AGP Executive Report

Border Security in Big Bend: Trump administration temporarily paused a contentious CBP border project in Texas’ Big Bend National Park while CBP chief Rodney Scott visits to assess the site, with critics arguing the remote terrain already deters crossings and that construction harms the park. Texas Elections & Campaign Drama: In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat James Talarico resurfaced a decade-old claim that Ken Paxton took a $1,000 Montblanc pen, turning old courthouse footage into a new attack ad. Local Governance & Public Safety: McKinney’s mosque recall fight is heating up after a city council approved a site plan; meanwhile, Harris County commissioners debated a $3.1B budget that could mean tough choices on cuts and property taxes. Data Center Backlash: Texas’ data center fight keeps escalating as voters and lawmakers push for rules, audits, and limits tied to power and water impacts. Civil Liberties & Surveillance: Hood County shut down Flock cameras after privacy backlash, joining other Texas counties moving away from the license-plate tracking tech. Education & State Policy: Gov. Abbott announced $2.025M in grants for nine colleges to expand free course materials, and he pitched “Student Success Academies” focused on reading and math. Health & Courts: A surrogacy case baby born in Dallas with a serious heart defect underwent open-heart surgery, as the legal battle over parental rights and abortion disputes continues.

Airport Funding Fight: Gov. Abbott ordered reviews of state grants to DFW and Houston’s IAH over proposed Islamic wudu washing facilities, calling the plans “illegal” and sending the matter to USDOT. Election & Taxes: Texas AG Ken Paxton sent letters to 110+ cities warning they can’t raise property taxes above the no-new-revenue rate under SB 1851, as his investigation expands. Big Bend Border Wall Work: CBP has begun preparations for Big Bend National Park border-security upgrades, drawing fresh opposition from conservationists and officials. Courts & Campus Speech: Professors sued to block Texas A&M System restrictions on teaching race, gender, and sexuality, arguing First Amendment violations. Local Governance: Houston voters will consider deprioritizing cannabis enforcement and banning no-knock warrants in city limits. Education: TEA A-F ratings show North East ISD jumping from C to B, while many San Antonio-area campuses still face F grades. Workforce Training: South Texas Vocational Technical Institute launched an Automotive Service Technician program in McAllen. Data Centers: Abbott announced major data-center operators will comply with his standards, while his order pauses up to 300 projects pending audits.

Airport Funding Fight: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered reviews of grants tied to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and Dallas-Fort Worth airports over Muslim ritual washing facilities, arguing they favor a religion and could be “illegal,” after Houston’s ablution area opened in 2024 and DFW shelved a similar expansion. Election & Courts: A Fifth Circuit ruling restored Texas mail-in ballot ID requirements, adding pressure to election rules heading into the 2026 cycle. Surveillance Backlash: Hood County shut down and covered Flock license-plate cameras over privacy and “warrantless tracking” concerns, following reports of alleged misuse elsewhere. Data Breach Alerts: Class-action firms are investigating breaches at Lone Star Community Health Center/Aesto Health (250,130 Texans) and Baylor Genetics in Houston, raising new patient privacy questions. Border/Defense: Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea, citing South Korea’s stance on Iran denuclearization. Local Tragedy: East Bernard ISD said athletic director/head coach Jeremeny Jenkins and his wife, teacher Brandy Jenkins, were killed in a car crash. Sports & Politics Crossover: Texas Senate race chatter continues as campaigns trade attacks, including “Epstein” references tied to candidate rhetoric.

2028 Primary Calendar: The DNC approved a new six-state opening sequence starting with South Carolina on Jan. 22, 2028, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia—dropping Iowa’s early spot. Border Law & Military Powers: The DOJ says troops in “National Defense Areas” along the southern border can arrest suspects for offenses tied to military property without violating Posse Comitatus. Election Roll Fight: AG Todd Blanche says the DOJ may ask the Supreme Court to step in on cases where judges blocked broad access to state voter rolls. DFW Airport vs. Abbott: DFW scrapped plans for Islamic foot-washing stations after Gov. Greg Abbott pushed grant reviews and federal scrutiny. Data Centers in the Spotlight: Abbott touts new guidelines and audits for AI data centers amid backlash over water, power, noise and light; lawmakers and candidates are pressing for stronger enforcement. H-1B Fraud Scrutiny: The Labor Department’s inspector general expanded an H-1B fraud probe in Dallas, including door-to-door checks at offices tied to 500+ approved petitions. Local Privacy Fight: League City is considering a voter decision on whether police can keep using Flock cameras after misuse concerns. Public Safety/Transit: Southwest deplaned passengers at Houston Hobby after a bomb-threat call; Houston police investigated. Education: Henderson ISD celebrated 74 teachers earning Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment designations.

