.jpg)
- News Category
- Accountability/Accreditation
- Charter Schools
- Child Nutrition
- Construction/Bond Issues
- Governance
- Grants
- Health/Safety
- Joe's Commentaries
- Legal
- Legislative
- National News
- Newspapers
- Personnel
- Property Tax
- Risk Management
- School Finance
- Special Articles
- State Board of Education
- SuperSearch Page
- Technology in Education
- TexasISD General News
- Transportation
- Preventive Law
TexasISD.com
Endorsed Products
TexasISD.com
Advertising
TexasISD.com
Quick Links
Congratulations to the following New Supers
92
Superintendent Vacancies
Click to expand 
| Vacant | Timpson ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Grape Creek ISD; Search by: Grape Creek ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Santa Maria ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Vysehrad ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO | Vacant |
Pettus ISD - Jesus Hernandez III, Chief of Staff,Southwest ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and DBU Educational Leadership Consulting Corporation.INFO |
Vacant | University of Texas High School Special Purpose District; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Scurry-Rosser ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Huntington ISD; Search by: Kelli Karczewski, Fisher FirmINFO | Vacant | Granger ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Bremond ISD; Search by: Bremond ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | San Isidro ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Region One ESC, Exec. Dir. Dr. Daniel P. KingINFO | Vacant | Commerce ISD - Search by: Commerce ISD Board of Trustees; INFO | Vacant | Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of Trustees INFO | Vacant | Bells ISD; Search by: Bells ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Gustine ISD - Coy Barker, Principal,McCamey ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Comstock ISD; Comstock ISD Board of Trustees and O.K. Wolfenbarger IIIINFO | Vacant |
Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Art (Houston) ; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Webb CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Moulton ISD; <p>Search by: Region 3 ESC, <a href="mailto:mlyon@esc3.net">Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon</a></p>INFO | Vacant | Hidalgo ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Rick AlvaradoINFO | Vacant | Priddy ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Sweeny ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Ramirez CSD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Mart ISD; Search by: Mart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Abernathy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Kingsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Groom ISD; Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant | Clarendon ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Spring ISD; Search by: Spring ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Huffman ISD - Angeles Perez, Interim,Huffman ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Jim Hogg County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Hart ISD; Search by: Juan Dominguez and Hart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Hitchcock ISD (Interim Search); Search by: Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | Laredo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Premont ISD; Search by: Doug Arnold & Arte AlmendarezINFO | Vacant |
Executive Director Region 11 ESC; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Lago Vista ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO | Vacant | Goose Creek CISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO | Vacant | Bynum ISD; Search by: Bynum ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Canutillo ISD - Dr. Josue Borrego, Associate Super,Houston ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | West Rusk CCISD; Search by: Lawrence Coleman & West Rusk CCISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Clarksville ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Stafford MSD; Search by: Stafford ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | LaPoynor ISD; Search by: LaPoynor ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Newcastle ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO | Vacant | Fort Davis ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Mr. Jim McClellanINFO | Vacant | Pleasanton ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | South Texas ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Panhandle ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Elkhart ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Rockdale ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Loraine ISD; Search by: Region 14 ESC, Chris Wigington Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Bullard ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Maypearl ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Haskell CISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Merkel ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Hubbard ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Ector ISD; Search by: Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Westbrook ISD; Search by: Region 14 ESC, Chris Wigington Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Hale Center ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Weatherford ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Bluff Dale ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Blanco ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Deer Park ISD - Dr. Tiffany Reagan, Assistant Superintendent,Deer Park ISD; Search by: Deer Park ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Seminole ISD - Glen Teal, Superintendent,Jim Ned ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Needville ISD - Dr. Paul Drake, Superintendent,Chester ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist |
