Vaccine exemption requests in Texas spike in July, as some experts fear more families will opt out

Texas school districts are coming back from summer with a rising number of parents asking for vaccine exemption forms and a new law that will make those documents even easier to obtain.  Combined with funding cuts to public vaccination programs, chilling effects of immigration policies on health care, and the wearying battle by school nurses to balance parental consent and overall student body health, Texas schools are on track to have the lowest vaccination rates in decades if exemption rates continue to climb.  “I do think that there is a problem — period — that is worse than we have known about previously,” said Terri Burke, executive director of The Immunization Partnership, which advocates for public policies that support increased access to vaccines. view article

Texas Senate panel again advances redrawn congressional map

A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended.  A Texas Senate panel again cleared a congressional map that aims to create five new Republican districts ahead of the 2026 election, despite hearing overwhelming pushback during a Sunday hearing.  The chamber’s redistricting committee voted 6-3 to advance Senate Bill 4 after more than 40 people told lawmakers that the process was being rushed and that it would dilute people of color’s voting power. One person registered in favor of the bill.  The Texas GOP introduced the rare mid-decade redistricting effort following a push from President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 elections. The legislation now goes to the Senate floor for a full vote.  The proposal approved Sunday offers a similar redrawn map that the committee considered in the first special session. view article

From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to Texas schools

Lawmakers also approved new teacher raises, banned DEI initiatives and gave schools more flexibility to discipline students. view article

Preventive Law: HB 6 and Special Education

HISD Board of Managers votes to keep home-school students from competing in UIL activities

Houston ISD's Board of Managers voted unanimously Thursday to formally opt out of allowing home-schooled students to compete in University Interscholastic League activities for the district.  In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law requiring public school districts to allow “non-enrolled students” living in the district to participate in official UIL activities unless the school board votes to opt out by Sept. 1.  view article

1,000+ students in Round Rock ISD considered homeless, numbers keep rising

The number of students experiencing homelessness across the state of Texas has continued to rise over the last few years. According to TEA data, during the 2021 to 2022 school year, there were more than 97,000 students experiencing homelessness in public schools in Texas. If you jump ahead to the 2023 to 2024 school year, the number jumped to more than 121,000 students experiencing homelessness. view article

TEA releases 2025 A-F ratings, 3 Austin ISD schools get fourth ‘F’ score

After years of legal delays, the Texas Education Agency released accountability ratings on Friday, showing how public schools performed in 2024 and 2025. The ratings paint a precarious picture for three Austin Independent School District campuses that have already undergone significant changes ahead of the new school year. view article

Frisco ISD prepares for school year as enrollment remains a challenge

Inside Frisco ISD's newly expanded Career & Technical Center, Superintendent Mike Waldrip boasted about the partnerships Frisco ISD is forming year after year to help connect its graduates to jobs. "We bring in mentors from the business community. And the students are actually learning from business professionals. They're learning about the areas that they're interested in from those people that actually do this work," said Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip. view article

Leander ISD begins year solemnly after flood tragedy

The Leander Independent School District is starting the new school year on a somber note. The July 5 flooding killed two students. The district almost made budget cuts and laid off some staff earlier this year. KXAN’s Barrett Tryon sat down and talked to Leander ISD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing about some of the challenges the new year brings. view article

TEA Releases 2025 A–F Accountability Ratings; 2024 Ratings Now Also Available

AUSTIN, TX – August 15, 2025 — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today released the 2025 A-F Accountability Ratings for public school systems and campuses across the state. Additionally, the delayed 2024 ratings have been made available to school systems and the public following the resolution of legal proceedings that previously prevented their release.   The release of the 2025 A-F Ratings reestablishes critical transparency for Texas families, communities and school leaders after two years of lawsuit-induced delays.   view article

Houston ISD for first time has zero F-rated schools, campuses earning As, Bs

(The Center Square) – Two years after being taken over by the state, zero Houston Independent School District schools have received an F-rating by the state.  The Texas Education Agency accountability ratings grade schools (A-F) according to a number of factors. A large number of HISD schools have historically failed, receiving D and F ratings for the year.  Students not only report failing grades and can’t read or do math at their grade level, but high school graduation rates are also low.  The district has also been plagued for years by corruption and mismanagement of public funds. After HISD officials were convicted for bribery, extortion and kickbacks, the state moved to take over the district.  After a long legal battle, the state took over the district in 2023, ousted its former superintendent and board of trustees and appointed a new board of managers and new superintendent, Mike Miles.  Under Miles, HISD has transformed. According to new preliminary TEA data, no HISD school received an F grade and the number of schools that received A and B grades tripled.  In the past two years, “We did great. You did great teachers. You did great students,” Miles said in an “HISD Now” public announcement. view article

