Long lines linger at Houston’s biggest airport as TSA agents miss work during partial government shutdown

The ongoing partial government shutdown has led to long security lines at airports across the country, but no airport has felt the effects as acutely as George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. On Thursday, wait times at Bush, one of the nation’s busiest airports, reached four hours or more, with lines extending outside its terminals. Passenger volume at Bush is expected to get worse this weekend, driven by major events in Houston, including the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. The lines are a result of many Transportation Security Administration officers — who aren’t getting paid during the shutdown — not coming to work. As airline passengers waited in long lines and congressional negotiators appeared far from a deal to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, President Donald Trump late Thursday said on social media that he will sign an emergency order for the department, which oversees TSA, to immediately pay TSA officers. He did not elaborate where the money for the agency, unfunded by Congress for more than a month, would come from.
Northside ISD has nearly $200 million in 2022 bond project ‘on hold’

Nine school improvement projects totaling nearly $200 million from Northside Independent School District's 2022 bond issue are "on hold" with no indication of when the projects will be built. Just four years after its nearly $1 billion bond election, San Antonio's largest school district intends to seek voter approval in November on a bond package for security upgrades and other improvements. Northside's Building Committee got an update Wednesday on the $198.47 million in projects that were approved nearly four years ago but have not since been executed. Superintendent John Craft told a panel of trustees he wants to "be careful in not putting millions and millions of dollars into these facilities and then having to come back in a very short amount of time (and saying), 'Well, we really need more science labs.'
147 measles cases reported in Texas so far this year, most of them in federal detention centers

Local officials report that 108 of the cases originated in a contracted detention facility in Hudspeth County. The largest outbreak is in a single contracted federal detention facility in Hudspeth County, as of March 18, according to DSHS. Hudspeth County Judge Joanna MacKenzie told The Texas Tribune that the 108 cases are all at the West Texas Detention Facility, which is managed by LaSalle Corrections, a private company. The facility has previously housed immigrant detainees, though it’s not clear if it still does. It does not appear on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s list of detention facilities. “Not having jurisdiction, my office is not involved in response,” MacKenzie added in a statement, “however I remain in communication with DSHS and LaSalle, as I regularly do.”
Why an East Texas rancher donated part of his water rights to the state

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Bob Sanders bumps along the dirt roads of his 1,100-acre ranch in a beat up burgundy Chevrolet Suburban, the engine roaring as his sprawling cattle operation, known locally for its wagyu beef, stretches around him. A shotgun rides in the passenger seat and battered binoculars sit on the dashboard. The sloping pasture where his rust-colored cows graze gives way to trees that flank a narrow ribbon of water. It doesn’t look like much, just a slow-moving channel threading through sweetgums and cypress, but this 2.6-mile stretch of the Big Cypress Bayou carries a lot of weight — it connects Lake O’ the Pines, the region’s main water supply, to Caddo Lake, the state’s only natural lake. Water feels abundant in the area. But even in this lush corner of the state, water is increasingly top of mind. For Sanders and many of his neighbors, the bayou represents something increasingly fragile in Texas: water that still belongs to the landscape it came from. The sloping pasture where his rust-colored cows graze gives way to trees that flank a narrow ribbon of water. It doesn’t look like much, just a slow-moving channel threading through sweetgums and cypress, but this 2.6-mile stretch of the Big Cypress Bayou carries a lot of weight — it connects Lake O’ the Pines, the region’s main water supply, to Caddo Lake, the state’s only natural lake. Water feels abundant in the area. But even in this lush corner of the state, water is increasingly top of mind. For Sanders and many of his neighbors, the bayou represents something increasingly fragile in Texas: water that still belongs to the landscape it came from.
Muslim parents, private schools sue Texas over exclusion of Islamic institutions in voucher program

The federal lawsuits argue Texas officials are engaging in religious discrimination by preventing Islamic private schools from accessing state voucher money. Four Muslim parents and three private schools have sued Texas leaders for excluding Islamic private schools from participating in the state’s private school voucher program. The two federal lawsuits ask the court to block the voucher program from discriminating on the basis of religion. The first suit, filed March 1 by a parent acting on behalf of two children who attend a Houston private school, names Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and Education Commissioner Mike Morath as defendants. A second suit filed March 11 by three parents and three schools names Hancock and Mary Katherine Stout, education savings account program manager, as defendants. Here’s what to know.
As Superintendent Karen Molinar exits takeover, Texas signals a hard reset for Fort Worth ISD

FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar observed the children learning as she visited classrooms Monday and Tuesday, knowing the clock on her three decades in Fort Worth schools was winding down. Molinar, 51, learned her time in the district that grew her from a reading teacher into a principal and, eventually, the leader of its schools was over after the Texas education commissioner told her last week she won’t serve during the state takeover. She informed families and staff Wednesday that she will not remain as superintendent. “I promised them at the beginning of this that I would be transparent, and I would give them updates,” Molinar told the Fort Worth Report. “I had to do that even when it came to what would happen to me personally and professionally. I had to stand up to my word.” Her impending departure from FWISD drew mixed reactions. Some teachers, parents and city leaders praised Molinar’s decades of service and insisted she should remain in the role during the takeover. Others argued new leadership is necessary as state leaders try to turnaround years of failing academics in Fort Worth.

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Preventive Law: Viewing AI Risk Through a School Law Lens

April 0710:28 AM

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) use is on the rise in Texas schools. From lesson-planning platforms to student-facing chatbots, AI is reshaping how instruction happens. But as more people use AI, one question lingers: Who is responsible when mishaps occur? In Texas, AI creates legal complexities where education law already demands careful attention to student privacy, curriculum standards, and teacher certification. Because AI provides a new way to violate state and federal laws, even inadvertently, educators and administrators must be mindful when using AI to ensure that the law is still being followed.

Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving

April 0708:40 AM

The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally. Over the last year, Texas Republicans have enacted sweeping regulatory and legal changes that have upended all facets of life for noncitizens. The state has limited who can get an occupational license; register or buy a car; obtain commercial driver’s licenses; and get in-state tuition at colleges and universities. Over the last year, Texas Republicans have enacted sweeping regulatory and legal changes that have upended all facets of life for noncitizens. The state has limited who can get an occupational license; register or buy a car; obtain commercial driver’s licenses; and get in-state tuition at colleges and universities. The changes are wreaking havoc on the 1.7 million people without documentation in Texas, as well as tens of thousands of refugees and people with protected legal status, like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Already, more than 6,400 refugees and DACA recipients have lost their commercial driver’s licenses. Many more noncitizens are expected to lose the ability to work in licensed industries from construction and medicine to air conditioning and cosmetology.The changes are wreaking havoc on the 1.7 million people without documentation in Texas, as well as tens of thousands of refugees and people with protected legal status, like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Already, more than 6,400 refugees and DACA recipients have lost their commercial driver’s licenses. Many more noncitizens are expected to lose the ability to work in licensed industries from construction and medicine to air conditioning and cosmetology. view article

Texas Moves To Block Professional & Commercial Licenses for Illegal Aliens

April 0705:00 AM

The rule comes after a recent opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton requiring licensing authorities to obtain social security numbers from applicants. Beginning May 1, Texas will bar individuals who cannot prove they are lawfully present in the U.S. from obtaining or renewing state‑issued professional licenses. It will also impact occupational and trade licenses. Commissioners for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) approved a new rule on Tuesday to check the lawful presence of people applying for or renewing state licenses when they are flagged for verification. The new rule requires TDLR to verify an applicant’s eligibility under federal immigration law when that applicant is selected for verification under department procedures. It applies across all TDLR‑regulated licenses. If an applicant is selected, they must submit documentation before a license can be issued or renewed. view article

GRAPELAND ISD HIRES JIM DUNLAP OF ARROW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

April 0208:35 AM

The board of trustees of the Grapeland Independent School District has contracted with Mr. Jim Dunlap of Arrow Educational Services, Inc. to assist them in their search for a new superintendent. He will be assisted by GISD superintendent Mr. Terry Myers. Information and the application process is available on arrowsearchinc.com and the TASA Supersearch page. view article

Bullard ISD officially names Dr. Micah Dyer as superintendent

March 1805:00 AM

The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees officially named Dr. Micah Dyer as the district’s new superintendent during a special meeting Tuesday. Trustees had previously selected Dyer as the lone finalist in February, with state law requiring a 21-day waiting period before a formal hire. He will begin his new role on March 30, following Interim Superintendent Dr. Jan Hill’s last board meeting next Monday. “She’s been a blessing to this district and helping them with this transition,” Dyer said. “I look forward to the opportunity to get to work with her as I transition into this job full time.” Read more at: https://tylerpaper.com/2026/03/18/bullard-isd-officially-names-dr-micah-dyer-as-superintendent/ view article

