SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KTRK) -- The Texas Panhandle wildfire recovery efforts will receive a $1 million donation from H-E-B and its chairman, Charles Butt, the company said on Saturday. Butt donated $500,000 to the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund, which helps Texas farmers, ranchers, producers, and agribusiness owners affected by natural catastrophes. On top of that, H-E-B pledged an additional $500,000 to help recovery efforts and nonprofit organizations responding to the Texas Panhandle wildfires. Since the disastrous fires began, H-E-B has maintained regular touch with the High Plains Food Bank to assist their important outreach. H-E-B has donated multiple truckloads of commodities to the food bank, including shelf-stable food, water, hygiene supplies, cleaning products, and other necessities. view article

About 1.8 million Texans voted during the early period that ended Friday, down from 2 million during the 2020 presidential primary. Democratic turnout accounted for the entirety of the decline.   More than 200,000 fewer Texans participated in early voting during the 2024 primary election compared to the 2020 primary – despite an overall uptick in the number of registered voters in the state.  About 10% of registered voters, or 1.8 million people, cast a ballot during early voting, which ran from Feb. 20 to March 1. That marked a significant decline from the last presidential primary election in 2020, where 12.6% of registered voters participated early. view article

The Texas Hill Country will soon see a surge in tourism of more than a million people for April's total solar eclipse. As many districts across the region are canceling classes for various reasons, one district has joined in cancellations for safety and attendance concerns. view article

Nearly 100 books were temporarily pulled from school library shelves in South Carolina's Beaufort County; most of the books were eventually returned after a review.   The ban campaign kicked off when two county residents, one of them a parent and former member of Moms for Liberty  — a conservative nonprofit that advocates for "parental rights" — filed complaints. They presented a list of 97 books they alleged didn't belong on school bookshelves.   Where did the 97 books on the list come from?  The list of books originated from a site called BookLooks, founded two years ago by a Florida nurse who is a former member of Moms for Liberty.  view article

DANBURY — The school district might be headed toward a four-day week, but the Board of Trustees needs more information.  The Danbury ISD board Monday night heard a presentation of data on the benefits of a four-day school week for staff and students.  Danbury administrative staff gathered information from other schools in Texas on staff and student morale, student achievements, parental perspective, athletics departments and fine arts departments. view article

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A bill that would largely ban displaying pride flags in public school classrooms was passed by the GOP-led Tennessee House on Monday after Republicans cut a heated debate short. The 70-24 vote sends the legislation to the Senate, where a final vote could happen as early as this week. The motion to cut off debate prompted Democratic Rep. Justin Jones, of Nashville, to yell that House Speaker Cameron Sexton was out of order and ignoring people’s requests to speak. Republicans in turn scolded Jones by voting him out of order, halting his immediate comments. Before that, at least two people against the bill were kicked out of the gallery due to talking over the proceedings as Democrats and other opponents blasted the legislation as unfairly limiting a major symbol of the LGBTQ+ community in schools. view article

Amid all the attention on this month’s elections in Wisconsin and Illinois, one outcome with major implications for 2024 flew under the national radar: School board candidates who ran culture-war campaigns flamed out. Democrats and teachers’ unions boasted candidates they backed in Midwestern suburbs trounced their opponents in the once-sleepy races. The winning record, they said, was particularly noticeable in elections where conservative candidates emphasized agendas packed with race, gender identity and parental involvement in classrooms. view article

With the March 5 election just a few days away, six anti-voucher House GOP incumbents managed to sidestep Abbott’s revenge warpath.  Joshua Feuerstein, a Forney Republican, met with Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign team on a Zoom call, seeking an endorsement in his primary challenge to Rep. Keith Bell.  Feuerstein said he’d support the governor’s voucher legislation. Bell, R-Forney, was among the 21 House Republicans who blocked Abbott’s priority voucher bill from passing into law last year.  “They told me I was the perfect candidate,” Feuerstein told The Texas Tribune. But no endorsement ever came. view article

A sixth-grade social studies lesson is being slammed for its offensive portrayal of the Middle East. The presentation, which was shown to 6th graders at Fort Settlement Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, starts with an overview of the Middle East. Then, there's a slide showing the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks, ISIS terrorists, and the Quran, the Muslim Holy Book. view article

The Burleson Fire Department is doing something good to fuel the next generation of firefighters. The city teamed with the Burleson ISD to create a training program for future firefighters. The BISD/BFD Fire Academy Program is a two-year program for juniors and seniors. The program lets high school students get fired up about a career in emergency services and get training that won't break the bank. view article

Starting this fall, Round Rock ISD students will be able to pursue associate degrees free of charge through a new partnership with Austin Community College. Through a partnership announced Feb. 23, students at all RRISD high schools will be able to combine courses taken through the district with those offered at ACC to earn the 42 core credits comprising an associate degree. The program is similar to that offered through the district's Early College High School. view article