Airports & Religion: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered reviews of Muslim ritual washing facilities at DFW and Houston’s IAH, calling the stations “illegal” and threatening grant revocations and a DOT probe; Public Safety: Houston police investigated a North Wayside Drive shooting where a gunman fired at passing cars, injuring three before officers shot him; Military: The U.S. Army temporarily grounded Apache training flights after a fatal crash near Fort Hood that killed two soldiers; Local Government: Fort Worth moved toward a 90-day moratorium on new data center development over water and noise concerns, with added requirements for ERCOT grid approval; Courts & Families: A Texas surrogacy fight over a baby with a heart defect ended with the biological parents gaining custody after the surrogate gave birth; Elections (National, Texas-linked): Democrats approved the 2028 primary calendar in Austin, making South Carolina first and leaving Iowa out of the early lineup.

Airport Fight: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a review of state grants for DFW and Houston’s IAH after DFW scrapped plans for Islamic foot-washing (wudu) stations, calling the facilities “illegal” and referring both airports to USDOT for investigation. Energy & Growth: ERCOT says the governor’s data center audit could take months, as regulators plan how to assess community impacts while a data-center boom strains power and water. Courts & Elections: Texas courts restored mail-in ballot ID requirements after a major election-integrity win, while the 5th Circuit kept pushing rules that shape how voting maps and procedures work. Surrogacy Clash: A multistate surrogacy dispute landed in Texas after a surrogate refused an abortion request; the baby was born with a heart defect and the case keeps spotlighting who controls medical decisions. Public Safety: TCEQ fined Tyler’s wastewater plant for pollutant exceedances during equipment construction. Local Taxes: Dallas County voters will decide a homelessness funding measure after commissioners approved the first tax hike since 2010.

Airport Culture-War Clash: Gov. Greg Abbott launched a review of state grants for Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and DFW after alleging “illegal religious discrimination” tied to Islamic prayer and wudu foot-washing facilities—then DFW reversed course and canceled a planned foot-washing station install. Border & Big Bend: CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott pushed back on claims the agency is destroying Big Bend, saying work is limited to roads, detection tech, and “limited, strategic” barriers amid growing legal challenges. Guns & Courts: A federal court order took effect in Texas and other states, easing rules on suppressors and certain guns after the government missed an appeal deadline. Data Centers as a Political Flashpoint: Abbott’s data-center standards are spreading as more companies pledge compliance, while Texas regulators prepare audits of hundreds of projects—fueling backlash and campaign-season scrutiny. Elections & Maps: The Texas Supreme Court refused an emergency stop for Galveston County’s post-primary voting map switch, sending challengers to lower court first. Public Safety: The Army temporarily halted Apache training after a deadly Fort Hood crash killed two pilots. Local Housing: Karnes City ISD called a $128M bond election for facility upgrades and teacher housing. Privacy & Policing: Deer Park disciplined an officer after an audit found misuse of Flock license-plate cameras. Veterans Housing: A faith-based East Texas community is repurposing repainted trailers into low-cost homes for veterans.

Border & Courts: A Lipan Apache-linked nonprofit and an outdoor recreation company sued to stop Big Bend border wall construction, arguing it violates federal law and could irreparably damage archaeological and sacred sites. Drugs at the Border: CBP seized $634,000 in cocaine hidden in a tractor-trailer at the Pharr International Bridge. Diplomacy: Brandon Hudspeth assumed office as U.S. consul general in Lagos for a three-year tour. Elections 2026: Houston Public Media is asking voters what issues and races to cover ahead of the midterms. Religion & Public Space: Texas Sen. Tan Parker is challenging DFW Airport’s privately funded $300,000 Islamic foot-washing stations, questioning approval and transparency. Gun Policy: A Texas judge’s ruling took effect lifting long-standing NFA limits on silencers and certain short-barreled firearms after DOJ declined to seek an emergency stay. Military Tragedy: The Army identified two Fort Hood Apache crash victims in Salado. Education: UT Austin unveiled a major overhaul of its core curriculum, while Houston ISD reported four elementary schools slipped to F ratings. Tech & Jobs: Apple opened a Houston Advanced Manufacturing Center and plans to begin Mac mini production later this year.

