Long lines linger at Houston’s biggest airport as TSA agents miss work during partial government shutdown

The ongoing partial government shutdown has led to long security lines at airports across the country, but no airport has felt the effects as acutely as George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. On Thursday, wait times at Bush, one of the nation’s busiest airports, reached four hours or more, with lines extending outside its terminals. Passenger volume at Bush is expected to get worse this weekend, driven by major events in Houston, including the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. The lines are a result of many Transportation Security Administration officers — who aren’t getting paid during the shutdown — not coming to work. As airline passengers waited in long lines and congressional negotiators appeared far from a deal to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, President Donald Trump late Thursday said on social media that he will sign an emergency order for the department, which oversees TSA, to immediately pay TSA officers. He did not elaborate where the money for the agency, unfunded by Congress for more than a month, would come from.
Northside ISD has nearly $200 million in 2022 bond project ‘on hold’

Nine school improvement projects totaling nearly $200 million from Northside Independent School District's 2022 bond issue are "on hold" with no indication of when the projects will be built. Just four years after its nearly $1 billion bond election, San Antonio's largest school district intends to seek voter approval in November on a bond package for security upgrades and other improvements. Northside's Building Committee got an update Wednesday on the $198.47 million in projects that were approved nearly four years ago but have not since been executed. Superintendent John Craft told a panel of trustees he wants to "be careful in not putting millions and millions of dollars into these facilities and then having to come back in a very short amount of time (and saying), 'Well, we really need more science labs.'
147 measles cases reported in Texas so far this year, most of them in federal detention centers

Local officials report that 108 of the cases originated in a contracted detention facility in Hudspeth County. The largest outbreak is in a single contracted federal detention facility in Hudspeth County, as of March 18, according to DSHS. Hudspeth County Judge Joanna MacKenzie told The Texas Tribune that the 108 cases are all at the West Texas Detention Facility, which is managed by LaSalle Corrections, a private company. The facility has previously housed immigrant detainees, though it’s not clear if it still does. It does not appear on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s list of detention facilities. “Not having jurisdiction, my office is not involved in response,” MacKenzie added in a statement, “however I remain in communication with DSHS and LaSalle, as I regularly do.”
Why an East Texas rancher donated part of his water rights to the state

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Bob Sanders bumps along the dirt roads of his 1,100-acre ranch in a beat up burgundy Chevrolet Suburban, the engine roaring as his sprawling cattle operation, known locally for its wagyu beef, stretches around him. A shotgun rides in the passenger seat and battered binoculars sit on the dashboard. The sloping pasture where his rust-colored cows graze gives way to trees that flank a narrow ribbon of water. It doesn’t look like much, just a slow-moving channel threading through sweetgums and cypress, but this 2.6-mile stretch of the Big Cypress Bayou carries a lot of weight — it connects Lake O’ the Pines, the region’s main water supply, to Caddo Lake, the state’s only natural lake. Water feels abundant in the area. But even in this lush corner of the state, water is increasingly top of mind. For Sanders and many of his neighbors, the bayou represents something increasingly fragile in Texas: water that still belongs to the landscape it came from. The sloping pasture where his rust-colored cows graze gives way to trees that flank a narrow ribbon of water. It doesn’t look like much, just a slow-moving channel threading through sweetgums and cypress, but this 2.6-mile stretch of the Big Cypress Bayou carries a lot of weight — it connects Lake O’ the Pines, the region’s main water supply, to Caddo Lake, the state’s only natural lake. Water feels abundant in the area. But even in this lush corner of the state, water is increasingly top of mind. For Sanders and many of his neighbors, the bayou represents something increasingly fragile in Texas: water that still belongs to the landscape it came from.
Muslim parents, private schools sue Texas over exclusion of Islamic institutions in voucher program