Poll: Majority of Republican Primary Voters Support THC Ban


As lawmakers consider legislation banning THC, 62 percent of Republican primary voters are in support of such a measure.  In a recent opinion research poll, surveyors found that a majority of Republican primary voters support a total ban on consumable THC products.  When asked by pollsters from Baselice & Associates if they would support legislation that would fully ban THC consumables, 62 percent of respondents said that they would.  Texas lawmakers are currently considering two different measures that would bar the use of THC in consumable products.  Senate Bill 5, authored by State Sen. Charles Perry (R–Lubbock), was passed by the Senate and has been sent to the House for consideration.  State Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R–New Boston) filed an identical companion bill to SB 5 in the House, which was brought before the Public Health Committee on Wednesday.

view article

Supreme Court Sets Month-Long Briefing Schedule for Quorum Busters Case

Gov. Greg Abbott wants the Supreme Court of Texas to declare Gene Wu’s seat vacant.   The Supreme Court of Texas has announced a briefing schedule in Gov. Greg Abbott’s bid to remove the House Democrat Caucus chairman, Gene Wu of Houston, from the legislature. It combined that with the case brought by Attorney General Ken Paxton against Wu and a dozen other quorum-busting lawmakers.  The Court requires briefing papers to be filed from Wednesday, August 20, through Thursday, Sept. 14. view article

Special Session Ending, and Starting, Today

Even though the 30-day clock is not set to expire until Tuesday, the House and Senate are expected to adjourn out of the special session today. They will, however, be called immediately by the governor into a second special session that restarts the legislative process.   The Senate has completed all of the work set forth by the governor in the original special session call. In contrast, nothing was accomplished in the House because Democrats—rather than fight—fled out of the state to disrupt the quorum requirements for conducting legislative business.  The governor has said this second special session will have the same agenda, including congressional redistricting.  Speaking at an event in Williamson County yesterday, State Sen. Charles Schwertner said he expects his chamber to move quickly to re-file and pass all the legislation again within the first few days. Constitutionally, the legislative process must start anew with each special session. view article

Here are the new public education laws going into effect in Texas this school year

We break down what new Texas laws are going into effect Sept. 1, 2025. view article

Fort Worth ISD sees dramatic decrease in F-rated schools ‘I’ve been blessed’: Cowboys’ Jerry Jones shares more

view article

Some Texas private schools hire relatives and enrich insiders. Soon they can do it with taxpayer money.

An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public. view article

Texas AG Sues ‘Big Pharma’ Company Eli Lilly for Bribery

Attorney General Paxton is calling out “Big Pharma” for compromising medical decision-making view article

58 elementary students hospitalized after Cleveland ISD bus flips over on FM 1010, district says

Cleveland ISD said all 58 students were safely evacuated and taken to the hospital after a school bus flipped over on FM 1010 on Wednesday morning. SkyEye was above the scene, where several elementary students could be seen outside the bus and being taken away on stretchers. view article

History repeated itself when the Guadalupe River swept away Camp Mystic. Why few lessons were learned after the 1987 flood.

KERR COUNTY — Lavonda Koons gripped the back of the driver’s seat, watching as the Guadalupe River rose quickly around her stalled school bus. Through the rearview mirror, she saw a van behind them sinking into the floodwaters.  She locked eyes with her husband who was driving the bus. It was still raining and the sky was dim with the early light of dawn. About five car lengths away, they could see dry land. They needed to get the kids to safety.  With water creeping higher, her husband told the children to go. The group stepped out of the bus into the cold, murky flood. They linked arms forming a human chain.  The roar of rushing water made it impossible to hear each other. The current swept past Koons’ chest. view article

Fort Worth partnership with ICE not imminent, council members say

As federal government officials ramp up immigration enforcement and deportations across the country, Fort Worth city officials appear to have no plans to actively target, identify or detain undocumented residents. Five City Council members — Alan Blaylock, Carlos Flores, Mia Hall, Jeanette Martinez and Chris Nettles — told the Fort Worth Report that the council has not had formal discussions on how to approach immigration enforcement locally. Mayor Mattie Parker and the other five council members did not return requests for comment.  view article

FWISD touts more A-rated schools, academic progress in ratings. Is it enough to avoid state takeover?

FWISD touts more A-rated schools, academic progress in ratings. Is it enough to avoid state takeover? view article

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has a very illegal new obsession

Texans have known a few things about former governor Rick Perry. He's "more Jewish than you think I am." He's not a good student, once getting a D in "Meats." And he secretly "loves California." Now, the two-time presidential candidate and semi-disgraced Energy Secretary wants you to know he has a new hobby: psychedelic drugs.  view article

Five Northside ISD schools affected by power outages on first day of school, district says

Five Northside Independent School District (NISD) schools were hit with power outages on the first day of school, according to a district official. The power outages began showing on CPS Energy’s power outage map just after 6 a.m., with the most significant showing on the Northwest Side. view article

Leander ISD parent reacts after school bus crash

A Leander ISD mother spoke out after a school bus crash on Wednesday afternoon. According to parents, the school district didn't send anything out about the crash until nearly 8 p.m. That is roughly five hours after the crash happened. view article