Compass Academy Charter School (Odessa) - Mark Dominguez, Principal,Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD; Search by: Kathy Killingsworth, Interim Superintent assisted by Larry Lee, Leadership Consultant with Region 18INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Bonham ISD - Lance Hamlin, Assistant Superintendent,Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waxahachie ISD - Rebecca “Becky” McCutchen, Superintendent,Levelland ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ennis ISD - Greg Bradley, Deputy Superintendent,Prosper ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Forsan ISD - Michael Valencia, Superintendent,McCamey ISD; Search by: Region 18 ESC, Dr. Dewitt SmithINFO |
| Lone Finalist |
Edgewood ISD (Region 7) - Scott Tyner, Superintendent,Martins Mill iSD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Jim Ned CISD - Will Brewer, Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Palmer ISD ; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hallsburg ISD - Dr. Staci Coleman-Kirk, Principal,Hubbard ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Slidell ISD - Dr. Christopher M. Heskett, Superintendent,Covington ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Seguin ISD - Dr. Jack Lee, Superintendent,Bullard ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Royal ISD - Dr. Megan Pape, Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Socorro ISD - James Vasquez, Interim Superintendent,Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gunter ISD - Dr. Brandon Enos, Superintendent,Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rotan ISD - Trevor Edgemon, Superintendent,Happy ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Millsap ISD - Harper Stewart, Superintendent,Hamilton ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Conroe ISD - Dr. David Vinson, Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Texans for Excellence in Education, President, John Petree, 432-557-6581INFO |
| Lone Finalist | La Pryor ISD - Cody Miller, Director,Northside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Deweyville ISD - Grady Welborn, Principal,Bridge City ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | West Hardin Co. CISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rusk ISD - Mid Johnson, Superintendent,Timpson ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Martin's Mill ISD - Derek Driver, Principal,Harts Bliff ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Snook ISD - Kimberly Giesenschlag, Assistant Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Nederland ISD - Dr. Steven Beagle, Assistant Superintendent,Nederland ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Munday CISD - Andrew Eudy, Director,Forsan ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Cushing ISD - Stefani Jackson, AssAsst. Supt.,Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lamesa ISD - Bonnie Avey, Superintendent,Seagraves ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Howe ISD - Ritchie Bowling, Assistant Superintendent,Howe ISD; Search by: Howe ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Era ISD - Jeff Webb, Associate Superintendent,Royse City ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Prairie Lea ISD - Martha Melissa Gilmore, Interim,Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ingram ISD - Dr. Justin Turner, Superintendent,Hubbard ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Dawson ISD - Andrea Farish, Principal,Dawson ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Danny LovettINFO |
| New Super | Onalaska ISD - Dr. Kenneth Fraga, Assistant Superintendent,Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | El Paso ISD - Dr. Brian Lusk, Deputy Superintendent,Dallas ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Queen City ISD - Casey Nichols, Superintendent,Ashdown Public Schools Ashdown, Arkansas; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO |
| New Super | Center Point ISD - Joshua Limmer, Principal,Center Point ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO |
| New Super | Santa Rosa ISD - Isaac Rodriguez, Superintendent,Monte Alto ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Marlin ISD - Alphonso Bates, Assistant Superintendent ,Lamar CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Gonzales ISD - Dr. Dana Arreola, Superintendent,Bessemer City Schools in Bessemer, Alabama; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte Baker,INFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Trial of former Uvalde CISD officer recesses early Thursday due to family emergency of jury member by: Dylan McKim
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nexstar) — The ninth day of the trial against former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales continues in the Nueces County courthouse on Thursday. On Wednesday, the courtroom was still tense after Tuesday’s outburst from Velma Lisa Duran, the sister of Robb Elementary teacher Irma Garcia, who was killed in the shooting. “Y’all are saying she didn’t lock her door,” Duran shouted as she was removed from the courtroom by deputies. “She went into the fatal funnel!” The fatal funnel is a tactical term used by law enforcement to describe an area, like a doorway, where a police officer does not have cover and can be shot.
view article 
Texas A&M blocks readings on gender ideology in philosophy class: ‘Plato has been censored’
A Texas A&M professor has been told not to teach certain writings from Plato, a staple in introductory philosophy courses, because they may violate the university system's new rules against "advocating" race or gender ideology, or topics concerning sexual orientation, in core classes.
