency in science and social studies for the 2025-26 school year, recognizing strong student performance and completion of advanced coursework in both subject areas. “Our students are such hard workers, and these distinctions show how highly they perform on a state level,” said Kevin Austin, a U.S. history teacher at Chapel Hill High School. TEA assigns each Texas campus to a comparison group of 40 schools with similar enrollment, student populations and demographic characteristics. To earn a distinction, a campus must perform within the top 25% of its comparison group on designated academic indicators.
Huffines Announces School Districts Receiving Fiscal Exam

A school district recently grilled by state lawmakers over nearly $100 million directed to a private education foundation will now face a spending review from Comptroller Don Huffines. Huffines announced Monday that Barbers Hill ISD is one of four districts selected for an examination of whether taxpayer dollars are reaching classrooms rather than fueling administrative growth and non-instructional expenses. Austin, El Paso, and Prosper school districts were also selected for review. The selection of Barbers Hill comes shortly after a contentious House Governmental Oversight hearing in August focused heavily on the district’s relationship with the Barbers Hill ISD Education Foundation, which has reportedly amassed approximately $250 million.
Houston high school football rivalry cancelled due to skin infection outbreak

One of Houston's biggest high school football games was canceled because of an outbreak of a contagious skin infection. Bellaire High School principal Michael Niggli sent a letter to parents stating that multiple members of the Cardinals football team were diagnosed with staph infections.

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Gina Hinojosa names Texas governor transition team, including anti-voucher Republican

November 0608:28 AM

Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa on Thursday announced leaders of her transition team, including a rural Republican whom Gov. Greg Abbott had worked to oust for opposing school vouchers. “We are forging a new way forward,” Hinojosa said. “People are tired of the divisions, of the fighting, tired of the culture wars. This is a time to come together in a way that is about just delivering for the people of Texas.” Hinojosa said former state Rep. Ernest Bailes was a close ally in “delivering for our public schools” during his time in the House. Bailes was one of two dozen Republican House members who helped block Abbott’s push in 2023 to pass vouchers, warning they could threaten the financial future of their local school systems. Several of them, including Bailes, lost their GOP primaries the next year to Abbott-endorsed opponents. The voucher program passed in 2025. view article

Voters reject Lubbock-Cooper ISD tax rate increase

November 0608:27 AM

This was a voter-approval tax rate election. In August the district’s board of trustees approved this property tax rate and budget. Because the proposed increase to the maintenance and operations portion of the property tax rate was greater than allowed by state law, the decision went to voters. The proposal would have increased the tax bill due to the district, for the average home in Lubbock-Cooper ISD, by about $65 per year. view article

Fort Worth ISD parents call on state-appointed board to pause major decisions

November 0608:25 AM

As Fort Worth ISD continues under state control, a group of parents and community members is calling on the district's state-appointed board of managers to pause major decisions that could have long-term consequences. view article

How voter turnout changed in Austin-area counties in the 2026 election

November 0606:00 AM

In this year’s historic election , over half of registered voters in Austin-area counties cast their ballots. While voter turnout was lower than 2018 levels for Austin-area counties, this year exceeded 2022 turnout. In some cases, such as Travis and Hays counties, turnout increased by 6 percentage points. Statewide, a smaller share of Texans voted in the 2026 election compared to the 2024 presidential election, and the share remained roughly the same as in 2018. The largest increase was in La Salle County, which saw voter turnout go from 35 to 45% between 2018 and 2026. view article

Texas Democrats want to reshape schools, healthcare and taxes. Can they deliver?

November 0605:00 AM

More money for public schools. Changes to Texas’ school voucher program. Expanded healthcare coverage and lower property taxes for homeowners. After sweeping victories on Election Day, Democrats have a chance to pursue major changes to policies that impact the everyday lives of millions of Texans. Democrats are preparing to take charge of the governor’s office and the Texas House come January, when lawmakers will return to Austin for the 2027 legislative session. But Republicans will still control the state Senate. That means incoming Democrats could still face an uphill battle against Republicans as they push to make their proposals a reality. view article

With Democrats unexpectedly in control, Gina Hinojosa will have more power than she ever imagined