Keller ISD addressed the investigation into a film crew that was brought onto a school campus without permission by a now-former trustee. But at Thursday's meeting, much of the concern was over a new controversy brewing in the district: the cancellation of a school play. view article

Gunter ISD and the First Baptist Church of Gunter are asking for donations on behalf of the First Baptist Church in Canadian, Texas, which is being affected by the wildfires in the panhandle. The school district said that the church in Canadian is asking for wipes and diapers, which can be dropped off at First Baptist Church of Gunter by Sunday, or the Gunter ISD Administration building by Friday. view article

February had an extra day this year, that means an extra day to celebrate Black History Month. Several Bryan ISD schools had programs Thursday to celebrate Black history. Branch Elementary students have spent the month creating artwork and putting together a program. It culminated with a performance Thursday at Stephen F. Austin Middle School, featuring singing, dancing and speaking parts. Students in first through fourth grade participated. view article

Karnack ISD sixth- through eighth-graders recently took a field trip to attend the performance of Sons & Daughters of Black History and visit several historic locations around Marshall to learn more about the Civil Rights movement. The Marshall Regional Arts Council invited the community to attend the presentation, which featured Toni Simmons doing interactive storytelling and Africans rhythms. KISD students who attended listened to songs and stories of historical events during the performance before they traveled around Marshall to visit different historic locations such as the Paramount Theater. view article

NN anchor John King expressed shock on Tuesday over the high concentration of "uncommitted" voters in Dearborn, Michigan.  To protest President Joe Biden's stance on the Israel-Hamas war, Muslim American Democratic voters campaigned for like-minded voters to select "uncommitted" in Tuesday's primary election. Their goal? Send a message to the president.  Unfortunately for Biden, they accomplished their mission. view article

When widespread heater failures in the San Antonio Independent School District left students shivering in classrooms in January, district leaders promised to publish a report on the causes of the failures. But publishing that report is taking longer than district leaders initially indicated. Heating systems broke down at a majority of the district’s campuses when SAISD returned to class on Jan. 16 after a three-day weekend spanning multiple days of below-freezing temperatures. But SAISD leaders didn’t realize the scope of the problem until the second day of classes. In order to identify needed repairs and come up with a fix, SAISD closed all of the district’s schools for two days. view article

The University Interscholastic League executive committee will meet Wednesday morning to consider penalties for North Shore High School for violating the organization’s recruiting rules. The committee will convene at 10:25 a.m. to consider punishment for violations of Section 51(a)(8) and Section 52(b). The first part of that, Section 51, pertains to school district personnel, who by act or omission, cause a school to be in violation of UIL rules. In this case, it’s recruiting, a Category A violation that requires a more severe penalty. The second part, Section 52, refers to the failure of a school to comply with UIL rules when not in conflict with the State Board of Education rules or regulations. The parties in question for the meeting are North Shore football offensive coordinator Andrew Cameron and North Shore High School. view article

The HISD superintendent released a shocking report claiming the district has wasted money on certain expenditures for decades.   State-appointed Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles released a report on Tuesday outlining a restructuring plan detailing "inefficiencies" and excessive spending he says has plagued the district for years. The plan, he said, would support the addition of over 100 schools to his New Education System next year. view article

Decatur ISD decides against four-day school week - Parents and students packed a Decatur ISD school board meeting Monday night to voice their opinions about switching to a four-day school week. In a 4-3 vote, the board of trustees voted against implementing a four-day school week in the Fall of 2024-2025. Instead, the board voted to revisit the issue during a special session in two weeks. view article

A Northside Independent School District board meeting turned into a call for action Tuesday night after several current and former special education teachers filled the meeting to voice their frustrations and concerns. “When was the last time any of you were hit by a student?” asked a teacher during a public comment. view article

In a 6-1 vote, the Denton Independent District School voted to keep two books in the library at Newton Rayzor Elementary. Denton ISD book ban At issue, books titled "Jacob's New Dress" and "Jacob's Room to Choose." The main character of the series goes on a courageous journey towards wearing a dress to school. The fictional child also ponders using the girl's restroom in one of the books. view article

Comedian Shane Gillis made his triumphant return to "Saturday Night Live," marking a victory for the comic who was once fired from the iconic sketch comedy show. Gillis, who was fired from SNL in 2019, returned to the live comedy show and pushed the envelope with a politically-incorrect monologue that would have been seemingly unusable in recent years without a public apology. The stand-up comedian started his night by begging viewers and audience members not to look up the reason why he was fired from the network show. "Most of you probably have no idea who I am. I was fired from this show a while ago. But... don’t look that up. Please. If you don’t know who I am, please don’t Google that. It’s fine. Don’t even worry about it," he joked. view article

