AGP Executive Report

Texas Politics & Government: Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Don Huffines to lead the Texas comptroller’s office, a major voucher-policy role, as he also reshuffles senior staff. Immigration Enforcement: ICE says it needs more detention space and delayed a planned San Antonio facility, while a San Antonio mayor faces pressure over a new ICE deportation site. Elections & Power: A new poll keeps the Texas U.S. Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico statistically tied, setting up a high-stakes GOP defense. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Nearly a third of Texas counties are under burn bans for the Fourth of July; Hitchcock residents are urged to conserve water after a TxDOT contractor hit a water main. Flood Resilience: One year after Kerr County’s Guadalupe River disaster, recovery continues and warning-siren upgrades are in focus. Education & Culture Wars: Abbott appointed new TRS trustees, while Texas continues pushing Bible reading and curriculum changes that keep triggering legal and political fights. Health: CDC warns West Nile season is starting unusually early.

Immigration & Courts: The Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling is drawing fresh Texas reaction, with East Texas politicians and Gov. Abbott treating it as a major win for state priorities while Democrats and immigrant-rights groups push back. School Culture Wars: Texas continues to move forward with required Bible reading in public schools, as the state board approves Bible passages for the K-12 reading list—another flashpoint for parents, educators, and civil-liberties critics. Reproductive Health: Medicaid is set to resume covering non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood after a GOP ban expires, raising the stakes for access to routine services. Data Centers & Rural Power: Abbott is again calling for limits on AI data centers in rural neighborhoods, arguing they should bring their own power and water—while local bans and regulations keep spreading. Campaign Finance: The Supreme Court struck down limits on how much parties can coordinate spending with candidates, a change that could reshape Texas Senate race dynamics. Public Health: Texas measles vaccination coverage ticked up slightly, but opt-outs rose after the state made exemption forms easier to obtain. Local Government: Longview marked 10 years of its animal care center, highlighting how East Texas shelters have tried to reduce euthanasia and overcrowding.

Texas Court & Kids’ Safety: A Travis County judge ordered a porn site’s domain locked down unless the company posts a $9.14M bond and installs age-verification, after the firm ignored the state’s lawsuit. State Politics: Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced he’ll resign July 31, citing his role in launching the Texas Education Freedom Accounts school choice program. Local Justice: Travis County DA says it will dismiss evidence-based cases against former Wilco Sheriff Robert Chody and former assistant county attorney Jason Nassour after a May appeals ruling blocked the state from presenting key proof. Sports & Reputation: A Houston appeals court tossed former Houston Dash coach James Clarkson’s defamation suit against the NWSL, saying he didn’t meet the “actual malice” standard. Public Safety: DPS is boosting patrols statewide for the Fourth of July, targeting impaired driving, speeding, and Move Over/Slow Down violations. Crime: Texarkana man Darrell Williams was arrested in Dallas over alleged death threats to police. Courts/Crime: League City murder suspect Isaiah Johnson turned himself in; records show he was on probation for a prior attack and had an outstanding burglary warrant. Water Watch: Amarillo viewers reported broken sprinklers wasting water at Belmar Park; Canyon ISD says it fixed the issue at West Plains Junior High.

Judiciary & Courts: Waco’s newest 170th State District Court judge, Gina Long, was sworn in after Gov. Abbott appointed her to fill the vacancy left by Judge Jim Meyer’s April step-down, with Long saying she’ll tackle backlogs and broaden the court’s caseload. Local Government: A McGregor resident is pushing a recall petition against Mayor over water management, transparency, and concerns tied to a newly approved data center project. Public Safety: Galveston police arrested Isaiah Johnson after a deadly League City shooting; he faces murder charges, and investigators say the case is ongoing. Immigration Enforcement: ICE custody death in Texas is drawing scrutiny after a nun died while in federal custody, with lawmakers demanding facts and transparency. Education & Culture Wars: Texas State Board of Education debate continues over adding Bible stories and other Christian-focused materials to public school reading lists, as critics warn it sidelines other faiths and raises accuracy concerns. Elections & Voting Rules: Bandera’s election fraud probe involves Texas Rangers and the AG’s Election Integrity Unit, targeting former city marshal Nancy De Foster over alleged voting history issues. Energy & Economy: Abbott announced a $3.9M semiconductor fund grant to Schunk Xycarb in Georgetown to expand production and add jobs. Politics & Messaging: Trump says the GOP will hold a first-ever midterm convention in Dallas in September, putting Texas at the center of the national campaign push.