view article
Preventive Law: New Year, New(ish) Grievance Procedures: A Review of the Recent Addition of Chapter 26A
The 89th legislative session has produced a staggering number of changes to the landscape of Texas education. Perhaps one of the more jarring changes was the addition of chapter 26A to the Texas Education Code. This new chapter codifies the grievance provisions that school districts are required to implement in policy. Some of the requirements in the Chapter simply mirror the procedures already common amongst school districts, such as the use of a multi-tiered grievance appeal process. Others, however, depart from the usual grievance procedures or create new procedures entirely. This article will highlight some of the largest departures from past grievance procedures and discuss the implications of these changes for Texas school districts.
Garland ISD could be released from desegregation order. What does that mean?
If a federal judge agrees to lift the Garland ISD desegregation order, it would spell the end of a half century of court supervision that district leaders and civil rights advocates say has benefited students of all races. The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss the 56-year-old court order that requires the district to follow a plan to ensure a “unitary, non-discriminatory school system.” The district’s board is expected to discuss their response to the move at a meeting Tuesday.
view article
The Largest High Schools in Texas Might Surprise You
KNUE-FM) Most Texans have some good and probably a few bad memories of going to high school, there is a lot going on during that time in your life. Although not all high schools in Texas are the same, some are small and others are gigantic. It would take a huge school and a large number of faculty members to make everything work. Let’s dig into just how big the largest public high schools are in the state of Texas. When I graduated high school, there were a little over 300 people in my graduating class. It wasn’t huge, but it still felt like the graduation ceremony took forever when reading off all those names.
view article
As data centers jostle to get on Texas’ grid, ERCOT promises new rules for planning
ERCOT is making a first attempt at a planning process in which multiple requests will be considered simultaneously. Texas’ main electric grid operator is developing a new process to evaluate multiple large-load interconnection requests at the same time. The question for cryptocurrency miners and data center developers that are already in line is: Who gets to go first?
view article
Abilene unites for MLK prayer breakfast, celebrating the vision of equality and faith
ABILENE, Texas — Before the sun even came up, the Abilene community gathered at Hardin-Simmons University, and not just for a warm breakfast, but for a morning of prayer and reflection. It’s all part of the Big Country’s MLK Prayer Breakfast to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Big Country residents filled the Johnson Building at HSU before dawn for the 4th Annual MLK Big Country Breakfast, bowing their heads in unity and celebrating a man who helped change the nation.
view article
Houston ISD delays state requirement that would limit uncertified teachers
Houston ISD delays state requirement that would limit uncertified teachers The Houston ISD state-appointed board of managers voted Thursday night to delay new state requirements that would have banned uncertified educators from teaching core subjects, including English language arts and reading, math, science and social studies, in public schools by the 2027-2028 school year. Last summer, the Texas legislature passed House Bill two, which put limitations on uncertified teachers in core classrooms. Specifically, it requires reading and math teachers for kindergarten through fifth grade to be certified by this fall, and by the next school year, districts can't have any uncertified teachers for English, math, science and social studies across any grade level. A recent study from the University of Houston reported uncertified teachers make up nearly 20% of the teacher workforce in Houston ISD. Uncertified teachers made up just .3% of teachers in the district seven years ago.
view article
As immigrant arrests rise, here’s what to know about ICE operations in Texas
The Trump administration is going all in on accelerating mass deportation efforts. Here’s how ICE operations look in Texas, home to an estimated 2 million undocumented immigrants.
view article
Winnsboro ISD School Board places superintendent on paid administrative leave following arrest
WINNSBORO, Texas (KLTV) - The Winnsboro ISD School Board has placed a superintendent on paid administrative leave following his arrest. Dr. Cody Holloway will now serve as acting superintendent after superintendent Aaron Nation was arrested and charged earlier this month, alongside other former district employees. Nation faces charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and failure to report child abuse with intent to conceal. The decision came after the school board spoke behind closed doors for over an hour.