The federal lawsuits argue Texas officials are engaging in religious discrimination by preventing Islamic private schools from accessing state voucher money. Four Muslim parents and three private schools have sued Texas leaders for excluding Islamic private schools from participating in the state’s private school voucher program. The two federal lawsuits ask the court to block the voucher program from discriminating on the basis of religion. The first suit, filed March 1 by a parent acting on behalf of two children who attend a Houston private school, names Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and Education Commissioner Mike Morath as defendants. A second suit filed March 11 by three parents and three schools names Hancock and Mary Katherine Stout, education savings account program manager, as defendants. Here’s what to know.
As Superintendent Karen Molinar exits takeover, Texas signals a hard reset for Fort Worth ISD

FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar observed the children learning as she visited classrooms Monday and Tuesday, knowing the clock on her three decades in Fort Worth schools was winding down. Molinar, 51, learned her time in the district that grew her from a reading teacher into a principal and, eventually, the leader of its schools was over after the Texas education commissioner told her last week she won’t serve during the state takeover. She informed families and staff Wednesday that she will not remain as superintendent. “I promised them at the beginning of this that I would be transparent, and I would give them updates,” Molinar told the Fort Worth Report. “I had to do that even when it came to what would happen to me personally and professionally. I had to stand up to my word.” Her impending departure from FWISD drew mixed reactions. Some teachers, parents and city leaders praised Molinar’s decades of service and insisted she should remain in the role during the takeover. Others argued new leadership is necessary as state leaders try to turnaround years of failing academics in Fort Worth.

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Preventive Law: Viewing AI Risk Through a School Law Lens

April 0710:28 AM

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) use is on the rise in Texas schools. From lesson-planning platforms to student-facing chatbots, AI is reshaping how instruction happens. But as more people use AI, one question lingers: Who is responsible when mishaps occur? In Texas, AI creates legal complexities where education law already demands careful attention to student privacy, curriculum standards, and teacher certification. Because AI provides a new way to violate state and federal laws, even inadvertently, educators and administrators must be mindful when using AI to ensure that the law is still being followed.

Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving

April 0708:40 AM

The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally. Over the last year, Texas Republicans have enacted sweeping regulatory and legal changes that have upended all facets of life for noncitizens. The state has limited who can get an occupational license; register or buy a car; obtain commercial driver’s licenses; and get in-state tuition at colleges and universities. Over the last year, Texas Republicans have enacted sweeping regulatory and legal changes that have upended all facets of life for noncitizens. The state has limited who can get an occupational license; register or buy a car; obtain commercial driver’s licenses; and get in-state tuition at colleges and universities. The changes are wreaking havoc on the 1.7 million people without documentation in Texas, as well as tens of thousands of refugees and people with protected legal status, like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Already, more than 6,400 refugees and DACA recipients have lost their commercial driver’s licenses. Many more noncitizens are expected to lose the ability to work in licensed industries from construction and medicine to air conditioning and cosmetology.The changes are wreaking havoc on the 1.7 million people without documentation in Texas, as well as tens of thousands of refugees and people with protected legal status, like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Already, more than 6,400 refugees and DACA recipients have lost their commercial driver’s licenses. Many more noncitizens are expected to lose the ability to work in licensed industries from construction and medicine to air conditioning and cosmetology. view article

Texas Moves To Block Professional & Commercial Licenses for Illegal Aliens

April 0705:00 AM

The rule comes after a recent opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton requiring licensing authorities to obtain social security numbers from applicants. Beginning May 1, Texas will bar individuals who cannot prove they are lawfully present in the U.S. from obtaining or renewing state‑issued professional licenses. It will also impact occupational and trade licenses. Commissioners for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) approved a new rule on Tuesday to check the lawful presence of people applying for or renewing state licenses when they are flagged for verification. The new rule requires TDLR to verify an applicant’s eligibility under federal immigration law when that applicant is selected for verification under department procedures. It applies across all TDLR‑regulated licenses. If an applicant is selected, they must submit documentation before a license can be issued or renewed. view article

GRAPELAND ISD HIRES JIM DUNLAP OF ARROW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

April 0208:35 AM

The board of trustees of the Grapeland Independent School District has contracted with Mr. Jim Dunlap of Arrow Educational Services, Inc. to assist them in their search for a new superintendent. He will be assisted by GISD superintendent Mr. Terry Myers. Information and the application process is available on arrowsearchinc.com and the TASA Supersearch page. view article

