Exclusive: Texas Lottery Commission Calls in FBI Amid Explosive Allegations

The Texas Lottery Commission has referred a high-profile investigation into alleged fraud and criminal activity surrounding the state lottery to the Federal Bureau of Investigation following a detailed complaint and mounting public scrutiny. The referral, included in a previously undisclosed investigative report, is the latest escalation in a scandal that has rocked the Texas Lottery, implicating former executives and ticket reseller companies and raising questions about the integrity of multi-million dollar jackpots. In a letter dated February 26, 2025, then-Executive Director Ryan Mindell informed state lawmakers that the agency had completed an initial review of allegations raised in a letter sent to the agency in January. John Brier submitted a 20-page letter and 32 supporting exhibits detailing years of alleged criminal conduct by principals of Lottery.com—a so-called lottery courier company—and former Lottery Commission Executive Director Gary Grief.
Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday signed legislation authorizing a private school voucher program into law, marking the grand finale of an oftentimes ugly conflict that has largely defined Texas politics this decade.Senate Bill 2 will allow families to use public taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s education at an accredited private school or to pay for a wide range of school-related expenses, like textbooks, transportation or therapy. The program will be one of the largest school voucher initiatives in the nation. “When I ran for reelection in 2022, I promised school choice for the families of Texas. Today, we deliver on that promise,” said Abbott during the bill's signing before hundreds of applauding supporters gathered outside the Governor's Mansion.
How Greg Abbott took a flailing school voucher movement and turned it into a winning issue

Abbott tapped into a powerful national conservative movement and his own campaign war chest to turn turned legislative races into multimillion-dollar affairs.
Draft of School Health and Related Services (SHARS) Policy Available for Comment

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has opened the draft of the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) Policy (MS Word) for public comment. School Health and Related Services (SHARS) are direct medical services and transportation services available to children aged 20 and younger who are enrolled in Medicaid and are eligible to receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The services must be included in the child’s individualized education program (IEP) established under IDEA.
House, Senate Close In on Property Tax Relief Agreement

The compromise includes $3 billion in required compression, $3 billion for a homestead exemption increase, and approximately $250 million for business property tax relief. The compromise includes $3 billion in required compression, $3 billion for a homestead exemption increase, and approximately $250 million for business property tax relief.
SpaceX workers in South Texas vote yes to create City of Starbase

BROWNSVILLE — Elon Musk’s wish to create his own city just came true. On Saturday, voters living around SpaceX’s rocket testing and launch facility in South Texas approved a measure to incorporate the area as a new city. Soon after polls closed at 7 p.m., Cameron County election officials confirmed that overwhelming support among early voters clinched the election in favor of creating the City of Starbase. Unofficial results later in the night showed the election was a landslide: 212 voted in favor; 6 opposed.

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Houston ISD joining nationwide group of school districts in suing social media companies

February 1908:25 AM

More than 200 school districts across the nation are part of a lawsuit against the owners of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. The school districts allege the platforms hinder students’ ability to focus and have spurred a mental health crisis. view article

Police activity near Richards ISD prompts campus ‘hold’

February 1908:25 AM

Richards ISD put its campus on a “hold” on Tuesday morning due to police activity in the area. While in effect, school officials asked parents not to come to the school. According to the district, the school was placed under lockdown “due to law enforcement activity in the area involving a wanted fugitive” and a fire at the scene, but not at the school. view article

Controversy over dual language program’s potential removal in Conroe ISD

February 1908:23 AM

Parents and community members rally after hearing rumors about the possible discontinuation of the dual language program in Conroe ISD. The dual language program in Conroe ISD has been a key educational initiative that promotes bilingualism by pairing Spanish-speaking students with English-speaking students. The program benefits families by fostering cultural exchange and language skills. Parents, like Ryan, whose children have thrived in the program, have seen positive academic and social results. view article

‘We can’t get more money locally’: College Station ISD board talks budget concerns

February 1908:23 AM

Budgeting and the 89th Texas Legislature were high on the list of priorities at College Station ISD’s Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday. As the legislative session progresses, one of the district’s big concerns is the basic allotment not increasing. The basic allotment is the minimum amount of money a school district receives per student from the state. It’s remained stagnant at $6,160 since 2019. view article

‘We can’t get more money locally’: College Station ISD board talks budget concerns

February 1908:22 AM

‘It’s a gut punch:’ Muslim group calls on Houston ISD to reinstate Eid al-Fitr as school holiday

February 1908:21 AM

Houston ISD’s calendar for next school year does not include a holiday for Eid al-Fitr — one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic faith — and a local Muslim organization is calling on the district to reinstate it. The Houston chapter for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR-Houston, on Tuesday asked the district to restore Eid as an observed holiday. view article

Houston: Parents demand accountability after teen was attacked at basketball game between rival schools