Texas Election Law: The 5th Circuit restored key parts of SB 1, including Texas mail-ballot ID requirements and rules for voter assistance, after earlier blocks over accessibility concerns. Second Amendment: A Texas federal judge’s order—left unchallenged by the DOJ for now—has gun-rights groups moving to transfer silencers and other restricted firearms without NFA registration, while some states like California warn of legal confusion. Surrogacy & Disability Rights: A multistate fight over “Baby Gabriel” continues after Texas courts and HHS warned hospitals they can’t deny life-saving care for a newborn with a heart defect. Data Centers & Grid: Gov. Abbott’s data-center guardrails keep rolling out as Microsoft, Hut 8, Equinix, Google, Rowan, and CleanSpark pledge compliance, while Abbott also pushed an audit and paused some grid connections. Public Safety/Privacy: DFW plans Islamic foot-wash stations in international-terminal restrooms, and debates over ALPR cameras and policing privacy keep heating up. Military: Two soldiers died in an Apache crash near Fort Hood, sparking a grass-fire response.

Immigration & Courts: Texas is in the middle of a widening fight over migrant children’s legal representation, with a Houston law firm tied to the Trump administration declining a major contract while New York moves to fund counsel for about 1,400 children facing deportation proceedings. Border Security & Federal Land: Big Bend opposition is escalating as federal border plans move forward, with critics warning contractors may need blasting and heavy bulldozing near Mariscal Mountain inside the national park. Data Centers & Grid/Water Rules: Gov. Greg Abbott’s data-center standards are getting traction as more operators pledge compliance, while Hut 8 says it will align with Abbott/PUCT/ERCOT guardrails and Fermi America inks a deal to power a major Amarillo-area data center campus. Elections & Voting Access: A federal appeals court action keeps Texas mail-ballot ID requirements in place, shaping 2026 race dynamics. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock license-plate cameras remain a flashpoint, with new reporting highlighting how widespread searches can be across agencies and renewed local questions about where cameras are aimed. Surrogacy & Abortion Law: A Texas court order and AG involvement are again at the center of a multistate surrogacy dispute after a baby with a severe heart defect was born, underscoring how treatment decisions collide with abortion-related legal fights. Energy & Industry: The IEA forecasts weaker global oil demand amid higher gas prices and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, adding pressure to an already volatile energy market.

Surrogate Rights Fight: Texas AG Ken Paxton secured an emergency order in Dallas County to keep “Baby Gabriel” receiving life-saving care after a surrogate gave birth to a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, escalating a high-profile dispute over who can decide treatment. Court & Environment: A Travis County judge reversed a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality decision granting Uranium Energy Corp. renewed groundwater permits, saying the agency failed to protect groundwater and acted arbitrarily. Public Safety & Crime: Pasadena police closed out investigations tied to alleged Flock camera misuse by former employees, while Houston-area attention also focused on a sudden end to Don Toliver’s Toyota Center show after a man was allegedly found with a gun. Military Tragedy: Two Fort Hood soldiers died after an AH-64 Apache crash in Salado, sparking a grass fire and launching an investigation. Elections & Voting Rights: The 5th Circuit revived key parts of Texas’ voter suppression law (SB 1) affecting mail voting and voter assistance rules. State Politics & Money: Texas’ Broadband Development Office paused BEAD grant disbursements amid accusations of favoritism toward Starlink, and Sid Miller demanded answers after a nearly 30,000-pound Argentine beef recall. Texas Politics Watch: James Talarico gained ground over Ken Paxton on prediction markets for the U.S. Senate race.

Data Center Policy: Gov. Greg Abbott says Google, Rowan, and CleanSpark will comply with Texas data center standards, after earlier moves to force grid, water, and neighborhood protections. Grid & Backlash: A Bloomberg NEF report warns Abbott’s ERCOT grid-connection pause could delay about 20% of the U.S. data center pipeline and hit billions in project value. Local Governance: Fort Worth approved a 90-day pause on new data center projects, while other cities weigh Flock camera fights and public pushback. Education & Safety: Abbott unveiled a new initiative to toughen penalties for educators who abuse students, including a proposed 10-year mandatory minimum and sex-offender registration. Reproductive Rights/AG Action: AG Ken Paxton secured an emergency order protecting “Baby Gabriel” in a Dallas surrogacy dispute, forcing life-saving care. Sports Law: A Texas judge upheld Little League’s disqualification of Tulsa National, keeping Boerne, Texas in the regional path. Border Security: Sen. John Cornyn urged DHS to meet Texans over Big Bend barrier plans before more construction. Veterans Services: Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham promoted a VLB “Zoom at Noon” virtual benefits program for Texas veterans.

