Abbott’s bid to expel the House Democratic leader goes to a court filled with his appointees

The Texas Supreme Court said in 2021 the Constitution allows members to thwart legislation by leaving the state. Abbott wants them to reconsider. Texas Democrats had been out of state for less than 48 hours when Gov. Greg Abbott moved to have their seats declared vacant. The emergency legal filing represents an unprecedented escalation of Abbott’s effort to pass a new congressional map that adds additional GOP seats, as demanded by President Donald Trump. It flies in the face of Texas’ own founding documents, centuries of legal precedent and a recent Supreme Court of Texas ruling, legal experts say. Even Attorney General Ken Paxton, a fellow Republican, threw cold water on Abbott’s strategy, filing his own brief saying that while he “appreciates the Governor’s passion,” he does not have the authority to bring this type of case.
Abbott Orders Arrest of Fleeing Democrats After House Fails to Reach Quorum

Capitol sources have indicated that a number of quorum-busting Democrats may be hiding in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of Texas House Democrats who fled the state to block a Republican redistricting plan, calling their absence a “dereliction of duty.” On Monday afternoon, the Texas House officially failed to reach the 100-member quorum required to conduct business, with only 90 members present. Members present quickly approved a “call of the House,” a procedural maneuver that authorizes the speaker to compel absent lawmakers to return, by civil arrest if necessary. “Speaker Dustin Burrows just issued a call of the Texas House and issued warrants to compel members to return to the chamber,” Abbott said. “To ensure compliance, I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans.”
Texas House Democrats are fundraising to potentially leave the state to block GOP-backed redistricting

The money could be used to cover the $500-a-day fines lawmakers would incur under House rules set to discourage members from absconding after Democrats fled the state in 2021. As Republicans in Texas move full steam ahead with a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts, Democrats are privately mulling their options, including an expensive and legally dicey quorum break. If they go that route, it appears they will have the backing of big-dollar Democratic donors. By fleeing the state to deprive the Legislature of enough members to function, Democrats would each incur a fine of $500 per day and face the threat of arrest. Deep-pocketed donors within the party appear ready to cover these expenses, according to three people involved in the discussions. The donors’ willingness to foot the bill eliminates a major deterrent to walking out — the personal financial cost — and could embolden Democrats who might otherwise hesitate. But first, the donors and absconding members would need to figure out how to skirt a potential roadblock: Texas House rules prohibit lawmakers from dipping into their campaign coffers to pay the fines. Republicans approved the $500 daily punishment in 2023, two years after Democrats fled the state in an unsuccessful bid to stop Republicans from passing an overhaul of the state’s election laws.
Gov. Abbott: Texas must ban intoxicating THC products in special session

Texas Senate committee doubles down on THC ban, saying state and local governments don’t have the resources for regulations Texas Senate committee doubles down on THC ban, saying state and local governments don’t have the resources for regulationsSenate Bill 5 would ban products containing any detectable amount of any cannabinoid, creating criminal offenses for possession of hemp-derived THC.
Number missing from Hill Country floods down to 3

More than two weeks after catastrophic July Fourth floods along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, authorities reported Saturday that nearly all of the people who had remained on the list of missing persons have been verified as safe. As recently as Monday, rescuers were still trying to find an estimated 101 people. But by Saturday, the official count of people missing had been lowered to three. The officials did not give an update to the total number of people who died because of the floods. On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott said the statewide death toll was 135. In a press release, the city of Kerrville wrote that many of the people missing had been located "through extensive follow-up work among state and local agencies."
Gov. Abbott provides latest update on Central Texas flooding

n Thursday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a news conference and now says there have now been 135 deaths statewide from flooding

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Preventive Law:HB 6 and Special Education

August 0709:34 AM

During the 89th Regular Legislative Session, HB 6 made a number of changes to Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code and the content of the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct. Many of these changes will likely be welcomed by Texas public schools, such as the ability to have more discretion in the determination of appropriate behavioral consequences for a student found in possession of a VAPE device.