February 1908:17 AM

Parents of a teenager who was violently attacked after a high school basketball rivalry game took their concerns to the Spring Branch ISD school board Tuesday night, demanding justice and accountability. The assault occurred on Feb. 4, 2025, after the varsity basketball game between Stratford High School and Memorial High School, a long-standing rivalry that spans decades. The game, played at a neutral site, ended in violence when a Stratford student was ambushed in the parking lot, according to the teen's parents. view article

Are schools closed today? See list of Texas schools delayed, canceled classes

February 1908:17 AM

With a cold winter blast blazing through parts of Texas, select school districts have announced closings and cancellations for Wednesday, Feb. 19. We are monitoring announcements and will update the story as we get more information. view article

Fort Worth ISD to operate on normal schedule Wednesday as extreme cold weather moves in Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/weather-news/article300540214.html#storylink=cpy

February 1908:17 AM

Fort Worth ISD schools will operate on a normal schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 19, following consultation with the National Weather Service, district officials said Tuesday evening. Temperatures will plummet Tuesday as an arctic front moves through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, according to the weather service. view article

Dallas ISD, others cancel outdoor activities ahead of arctic cold front in North Texas

February 1908:17 AM

As North Texas prepares for the arrival of an arctic cold front Tuesday night, several Dallas-area school districts have begun taking extra precautions, changing start times for outdoor games or canceling them outright. The National Weather Service issued both a winter weather advisory and extreme cold warning for Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding areas. The advisory is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday and will expire Wednesday morning. It includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Johnson and Tarrant counties. view article

Is your school closed Wednesday? See the latest list here

February 1908:17 AM

North Texas school districts are making decisions about whether told cancel classes on Wednesday due to dangerously cold weather and concerns about hazardous road conditions brought on by an Arctic blast view article

School closings: Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD make decision on Wednesday classes

February 1908:16 AM

A blast of Arctic air will drop temperatures below freezing on Tuesday night, and we could see some icy spots on the roads. We don't expect to see any snow or ice falling on Wednesday, but wind chills are expected to be at or near zero as kids head to school. view article

LIST: Here’s all the North Texas school districts closures and delays

February 1908:13 AM

North Texans woke up Wednesday morning to blistering cold air, which prompted WFAA to trigger a Weather Alert Day for Wednesday and Thursday. Keep track of the latest forecast here. Some schools decided to cancel classes due to the extreme cold weather, while others chose to either delay start times and some resumed as normal. Most of the major school districts in North Texas are open Wednesday. view article

Houston ISD joining nationwide group of school districts in suing social media companies

February 1905:00 AM

A Nobel Prize winner decodes why people aren’t having kids

February 1905:00 AM

Economist Claudia Goldin finds it largely comes down to societal expectations of how much men should do at home In the debate about why young Americans aren’t having kids, I have a somewhat unique perspective. I had a strong desire to become a mother, but in my late 30s, I was divorced and on my own. I decided to become a “single mom by choice” — meaning I had a child on my own using donor sperm. It’s a tough path to parenthood, but I’m glad I did it. As my story has become more widely known, I hear nearly every week from other women in their 30s and 40s who want to be mothers, too, but they have not found a life partner. They are full of questions for me. Many fear they won’t be able to afford to raise a child on their own, or cover the high price of fertility treatments or adoption. Some worry about the ethics of our donor system. Nearly all grapple with whether they can parent on their own. Can they handle the physical, financial and emotional demands of parenting — all solo? view article

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Local News Longtime Fort Worth ISD official Karen Molinar named lone finalist for district superintendent

February 1904:54 AM

FORT WORTH — In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Fort Worth Independent School District board selected Karen Molinar as the lone finalist for the district's next superintendent. view article

Ronell Smith: Keller ISD split is not just about Keller ISD

February 1809:05 AM

When asked about the ongoing brouhaha that’s erupted in Keller Independent School District over the school board’s discussion of splitting the district, I keep telling friends the same four words. I saw this coming. Years ago, in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown — when parents saw their kids masked, cities paralyzed, businesses closed and neighbors divided over the government’s response — a seed was planted to reclaim more control from local governments. view article

Austin school district enacts spending, hiring freezes amid growing $110M budget deficit

February 1808:52 AM

New funding requests, compounding costs and lower-than-projected property tax revenue has pushed the Austin school district’s budget deficit from $92 million to $110 million, prompting officials to implement a spending and hiring freeze, interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery told board members. view article

Austin school district enacts spending, hiring freezes amid growing $110M budget deficit

February 1808:30 AM

Lawmaker puts date on expected resumption of Amtrak Gulf Coast line

February 1808:30 AM

The 145-mile service will connect major cities across the region. While effort to establish a high-speed bullet train aimed at connecting Dallas to Houston is moving slower than an inner-city freight, one Gulf Coast leader said the restoration of an Amtrak line spanning the region seems to be more on track. view article

Video Texas Gov. Abbott cautions on severe weather throughout state including ‘coldest weather event of the year’