The superintendent used the district’s email system to message staff, raising questions as to whether Texas Election Code needs to be strengthened in regards to electioneering.  With the primary election underway, Texas school districts’ utilization of taxpayer-funded resources to get out the vote is being closely scrutinized.   Denison Independent School District Superintendent David Kirkbride sent out an email to Denison ISD employees encouraging them to vote for candidates who “support public education” while decrying the governor’s push for school choice for Texas students.   view article

The porn conglomerate could be subject to millions of dollars in fines. Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing a major pornography distributer for failing to comply with a new state law requiring age verification for internet pornography. House Bill 1181, which went into effect in November, requires commercial porn websites to use “reasonable” methods to verify that users are at least 18 years of age before they access X-rated content online. Pornhub—the largest online platform for sharing sex videos—had sued Texas along with other pro-porn plaintiffs to keep HB 1181 from taking effect. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, said the state could enforce the new law. view article

The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named Neal Weaver as the sole finalist to lead Stephen F. Austin State University. If confirmed, Weaver would be the Nacogdoches-based school's first permanent president since it joined the UT System last year.  Weaver has served as president of Georgia Southwestern State University, which belongs to the University of Georgia System based in Americus, Georgia, for the past seven years .  “The Regents met with outstanding candidates, and Dr. Weaver’s ability to lead in a thriving academic environment, coupled with his commitment to innovation and strategic growth, make him an ideal appointment to serve Stephen F. Austin State University as it enters its new era as a UT institution,” said UT System Board Chair Kevin Eltife in a press release Thursday. view article

Richardson ISD held the first of five parent listening sessions Monday night following last week's announcement that the district plans to close five schools in the coming years. Under "Project RightSize," Greenwood, Springridge, Spring Valley and Thurgood Marshall elementary schools will be consolidated with neighboring schools starting in the upcoming school year, and Dobie Pre-K will close beginning in 2025. view article

Classes will be canceled Thursday and Friday so students and staff can attend the Devilettes UIL state tournament game. The ISD announced on Sunday that no classes would be held on Feb. 29 or Mar. 1 to allow the community to support their girls basketball team. The Devilettes play Columbus at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in the first 3A semi-final game in the Alamodome. view article

Pearsall Independent School District announced they are canceling classes for Tuesday, Feb. 27. Parents, guardians and community members were sent a letter from Dr. Nobert Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools Monday afternoon. view article

LOS ANGELES — Far-right activist Chaya Raichik splits her time between California, where she’s registered to vote, and Florida, where she often travels. But the place where she arguably is having the biggest impact these days is Oklahoma, a state she’s visited only once. Tech is not your friend. We are. Sign up for The Tech Friend newsletter.  Raichik, who operates the social media account Libs of TikTok, has amassed an audience of millions on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, largely by targeting LGBTQ+ people. Last month, Raichik was appointed to the Oklahoma Library Media Advisory Committee by Republican schools superintendent Ryan Walters, a former history teacher who has been called “the state’s top culture warrior” for his opposition to teachers unions and other conservative targets, including LGBTQ+ students’ rights. view article

A Texas judge on Thursday said the Barbers Hill Independent School District can punish a Black student who wears his hair in long locs without violating Texas’ new CROWN Act, which is meant to prevent hairstyle discrimination in schools and workplaces. The decision came after a monthslong dispute between the district and Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School who has been sent to in-school suspension since August for wearing his hair in long locs. Legislators last year passed a law called the Texas CROWN Act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture or protective styles associated with race. Protective styles include locs, braids and twists. view article

Paxton’s office demanded records of migrants that Annunciation House has helped and threatened to shut down the Catholic shelter network.  El Paso leaders on Friday denounced Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s threat to shut down Annunciation House, a network of migrant shelters that has been in operation for almost 50 years.  “An attack on one is an attack on all,” U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said during a news conference at the shelter’s office, which was packed with supporters.  Annunciation House operates several shelters in El Paso, helping immigrants and refugees who are experiencing homelessness with various needs, including food and housing, and providing information on how to complete legal documents to claim asylum in the United States. view article

More than half of Texans are registered to vote, but decisions that affect the 30 million residents are often made by a small portion of registered voters. Voting is a powerful tool for electing leaders who are invested in making the right decisions for their constituents, but Texas residents must go to the polls to ensure their voices are heard. view article

With the possibility of district rezoning looming in the future, BISD brought in students, parents and teachers to talk about what's next.   Beaumont Independent School District officials are laying out a plan to re-evaluate school attendance zones.   They say with growth and new construction happening all around the city they want to make sure students are going to school where they live.  The process will take nearly two years to complete and students be moving to a new school by fall of 2025.  view article

Austin Independent School District is recalculating the GPA and class rank for hundreds of high school seniors after discovering inconsistencies in its ranking process. The review of grades has already changed the rank of some students in the top 15 percent of their high school class. The issue dates back to a pandemic-era policy to mark students as pass or incomplete rather than provide a numerical grade. The practice was only used during the Spring 2020 semester, but according to district officials, there were inconsistencies in how the system interpreted or assigned the value of “P” for passing. view article