view article
Tyson’s mass layoffs take effect on Tuesday; here’s how many will lose their jobs and where
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Thousands of layoffs at two different Tyson Foods plants will take effect Tuesday, a move that's expected to significantly affect the country's beef processing. According to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filings, Tyson sites in Texas and Nebraska are expected to lay off nearly 5,000 employees.
view article
Here’s who has the financial edge to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton
The four-way Republican primary drew millions in donations over the second half of 2025, outpacing the comparatively meager fundraising by Democrats led by Sen. Nathan Johnson.
view article
Texas to defend law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments. Here’s what to know.
A federal appeals court will hear arguments in lawsuits seeking to block Texas and Louisiana from requiring classroom displays of the Ten Commandments. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday over a Texas law requiring public schools to display posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
view article
At Least 171 Measles Cases in 9 States in 2026: CDC
Officials have confirmed 171 measles cases across nine states so far in 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on Jan. 14. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia have confirmed cases, the CDC said in an update on its website. The case count does not include probable cases, officials said. The number of measles cases in the United States in 2025 was also revised upward, to 2,242, the highest total since 1991.
view article
Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Lake Worth parents press state: Why force out superintendent now?
The question Lake Worth parents and community members pressed Texas education officials with Wednesday night was simple: Why remove schools Superintendent Mark Ramirez? Inside the Lake Worth High School auditorium, speaker after speaker returned to the same point — not to defend years of low academic achievement but to argue that the district is finally showing signs of movement. Lake Worth ISD’s 3,200 students will pay the price if state leaders force Ramirez out, they said. The meeting marked the first opportunity for residents to directly question Texas Education Agency officials since the state began its takeover that includes replacing the district’s superintendent. Meanwhile, an appointed board of managers will assume the duties of the locally elected trustees.
view article
How teaching middle school in one of Texas’ poorest neighborhoods spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bid
Talarico’s two years as a public school teacher is central to his Democratic Senate campaign after shaping his policy goals and driving his political rise through the Texas House. Texas’ Senate Republican primary, meanwhile, looks headed for a runoff. The survey found U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a dead heat against Attorney General Ken Paxton, with neither eclipsing 30%.
view article
Texas school tied to federal point-shaving probe; player faces 20-year sentence
One Texas college basketball program was among the 17 Division I schools investigated by federal prosecutors in recent months in an alleged point-shaving scheme. Former Abilene Christian forward Airion Simmons is among the 39 players allegedly involved in point-shaving and game-fixing between 2022 and 2025, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Simmons, 25, played for Abilene Christian from 2019-24, with his first alleged misconduct occurring in March 2024.
view article
Brenham Rejects Tax Breaks for Foreign Data Center
City council members rejected a tax incentive for the property. Brenham residents packed a recent city council meeting to voice their concerns about the foreign-owned data center project planned in their community. City council members unanimously voted against an ordinance that would grant the project a tax break after hearng public comment. One local news outlet estimated that more than 100 residents attended the meeting. As previously reported, data centers are surging in number around Texas, often drawing opposition from local residents.
view article
Collin County Rejects Plan for Controversial Islamic Development
Developers of The Meadow, formerly branded EPIC City, can submit missing documents and have their application re-evaluated. Collin County officials have rejected a development plan submitted for the proposed Islamic community The Meadow, formerly branded as EPIC City. Officials found the application was incomplete but said the plan will be re-evaluated if and when all required items are submitted. County Judge Chris Hill announced the update on Thursday via social media. Hill said Community Capital Partners (CCP) officially submitted its development plat to Collin County Development Services on December 23, initiating the county review process. CCP is the team behind the controversial community planned for property in unincorporated areas of eastern Collin County and western Hunt County.