Fatal shooting near Huntsville ISD prompts lockouts on first day of school

Several Huntsville ISD campuses were placed on secure or lockout statuses on the first day of school Wednesday morning following a fatal shooting in a nearby neighborhood. An young man was arrested and charged with capital murder. view article

Port Arthur ISD addresses concerns after first two days of school

The Port Arthur Independent School District sent a letter to parents after the first two days of school, thanking families for their support and addressing concerns while clarifying district policies. More than 1,000 students did not register before the first day of school, according to the letter. The district said students who were completely registered "were able to begin classes without the frustration of traveling to unfamiliar locations or face delays." view article

Florida To Open “Deportation Depot” — Setting Up Model for Other States

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — U.S. Senator John Cornyn visited El Paso on Monday for a tour of the new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) migrant processing and detention facility at Fort Bliss.  The facility, known as Camp East Montana, or "Lone Star Lockup" as Cornyn called it, branding it in a similar way that the immigration detention facility in Florida was branded the "Alligator Alcatraz," is set to open later in August.  During his visit, Sen. Cornyn reportedly received a briefing on the facility's operations from ICE officials and an update on Fort Bliss operations from General Curtis Taylor.  Cornyn said this new facility is for migrants with criminal convictions or under criminal charges who have no legal basis to being in the country and are under final order of deportation.  Cornyn added that this facility will be for single migrants and no families or children will be kept here. view article

New era for Fort Bend ISD: 3 schools open as thousands return

Around 80,000 students returned to Fort Bend ISD schools Tuesday, and for some, the first day of the new year came with a major upgrade. This year, the district opened three new elementary campuses — including a brand-new Mission Elementary School built on the site of the old campus that was demolished a few years ago. The new building now houses students from Mission Bend and Mission Glen. view article

NIXON: ‘Texas Can Redraw Its Maps Anytime. And the Courts Agree.’

Far from destroying democracy, mid-decade redistricting reflects processes that are messy, political, and entirely accountable to voters.  Texas finds itself once again embroiled in a familiar political storm. Republicans control both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office and are considering revising the state’s congressional map before the next census.  Democrats and their allies in the press are portraying the move as a threat to democracy. “Mid-decade redistricting!” they cry. “Republican partisans drawing Republican seats is an outrage!”  But Republicans are simply engaging in the same political hardball Democrats themselves played for decades when they were in charge, and the courts have repeatedly stated that the practice is perfectly legal. view article

All Bets Are Off in Texas Online Sports Betting

In apparent defiance of state law, an internet platform is providing an avenue for Texans to participate in online sports betting. While other states have been quick to take the company to court, Texas has not.  Kalshi is a platform that allows individuals to purchase event contracts, a highly liquid investment asset, on a Designated Contract Market (DCM). Users can bet on political, economic, and cultural outcomes, among others.  On the website, event contracts are presented as binary options for individuals to wager on their prediction of the outcome of an event, including sports events. The winning prediction receives a payout upon the expiration date. view article

Central, Diboll welcome students back to class

Wednesday was the first day of the 2025-26 school year for students in multiple Angelina County school districts.  Central ISD Superintendent Justin Risner said it was a good day and everyone was excited to be back. The district’s enrollment is up this year.  Risner thanked the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety for patrolling CISD’s school zones. He also asked for the community’s patience when it comes to traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons and said the district is working on plans to alleviate traffic.  “Our campuses open to Highway 69, so we appreciate our law enforcement partners and their efforts to keep our kids safe,” Risner said.  Diboll ISD Superintendent Igor Gusyakov said everything went as planned and that he visited each campus in the district to meet students and parents. Gusyakov said students and teachers were both nervous and excited for the year to begin.“There is a lot of excitement in the air in Diboll,” he said. view article

AG Paxton Secures Commitment From Kellogg’s To Eliminate Artificial Dyes

The food giant had previously removed artificial coloring from cereals sold in countries with stricter ingredient safety requirements.  Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that Kellogg’s will permanently remove artificial dyes from all of its cereals by the end of 2027. This outcome follows a months-long investigation and negotiations between his office and the food giant, culminating in a legally binding Assurance of Voluntary Compliance. Kellogg’s is the first major food manufacturer in the U.S. to legally commit to removing artificial food colorings from its cereals. view article

Report: House Democrats Planning Return to Texas Capitol

With the first special session winding down and the Texas House still without a quorum, ABC13 in Houston is reporting that House Democrats may soon return to Austin.  The outlet says multiple sources confirmed Democrats plan to come back to the state, though the exact date remains unclear. According to the report, Democrats believe they’ve “accomplished their mission” by stalling the first special session and drawing national attention to Republicans’ mid-decade congressional redistricting effort.  While the exact timing of their return remains uncertain, sources have indicated it could happen as soon as this weekend. view article

Texas private schools hire relatives and enrich insiders. Soon they can do it with taxpayer money.

An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public. view article