Families Fleeing Big School Districts Drive School Choice Demand

April 2308:50 AM

Thousands of families in Texas’ largest public school districts are seeking to leave or supplement their local campuses through the state’s new school choice program, according to newly released data from the Texas Education Freedom Accounts rollout. Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that more than 42,600 students will receive award notices in the first round of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, with priority given to students with disabilities and their siblings. A closer look at the data shows where demand is most concentrated: the state’s biggest school districts. Houston ISD leads the state with 1,558 student applications in the program’s top priority tier, followed by Dallas ISD with 1,313 and Northside ISD in San Antonio with 1,139. Other large districts—including Fort Bend ISD (1,048), Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (914), and Fort Worth ISD (808)—also saw hundreds of families apply. view article

Fort Worth ISD launching automatic 5% pay raises for classroom teachers for 2026-27 school year

April 2308:42 AM

Fort Worth ISD announced Wednesday that it is launching automatic pay raises for classroom teachers, something the district said reinforces one of its key pillars. In a news release shared with CBS News Texas, the district said teachers who work directly in a classroom with children as the teacher of record will get an automatic 5% salary increase for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The district also said the action behind the raises is "being taken without delay and without waiting for lengthy negotiations". view article

Local Architecture Firm Backs Lufkin ISD Debt Proposal 

April 2308:40 AM

The bond will appear on the May 2 ballot. Financial reports from Vote YES for Lufkin ISD Kids, the pro-bond political action committee, reveal that an architecture firm with several locations throughout East Texas is the single largest contributor to the PAC. view article

Chapel Hill ISD trustees hear from public amid investigation into former band director

April 2308:33 AM

Chapel Hill ISD trustees hear from public amid investigation into former band director CHAPEL HILL, Texas — Questions about transparency and student safety took center stage Monday as community members addressed the Chapel Hill ISD Board of Trustees following allegations involving former band director Joseph Hewitt. Hewitt served as Chapel Hill ISD’s fine arts/band director for several years before leaving the district prior to the end of the Spring 2026 semester. He is currently under investigation by the Texas Education Agency for a potential violation of the state’s educator code of ethics. view article

Southeast Texas experts share tips on stopping severe bleeding in emergencies

April 2308:33 AM

SETX — In a traumatic emergency, knowing how to control bleeding can buy critical time before help arrives and local first responders say it’s a skill anyone can learn. Andrew Heuler and Hannah Mason shared “Stop the Bleed” guidance for viewers in Southeast Texas, emphasizing that bleeding control is a key first step in trauma care. They said the first thing to do is call 911 and tell dispatchers where you are and what happened. Next, they advised exposing the injury to find the source of the bleeding which may mean cutting or ripping clothing or pulling pant legs or sleeves up to locate the wound. view article

Texas Education Agency Finds Complaints of Antisemitism in Plano ISD ‘Unsubstantiated’

April 2308:30 AM

The attorney general’s office is also investigating. Between May and October 2025, TEA received multiple complaints from current and former Plano ISD parents and a former trustee alleging antisemitic incidents, including classroom content, comments by teachers, student walkouts, bullying, and scheduling events on Jewish holy days. view article

Judson ISD finalizes termination of Milton ‘Rob’ Fields, reveals reason superintendent was fired

April 2308:29 AM

After a bitter, months-long saga, the board for Judson Independent School District officially fired Superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields in a 4-3 vote Tuesday night. Based on an internal investigation, along with witness and expert testimony, Board President Monica Ryan said the report established “good cause” to terminate Fields’ contract, which was supposed to end June 30, 2028. view article

See how Corpus Christi teacher pay compares across school districts

April 2308:28 AM

Pay data shows that though base pay for early-career teachers in Corpus Christi ISD is competitive compared to neighboring districts, by the five-year mark, CCISD teacher pay lags. Data from a pay study by the Texas Association of School Boards outlines how 2025-26 staff pay compares to the independent school districts of Gregory-Portland, Calallen, West Oso, Flour Bluff, London and Tuloso-Midway. view article

Austin ISD facing deeper budget cuts as deficit continues to grow

April 2308:28 AM

Austin ISD is facing even deeper budget cuts as its deficit continues to grow. Now we’re taking a closer look at just how big that shortfall has become and what's driving it. The significant budget reductions come as the district grapples with the perfect storm: declining property values, falling enrollment, rising costs and delays in real estate deals. view article