view article
In Ink and on Airwaves, Texas Media Grows Ever More Concentrated
n the realm of Texas newspapers, one media mogul now rules them all—or close to it at least. Last February, Hearst Communications acquired the Austin American-Statesman. Seven months later, the privately held New York-based conglomerate bought up the Dallas Morning News, one of the country’s last locally owned metro papers, for just over $80 million—outbidding the notorious hedge-fund outfit Alden Global. Considering the alternative, this was seemingly welcome news for the journalism business in Texas, where over 200 local papers have shuttered in the past 20 years. Under the vampiric regime of Gannett/Gatehouse, the Statesman was bled and hollowed out into a husk of a paper. And the Morning News had steadily slipped away from its glory days, when it had bureaus around the world, and was mired by turnover, layoffs, and declining print circulation.
view article
‘Support religious freedom’: Texas clergy warn law undermines church-state lines
An open letter said the 2025 policy allowing schools to implement prayer times "threatens to drive a wedge" between Texas students. Since Senate Bill 11 passed in the 2025 Texas regular legislative session, it has been a source of contention among secular and religious communities alike. The law, which allows schools across the state to implement a daily period of voluntary prayer and Bible reading, has been seen in various spaces as either a move to promote religious freedom or a policy that will ultimately harm it. One group of faith leaders is insistent that SB 11 squarely falls into the latter category, urging Texas school boards to ensure that all students will be welcome in their learning environment.
view article
Texas A&M abruptly cancels ethics course over race, gender policy
The university said content of the graduate course, which was already underway, was not adequately disclosed, forcing the cancellation. The professor disagrees Texas A&M University canceled a graduate ethics course three days after the semester began, saying Professor Leonard Bright did not provide enough information to let administrators determine if the course meets new standards for discussing race and gender Bright disputes that characterization.
view article
GOP House Candidate Amy Fennell Drops Out After Anti-Trump Posts Revealed
Amy Fennell, a Republican candidate who had been challenging State Rep. Mike Olcott in the GOP primary for Texas House District 60, has withdrawn from the race after previously posting a series of social media comments sharply critical of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Fennell’s withdrawal follows months of public posts opposing Trump’s return to the White House, promoting messaging from former Vice President Kamala Harris, and attacking Republican leadership and party priorities.
view article
Llano ISD To Host Screening of Pro-Explicit Books Movie ‘The Librarians’
The film promotes the stories of librarians who support sexually explicit materials for children.
A public screening is scheduled at the Llano High School next week of the documentary “The Librarians,” which documents the stories of librarians across the country who have protested removing children’s access to sexually explicit books. Included in the documentary is Llano local Suzette Baker, who filed suit against Llano County after being fired for not removing sexually explicit books targeting children from the public library shelves despite orders from the county. The screening of the film is set to take place in the Llano High School auditorium and will include a “Q&A session with film participants and other special guests immediately following.”
view article
Suspended Sanger ISD Policeman Jailed for Sex Crimes Against Student
“A criminal investigation was conducted by the Sanger Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of digital forensic investigators from the Denton County Sheriff’s Office and full cooperation from Sanger ISD.” Sanger ISD Superintendent Tommy Hunter notified parents Wednesday about the arrest. Hunter did not identify Demello or the charges against him but stated the officer is “no longer employed by Sanger ISD.”
view article
Collin County Rejects Plan for Controversial Islamic Development
Developers of The Meadow, formerly branded EPIC City, can submit missing documents and have their application re-evaluated. Collin County officials have rejected a development plan submitted for the proposed Islamic community The Meadow, formerly branded as EPIC City. Officials found the application was incomplete but said the plan will be re-evaluated if and when all required items are submitted. County Judge Chris Hill announced the update on Thursday via social media. Hill said Community Capital Partners (CCP) officially submitted its development plat to Collin County Development Services on December 23, initiating the county review process.
view article
Former, current Winnsboro ISD superintendents arrested
QUITMAN, Texas (KLTV) — Criminal charges have been filed against the current and former superintendents of Winnsboro ISD. Jail staff confirmed that Brian David Wilcox, 50, of Texarkana, and Aaron David Nation, 39, were booked into the Wood County Jail. Nation bonded out Monday evening; he had been held on $40,000 bond. Wilcox was held on a bond of $30,000 and bonded out on Tuesday.
