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

April is National Volunteer Month. Did you know:

April 0708:40 AM

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Real Texans: Daniel Hayworth on the Threat of Islamification

April 0708:40 AM

On this edition of Real Texans, Michael Quinn Sullivan visits with Pastor Daniel Hayworth. As a former Army officer, school planter, and now full-time pastor, Daniel explains why Texans must understand the threats posed by the Islamification of the Lone Star State. view article

UT-Austin Accelerates Consolidation of Ethnic and Gender Studies Programs

April 0708:38 AM

The move had previously been anticipated for fall 2027. The University of Texas at Austin appears poised to expedite a previously announced consolidation of ethnic and gendr studies coursework within the College of Liberal Arts. Interim liberal arts Dean David Sosa sent an email to faculty late last week in which he stated that the consolidation “will be finalized by Fall 2026.” A left-wing media outlet reported the provost’s office wants these changes to be in lace before state lawmakers return in January 2027. A university spokesman disputed this characterization, stating that “the academic calendar is what’s driving the timeline.” “Anytime we implement structural changes to academic units we want those completed by the start of an academic year to avoid disruption,” the spokesman continued. “This is a common-sense administrative practice.” view article

South Texas Federal Prosecutors File Record-Breaking Number of Illegal Immigration Cases 

April 0708:30 AM

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the southern and western districts of Texas continue to report a high volume of illegal immigration cases and related crimes.  The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the southern and western districts of Texas continue to report a high volume of illegal immigration cases and related crimes.  Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas reported over 500 cases filed, a new record high set since the implementation of Operation Take Back America. These cases include charges filed for illegal entry, reentry following prior removal, and human smuggling crimes. The district reports that many of these individuals have prior felony charges, which include narcotics, assault, immigration offenses, and firearm charges. view article

Where Fort Worth ISD Ranks In Texas Superintendent Pay During State Takeover

April 0708:29 AM

Fort Worth ISD’s new superintendent, Peter Licata, will be paid $1,384.62 per day as acting superintendent, a prorated rate based on former Superintendent Karen Molinar’s $367,000 base salary. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Education Agency recently took over Fort Worth ISD’s school board and superintendent position. Licata will serve as the acting superintendent, replacing former superintendent Karen Molinar. view article

Carthage ISD Superintendent Resigns; Interim Named

April 0708:29 AM

The Carthage ISD Board of Trustees accepted the voluntary resignation of Superintendent Jarrod Bitter during a special-called meeting held Monday evening. Following the resignation, the board appointed Dr. Glen Hambrick to serve as interim superintendent. The appointment is effective immediately. view article

Waskom ISD names interim superintendent after previous superintendent’s death in Shreveport crash

April 0708:29 AM

The Waskom Independent School District Board of Trustees has appointed an interim superintendent after the previous one recently died in a car wreck in Shreveport. On Monday, April 6, the school district announced the appointment of Ross Boyett as interim superintendent. Boyett has nearly three decades of experience in education; the school district says he has a strong track record of “supporting students, empowering staff, and leading with integrity.” view article

Carthage ISD school board accepts superintendent’s resignation

April 0708:29 AM

An administrative change has occurred following a special-called school board meeting Monday night. According to the district, Supt. Jarrod Bitter submitted his resignation to the board during that meeting. The resignation was expected. Dr. Glen Hambrick, a former Carthage ISD superintendent and still a Carthage resident, has been appointed interim superintendent. view article

Chris Clark officially named Leander ISD superintendent, effective immediately

April 0708:27 AM

Leander ISD has officially hired Chris Clark, Ed.D., as the district’s superintendent, finalizing the decision during the Board of Trustees’ April 2 meeting. The board’s vote came after the state-required 21-day waiting period that followed Clark being named the lone finalist in March. Clark assumes the role effective immediately. view article

Georgetown ISD delays opening of 2 campuses until 2027

April 0708:26 AM

Georgetown ISD leaders are delaying the opening of a new elementary and middle school until 2027 after seeing lower enrollment projections. view article

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Most charges against Millsap ISD, former faculty dismissed in alleged child abuse case

April 0708:26 AM

A lawsuit filed against Millsap ISD, its former superintendent, an elementary school principal and two former educators regarding the alleged abuse of autistic children has been almost entirely dismissed, court records show. Former Millsap ISD superintendent Edie Martin and two former educators -- Jennifer Dale, 44, and Paxton Kendal Bean, 25 -- were arrested in March 2025 after a video of a February incident showed educators allegedly abusing an autistic child in a classroom. view article

Keller ISD joint committees recommend school closures amid declining enrollment

April 0708:25 AM

The Keller Independent School District is looking to close schools, citing declining enrollment and financial constraints. Keller is the latest among several North Texas districts forced to restructure campuses over the past several years. Keller ISD said its enrollment has declined by more than 4,000 students over the past five years and is expected to continue declining. On Thursday night, joint committees presented what they believe will be the best solution. view article

Humble ISD to host job fair to fill teacher, counselor and administrative positions

April 0708:24 AM

The job fair will be open to certified staff only, according to the district’s website. Officials will be hiring for the following positions: Teacher Counselor Administrative staff view article

Keller ISD could close 4 schools in 2027-2028

April 0708:22 AM

Big changes could be coming for families in the Keller Independent School District. A district committee is recommending the closure of four schools. view article

Here’s which Keller ISD schools could close as enrollment declines

April 0708:22 AM

Keller ISD mother Katie Gillham watched over the past few months as her Facebook filled with posts and chats speculating on which schools will close in the north Fort Worth district. view article