Manor ISD partners with Eat Real to improve school meals

April 2308:27 AM

A Central Texas school district is partnering with a national nonprofit in an effort to improve student meals, with a focus on fresher ingredients, scratch cooking and long-term health outcomes. Manor Independent School District has begun working with Eat Real, an organization that helps schools evaluate and upgrade their food programs through a science-based certification process. view article

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Lancaster ISD proposes $376 million bond in May special election

April 2308:26 AM

The Lancaster Independent School District is proposing a $376 million bond package in May to improve facilities, strengthen safety and infrastructure, expand career and technical education opportunities and prepare for future growth. view article

Andrews ISD places employees on leave over claims of inappropriate communication with student

April 2308:26 AM

Andrews Independent School District officials say employees have been placed on administrative leave after concerns surfaced about inappropriate communication with a student. In a letter sent to parents Tuesday at around 1:06 p.m., the district said it was notified of the situation and launched a review. Officials determined the employees’ actions did not meet professional standards and moved quickly to remove them from campus while the investigation continues. view article

SCUCISD board member resigns from teaching position in Judson ISD

April 2308:22 AM

A Judson Independent School District teacher has resigned months after the board of trustees voted to propose his termination. Dr. Matthew Short’s resignation was effective April 21, according to Judson ISD Director of Communications Lexie Greathouse. He had been on leave since November, the district had previously said. view article

Massive turnout: Hundreds of students pack Wylie ISD Career Fair

April 2308:21 AM

Hundreds of students filled Wylie High School on Wednesday morning for the Wylie ISD Career Fair, which featured businesses, colleges, and organizations from across the region. Students connected with professionals in a direct and interactive setting to explore post-secondary opportunities. view article

Bullard and Winnsboro ISD awarded TEA grant to expand support for students with autism

April 2308:21 AM

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has awarded a state grant to support services for students with autism in Winnsboro and Bullard independent school districts. The 2026-2028 Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant will provide $530,000 in the first year and $750,000 in the second year to help expand support for students with autism. These efforts include: view article

Academy ISD announces new Head Boy’s Basketball Coach

April 2308:21 AM

Academy ISD has announced the new head coach of its Boy's Basketball program. Zane Johnston will take over as Head Boy's Basketball Coach for the Bumblebees, the district has announced. view article

Fort Worth ISD teacher pay raises approved for next school year

April 2308:21 AM

Teachers in the Fort Worth Independent School District are getting a pay raise next year. What we know: The district said the 5% pay hike for the will apply to every teacher who works in a classroom at non-ELEVATE schools. ELEVATE schools, which the district has designated as "needing the most improvement," will also offer compensation boosts for teachers. view article

Spring ISD teacher allegedly ran from police while half naked, HPD says

April 2308:21 AM

A Spring ISD teacher was arrested after leading police on a chase and running from officers while half naked, according to authorities. Tyler Canada, 32, is charged with evading arrest with a vehicle and evading arrest. He appeared in court on Saturday. view article

Fort Worth ISD employee accused of fatally shooting wife, an assistant principal, Benbrook police say

April 2308:19 AM

A Fort Worth ISD employee is accused of shooting and killing his wife, who was also an assistant principal within the district. The Benbrook Police Department said it responded to a home along Sproles Drive on Friday, April 17, around 7:30 p.m. Officers said the report was for someone allegedly shot in the face accidentally. First responders said they found a woman unconscious with an apparent gunshot wound. view article

Waco ISD mulls use of $37 million from bond surplus,

April 2305:06 AM

Before the new land opens to visitors, agency staff will conduct natural and cultural resource surveys to shape long-term management plans. Officials also said future public meetings will be held so residents and park visitors can weigh in on what comes next. Possible future uses for the added acreage include camping, hiking and biking, though the state said planning could take months and no opening date has been announced.

The search is on for SAISD’s next leader. The district wants public input before hiring.