view article
Hundreds of private schools are being shut out of Texas’ voucher program
Hundreds of private schools have been shut out of Texas’ new school voucher program while the state comptroller’s office awaits a decision in its bid to block some Islamic and allegedly Chinese-linked institutions. Nearly all schools accredited by Cognia, the largest private school accreditor in Texas, have been unable to submit applications in the month since the state began accepting them. As of Tuesday, only 30 of the 600 schools accredited solely by the nonprofit were added to the list of approved vendors, most of them offering only pre-K and kindergarten. The majority of those were added overnight on Monday, after Hearst Newspapers began inquiring about the issue.
view article
Nearly 100 Extremist Groups Still Operate in Texas
Texas remains a leading state for hate groups promoting neo-Nazi, anti-government and anti-LGBTQ ideals. Editor’s Note, 1/9/2026: This article was originally published in January 2025. It has been updated with new and current information. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), nearly 100 groups dedicated to hate and anti-government ideals called the Lone Star State home by the end of 2024; only California and Florida surpassed Texas with 97 and 100 groups, respectively. Nine of the 92 groups found in Texas operate statewide, according to the nonprofit civil rights organization, with several of them being headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The SPLC has published a census of hate groups each year since 1990, and the data shows that Texas is growing more extreme with each passing year. In 2015, the group found 84 active hate groups across the state compared to the most recently recorded 97; in 2005, the SPLC identified 45 groups across Texas.
view article
Brooks County ISD board appoints interim superintendent
The Brooks County Independent School District Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Ricardo Garcia II as Interim Superintendent, effective immediately. District officials said Dr. Garcia brings extensive experience within the district, having served in multiple teaching, campus leadership, and administrative roles.
view article
Texas House Democrats raised record-breaking $2.2 million in 2025
The majority of the Democratic caucus’ haul came when the party broke quorum over the summer to delay the GOP-controlled Legislature from redrawing the state’s congressional map. With a little help from their quorum break last summer, the Texas House Democratic Caucus raised $2.2 million in 2025, a record-setting year for the minority party in the state’s lower chamber. The HDC is set to file those figures, shared early with The Blast, at the campaign finance reporting deadline Thursday. Caucus Chair Gene Wu says that will let Democrats “preemptively” plan for the 2027 legislative session.
view article
Shallowater ISD names Strickland as lone finalist for superintendent
A longtime employee of the Shallowater Independent School District has been named the sole finalist to be its next leader. On Tuesday, Shallowater ISD announced that Dr. Aron Strickland — who currently serves as the assistant superintendent — has been named the lone finalist for the position of superintendent.
view article
TEA to meet with Lake Worth ISD community amid possible takeover due to failing ratings
The Texas Education Agency will meet with the Lake Worth community Wednesday as the school district braces for a state takeover. The meeting is an opportunity for parents, teachers and the community to ask questions and learn more about the takeover. Marilyn Miller Language Academy is the campus that is triggering this state takeover. They have been rated an 'F' for five years. Under Texas state law, that rating allows the TEA to intervene.
view article
Why Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s endorsed candidates always win
No GOP candidate for the Texas Senate has ever defeated a Patrick-endorsed primary opponent since he became the state’s second-in-command over a decade ago. Jon Gimble says he has plenty to offer GOP primary voters in his bid for an open Texas Senate seat. He’s a lifelong Texan and a local public servant, upsetting a Democrat in 2014 when he was elected district clerk in McLennan County. And he says he has political relationships in Austin while also being in touch with residents living in rural areas outside of Waco, who feel some of their biggest problems are neglected at the Capitol. But the one thing Gimble can’t offer might kneecap his chance of representing the district southwest of Dallas he seeks: an endorsement from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the upper chamber’s kingmaker.
view article