Midterm Politics: President Trump announced the GOP’s first-ever midterm national convention, Sept. 9-10 in Dallas, aiming to energize voters as Republicans defend narrow House and Senate control—Texas is front and center with the Talarico vs. Paxton Senate fight. Supreme Court & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, dealing a blow to Trump’s executive push; Texas reactions are already sparking new calls to take the fight to Congress, while a separate Supreme Court ruling also eases spending limits for parties as the Senate battle heats up. Education & Culture Wars: Texas’ State Board of Education approved mandatory Bible reading/Christian-infused curriculum steps, with critics warning it sidelines other faiths and supporters calling it a values win. Sports Policy: The Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports; Texas says its rules are already in place, and trans youth vow to keep playing. Military Health: Texas lawmakers pushed to reinstate a flu vaccine mandate after a Lackland outbreak tied to a reported death, arguing science should guide troop health. Local Governance: Fort Bend County records show delays in sharing information about a May voting problem; Grayson County and Whitesboro struck a deal to handle stray dogs starting July 1. Public Safety & Recovery: One year after Hill Country floods, camps are tightening emergency plans and communities are marking lessons learned.

Immigration Enforcement Flashpoint: ICE detained a Texas nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, while she was walking to Sunday Mass in McAllen, then released her the same day after lawmakers and church leaders pushed back—renewing scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics. Courts & Immigration Funding: The Texas Supreme Court blocked Harris County’s $1.3 million immigrant legal services fund while litigation continues, leaving local providers in limbo. Local Flood Readiness: Kerr County is set to discuss upgrades to its flood warning system agreements after installing state-funded flash flood sirens and sensors tied to the Upper Guadalupe River Authority. Texas Bible Curriculum Fight: Texas Supreme Court and state education actions keep moving Bible reading requirements forward, with ongoing legal and community backlash. Data Centers vs. Local Control: San Marcos became the first Texas city to ban data centers within city limits using home-rule zoning, while Brenham faces a public-records fight tied to a data center project. Online Kids Safety: The House passed the bipartisan KIDS Act, but the Senate’s “duty of care” language is complicating next steps. Elections & Voting Rules: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count some mail ballots received after Election Day, a major shift for election administration. Public Health & Animals: New World screwworm continues spreading in Texas, prompting transport restrictions and raising pressure on shelters and rescue groups.

World Cup in Houston: Brazil completed a wild 2-1 stoppage-time comeback over Japan, with Martinelli scoring in injury time, setting up Brazil’s next match in the last 16. Public Safety: FBI Houston is investigating an online threat tied to Houston Stadium during the Brazil-Japan match, saying there’s no credibility but urging vigilance. Workplace Safety: OSHA proposed $3.5M in fines after a sulfuric acid spill cleanup at the Houston Ship Channel, citing dangerous health and safety violations by BWC Terminals and contractors. Elections & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by then, preserving “grace period” rules. Texas Politics: Panola County sued to block the Texas AG from releasing records tied to a county officials’ legal representation dispute. Health & Money: Texas announced a nearly $34M AstraZeneca settlement over alleged Medicaid kickback scheme. Local Government: Harris County’s immigrant legal services funding was paused by the Texas Supreme Court. Crime & Community: Del Rio mourns Caroline Peña, a mother of five allegedly stabbed in broad daylight; three women face murder charges. Energy Reliability: Gov. Abbott announced nearly $30M in TxEF grants for electric reliability upgrades in the Panhandle. Human Interest: Two Texas law enforcement officers were killed while directing traffic within 24 hours.

Texas Courts & Immigration: The Texas Supreme Court blocked Harris County from spending taxpayer money on an immigrant legal aid program tied to deportation defense, adding to the state’s tightening approach to immigration-related litigation. Education & Culture Wars: Texas continues moving forward with Bible-centered curriculum requirements, with the State Board approving Bible stories for public school reading—fueling fresh debate over religion in classrooms. Public Safety: Mabank’s fire chief, Charlie Woodard, was killed while directing traffic at a community rodeo, underscoring the risks first responders face at local events. Local Governance: Longview’s recycling program is back, but with narrower plastic acceptance—only Nos. 1, 2, and 5 in curbside bins; other plastics go to trash. Religion & Housing: A planned Muslim community in North Texas is drawing opposition and legal scrutiny, with critics alleging exclusion and supporters saying it’s political targeting. Energy & Industry: Lockheed Martin’s Dallas unit won a $35.3B THAAD interceptor production contract, while SpaceX filed plans for a Starship fuel pipeline in Texas. Elections & Voting Rules: SAVE Act-style citizenship verification efforts remain in motion nationally, even as courts and Congress stall the federal version.

