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Congratulations to the following New Supers
88
Superintendent Vacancies
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| 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 | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | San Isidro ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Region One ESC, Exec. Dir. Dr. Daniel P. KingINFO | Vacant | Queen City ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Commerce ISD - Search by: Commerce ISD Board of Trustees; INFO | Vacant | Gonzales ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte Baker,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 | Dawson ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Danny LovettINFO | 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 | Centerpoint ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | 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 | Howe ISD; Search by: Howe ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | El Paso ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Bynum ISD; Search by: Bynum ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Canutillo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Ingram ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Lamesa ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | West Rusk CCISD; Search by: Lawrence Coleman & West Rusk CCISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Era ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | 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 | Newcastle ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waco ISD - Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent,Buna ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Onalaska ISD - Dr. Kenneth Fraga, Assistant Superintendent,Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lueders-Avoca ISD - Dr. Joe Alcorta, Superintendent,Dalhart ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Albany ISD - Daryl Stuard, Superintendent,Bremond ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Victoria ISD - Shelia Collazo, Deputy Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and Saul HinojosaINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hawkins ISD - Jeff Hutchins, Director of Operations,Van ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Monte Alto ISD - Rashad Javed Rana, Assistant Superintendent,Donna ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Utopia ISD - Joshua Ham, Principal,San Saba ISD; Search by: Utopia ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Buna ISD - Dr. Julie Motomura, Superintendent,Schulenburg ISD; Search By: Buna ISD Board of Trustees INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Splendora ISD - Dustin Bromley, Deputy Superintendent,La Porte ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Mount Calm ISD - Jay Underwood, Deputy Superintendent,Anna ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| 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, Staci Robertson, & 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 | Marlin ISD - Alphonso Bates, Assistant Superintendent ,Lamar CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| 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 | Killeen ISD - Dr. King Davis, Interim,Killeen ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO |
| 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 |
| New Super | Plains ISD - Scott Mills, Principal,Quannah ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | San Benito CISD - Alfredo Perez, Interim Superintendent,San Benito ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Industrial ISD - Michael B. Colvin, Director,Comfort ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte BakeINFO |
| New Super | Dilley ISD - Kelli Dubose, Interim Superintendent,Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Kermit ISD - Oscar Muniz, Superintendent,Ralls ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Bowie ISD - Dr. Donna Hale, Assistant Superintendent,Perryton ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Frost ISD - Leroy Joffre, Principal,Cedar HIll ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Waskom ISD - Chris Guastella, Principal,Ferris ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Cedar HIll ISD - Dr. Maria Gammel, Chief HR Officer,Cedar Hill ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?- Northwest - 2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A)
2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A) Northwest ISD has called an operations funding election to provide voters with the opportunity to decrease class sizes in exchange for a 3-cent increase to the tax rate. Because of continued tax rate compression, voter approval of the measure would still result in a tax rate decrease from 2024. Combined with a $40,000 increase to the homestead exemption, most homeowners are expected to pay less in property taxes in 2025.
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Texans set to approve $3 billion dementia research fund
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers. Texas voters on Tuesday are on track to approve Proposition 14, the constitutional amendment that both establishes a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) and authorizes the spending of $3 billion to set up the fund. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led the effort this past legislative session to create DPRIT, modeling the center on the state’s cancer research fund. Senate Bill 5, by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, was passed earlier this year and effectively created the institute. Now that the constitutional amendment has passed, the institute is to be funded with $3 billion in surplus state revenue. After this first year, the institute will see up to $300 million appropriated each year.
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Preventive Law: The False Claims Act and Civil Rights – What You Don’t Know Could Cost You
In case you are running low on things to worry about this semester, never fear. This article is dedicated to the False Claims Act (FCA), another tool the federal government appears happy to point in the direction of public schools.
Texas Education Agency takes over Fort Worth ISD, replacing its elected school board
The North Texas district is the 11th since 2000 to be taken over by the state and the second largest after Houston ISD.
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Coach in ‘Pass the Trash’ Controversy Resigns From Celina ISD
A North Texas wrestling coach at the center of a “pass the trash” controversy has resigned from Celina Independent School District. Celina High School Principal John Burdett announced coach Neil Phillips’ resignation in an email sent late last week to wrestling parents. Phillips was placed on leave from Celina ISD after an October 31 social media post revealed that nearby Melissa ISD had allowed the coach to quietly resign during the last school year amid misconduct allegations.
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Texas General Land Office To Survey for Cartel Tunnels Along Southern Border
Continuing its efforts to secure the southern border, Texas will begin surveying lands managed by the Texas General Land Office in search of cartel tunneling activity. Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham directed the General Land Office (GLO) to identify lands under their management that could be susceptible to cartel smuggling tunnels. The operation will specifically target land located in high-risk areas, such as Hudspeth County. Located southeast of El Paso, state officials discovered a campsite set up by human smugglers 30 miles north of the border in Hudspeth County in 2023. Buckingham has also instructed GLO field officers to use aerial and drone technology to survey possible tunnel sites while conducting routine land inspections.