Amarillo ISD offers new hybrid, virtual learning for student choice

April 0708:19 AM

Jennifer Wilkerson, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Amarillo ISD, said that the school district was starting new virtual learning classes for grades 6-12 for those who wanted more choices in their education. view article

What to know about Lubbock ISD’s district optimization plan

April 0708:18 AM

Earlier in the year, Lubbock ISD's Board of Trustees adopted a plan that would dictate how the district would go about considering school closures and consolidations after previous efforts were met with community outrage. This new plan — named the District Optimization Plan — lays out three main criteria and the following sub-criteria the district will use to determine whether to close each school. view article

Dripping Springs ISD opens out-of-district transfer applications

April 0708:17 AM

Starting April 1, Texas families will be able to apply for an out-of-district transfer to Dripping Springs ISD. view article

Fort Bend ISD parents raise concerns about special education support during campus transitions

April 0708:15 AM

As Fort Bend ISD moves forward with campus changes, some parents of students receiving special education services say they are worried about what those transitions will mean for the support their children rely on every day. view article

Dalhart ISD mourning loss of 7th grader who died as a result of a ‘tragic incident’

April 0708:09 AM

Dalhart ISD is mourning the loss of 7th grader who died as a result of a "tragic incident." Superintendent Jeff Byrd sent ABC 7 News a statement Monday afternoon. Byrd couldn't say anything about the incident other than it happened Thursday night and that it did not occur on school grounds. view article

Pflugerville ISD cuts ‘Kickstart Kids’ martial arts program amid budget challenges

April 0708:08 AM

Parents in Pflugerville ISD are rallying to save a long-running martial arts program that district leaders said will soon be eliminated due to mounting budget deficits. Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit founded by the late Chuck Norris, operates in more than 50 middle schools across Texas. The elective uses martial arts training to teach students discipline, respect and responsibility. But Pflugerville ISD announced the program, along with the AVID college prep course, will be cut from three campuses beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The affected schools include Pflugerville Middle School, Dessau Middle School and Westview Middle School. view article

Dalhart ISD issues statement after 7th grader dies

April 0708:05 AM

Dalhart ISD has issued a statement after a student died last week. The statement says the district was notified Saturday that a 7th grade Dalhart ISD student died as a result of a tragic incident on April 2. “The entire Dalhart ISD community is deeply saddened by this event. Words cannot express the sorrow we feel about the loss of one of our students. We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family,” said Superintendent Jeff Byrd in the statement. view article

West Texas Teacher’s Aide Admits to Child Sex Abuse Charges

April 0705:00 AM

Levelland Middle School aide Camilo Reyes Castillo faces 60 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material. Camilo Reyes Castillo, 46, was arrested in June for recording videos of himself sexually abusing two boys, ages 9 and 12 years old, while they were staying at his house in Levelland. 8:44 AMCastillo then shared details of the abuse with other adults online. view article

Muslim families, Islamic schools ask judge to extend Texas’ voucher deadline again

March 3108:41 AM

The Texas comptroller’s office has started approving Islamic schools for the program, but lawyers argue that more needs to be done to avoid religious discrimination. Texans have until 11:59 p.m. on March 31 to apply for school vouchers, but a lawsuit from Islamic schools and Muslim families is asking a federal judge to extend that deadline for a second time. Four Muslim parents and three Islamic private school providers that operate four campuses had sued Texas leaders for excluding the schools over unsubstantiated terrorism allegations while accepting hundreds of other non-Islamic schools. The lawsuit asks the court to block the voucher program from discriminating on the basis of religion. As part of the dispute, U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett on March 17 extended the voucher application deadline by two weeks and ordered the state to consider the schools’ request to join the program. view article

Student shoots a teacher and then fatally shoots himself at a Texas high school, authorities say

March 3108:40 AM

No other injuries were reported in the Monday morning incident at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde. A 15-year-old student shot a teacher at a Texas high school and then fatally shot himself Monday, according to authorities, who were still investigating what led to the early morning attack. No other injuries were reported at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, a small but growing city near San Antonio. The teacher was taken to a nearby hospital. Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds said hours after the shooting that he did not know her condition. view article

Why Texas’ Population Boom Is Reshaping Local Mobility

March 3108:38 AM

Rapid growth across Texas is changing how families move, settle, and build community. Texas continues to lead the nation in population growth, with hundreds of thousands of new residents arriving each year. From Central Texas to the Gulf Coast, this migration wave is not only reshaping housing markets. It is transforming how communities think about mobility, infrastructure, and relocation logistics. Austin has experienced sustained migration driven by job growth in technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Rapid growth creates pressure. Housing inventory tightens. Commute times expand. Infrastructure must catch up. Mobility today is not limited to highways and public transit. It also includes how efficiently families transition between homes, neighborhoods, and cities. view article

Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign

March 3108:32 AM

Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances view article

Strict schedules, long days, high pay: What Waco schools can expect from new charter operator

March 3108:30 AM

The Waco school district is expected to be the latest to contract with the charter operator founded by Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston schools. view article

FDR was our grandfather. DHS is betraying his vision.

March 3108:24 AM

Border wall expansion, national park preservation and TSA tips, in readers’ eyes. view article

Why is my kindergartner watching ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ in school?

March 3108:21 AM

When my husband and I enrolled our daughter in kindergarten in a Washington, D.C., public school, we imagined a classroom filled with books, art supplies, building blocks and conversation. What we didn’t expect was our 5-year-old coming home reciting pharmaceutical ads from YouTube and asking to watch “KPop Demon Hunters” after seeing clips in class. 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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