Border Wall Fight: Bulldozers are moving through Big Bend National Park to build Trump’s border wall roads and barriers, drawing fresh backlash from residents and environmental groups. Immigration Enforcement: A South Philadelphia babysitter arrested at Philly’s airport was released from ICE custody after nearly a month, but remains on bond with an ankle monitor as her legal fight continues. Data Privacy & Policing: League City will put Flock automatic license plate readers on the November ballot as an advisory vote, after a 6-1 council decision; Orange County’s sheriff says his office is pausing grant efforts over costs and community concerns. Elections & Voting Access: A Texas-focused commentary urges voters to protect their ballots and avoid common mail-ballot rejection mistakes ahead of the midterms. Health Law: A federal appeals court struck down a formula used to calculate “surprise” medical bills, a win for providers that Texas groups backed. Surrogacy & AG Power: Texas AG Ken Paxton secured an emergency order to ensure “Baby Gabriel” gets life-saving care in a surrogacy dispute. School Safety Tech: Deer Park ISD is using Raptor badges and “Team Assist” alerts to speed emergency response, fueling the broader Texas debate over school security.

Data Center Politics: Gov. Greg Abbott says Oracle will comply with Texas data-center standards meant to protect the grid, conserve water, avoid neighborhood disruption, and stop cost-shifting to families. Election Operations: Poll worker recruiting is turning into a major midterm fight as both parties build “election armies” ahead of 2026. Local Ballot Battles: Plano voters will decide Nov. 3 on proposed venue-related taxes to help fund a $700 million Dallas Stars arena plan. Privacy & Policing: League City is considering a Nov. 3 referendum on whether to keep using Flock automated license-plate reader cameras. Public Safety & Crime: Bexar County arrests followed a deadly northeast shooting tied to a license plate reader. Infrastructure & Growth: Fermi Inc. shares jumped after its first binding lease for an AI power campus in Texas. Health & Rights: A report says no single agency is accountable for whether Texas’ childcare system is working. Flood Resilience: Weslaco expands flood control with retention/detention facilities designed to store stormwater and reduce damage.

Data Center Showdown: Gov. Greg Abbott’s new Texas data center standards are getting high-profile buy-in, with Meta publicly committing to comply as the state pushes operators to cover grid and water costs and avoid shifting burdens to Texans. Local Elections: Bryan ISD is putting a Nov. 3 tax-rate election on the ballot to raise $5.5M for maintenance and operations, while Bryan City Council weighs whether median removals also go to voters. Immigration Enforcement: ICE says it carried out a weekend sweep targeting criminal illegal aliens, highlighting arrests tied to murder, DUI, and child sexual abuse convictions. Courts & Guns: A federal court decision tied to Gun Owners of America struck down parts of National Firearms Act registration requirements for suppressors and certain short-barreled firearms, though DOJ has a chance to appeal. Public Safety: Police say a North Texas couple is in custody after four children tested positive for fentanyl, charged with endangering/abandoning children. Energy & Weather: NOAA cut its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook to 7–13 named storms and a below-normal season, but warns the riskiest stretch is still ahead. Business & Jobs: Bristol Myers Squibb selected Houston for a $2.3B multi-modality manufacturing campus.

Data Center Power Fight: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s audit-and-pause approach is colliding with AI demand as more operators pledge to meet state standards and disclose grid, water, and community impacts—while local bans on new projects keep climbing. State Energy Governance: Major power companies and ERCOT interconnection queue scrutiny are shaping timelines for new load, with Abbott ordering tighter reviews after grid strain concerns. College Sports Policy: The Protect College Sports Act is delayed until September after Senate recess, keeping the political fight over athlete eligibility and conference pressure alive. Immigration & Enforcement: A lifelong Houston Republican says ICE detained his fiancée at Houston’s airport despite an asylum filing, underscoring how enforcement actions are fueling backlash. Public Safety & Schools: HISD’s cell phone restrictions for the school day return under Texas’ HB 1481, while a North Texas teacher faces felony charges over alleged inappropriate texts with a student. Business & Jobs: Bristol Myers Squibb is investing about $2.3B to build a Houston manufacturing campus, adding nearly 500 jobs, as Texas continues courting major employers. Military & Space: The Air Force signed a 10-year up-to-$300M deal with the Texas Space Commission to speed commercial tech integration into military programs. Border & Parks: Federal contractors began border barrier and road work in Big Bend National Park, drawing renewed bipartisan opposition and legal pressure.