Bullard ISD officially names Dr. Micah Dyer as superintendent

March 1805:00 AM

The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees officially named Dr. Micah Dyer as the district’s new superintendent during a special meeting Tuesday. Trustees had previously selected Dyer as the lone finalist in February, with state law requiring a 21-day waiting period before a formal hire. He will begin his new role on March 30, following Interim Superintendent Dr. Jan Hill’s last board meeting next Monday. “She’s been a blessing to this district and helping them with this transition,” Dyer said. “I look forward to the opportunity to get to work with her as I transition into this job full time.” Read more at: https://tylerpaper.com/2026/03/18/bullard-isd-officially-names-dr-micah-dyer-as-superintendent/ view article

An Emerging Trend: Mandatory Firearm Safety Instruction in K-12 Schools

April 2409:30 AM

Public discussion about the risks and benefits of teaching firearm safety in K-12 schools dates back at least 25 years. Until recently, state legislatures have only succeeded in allowing schools to implement elective firearm safety programing, rather than mandating it. However, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, mandatory firearm safety instruction is coming to public schools in three states: Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah. Beyond possibly signaling the beginning of a new trend in firearms legislation, these laws also highlight differing views on the extent to which parents should be able to control the education their children receive in public schools. view article

Dallas police change immigration enforcement rules after Abbott threat

April 2408:55 AM

Dallas leaders revised a police policy to clarify cooperation with federal immigration authorities after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold funding. The state has since extended a deadline as both sides respond and community groups weigh in. NBC 5’s Candace Sweat has more. view article

What changed in Dallas police policy after funding threat

April 2408:40 AM

Texas names new superintendent, board to lead Lake Worth ISD under takeover

April 2408:29 AM

Lake Worth ISD has new leadership after Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on April 23 appointed a new superintendent and five-member board of managers who are tasked with overseeing improving student outcomes for the 3,200-student district. view article

Longview nurse practitioner, Longview ISD educator killed in head-on crash

April 2408:26 AM

A Longview nurse practitioner and an educator for Longview ISD died following a head-on crash in the Diana area early Sunday. The wreck happened on Highway 259 in the Diana area at about 3 a.m. Hospitality Health Nurse Practitioner Joel Mack and LISD Foster Middle School Teacher were both killed in the crash. According to a DPS report, Joel Mack was northbound on U.S. 259 at 3 a.m. when he was struck head-on by an SUV driven by Kimberly Law. Law died at the scene, and Mack was taken to a hospital, where he died. view article

Union Hill ISD student arrested for terroristic threat identified

April 2408:26 AM

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that a student at the high school has been arrested. The sheriff’s office has identified the arrested student as Mitchell Ryan Mobley. He is charged with terroristic threat. On April 23, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office responded to Union Hill ISD campus for the incident involving threatening statements made by a student, now identified as Mobley by the sheriff’s office. view article

Tyler ISD bus driver shortages cause transportation delays for families

April 2408:25 AM

Parents in Tyler ISD say ongoing bus delays are impacting class time and after‑school routines as the district works to address a shortage of drivers. view article

Lake Worth ISD state takeover begins as TEA appoints new superintendent

April 2408:25 AM

Dr. Ena Meyers was chosen as the superintendent to lead the district’s 3,200 students. She and a board of five managers will be tasked with improving student performance districtwide. The new leadership is expected to begin its work on May 18. view article

Judson ISD trustee censured after termination of superintendent, interview with KSAT

April 2408:25 AM

A Judson Independent School District trustee was censured on Thursday, just days after the district’s superintendent was terminated. In a district board meeting on Thursday night, trustees voted to censure District 4 Trustee Jose A. Macias. Macias was the former school board president when circumstances started to look uncertain for the district after the COVID-19 pandemic. view article

Texas Rangers investigating death of Lindale ISD student after choking incident

April 2408:25 AM

The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of a Lindale ISD student following a choking incident at school, district officials confirmed on Wednesday. Community comes together to support grieving family of Lindale ISD student In a letter addressed to parents and the community, Lindale ISD said the student, Adrian Thompson, suffered a medical emergency that prompted immediate lifesaving efforts on campus. view article