10 things to know about Trump’s new school voucher program

August 0808:34 AM

The Hechinger Report covers one topic: education. Sign up for our newsletters to have stories delivered to your inbox. Consider becoming a member to support our nonprofit journalism. After decades of trying, conservatives this year succeeded in creating the first national school voucher program. view article

Former Superman actor Dean Cain reveals he’s becoming an Ice agent to support Trump’s mass deportation agenda

August 0808:32 AM

The actor will be sworn in ‘ASAP’ amid the federal agency’s recruitment drive and unprecedented immigration raids that have sparked protest across the US Former Superman actor Dean Cain has announced he has signed up to join US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), in order to support Donald Trump’s anti-immigration agenda. The federal law enforcement agency has aggressively ramped up immigration raids since Trump’s return to the White House and was recently awarded $75bn in extra funding as part of the president’s “big beautiful bill”, which includes billions for hiring an additional 10,000 Ice agents by 2029. view article

Penny Schwinn out as nominee for Education Department’s No. 2 job after conservative pushback

August 0808:30 AM

Former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has withdrawn her nomination to serve in the No. 2 spot in the Trump Education Department after cultural conservatives mounted a campaign opposing her. The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday that Schwinn would serve instead as a senior adviser and chief strategist, roles that do not require Senate confirmation. Schwinn enjoyed a good reputation among national conservative education advocates for her work in Tennessee to boost reading proficiency and target pandemic relief dollars toward academic recovery. Schwinn was the second name President Donald Trump announced to lead his Education Department, after Secretary Linda McMahon, even before he was sworn into office. view article

10 things to know about Trump’s new school voucher program

August 0808:09 AM

fter decades of trying, conservatives this year succeeded in creating the first national school voucher program. The Republican megabill that President Donald Trump signed into law in July will establish new tax credit scholarships for families to use at private schools, including religious ones — a long-held goal of school privatization advocates who argue parents should get taxpayer support if they want to opt out of their neighborhood school. Under the “big, beautiful bill,” donors can receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits of up to $1,700 for contributions to scholarship-granting nonprofits. Those groups then distribute the money to families seeking help paying for private school, tutoring and other educational expenses. The program, while significant, is less expansive than in earlier drafts of the legislation. Previous versions gave donors larger tax credits — a match up to $5,000 or 10 percent of their income, whichever is greater — and mandated that all states participate rather than allowing them to opt in. view article

Texas Casino Interests Prepare Comeback Attempt

August 0805:00 AM

Texas Sands has been sitting on more than $9 million in cash ahead of the elections. After dumping millions into the 2024 election cycle and coming up short, Las Vegas Sands appears ready to roll the dice again. New financial disclosures show that Texas Sands PAC, the Texas-based political arm of the casino giant, has more than $9 million in cash on hand heading into the upcoming election season. That money comes almost entirely from Miriam Adelson, the billionaire owner of Las Vegas Sands and majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks. view article

AG Paxton Launches Investigation Into Soros-Funded Texas Majority PAC

August 0805:00 AM

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced the launch of a formal investigation into Texas Majority PAC—funded by leftist billionaire George Soros—for its “role in potentially unlawful financial coordination and bribery of Democratic legislators who fled Texas to break quorum.” The Texas Majority PAC was founded by former staffers from Robert “Beto” O’Rourke’s unsuccessful campaign for governor and has since gained national attention. The PAC is largely funded by leftist billionaire George Soros. Latest reports indicate it has around $600,000 cash-on-hand. Paxton described the PAC as “radical,” with a mission aligned with other left-leaning organizations aiming to influence Texas politics. Paxton alleges that the PAC played a “coordinating role” in assisting with illegal fundraising operations and possibly bribing Texas House members. These actions, Paxton maintains, may have incentivized lawmakers to abandon their legislative responsibilities, an act that—if financially rewarded—could constitute bribery under state law. view article

