John Huffman was the best-funded candidate in the Senate District 9 special election thanks to casino interests, but failed to make the runoff. Gambling proponents still have millions more to spend on Texas races.
Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election loss
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Health care
The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years
The state has recorded more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough so far this year, 10 times the number in 2023.
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Congress
Texas Sens. Cornyn, Cruz vote for funding deal to end government shutdown
If approved by the House, the agreement would fund the government through the end of January, with certain agencies funded through September, including those that provide food assistance.
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Higher Education
Texas A&M faculty panel report says professor’s firing violated her academic freedom
University officials dispute the faculty council’s conclusion. Melissa McCoul lost her job after a video of a classroom debate went viral.
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State Government
Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick call for DPS to investigate Texas Southern University over financial mismanagement findings
State Auditor Lisa Collier said university staff vacancies for “critical” financial responsibilities have contributed to delays in financial reporting, as well as poor asset oversight and weak contracting processes.
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Environment
Dallas businessman sues over stalled plans to export East Texas water
The proposed project that would install 43 high-capacity wells drew the ire of East Texans, worried their wells would run dry.
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Hill Country floods
Heart O’ the Hills summer camp moving away from Guadalupe River after July 4 flood
Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls will construct new facilities out of the Guadalupe River floodplain, according to its new operators Elisabeth and John Hay.
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State Government
Texans have started to receive partial SNAP payments
The federal government paused SNAP payments at the beginning of the month because of the shutdown.
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Transportation
Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit to meet mobility demands, TxDOT report says
As the state’s population grows, more travel options are needed in rural and smaller urban areas and between major cities, according to a draft of the first-of-its-kind plan.
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Investigations
A Fort Worth church’s online class trains Christians to run for office. Now it may go national.
At the core of the program is the idea that there is no separation between what happens within the church and what happens in the government.