Texas Senate Race: Two Collin County GOP lawmakers who previously backed John Cornyn say they’re now backing AG Ken Paxton over James Talarico, as polls keep the contest razor-tight (Paxton about 45.8% to Talarico 44.5%) and Republicans promise Trump will campaign in Texas. Democratic Convention Fallout: Texas Democrats closed out their Corpus Christi convention with Bernie Sanders urging unity and turnout, while Talarico’s campaign leaned into culture-war attacks and Democrats defended him with a “we’re all gay/tofu-eating vegans” line. Education & Religion: Texas approved a required Bible-stories reading list for public schools, deepening the classroom culture-war fight. Immigration Courts: The Texas Supreme Court blocked Harris County’s taxpayer-funded immigrant legal aid program during a court fight. Military Health Policy: After a flu outbreak at Lackland, the Pentagon is reinstating mandatory flu shots for recruits. Border Security & Crime: CBP seized more than $70 million in meth at U.S.-Mexico crossings in Laredo. Local Spotlight: A Laredo police lieutenant was honored at the Texas Capitol, and Fort Worth’s Texas Wesleyan-backed Poly Main Street program unveiled a new neighborhood logo.

Texas Senate Race: Two Collin County GOP lawmakers who backed John Cornyn now back Ken Paxton in the tight Paxton vs. James Talarico contest, arguing voters already chose Paxton in the primary and the base needs to turn out. Party Leadership: New Texas GOP Chair D’rinda Randall says she’ll focus on unifying Republicans by engaging younger activists and building a “back bench” ahead of the November midterms. Legal Fight Over Immigration Aid: The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks Harris County from spending about $1.3M on immigrant legal services while Paxton’s constitutional challenge moves through the appeals process. Campaign Pressure on Paxton: Talarico demands Paxton release the “Hoffman Files” tied to a child abuse plea deal handled by the AG’s office. Public Safety & Courts: Camp Mystic filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the 2025 flood disaster, a move families call a delay of accountability. Agriculture Emergency: Texas screwworm concerns keep spreading, with Florida adopting emergency rules to prevent warm-blooded animal imports from infested zones. Community & Tragedy: Midland holds a vigil for victims of a mass shooting that left 10 injured, as officials update the status of those hospitalized. Education Culture War: Texas is now the first state to mandate Bible study/reading in public schools, intensifying the classroom culture fight.

State GOP Religion Fight: The Texas State Board of Education approved a required K-12 reading list that includes Bible stories and verses, with the rollout starting in 2030-31—another flashpoint in the classroom culture wars. Elections & Party Politics: Texas Democrats elected Kendall Scudder to lead the party into the midterms, aiming to capitalize on GOP vulnerabilities while trying to project unity after a contentious convention. AG & Senate Race: Ken Paxton dodged questions about whether James Talarico is “going to hell,” saying God will judge, as the campaign keeps mixing religion and politics. Public Health & Agriculture: Texas agricultural officials issued emergency screwworm quarantines across multiple counties after new detections, tightening animal movement rules to protect cattle and pets. Local Government & Procurement: A new cooperative purchasing partnership will let North Texas local governments access hundreds of competitively awarded contracts through one platform. Tech & Conservation: The Interior Department is partnering with Dallas biotech Colossal Biosciences on a genomic biobanking archive for endangered species. Demographics in Schools: Texas Education Agency data shows very high “at-risk” shares in multiple districts, underscoring how uneven student needs are across the state.

Texas Education Fight Over Religion: The Texas State Board of Education approved a statewide required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes Bible stories and passages, with rollout starting in 2030—sparking fresh constitutional and diversity backlash. Legal Pressure on School Speech: In Fort Worth ISD, a principal promotion was paused after review of alleged social media posts referencing Sharia law, with CAIR Texas backing a discrimination-and-speech challenge. Immigration Courts vs. Texas Funding: Texas justices blocked taxpayer-funded legal aid for illegal aliens fighting deportation, and also paused Harris County immigrant aid funding during a court fight. Election Politics Watch: A new report highlights how Trump’s GOP endorsements have been overwhelmingly successful in primaries, even as approval dips could open Senate opportunities for Democrats. Louisiana Senate Runoff: Louisiana voters head to a GOP Senate runoff Saturday between Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming to replace Bill Cassidy. Public Health/Ag Alert: Texas confirmed New World screwworm in livestock, prompting warnings for ranchers and pet owners to check animals and report quickly. Texas Health Care Complaint: An Austin woman filed a federal complaint alleging two hospitals denied care during her miscarriage after fear of the abortion ban.