April 2208:40 AM

San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Jaime Aquino is stepping down next year, and the search is already on for his replacement. The district wants community members to share what they’d like to see in a new leader during a community town hall on Monday, April 27 at the district’s headquarters, 514 W. Quincy St. view article

Dallas ISD trustees send $6.2 billion bond proposal to voters

April 2208:35 AM

On Thursday, February 12, the Dallas ISD trustees sent a $6.2 billion bond proposal to voters in May. The proposal has been developed over the past year with the help of the Citizens Bond Steering Committee, whose members were appointed by the board. If approved by voters, the $6.2 billion bond would: view article

Houston Walks Back ICE Ordinance, Votes To Amend Policy Under State Pressure

April 2208:30 AM

The revised policy took effect immediately. Houston City Council voted 13-4 Wednesday to approve Mayor John Whitmire’s amended immigration ordinance, purportedly bringing an end to a weeks-long standoff with the state over more than $100 million in frozen public safety funding. City Attorney Arturo Michel said the amendment, which took effect immediately, makes no major changes to the original measure. He added that the revised language was negotiated directly between the mayor’s office and the governor’s Public Safety Office. Wednesday’s vote was not a repeal but an amendment, which meant Whitmire only needed 9 of 17 council votes rather than the 12 required to fully rescind the policy under city rules. Council members Alejandra Salinas, Abbie Kamin, Edward Pollard, and Tiffany Thomas voted against the measure. view article

Judson ISD superintendent terminated after hostile environment, failure to report allegations, board says

April 2208:29 AM

Judson Independent School District’s Board of Trustees says it terminated Superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields III on Tuesday, effective immediately. Robert Jaklich currently serves as the district’s interim superintendent amid the investigation. Fields’ “good cause” termination comes after an “extensive investigation” into district operations and administrative performance. A statement from Judson ISD Board President Monica Ryan alleges that Fields failed to manage the district’s finances appropriately, allowed district academic ratings to decline, had knowledge of child abuse, and more. view article

These are the nine schools set to join Houston ISD’s New Education System

April 2208:27 AM

Houston ISD will implement its controversial instructional model, the New Education System, at nine more elementary campuses next year. The model, often called NES, was at first implemented at 85 historically low performing campuses, but has now grown to include roughly half of the district's schools. view article

Alvin ISD names Rhonda Mason as lone finalist for superintendent

April 2208:25 AM

Rhonda Mason has been named the sole finalist for superintendent of schools for Alvin ISD following a 5-2 vote by the board of trustees at its April 21 special meeting. Trustees Earl Humbird and Cheryl Harris voted against naming Mason as the sole finalist due to concerns about Mason not having enough experience to serve as the superintendent. view article

‘Heartbreaking incident’: Lindale ISD superintendent says meeting scheduled to address questions regarding student’s death

April 2208:25 AM

As the family and community seek accountability and answers after the death of a Lindale ISD student last week, the district on Tuesday released a statement. Superintendent Stan Surratt is asking community members to be patient following the tragic death of 8-year-old Velma Penny Elementary student Adrian Thompson. Adrian passed away after a medical emergency on campus, but the district has not confirmed the type of emergency or any details about the incident. Meanwhile, community conversation on social media has sparked speculation about what happened as community members seek answers about the incident. view article

‘Large pizza tax’: Sharyland ISD bond proposal sparks debate over $28 monthly tax increase

April 2208:25 AM

Sharyland Independent School District voters are weighing a three-part bond proposal totaling more than $250 million, as early voting gets underway and community opinions remain sharply divided. Superintendent Elaine Howard says the timing of the bond makes it especially critical for the district’s future. view article

Early voting is open for Texas municipal elections. Here are the school bond elections on North Texas ballots.

April 2208:25 AM

North Texans are heading head back to the polls for municipal elections, and some ballots may include public school bonds. School districts do not receive state funding for necessary building maintenance, upgrades, or even the building of new schools. Instead, they must use voter-approved bonds. Typically, a bond passage will increase a homeowner's property taxes. In Texas, homeowners over age 65 and who have filed a homestead exemption will not be impacted. Bonds are broken into propositions. Voters can approve or deny specific layers of the bond if they don't want to approve the whole package. Early voting opened on Monday, April 20, and runs through Tuesday, April 28. Election day is May 2. view article

Call records show moments surrounding death of Lindale ISD student after medical emergency

April 2208:24 AM

A dispatch call from the day a Lindale ISD student died gives new details about a medical emergency leading to the death of a student. According to a 911 call obtained by CBS19, a school administrator reported that the child was choking. That administrator told police that school staff attempted to perform life-saving measures, including performing the Heimlich maneuver. view article

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TexasISD.com was the brainchild of Joe F. Smith. Joe retired early from a successful career as Superintendent of Schools for Hudson ISD, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Due to a long battle with Post-Polio Syndrome the doctor made him hang it up and rest for six months. Never being the kind of person to sit still and also not being the person to listen to his doctor, Joe logged lengthy sessions in front of his PC researching school issues, reading papers and corresponding with his friends and colleagues in the education business.

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