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

Five ways the Texas school voucher bill is cruel

April 1308:45 AM

Here’s some basic arithmetic for you: The proposed school voucher bill approved tonight in the Texas Senate is cruel in at least five fundamental ways. First, it stacks the deck against public education, the bedrock of our democratic society. This has been the goal of Gov. Greg Abbott and his billionaire backers all along. They seek to undermine public education by starving it of funding. view article

Some districts use AI to review books under Texas Senate Bill 13

April 1308:40 AM

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Seven months after Texas Senate Bill 13 took effect, some Central Texas school districts say they are still working through new requirements for how they select, review and challenge school library materials — and some are using artificial intelligence tools to help manage the workload. view article

Texas Tech System leader cancels academic programs “centered on” sexual orientation, gender identity

April 1308:40 AM

Chancellor Brandon Creighton directed provosts to phase out the programs and ordered universities to recognize only “two human sexes.” view article

Judge rules to temporarily block Texas’ smokeable hemp ban

April 1308:40 AM

People will be allowed to buy smokeable hemp THC products, such as flower buds and rolled joints, from Texas businesses until at least April 23. view article

Texas’ GOP attorney general candidates want to challenge decades-old Supreme Court rulings

April 1308:40 AM

Emboldened by overturning Roe v. Wade, conservative legal groups hope Ken Paxton’s successor will help them overturn gay marriage and public school access for undocumented students. 1975, Texas passed a law allowing school districts to exclude undocumented students from free public school. When a district in Tyler enacted such a policy, a group of families sued. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Plyler v. Doe that Texas’ law was unconstitutional and children had a right to public education, regardless of their citizenship status. view article

Schools across America are quietly admitting that screens in classrooms made students worse off and are reversing years of tech-first policies (paywalled)

April 1308:31 AM

When McPherson Middle School in central Kansas banned cell phones in school four years ago, they didn’t reconsider their school-issued Google Chromebooks that were actively being used in the classroom and at home. It wasn’t until December of last year that it asked its 480 students to give up the laptops as well. view article

Portrayals of Islam and people of color dominate discussion in Texas’ social studies rewrite

April 1308:30 AM

The State Board of Education approved an early draft of social studies changes, setting up a vote in June that will determine how students learn history over the next decade. The Texas State Board of Education voted Friday to approve an early draft of the state’s new social studies plan, but not without clashes over the portrayal of Islam and the history of Black and Hispanic Americans. A Republican majority voted to approve the changes to social studies standards — known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS — proposed during a marathon meeting that stretched all of Thursday and into early Friday. All five Democrats voted against the preliminary changes. Earlier in the week, they called for an investigation into a potential conflict of interest. view article

Spring ISD employees on leave after mistakenly leaking sensitive data in email, district says

April 1308:28 AM

Multiple Spring ISD employees are on leave after mistakenly sending an email containing other employees' Social Security numbers, the district confirmed late Friday. Spring ISD emailed its 5,600 employees at 4:50 p.m. to inform them of the breach, hours after Eyewitness News began asking the district about it. view article

Pursuit ends after suspect crashes into East Central ISD bus, DPS arrests him in Walmart parking lot

April 1308:27 AM

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said troopers arrested a suspect wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies after he crashed into a school bus on Friday morning. According to a DPS spokesperson, Brandon Xavior Cortina, 21, was being pursued by officers in Gonzales and Wilson counties when they lost sight of his vehicle. view article

Fort Worth ISD has over 200 teaching vacancies, data shows

April 1308:25 AM

Fort Worth ISD has over 200 teaching vacancies as state-appointed leadership takes over, data shows. view article

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TEA investigating Splendora ISD teacher who accused student in stabbing hoax

April 1308:25 AM

The Texas Education Agency has opened an investigation into a Splendora ISD teacher accused of staging a stabbing and blaming a student, officials confirmed. A TEA spokesperson said the educator is now under review by the agency’s Educator Investigations Division. An investigatory flag has also been placed on the teacher’s certification, along with a flag in the state’s Do Not Hire Registry. view article