Houston Oil Service Firm Loses Injection Permit Amid West Texas Earthquakes

August 0708:39 AM

Texas regulators have permanently revoked Blackbuck Resources’ wastewater injection permit after a series of West Texas earthquakes. Texas regulators have officially pulled the plug on Blackbuck Resources’ underground wastewater disposal operations following a string of powerful earthquakes tied to the company’s practices. view article

Texas Education Agency weighs takeover of Fort Worth ISD

August 0708:35 AM

The TEA commissioner said the state is watching Fort Worth ISD closely and might replace the school board. view article

Texas to Launch Advanced Nuclear Energy Office

August 0708:30 AM

The office will facilitate grants for nuclear ventures. view article

Advice I Wish I Had Heard Before Becoming a School Administrator

August 0708:28 AM

I’ve been fortunate to experience what many would consider a successful career. I’ve served as a superintendent in two districts, been named Illinois State Superintendent of the Year, published books, given keynotes nationally, and led award-winning school improvement efforts. But I say this with complete honesty: Nothing was more difficult than my first year as a principal. view article

San Antonio charter school announces closure 5 days before start date

August 0708:28 AM

Many families are scrambling to find solutions after a charter school shut down just five days before the first day of the school year. Bexar County Academy announced Wednesday it would not reopen for the 2025–2026 academic year. Classes were supposed to begin Monday. The decision caught parents like Regina Vogelsberg off guard, who has been preparing for her daughter to return to school. view article

End-of-year STAAR exam is bad for Texas kids, schools. Lawmakers should fix it

August 0708:28 AM

Efforts to reform the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR tests, in Texas schools died a slow death in late spring. But in their special session, legislators may consider it again, with a bill to replace “end of year” state assessments with three shorter tests throughout the school year. Like many of my fellow Texas teachers, I’m watching with interest. STAAR has long been an imperfect standardized assessment on our students, damaging them and our schools. It’s time to say goodbye to STAAR. Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article311593848.html#storylink=cpy view article

Texas School Zone Safety: DPS Issues Urgent Reminder On Driving And Bus Laws

August 0708:27 AM

Texas officials are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution as millions of students return to school this month, warning that a moment of distraction could have devastating consequences. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued comprehensive safety guidance Monday, emphasizing that children often don’t pay attention to traffic while walking to school. view article

Psychologist warns of withdrawal effects of cellphone ban in Texas schools

August 0708:26 AM

Move over, baseball. Like it or not, "scrolling" has become the nation's pre-eminent pastime. "Yeah, it's super tough," said Carly Decker in Dallas. "I'm personally glued to my phone because of various jobs, and all require I be on call at all hours. So, it is tough to find a balance." view article

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Texas students face major changes as new education laws take effect

August 0708:25 AM

Lawmakers focused a lot of bills on education during the regular session. Now they are law. From a total cell phone ban in all schools to requiring the display of the 10 commandments in classrooms. When classes begin next week for most school districts, there will be a big change for students. view article

Temple ISD Board of Trustees receives statewide honor

August 0708:25 AM

The Temple Independent School District Board of Trustees has been named as an Honor School Board by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) as part of the organization's 2025 School Board Awards, the district has announced. According to the district, Temple ISD is one of only five districts throughout the state of Texas to be selected for the honor, which is reportedly meant to "recognize outstanding Texas school boards for commitment and service that has made a positive impact on Texas public school students." view article

Amarillo area school district cell phone policies

August 0708:19 AM

After Governor Greg Abbott recently signed the bill banning cell phones in Texas schools, NewsChannel 10 is gathering the new or updated policies for area school districts. view article

DPS Offers Reminders for a Safer School Year

August 0708:18 AM

As students begin heading back to school, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds all Texans to exercise heightened caution and adhere to safety measures implemented to protect students, staff and fellow drivers this school year. This includes tips on how to safely drop off and pick up your child from school, drive cautiously through school zones and talk to your family and loved ones about staying safe this school year and beyond. view article