November 0508:31 AM

Hinojosa was careful while campaigning not to overpromise what she could deliver, assuming she’d be fighting against GOP majorities. Now she and her Democratic allies will control the government Hinojosa on Tuesday routed Gov. Greg Abbott to become the first Democrat elected to the Texas governor’s mansion in almost four decades. But Democrats also wiped out every other statewide Republican office and took the Texas House with a comfortable margin. Hinojosa will work with a Democratic attorney general — Nathan Johnson — instead of one who might have otherwise sued to stop her agenda, and while the state Senate retains a Republican majority, it will be led by a Democratic lieutenant governor-elect Vikki Goodwin. view article

Testimony: Vouchers Violate Texas Values

November 0508:28 AM

When the framers of the Texas Constitution created our biennial Legislature in 1876, they did it in part to prevent the meddling of out-of-state power brokers. That forethought continues to serve Texas students today as external and internal forces push our state toward an expensive, unequal, and harmful voucher program. SB 2, as introduced by Senator Creighton, appears to be a vendor bill that would transfer the tax dollars of hardworking Texans to wealthy private school parents and billionaire out-of-state corporations, just as the framers of the 1876 Texas Constitution warned against. view article

Report: School Districts Understate Superintendent Pay Disclosed to TEA  

November 0508:28 AM

The Texas Public Policy Foundation report calls for more transparency. A new Texas Public Policy Foundation report estimates four Houston-area school superintendents are receiving more total compensation than their districts are disclosing to the state. Some of Texas’ highest-paid superintendents receive salaries larger than those of the president of the United States and the governor of Texas. But according to TPPF, many are being paid more than what is being reported to the Texas Education Agency. For public transparency purposes, the TEA requires school districts “to report superintendent compensation annually and to publicly post the superintendent’s employment contract.” TPPF noted that not all compensation given to superintendents is being reported. view article

Six Dallas ISD schools potentially face closure amid budget deficit and low enrollment

November 0508:25 AM

Dallas ISD’s Board of Trustees could vote Thursday to close six campuses as the district grapples with a growing budget deficit tied to declining enrollment. If approved, the closures would take effect for the 2027-28 school year. The schools listed in the proposal are: view article

Lockdown lifted at The Woodlands High School after phone threat made on campus, authorities say

November 0508:25 AM

A lockdown has been lifted at The Woodlands High School after a phone threat was made on campus on Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the school at 12:15 p.m. to a phone threat in which an individual was in the campus parking lot and had plans to shoot up the school with pipe bombs. view article

Edgewood ISD sees board shake up during 2026 midterm election

November 0508:21 AM

Three incumbent members of the Edgewood Independent School District board of trustees were defeated by challengers during the 2026 midterm election on Tuesday. Edgewood ISD Board President James Hernandez, Board Secretary Frank Espinosa and Trustee Richard Santoyo all lost their elections. All three have been affiliated with the Edgewood school board for a decade. view article

Surge in voter turnout in urban, border counties carried Texas blue wave

November 0508:07 AM

A surge in voter turnout along the Texas-Mexico border and in the state’s most populous counties carried Democrats to an astonishing sweep in Tuesday’s election and broke a decadeslong exile from statewide office in Texas, preliminary data show. view article

San Antonio Teacher Faces 12 Child Sex Abuse Material Charges

November 0507:42 AM

Carl Atnip was a special education teacher at Highlands High School in San Antonio ISD. A former San Antonio teacher is facing a dozen felony charges for possessing child sexual abuse material. Carl Alan Atnip, 48, was arrested and charged with 12 counts of possession of child pornography, the term used in Texas law for child sexual abuse material. The charges are third-degree felonies that date back to 2023. Atnip was a special education teacher at Highlands High School in the San Antonio Independent School District from October 2021 to August 2023, a report by the San Antonio Express-News confirmed. A Bexar County grand jury indicted Atnip in August 2026. view article

Gina Hinojosa defeats Gov. Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control of Texas governor’s office

November 0409:04 AM

Gina Hinojosa has defeated Gov. Greg Abbott in the Texas governor’s race, a stunning outcome that ends three decades of Republican control in Texas and makes her the first Latina to ever lead the state. “Here’s what Texas said today, loud and clear: Your government belongs to you,” said Hinojosa in her victory speech. “As your governor, I will never forget it.” At 10:17 p.m., the Associated Press called the race in Hinojosa’s favor. She was leading with about 57% of the reported vote to Abbott’s 41%. view article

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Report: School Districts Understate Superintendent Pay Disclosed to TEA

November 0409:00 AM

The Texas Public Policy Foundation report calls for more transparency. view article