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Texas Rangers Join Investigation of Collinsville ISD Coach
Baseball coach Derrick Jenkins has been on leave since October 20 over alleged grooming of students. An investigation into alleged misconduct by a coach in Collinsville Independent School District has expanded to include state law enforcement. Baseball coach and special education teacher Derrick Jenkins was placed on administrative leave on October 20 over allegations that he engaged in inappropriate communications with a student. The Collinsville Police Department announced last week that the Texas Rangers and Grayson County District Attorney’s Office had joined its investigation into Jenkins. The announcement stated that authorities are “actively investigating allegations of grooming” involving a Collinsville ISD staff member and a student.
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Paxton Sues Harris County Over $1.3 Million for Illegal Aliens’ Legal Defense
Ken Paxton has sued Harris County commissioners over a $1.3 million taxpayer-funded program that provides attorneys for illegal immigrants fighting deportation, calling the move unconstitutional.
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La Marque pushing property tax hike due to major budget shortfall
Cash-strapped Texas city defies AG warning not to raise taxes Citing a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
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How Texas Farmers and Hunters Eliminated 70000 Feral Hogs & Wild Boars Destroying Their Land
Over 5,000 hunters united to eliminate 70,000 feral hogs in just 72 hours—saving over $400 million in crops. These massive wild hog invasions devastate Texas farmland with alarming speed, threatening generations of American farming tradition. The economic impact is staggering, and the tactics used go far beyond traditional hunting. Go behind the scenes of the Texas Feral Hog Hunting Championship and witness this massive-scale effort firsthand. …
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Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election loss
John Huffman was the best-funded candidate in the Senate District 9 special election thanks to casino interests, but failed to make the runoff. Gambling proponents still have millions more to spend on Texas races.
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Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election loss
John Huffman was the best-funded candidate in the Senate District 9 special election thanks to casino interests, but failed to make the runoff. Gambling proponents still have millions more to spend on Texas races.
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Paxton sues Harris County over legal support for undocumented immigrants
The county recently allocated $1.3 million to groups that provide immigration legal services amid an uptick in federal enforcement. Paxton called the program “evil and wicked.”
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TribCast: Kate Rogers on her ousting from the Alamo Trust
Kate Rogers, the former president of the Alamo Trust, joins the TribCast this week to talk about her decision to step down from running the Texas’ most beloved historic site amid political pressure from Republican state leaders.Rogers walks Eleanor and guest host Alejandro Serrano through the unexpected controversy over a social media post celebrating Indigenous People’s Day, and her surprise when state leaders started sharing excerpts of her 2023 doctoral dissertation. In the paper, which she had to go back and read herself when it began circulating, she’d written that she wanted the Alamo to “become a beacon for historical reconciliation … but politically that may not be possible at this time.” Rogers was in the midst of overseeing a politically fraught overhaul of the Alamo Historic Site, which has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debates over how to tell the story of Texas’ history. While she maintains there was nothing particularly controversial in her dissertation, she acknowledged that some parts could be read as critical of the Texas Legislature, which is the project’s largest funder.
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Leon Alcala, PLLC
WEBINAR:Roadmap to Bond Construction
Presented by: John Janssen
Presented by: Sarah Reynolds
Presented by: Eddy Hernandez Perez
Read more and register here...
Texas Head Start closures during government shutdown add to state’s child care woes
Hundreds of families lost child care when certain programs weren’t funded earlier this month, and scores more may be affected if Congress doesn’t fund the government by Dec. 1.
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The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years
The state has recorded more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough so far this year, 10 times the number in 2023.
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President Donald Trump endorses Gov. Greg Abbott for reelection
The president praised Abbott for leading this year’s effort to redraw the state’s congressional maps to favor Republicans during the 2026 midterm elections.
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Older Texans among those facing the largest price hikes for Affordable Care Act insurance
Of all the topics 55-year-old Groves resident Theresa Hebert has discussed on her TikTok account @foolish_mortal999 over the past five years, nothing has brought in new viewers like her recent anxiety over expected Affordable Care Act health insurance price hikes. Not even her battle with breast cancer. “With the current government shutdown and the threat of not extending the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, I’m a bit worried,” she told viewers last month.
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Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick call for DPS to investigate Texas Southern University over financial mismanagement findings
State Auditor Lisa Collier said university staff vacancies for “critical” financial responsibilities have contributed to delays in financial reporting, as well as poor asset oversight and weak contracting processes.
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Texas A&M faculty panel report says professor’s firing violated her academic freedom
University officials dispute the faculty council’s conclusion. Melissa McCoul lost her job after a video of a classroom debate went viral.
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Texans have started to receive partial SNAP payments
Texans have started to receive partial SNAP payments Some Texans started receiving SNAP benefits on Monday after food assistance payments for November were delayed for more than a week as a result of the federal government shutdown. “SNAP clients who usually get their benefits between the 1st and 10th of the month will see partial benefits on their Lone Star Cards Nov. 10,” Tiffany Young of Texas Health and Human Services Commission said in an email. “For SNAP clients who receive benefits on or after the 11th of the month, partial benefits will be issued on their normal issuance date.”