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Connally ISD teacher on leave after report of inappropriate relationship with student

April 2408:25 AM

A Connally ISD teacher has been placed on administrative leave after a report of a potential inappropriate relationship with a student. Connally ISD said administrators received the report Thursday afternoon. view article

DPS: Longview ISD teacher driving on wrong side of road killed herself, other driver in collision

April 2408:25 AM

A Longview ISD teacher who died in a wreck early Sunday was driving on the wrong side of the road when she struck another car, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Kimberly Law, a teacher at Foster Middle School, died in the wreck, which occurred about 3 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 259. view article

Llano ISD substitute teacher arrested, accused of improper relationship with student

April 2408:25 AM

A substitute teacher has been arrested on a felony charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student, the Llano County Sheriff's Office announced. Angela Palmares was taken into custody in Bell County without incident after investigators worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety Fusion Center and the Bell County Sheriff's Office to locate her. She faces a second-degree felony charge. view article

Austin ISD considers cuts as $181M budget gap sparks community concerns

April 2408:24 AM

Austin ISD considers cuts as $181M budget gap sparks community concerns. view article

Austin ISD is under state investigation for celebrating Pride Week

April 2408:24 AM

The Texas Education Agency launched an investigation into the Austin Independent School District for celebrating its annual Pride Week. A TEA spokesperson confirmed with KUT News the state has opened an investigation, but declined to comment since “the matter remains ongoing.” The investigation comes after conservative State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, from the Fort Worth area, raised concerns in March about AISD breaking the law and working to "indoctrinate" students by celebrating Pride Week. view article

Carroll ISD board of trustees consider removing phone ban on buses

April 2408:23 AM

Carroll ISD’s phone ban on school buses will remain in place while the board of trustees continues to discuss the policy. The motion to table the item, which would have removed the phone ban on buses, was approved unanimously at the April 20 board meeting. view article

Pflugerville ISD teachers to see pay bump despite $18M deficit

April 2408:21 AM

Pflugerville ISD plans to raise pay for teachers and other campus-based staff in the 2026-27 school year as the district considers school closures, rezoning and program changes to address an $18 million budget shortfall. District leaders say the raises are tied to House Bill 2, which requires permanent salary increases for classroom teachers with more than three years of experience. The raise will also extend to school nurses and counselors. Tamra Spence, a spokeswoman for Pflugerville ISD, said the district wanted to stay in compliance with the law while also keeping pay competitive with surrounding districts. view article

Austin ISD likely won’t close more schools this fall but may redraw boundaries

April 2408:19 AM

The Austin Independent School District will likely not close more schools this fall, but will consider sweeping changes to attendance boundaries, Superintendent Matias Segura said Thursday night. During a regular school board meeting, Segura said he had “concerns about taking on consolidations” for any more schools. view article

Connally ISD investigating teacher over misconduct allegations

April 2408:18 AM

A Connally ISD teacher is on leave after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student. Police in Lacy Lakeview are leading the investigation. view article

Here’s a Look at School District Bonds on the May 2 Ballot

April 2408:17 AM

There are over 100 school bond proposals on the May 2 ballot, with a majority focused on facility construction and renovations, according to the Texas Bond Review Board. view article

Hutto ISD to propose same tax rate for 2026-27

April 2408:16 AM

The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. June 26 in the district administration building at 200 College Street, Hutto. Outgoing Chief Financial Officer Caleb Steed said in an April 23 board meeting that the district is proposing the same tax rate as the 2025-26 financial year, $0.7552 per $100 of valuation to fund maintenance and operations and $0.45 per $100 of valuation to service district debts, such as bonds. The total tax rate proposed will be $1.2052 per $100 of valuation, but that could go down, Steed said, if property values increase. view article

Who made the cut in Texas’ first round voucher rollout?