Midland Terminates Flock Camera Contract

November 0408:48 AM

Midland City Council members voted unanimously this week to end its contract with Flock Safety and remove its 73 cameras. Mayor Lori Blong and the city council voted 7-0 to terminate the Flock contract. The council had just approved a two-year $451,000 contract extension with Flock in February. However, residents and city leaders expressed concerns about data privacy, operational costs, and misuse. Flock cameras capture details such as the make and model of a passing vehicle as well as any unique or identifying features. Police departments are able to access data from Flock without a warrant, which has raised concerns among citizens about potential Fourth Amndment violations. On Tuesday, the council reconsidered the contract and instructed the city manager to issue a 60-day termination notice to Flock Safety. The contract allows such a termination. view article

Taylor Terminates Flock Safety Contract

November 0408:43 AM

The city’s eight Flock cameras are now disabled and will be removed. Taylor has maintained eight Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) on State Highway 79 and State Highway 95 since late 2023. Flock cameras capture details such as the make and model of a passing vehicle as well as any unique or identifying features. Police departments are able to access data from Flock without a warrant, which has raised concerns among citizens about potential Fourth Amendment violations. The cameras in Taylor have now been disabled and will be removed in the coming days. view article

Democrats Sweep Texas Statewide Offices, Ending 32 Years of Republican Control

November 0408:40 AM

Republicans lost Texas as part of a national sweep by the Democrats. view article

Neighboring East Texas schools mourn Huntington ISD student as district addresses bacterial meningitis case

November 0408:31 AM

Several East Texas school districts are expressing condolences to the Huntington ISD community following statements referencing the death of a student, as Huntington ISD continues to address a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis at its middle school. view article

Democrats Sweep Texas Statewide Offices, Ending 32 Years of Republican Control

November 0408:30 AM

Democrats won statewide offices in Texas for the first time in 32 years Tuesday. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Tuesday’s election. Hinojosa currently serves as a state representative. The governor serves as the chief executive of the state, responsible for directing state policy, signing or vetoing legislation, and commanding the state’s military forces. Lieutenant Governor Democrat Vikki Goodwin will serve as the state’s lieutenant governor, beating her Republican opponent and incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Goodwin has been representing the 47th District in the Texas House since 2018. As lieutenant governor, Goodwin will preside over the Texas Senate. Attorney General Democrat Nathan Johnson has defeated Republican Mayes Middleton in the race for Texas attorney general. Johnson, who has been a state senator since 2018, will replace Ken Paxton as attorney general, who ran for U.S. Senate. view article

James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton, giving Democrats their first U.S. Senate win in Texas since 1988

November 0408:30 AM

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race Tuesday, overcoming a deluge of outside money to break the GOP’s three-decade grip on the state. Talarico’s victory, a political earthquake unseen in Texas this century, delivers his party its first statewide win here since 1994, ending the longest active streak of one-party dominance in any state. The U.S. Senate drought for Texas Democrats extended back to 1988 — when Rick Perry was still a Democratic state lawmaker, the Cowboys were coached by Tom Landry and Talarico was not yet born. view article

Huffines Releases 2026 Cash Report

November 0408:01 AM

The fiscal 2026 report shows state expenditures increased by $9.2 billion, while the General Revenue Fund’s cash balance declined by $11 billion. view article

Democrat Gina Hinojosa topples Greg Abbott to become first Latina governor of Texas

November 0408:00 AM

Hinojosa’s victory over Abbott, a three-term incumbent, triggers a political earthquake in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the governor’s mansion since 1990. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday, denying the Republican a record fourth term and triggering a political earthquake in a state that has not seen a Democrat sit in the governor’s mansion this century. “We did it. Everything is bigger, including the shock of this win. We shocked the world tonight,” said Hinojosa, in her victory speech before 11 p.m. where supporters could be heard sobbing. “It never bothered me that they doubted me. It bothered me that they doubted us. Hundreds and millions on attack ads, written off over and over again, but Texas, my faith in you never wavered.” view article

Report Calls for More Data on Immigration’s Costs to Texas

November 0308:34 AM

A new report recommends expanded statewide data collection in health care, education, and emergency services. A Texas Public Policy Foundation report suggests that expanding data collection to better measure immigration’s fiscal and operational effects on public schools, health care, and emergency services will improve state lawmakers’ policy decisions. In “Governing Blind,” TPPF’s Selene Rodriguez argued that Texas needs a standardized, statewide data-collection framework to reveal immigration-related strains on education and health care. “The absence of consistent, statewide data limits the states’ ability to distinguish between contributing factors, evaluate where system strain is encumbered, and plan accordingly,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez identified health care, public safety, and education as areas heavily influenced by immigration yet fraught with data gaps. view article