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Lufkin ISD’s Dr. Daniel Spikes Honored with 2025 Diversity in Business Award for Community Leadership
Dr. Daniel Spikes, Assistant Superintendent for Lufkin Independent School District (LISD), has received the 2025 Diversity in Business Award from the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes his work in promoting equity and inclusion in the school district and the Lufkin community. Dr. Spikes has led efforts to support students, staff, and families in LISD. He has focused on creating opportunities for all members of the district. Colleagues and students have noted his efforts to encourage and support others. The Chamber of Commerce cited Dr. Spikes’ advocacy and educational work. They noted his approach to education and his ability to connect with people. He is recognized for his support and encouragement of others.
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Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick call for DPS to investigate Texas Southern University over financial mismanagement findings
State Auditor Lisa Collier said university staff vacancies for “critical” financial responsibilities have contributed to delays in financial reporting, as well as poor asset oversight and weak contracting processes.
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Texas Sens. Cornyn, Cruz vote for funding deal to end government shutdown
If approved by the House, the agreement would fund the government through the end of January, with certain agencies funded through September, including those that provide food assistance. The U.S. Senate passed a funding deal late Monday to end the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown, sending the bill to the House of Representatives and inching closer to restoring full SNAP benefits and ending air travel chaos. The bill was backed by nearly every GOP senator, including Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with eight Democrats, giving the measure enough support — 60 votes to 40 — to clear the upper chamber. The funding package still needs to pass the House, where Republicans’ narrow majority affords them only a few defections unless they receive Democratic support. If approved, the deal would fund the government through the end of January, with certain agencies funded through September, including those that provide food assistance payments. As part of the agreement, Democrats will also get a vote on an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that have been at the center of the dispute, which has left thousands of federal workers without pay since the shutdown began Oct. 1.
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Cash-strapped Texas city defies AG warning not to raise taxes
Citing a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
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Train Hits Texas High School Band Trailer Before Competition
As my driving school instructor once told our class, “If you stall out on train tracks, that’s about as bad of luck as you can have. Don’t do anything important for the rest of the day.” The Vandegrift High School Marching Band had a pretty wild day on their way to the state competition in San Antonio. Their equipment trailer was hit by a Union Pacific train at a crossing on Carolina Street and Hoefgen Avenue. The crash messed up the front of the truck, but somehow most of the instruments made it out okay. After hearing about what happened, other Texas schools quickly stepped in to help. They loaned instruments and gear so Vandegrift could still perform that night at the UIL State Marching Band Competition in the Alamodome.
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The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years
The state has recorded more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough so far this year, 10 times the number in 2023. More than 3,500 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, cases have been reported in Texas so far this year, already reaching a 11-year high even though two more highly infectious months are left in the year, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
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Trump administration demands states ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts as states warn of ‘catastrophic impact’
President Donald Trump's administration is demanding states "undo" full SNAP benefits paid out under judges' orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans. The demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came as more than two dozen states warned of "catastrophic operational disruptions" if the Trump administration does not reimburse them for those SNAP benefits they authorized before the Supreme Court's stay.
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Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit to meet mobility demands, TxDOT report says
As the state’s population grows, more travel options are needed in rural and smaller urban areas and between major cities, according to a draft of the first-of-its-kind plan. DALLAS — The state agency in charge of building Texas’ massive highways says Texans need more ways to get around if the state’s going to continue to grow — a stunning acknowledgment in car-dominant Texas A draft of the first-of-its-kind Texas Department of Transportation plan released in October outlines the need for boosted public transportation in rural and smaller urban areas as well as a greater array of travel options, including rail, between the state’s major urban centers.
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A Fort Worth church’s online class trains Christians to run for office. Now it may go national.
At the core of the program is the idea that there is no separation between what happens within the church and what happens in the government.
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Senate reaches tentative deal to reopen U.S. government
A group of moderate Democrats has a tentative deal to reopen the government if Republicans promise to hold a vote on expiring health care subsidies by December, a potential breakthrough as lawmakers seek to end the shutdown.
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Texas sues Roblox, alleging the online gaming platform endangers children
Texas is the third state to sue the platform, alongside dozens of private plaintiffs who say Roblox didn’t do enough to protect their kids from sexually explicit content.
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Senate reaches tentative deal to reopen U.S. government
A group of moderate Democrats has a tentative deal to reopen the government if Republicans promise to hold a vote on expiring health care subsidies by December, a potential breakthrough as lawmakers seek to end the shutdown.
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Trump administration asks for emergency pause on judge’s order to fully fund SNAP
The Trump administration on Friday asked a federal appeals court for an emergency pause on a federal judge's order to fully fund SNAP benefits this month. U.S. District Judge John McConnell ordered the administration on Thursday afternoon to deliver payments in full to states by Friday, chastising it for delays that he said have likely caused SNAP recipients to go hungry. The administration agreed earlier this week to use $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover about 65% of the benefits that eligible households would ordinarily receive. But it has argued that it cannot draw from additional funds set aside for child nutrition programs, known as Section 32 funding, to fully fund SNAP.
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