April 2408:11 AM

More than 42,000 students have received the first round of awards under the state's new voucher program. In a Thursday news release, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock said more than 42,600 students will receive notices this week under the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, including all students in the program's top priority tier. That includes students with qualifying disabilities in households at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level, as well as their siblings. "The Legislature made low- and middle-income students with disabilities the first priority for the first year of school choice here in Texas, and that is exactly where this process starts," Hancock said. "These awards put tens of thousands of Texas families one step closer to the educational path that works best for their children." view article

Killeen ISD School Receives National Recognition for Theatre Education Program

April 2408:10 AM

Killeen Independent School District’s Chaparral High School has been named a Premier Community for Theatre Education, a national distinction presented by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) to schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement in providing meaningful, high quality theatre education and access for all students. view article

Families Fleeing Big School Districts Drive School Choice Demand

April 2308:50 AM

Thousands of families in Texas’ largest public school districts are seeking to leave or supplement their local campuses through the state’s new school choice program, according to newly released data from the Texas Education Freedom Accounts rollout. Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that more than 42,600 students will receive award notices in the first round of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, with priority given to students with disabilities and their siblings. A closer look at the data shows where demand is most concentrated: the state’s biggest school districts. Houston ISD leads the state with 1,558 student applications in the program’s top priority tier, followed by Dallas ISD with 1,313 and Northside ISD in San Antonio with 1,139. Other large districts—including Fort Bend ISD (1,048), Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (914), and Fort Worth ISD (808)—also saw hundreds of families apply. view article

Fort Worth ISD launching automatic 5% pay raises for classroom teachers for 2026-27 school year

April 2308:42 AM

Fort Worth ISD announced Wednesday that it is launching automatic pay raises for classroom teachers, something the district said reinforces one of its key pillars. In a news release shared with CBS News Texas, the district said teachers who work directly in a classroom with children as the teacher of record will get an automatic 5% salary increase for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The district also said the action behind the raises is "being taken without delay and without waiting for lengthy negotiations". view article

Local Architecture Firm Backs Lufkin ISD Debt Proposal 

April 2308:40 AM

The bond will appear on the May 2 ballot. Financial reports from Vote YES for Lufkin ISD Kids, the pro-bond political action committee, reveal that an architecture firm with several locations throughout East Texas is the single largest contributor to the PAC. view article

Chapel Hill ISD trustees hear from public amid investigation into former band director

April 2308:33 AM

Chapel Hill ISD trustees hear from public amid investigation into former band director CHAPEL HILL, Texas — Questions about transparency and student safety took center stage Monday as community members addressed the Chapel Hill ISD Board of Trustees following allegations involving former band director Joseph Hewitt. Hewitt served as Chapel Hill ISD’s fine arts/band director for several years before leaving the district prior to the end of the Spring 2026 semester. He is currently under investigation by the Texas Education Agency for a potential violation of the state’s educator code of ethics. view article

Southeast Texas experts share tips on stopping severe bleeding in emergencies

April 2308:33 AM

SETX — In a traumatic emergency, knowing how to control bleeding can buy critical time before help arrives and local first responders say it’s a skill anyone can learn. Andrew Heuler and Hannah Mason shared “Stop the Bleed” guidance for viewers in Southeast Texas, emphasizing that bleeding control is a key first step in trauma care. They said the first thing to do is call 911 and tell dispatchers where you are and what happened. Next, they advised exposing the injury to find the source of the bleeding which may mean cutting or ripping clothing or pulling pant legs or sleeves up to locate the wound. view article

Texas Education Agency Finds Complaints of Antisemitism in Plano ISD ‘Unsubstantiated’

April 2308:30 AM

The attorney general’s office is also investigating. Between May and October 2025, TEA received multiple complaints from current and former Plano ISD parents and a former trustee alleging antisemitic incidents, including classroom content, comments by teachers, student walkouts, bullying, and scheduling events on Jewish holy days. view article

Judson ISD finalizes termination of Milton ‘Rob’ Fields, reveals reason superintendent was fired

April 2308:29 AM

After a bitter, months-long saga, the board for Judson Independent School District officially fired Superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields in a 4-3 vote Tuesday night. Based on an internal investigation, along with witness and expert testimony, Board President Monica Ryan said the report established “good cause” to terminate Fields’ contract, which was supposed to end June 30, 2028. 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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