Frisco ISD increases security for district track meet on anniversary of Austin Metcalf’s death

April 1308:25 AM

A major track meet is bringing Frisco students together this week, but security is a top priority as the community marks one year since a similar event ended in tragedy. Thursday, April 9, marks the one-year anniversary of the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The Frisco Memorial High School student was fatally stabbed by another student during last year's district meet. view article

Crystal City ISD mourns death of school police officer Domingo Flores

April 1308:18 AM

The Crystal City Independent School District is mourning the loss of Police Officer Domingo Flores, leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and compassion. Officer Flores served the district with “unwavering integrity, courage, and dedication,” according to a statement from CCISD. Each day, he worked to protect students, staff, and the broader community, consistently putting others before himself. view article

Keller ISD weighs future bonds as $600M in facility needs strain budget

April 1308:15 AM

As Keller ISD closes schools to cut costs, some of its largest campuses are driving more than $180 million in urgent repairs. Aging high schools and elementary campuses account for the majority of Keller ISD’s short-term repair costs, according to a building conditions assessment presented at an April 8 school board workshop. view article

Parent questions missed warning signs after Comal ISD classroom shooting

April 1308:14 AM

Two weeks after a teacher was shot inside a Comal ISD classroom, a parent at the school is raising concerns about whether warning signs were missed and why key details remain unanswered. view article

Denton ISD athletic director announces retirement

April 1308:08 AM

After more than 30 years in Texas public education, Denton ISD's athletic director Joey Florence announced Friday he will retire at the end of June. Florence has been in the role with Denton ISD since January 2014, where the district said he oversaw unprecedented growth and success throughout all of its athletic programs. view article

Dallas seeking input, weighing e-scooter rule changes as ridership surges

April 1308:02 AM

More than 463,000 trips were taken between June 1, 2025, and March 31, nearly double the number recorded during the same period a year earlier, according to a memo sent to City Council members on Friday. Use was especially strong late in the year: From August through December, monthly ridership topped 50,000 trips. The average ride covered 1.15 miles and lasted about 12 minutes. view article

Trump’s DOJ will move forward with Colony Ridge settlement despite concerns from judge

April 1307:30 AM

He said the Justice Department’s decision amounts to a “get out of jail free card.” The “DOJ is turning its back on the victims, and those victims are left with no recourse and no assurance that any actions will be taken to remedy the harms that were identified in DOJ’s original complaint,” Smith said. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Smith’s criticisms. During the hearing, however, Hussain said the department would ensure Colony Ridge abides by the settlement. In a court filing, the developer said it had already started implementing the provisions, which include adopting stricter lending standards. view article

Five Belton ISD campuses earn positive campus culture recognitions

April 1307:28 AM

BELTON — A group of Belton Independent School District elementary school campuses earned awards for fostering positive campus cultures. One campus earned national distinction. Lakewood Elementary School was recognized as a National Showcase School, one of the highest honors Capturing Kids’ Hearts officials can award schools. Belton Early Childhood School, Hubbard Branch Elementary School, Leon Heights Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School were named Capturing Kids’ Hearts Rising Star schools, school officials announced. view article

Trump’s DOJ plans to settle Colony Ridge case without compensating victims

April 1008:40 AM

In December 2023, the U.S. Justice Department sued a Texas land developer it accused of duping tens of thousands of Hispanic residents into predatory mortgages, a landmark case for the Biden administration. Colony Ridge, which sold plots in massive subdivisions north of Houston, had become a “one-stop shop for discriminatory lending,” Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for civil rights, said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. The developer targeted Hispanic applicants through false advertising and persuaded them to take out high-interest loans that many could not afford, then benefited when it foreclosed on their properties, the lawsuit alleged. Three years later, the Trump administration and Colony Ridge are on the verge of resolving the case. But the $68 million proposed settlement provides no money for victims of the alleged scheme.