How Central Texas schools are implementing the 10 Commandments

August 0708:16 AM

Several Central Texas school districts are inching closer to the first day of school. KWTX is tracking new laws put into place in the Lone Star State education system. Come September, classrooms will be required to display the 10 Commandments. The law states the poster of the commandments must measure at 16 inches and 20 inches tall. view article

Texas Data Centers Thirst for Water, Challenging State Infrastructure

August 0708:00 AM

Texas has become a hotspot for tech companies, attracting business from data companies that need larger campuses to meet national demand. In the midst of a water crisis, data centers create additional demand for this vital resource. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), there are 64 public water systems currently limiting usage in order to avoid shortages. The TCEQ’s drought map shows severe alerts being issued throughout Central Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. This year, what Gov. Greg Abbott called “Texas-sized investments” were made with the passage of Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7, which appropriated billions of dollars toward water infrastructure and conservation. view article

Trump orders work on new census, says people in US illegally ‘WILL NOT BE COUNTED’

August 0706:00 AM

Trump orders work on new census, says people in US illegally 'WILL NOT BE COUNTED' President Donald Trump declared in a Thursday morning Truth Social post that he has directed the Commerce Department to start working on a new census, noting that illegal aliens in the U.S. will not be included in the population count. "I have instructed our Department of Commerce to immediately begin work on a new and highly accurate CENSUS based on modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024," the president said in the post. view article

Texas Senate OKs stricter limits on city, county property tax revenue

August 0705:57 AM

The proposal would put tighter limits on how much property tax revenue cities and counties of a certain size can collect each year. The Texas Senate advanced a proposal Wednesday aimed at gut-checking city and county property tax bills as Republican lawmakers seek ways to rein in the state’s high property taxes. But the bill faces an uncertain future in the state House, where lawmaking has stalled as Democratic House members have booked it out of the state to thwart a GOP-led redistricting push sought by President Donald Trump. The redrawing of congressional lines is meant to shore up the number of Republican seats and stave off any potential losses in next year’s midterm elections. Texas senators voted 18-3 to approve Senate Bill 9, which would tighten state limits on how much more in property tax revenue cities and counties can collect each year without asking voters. That limit stands at 3.5% right now. The bill would further limit that growth to 2.5% — though only for cities and counties with at least 75,000 residents. view article

Georgetown ISD approves pay raises, reinstates key positions with new state funding

August 0705:01 AM

Georgetown ISD teachers with three or more years of experience and other staff members will receive pay raises next school year through new state funding. Additionally, GISD will provide raises for new and beginner teachers, and reinstate several positions that were previously eliminated from the district’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget. view article

Texas Senate OKs stricter limits on city, county property tax revenue

August 0705:00 AM

The Texas Senate advanced a proposal Wednesday aimed at gut-checking city and county property tax bills as Republican lawmakers seek ways to rein in the state’s high property taxes. But the bill faces an uncertain future in the state House, where lawmaking has stalled as Democratic House members have booked it out of the state to thwart a GOP-led redistricting push sought by President Donald Trump. The redrawing of congressional lines is meant to shore up the number of Republican seats and stave off any potential losses in next year’s midterm elections. Texas senators voted 18-3 to approve Senate Bill 9, which would tighten state limits on how much more in property tax revenue cities and counties can collect each year without asking voters. That limit stands at 3.5% right now. The bill would further limit that growth to 2.5% — though only for cities and counties with at least 75,000 residents. view article

Zavalla water issues cancel first day of school

August 0705:00 AM

Zavalla ISD has rescheduled the first day of school due to water safety concerns. Both the City of Zavalla and ZISD say they will be sending out updates on the situation Thursday. The city asks the public to be vigilant and report anyone who is seen around the water wells. view article