Education & Religion: The Texas State Board of Education approved a statewide K-12 required reading list that includes Bible passages and Bible-based stories, affecting more than 5 million students, with rollout starting in elementary grades in 2030-31 and each title required “in its entirety.” Immigration Courts & Funding: Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked Harris County’s immigrant legal aid funding while the state’s challenge to the county’s authority plays out. Border & Federal Enforcement: The Southern District of Texas filed 263 immigration and border security cases in one week, including felony reentry charges tied to prior removals. Tech & Water/Energy: Lawmakers pressed data center operators for more transparency after only about 17% submitted required water-use surveys; officials warned the low response rate hampers planning for power and water demand. Public Safety & Crime: A Port Arthur man and a Humble man were indicted in a Texas 73 shooting that killed a woman, with high bonds set. Houston Community: Houston renamed Cesar Chavez Boulevard to Joe E. Ramirez Boulevard after assault allegations surfaced involving the labor leader. Defense & Foreign Policy: The Pentagon said U.S. forces struck Iran after an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Texas Education Overhaul: The Texas State Board of Education moved closer to approving a Bible-infused reading list and a revamped social studies curriculum, with preliminary approval for standards that critics say overemphasize Christianity and even frame Islam through “brutal military campaigns.” Houston ISD Curriculum Fight: Houston ISD’s state-appointed board unanimously approved the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum for 2026-27, despite public pushback over biblical content and added per-student funding. Border & Public Safety: CBP seized more than $10.1 million in meth at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo. Health & Military: A flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base nears 300 cases after vaccine policy changes. Energy & Agriculture: Texas confirmed 19 of 20 U.S. screwworm cases, triggering quarantines and emergency response. Politics & Governance: Nasdaq Texas launched an advisory board to shape capital markets and policy ties across the state. Local Politics: Fort Bend County faced a government standoff over an interim judge’s seat, with a walkout paralyzing operations.

Autopilot Lawsuit: A Houston-area family sued Tesla in Harris County, alleging a defective Autopilot system caused a Model 3 to crash through a Katy home, killing a 76-year-old woman and seriously injuring her son-in-law. Texas Elections & Campaigns: State Sen. Nathan Johnson is campaigning for Texas attorney general on consumer-protection enforcement and restoring public trust, while Victoria County held a meet-and-greet for its new elections administrator. Voting Power Fight: Kansas Republicans face scrutiny over a plan that could shift U.S. Senate replacement power from voters to state lawmakers, raising concerns about the 17th Amendment. SAVE Act Standoff: House conservatives and Trump are pressuring the Senate to act on the SAVE America Act, as GOP infighting and procedural delays keep the bill stalled. Houston Finances: S&P Global revised Houston’s financial outlook to “stable,” a shift Mayor John Whitmire says reflects improved budgeting and management. Cybersecurity: Texas Parks and Wildlife says a license-system vendor incident may have exposed personal data for 3M+ hunting and fishing customers. Immigration Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court allowed TPS to be revoked for Haitians and Syrians, putting about 147,000 people in Texas at risk.

Iran War Powers Rift in GOP: Senate Republicans rejected a war powers resolution after President Trump berated GOP senators over their earlier vote, with Bill Cassidy getting a White House briefing before voting against a nearly identical measure. Texas Education & Religion: The Texas State Board of Education gave preliminary approval to a required Bible reading list for public schools, drawing backlash from Jewish leaders who say it sidelines Judaism. Abortion After Dobbs (Opinion): A Dobbs anniversary op-ed blasts Ken Paxton’s role in enforcing Texas’ abortion ban, citing stories of care delayed by legal pressure. Courts & Churches: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Gateway Church and former pastor Robert Morris of misusing tithes, citing religious-liberty limits on court review. ICE Attack Sentencing: Eight people convicted in the 2025 Prairieland ICE detention facility attack received prison terms up to 100 years. Tech/Transportation Liability: A wrongful-death suit was filed after a Tesla crash into a Katy-area home, challenging whether driver-assist software played a role. Texas Politics Watch: Texas Democrats head to their convention with optimism amid tight statewide Senate race questions.