Who is Nicole Truelove? The Splendora teacher is accused of faking an assault on campus

April 1008:35 AM

A Splendora ISD teacher is facing felony charges after she allegedly faked an assault by a student. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says that the teacher, Nicole Truelove, was arrested after a lockdown at Splendora High School. Police say evidence indicates her wound was self-inflicted. view article

TEA recommends conservator in North East ISD over student cellphone ban dispute

April 1008:35 AM

The Texas Education Agency is moving to install a conservator in North East Independent School District after a months-long fight over the district’s student cellphone policy. In a 20-page TEA special investigative report obtained by the Express-News, agency officials found that NEISD trustees violated state law. Based on investigators' findings, TEA’s associate commissioner for compliance and investigation is recommending the agency appoint a conservator, who can override school board and superintendent decisions. view article

Conroe ISD shifts strategy to bridge projected $8 million budget gap

April 1008:31 AM

After initial reports in February suggested a potential $8 million budget deficit, Conroe ISD officials now say they do not anticipate a shortfall for the upcoming school year. Through proactive planning and targeted adjustments, the district aims to maintain its financial health without resorting to employee layoffs. view article

Houston ISD board approves reduction in force, which allows job cuts, changes

April 1008:31 AM

Houston Independent School District’s state-appointed board of managers has approved a key procedural step that could open the door to possible staffing changes across the district. During a meeting on Thursday night, board members signed off on a “reduction in force,” which allows the administration to cut and reorganize staff. Now, HISD administrators have permission to cut staff or reassign virtually all teaching positions and some central office jobs ahead of the 2026-2027 school year. view article

Brownsville ISD places retiring superintendent on administrative leave

April 1008:29 AM

By a 5-2 vote early Wednesday, the Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees placed Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez on administrative leave. The development marked a bittersweet end to Chavez’s tenure as superintendent after 2 1/2 years of service. A Brownsville native, Chavez often said how proud he was to serve as BISD’s top administrator. view article

Judson ISD superintendent withdraws independent hearing request regarding termination, district says

April 1008:29 AM

Milton “Rob” Fields III, Judson Independent School District’s most recent superintendent, has withdrawn his request for an independent hearing regarding his proposed termination. The Judson ISD School Board proposed terminating Fields’ employment contract during a vote early last March, following months of debate. view article

Austin ISD Board of Trustees meets amid $181 million projected budget gap

April 1008:28 AM

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees met Thursday night for the first time since announcing a projected $181 million budget shortfall for the 2026–27 school year. The meeting drew several parents and community members who voiced concerns about how the district plans to handle its growing deficit. Although the agenda did not center on budget issues, concerns about next year’s financial outlook dominated public comments. Several attendees focused on how potential cuts could affect staffing at their children’s schools. view article

Centerville ISD superintendent’s trial set for August

April 1008:28 AM

A state district court judge set an August trial date for Centerville ISD Superintendent Carole Dickey, who is accused of concealing inappropriate conduct by a district employee. She has been on administrative leave from the district since October. view article

Round Rock ISD fourth grader dies after being hit by a vehicle in crosswalk, Teravista principal says

April 1008:28 AM

A fourth grader at Round Rock ISD has died a week after he was hit in a crosswalk by a vehicle while riding his bike April 1. In a letter to parents at Teravista Leadership Academy, Principal Michael Wakefield said Patrick Case “passed away peacefully” on Wednesday, April 8. Wakefield said the fourth grader was “truly loved by his friends and teachers” at the Round Rock ISD school. view article

Austin ISD considers teacher and staff cuts amid $181 million deficit

April 1008:27 AM

The Austin Independent School District is facing a budget deficit of $181 million for next school year. That’s according to the preliminary budget draft presented at a work session with board members on Tuesday night. The draft is an initial version of the budget used to guide decision making. Superintendent Matias Segura said to reduce the budget deficit, the district will have to make sacrifices, including some that will directly impact students, like teacher cuts. 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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