HISD has zero F-rated schools this year, according to the latest state accountability ratings

August 0705:00 AM

HOUSTON, Texas – Houston Independent School District, the largest school district in Texas, announced Tuesday that it expects 74% of its schools to receive an A or B rating in the state’s 2024-2025 accountability ratings. This would be an increase from two years ago, when only 35% of HISD schools earned those ratings. view article

What to know about the $8.4B boost headed to Texas public schools

August 0705:00 AM

Over the next two years, Texas’ nearly 9,000 public schools will receive about $8.4 billion in new funding after Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2 into law in June. The overview: Nearly half of that funding will be spent on raises for educators and support staff, such as bus drivers, janitors and librarians. State lawmakers estimated in May that schools will receive “north of $17,700” per student under the long-negotiated school funding package—up from about $15,502 in the 2022-23 school year, according to Texas Education Agency data. The funding increase comes as some school Texas districts across Community Impact’s coverage areas grapple with growing budget shortfalls, leading some districts to consider closing campuses, cutting staff and slashing elective courses. view article

Texas Rep. James Talarico calls Democrats’ redistricting exodus an act of faith

August 0704:20 AM

RNS) — Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a seminarian who has joined dozens of other Democratic state legislators in leaving his state to oppose mid-decade redistricting efforts, said he views their protests as an act of faith, reflecting both his personal beliefs and his faith in democracy. Talarico, who is a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas, discussed the protest in a webinar Tuesday (Aug. 5) co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress Action Fund and Interfaith Alliance. view article

Abbott’s bid to expel the House Democratic leader goes to a court filled with his appointees

August 0704:06 AM

The Texas Supreme Court said in 2021 the Constitution allows members to thwart legislation by leaving the state. Abbott wants them to reconsider. Texas Democrats had been out of state for less than 48 hours when Gov. Greg Abbott moved to have their seats declared vacant. The emergency legal filing represents an unprecedented escalation of Abbott’s effort to pass a new congressional map that adds additional GOP seats, as demanded by President Donald Trump. It flies in the face of Texas’ own founding documents, centuries of legal precedent and a recent Supreme Court of Texas ruling, legal experts say. Even Attorney General Ken Paxton, a fellow Republican, threw cold water on Abbott’s strategy, filing his own brief saying that while he “appreciates the Governor’s passion,” he does not have the authority to bring this type of case. view article

China Spring ISD students head back to school

August 0608:31 AM

News 10 This Morning's Olivea Herzberg chats with Temple ISD Superintendent Bobby Ott about their 10 Commandments policy. view article

‘Water hostage crisis’ at new Willis ISD middle school leaves hundreds of families in limbo

August 0608:25 AM

Just days before the first day of school at the newly constructed Homer C. Calfee Middle School, part of Willis ISD, the City of Conroe shut off the school’s water service. The school is set to welcome more than 800 students on August 13, but parents said important back-to-school events like orientation have been postponed because of the water permitting problem. view article

‘I did black out’: Months after student attack, former Judson ISD teacher seeks better protections

August 0608:25 AM

A former Judson Independent School District special education teacher is still recovering after he said a student attacked him in a classroom. Christopher Johnson said he has endured months of pain and medical visits. view article

15 Fort Worth ISD schools to have longer school year

August 0608:20 AM

A new school year means even more classroom time for students at 15 Fort Worth ISD schools, the district announced. To accelerate academic growth, the Fort Worth ISD School Board approved a plan to add additional school days at 15 campuses. At these schools, the school year will begin Aug. 12 and extend to June 30. The plan adds 25 more instructional days for students at those campuses. view article

No more phones in Texas classrooms? These are the new rules parents need to know

August 0608:10 AM

As students prepare to return to class, HISD is rolling out a new cell phone ban under a new state law that takes effect this school year. The law, House Bill 1481, requires all Texas school districts to restrict students from using personal electronic devices during the school day. That includes cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, and earbuds. 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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