February 1808:30 AM

Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned residents across the state to be on alert this week as “the coldest weather event of the year” is set to begin Monday and continue to Tuesday. Much of Texas will fall subject to bitter cold this week as a frigid airmass moves into the state on Tuesday, bringing below-zero wind chills and potential record lows to some areas. On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott warned residents to remain vigilant and prepared ahead of this week's deep chill. view article

Texas to become most populous state by 2045 as residents leave California

February 1808:30 AM

The Lone Star State is expected to replace California as the largest state by population. If you haven't already noticed, Texas keeps growing. Now, a new report published by a real estate company that recently announced its own move to the Lone Star State, predicts that Texas will overtake California as the most populous state by 2045. view article

Texas House committee assignments extend power of experienced GOP leaders

February 1808:30 AM

House Speaker Dustin Burrows appointed lawmakers to committees on Thursday, announcing a leadership team made up mostly of veterans who had led legislative panels under his predecessors — and appointing only Republicans to chair committees, as prescribed by the chamber’s new rules. view article

This Texas school district invested in a pre-K center that’s specifically designed for younger students

February 1808:30 AM

Alief Independent School District is among a growing number of districts across the country to spend money on buildings tailored to 4- and 5-year-olds. view article

As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes

February 1808:30 AM

Some Texans who install residential batteries, solar panels and smart thermostats can now send power back to the grid and get a credit on their bill. view article

White House touts border progress

February 1808:30 AM

(The Center Square) – The White House over the weekend touted its progress on the southern border as President Donald Trump completed his fourth week back in office. view article

Perryton ISD Football Coach Gets 30 Years for Sexually Abusing 15-Year-Old Student

February 1808:30 AM

Cole Underwood allegedly earned the nickname “Perv” while previously working for Amarillo ISD but was still hired by Perryton. view article

US Rep. Hunt Calls Video Comparing Cy-Fair ISD GOP Board Members to Nazis ‘Disgusting’

February 1808:30 AM

Local news station KPRC 2 aired a segment linking Nazi book-burnings to Cy-Fair ISD’s removal of controversial materials from school curriculum. view article

Fort Worth ISD school board to name next superintendent

February 1808:29 AM

Who will be the next Fort Worth ISD superintendent? The school board intends to answer that question during its Feb. 18 meeting, according to a news release. Only one person has publicly expressed interest in the job: Karen Molinar, a nearly three decade veteran of the district who has been serving as interim superintendent since October. view article

Beaumont ISD plans for smooth transition after Third Future Schools pullout

February 1808:25 AM

Beaumont Independent School District is preparing to step in for Jones-Clark Elementary, Fehl-Price Elementary, and Smith Middle School for the 2025-2026 school year following the abrupt departure of Third Future Schools. "Beaumont ISD embraces all of our students, and we are ready to take on and resume operations of Jones Clark, Fehl-Price, and Smith Middle school effective the 2025-2026 school year," said BISD Superintendent Dr. Shannon Allen. view article

TEA reviewing claim that teachers at Houston ISD’s Bellaire HS were ‘socially transitioning’ student

February 1808:24 AM

The Texas Education Agency said it is "reviewing" a claim that teachers at Bellaire High School were "socially transitioning" a student against the will of their parents. Gov. Greg Abbott called for the state agency to investigate Houston ISD based on comments made during the district's Thursday board meeting by Denise Bell, chair of the Harris County chapter of Moms for Liberty. The politically conservative organization expresses anti-LGBTQ+ views and also has advocated against teaching students about critical race theory and books that address gender identity. view article

East Texans ask Tyler ISD to clarify possibility of ICE enforcement during board meeting

February 1808:22 AM

Several East Texans took to the podium at the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, calling for the district to issue a statement concerning the possibility of ICE enforcement. The meeting comes after the Trump administration determined officials could detain illegal immigrants at schools, churches and medical facilities. view article

Dependable HVAC Mechanic Receives Killeen ISD STEEL Award

February 1808:21 AM

Dionicio Camacho moved to Killeen in 2005 when his son was stationed at Fort Cavazos. Within one week, Camacho, the soft-spoken handyman, found a job at Killeen ISD with Facility Services. Camacho continues to find joy in his role as an HVAC mechanic 20 years later, and his contributions to the district were recently recognized when he was presented with the KISD STEEL Award. view article

Gov. Abbott Demands Investigation Into Alleged Secret Transitioning of Student at Bellaire High School

February 1805:04 AM

A concerned parent claims her daughter was socially transitioned—referred to by male pronouns and a different name—without parental knowledge or approval. view article

Texas Attorney General Sides Against State Agency in Free Speech Fight

February 1805:03 AM

Rather than backing the agency tasked with enforcing Texas lobbying laws, Ken Paxton is arguing that the TEC’s enforcement is unconstitutional and represents a violation of First Amendment rights. view article

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