Here’s how 2026 midterm election votes will be tallied and reported in Texas

November 0308:30 AM

Results from early voting should start rolling out after polls close at 7 p.m. It will be hours before all races are called. view article

Ken Paxton and James Talarico close their Senate campaigns on home turf

November 0308:28 AM

To win, Paxton needs to keep the margin close in Collin County, his political home base. Talarico must earn epic returns in Travis County, the bluest part of the state. Five and a half months ago, a triumphant Ken Paxton took the microphone at a Tex-Mex restaurant in Collin County, his political home base, with major news: He had spoken with President Donald Trump earlier that day, and Trump’s long-awaited endorsement had arrived. view article

Silent supporters attend Bryan ISD board meeting for assistant coach who was terminated

November 0308:25 AM

About two dozen people sat silently through Monday night’s Bryan ISD board meeting in support of Lashala Nicks, a Bryan High assistant basketball coach who said she was fired last week. Most of the boardroom was empty. The group sat together in matching shirts that read, “We stand with Coach Nicks.” They were parents, students and family members. They did not speak during the meeting. view article

Cypress Christian School Fires Two Admins; President Still On Leave

November 0308:25 AM

Culture Director Kris Hogan was terminated following an independent review of unspecified concerns. The school also ousted CFO David Swan, while President Jeff Potts remains on leave. Cypress Christian School has fired two top administrators amid an ongoing leadership shakeup that followed the April arrest of a coach charged with sexually grooming a male student. Culture director Kris Hogan had been on paid administrative leave for months while a third party reviewed unspecified “concerns” raised over the summer.Hogan was fired on October 28, along with David Swan, the school’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer. CCS President Jeff Potts is on administrative leave. view article

‘They better keep it clean’: Texas district draws unlikely inspiration for school name

November 0308:24 AM

Running a school isn’t always glamorous — something that one Texas public school district recognized when naming a new elementary school. In a tear-soaked video that has been shared on national and international news outlets, a district outside Dallas-Fort Worth sought unusual inspiration for a campus previously called Elementary School #5, according to the area news station WFAA. view article

Voting Guides: Who is on the ballot?

November 0305:00 AM

The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization, is dedicated to helping Texans vote. Every major state and federal election, we produce comprehensive voter guides and reporting. We’ve collected our voting resources on this page for you to easily find and share them with others. view article

More than 7.7 million Texans voted early in 2026 election, surpassing 2018 record

November 0208:28 AM

More than 40 percent of voters cast a ballot during the early voting period, passing the modern-day record set in 2018. view article

Jury Gives McKinney ISD Trainer 5 Years For Sexual Assault of Student

November 0208:27 AM

Lindsey Post was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually grooming and assaulting a 14-year-old female athlete at McKinney North High School. view article

Inside the booth: Faith, economy and immigration inspired these Texans’ votes

November 0208:25 AM

We had a Railroad Commission candidate make national news after his disparaging comments on a group of University of Texas students. We have a heated governor’s race that pitted a long-tenured incumbent against a former school teacher. And of course, we have Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Rep. James Talarico running for Senate, a race that could define the political direction of Texas. view article

Fort Bend ISD Considers Changes to Classroom Technology Use

November 0208:22 AM

District officials are reviewing classroom technology practices as parents raise concerns about screen time and digital distractions. Fort Bend Independent School District is reviewing its classroom technology practices as parents push for reduced screen time and a greater emphasis on traditional learning methods. During a school board meeting earlier this week, Chief Academic Officer Matt Warford outlined how technology is currently used in classrooms and discussed changes aimed at limiting non-instructional screen time. Warford acknowledged that students can use school-issued devices for activities unrelated to instruction, including watching videos and playing games. However, he also highlighted the educational benefits of technology, including research, academic learning programs, college applications, and communication with teachers. view article

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TexasISD.com was the brainchild of Joe F. Smith. Joe retired early from a successful career as Superintendent of Schools for Hudson ISD, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Due to a long battle with Post-Polio Syndrome the doctor made him hang it up and rest for six months. Never being the kind of person to sit still and also not being the person to listen to his doctor, Joe logged lengthy sessions in front of his PC researching school issues, reading papers and corresponding with his friends and colleagues in the education business.

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