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

These Texans want better schools for Black students. They disagree on vouchers as the answer.

April 0808:44 AM

One Black Texan sees education savings accounts as an escape from a burning house. Another fears they threaten a robust public school system. Jennifer Lee and Kyev Tatum agree that Texas’ Black students do not receive the same academic support as their peers, that schools punish them unfairly and that recent state laws silence Black history and perspectives in the classroom. But the two Black Texans sharply diverge on whether the state’s new voucher program will make education in Texas better or worse for students who look like them. view article

Earthquakes are becoming more frequent in East Texas and Louisiana. Here’s what scientists say.

April 0808:40 AM

A record-breaking earthquake rattled western Louisiana last month, drawing attention from Texas researchers and geologists. Scientists suspect the 4.9-magnitude temblor in the Haynesville shale formation — a natural gas-rich area that straddles East Texas and Louisiana — was triggered by oil and gas operations. The cause of the quake, believed to be the largest in Louisiana history, remains under investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. USGS researchers attributed a series of earlier near-border earthquakes in the area to fracking and associated wastewater disposal. view article

TribCast: Anti-Muslim rhetoric in Texas politics

April 0808:40 AM

Rep. Salman Bhojani, one of the first Muslim state legislators, joins TribCast to talk about the backlash his community has experienced in state government. view article

Texas to launch a statewide food truck permit on July 1

April 0808:40 AM

Eloisa Schessler and her husband started Eloisa’s Kitchen Food Truck in Dallas to help their daughter. Their daughter had suffered a head injury, and had become a shell of her former self. They worked diligently to create a small business where their daughter not only serves as the sous chef, but she also is responsible for the entire creative design of the truck. Slowly, they started to see their daughter revert back to her former self. But government red-tape is preventing her food truck and others from growing. The family wants to travel to other cities to serve their food, but each city requires them to apply for a permit, which is not only very costly, but requires the family to take the day off of work to do another city’s inspection “It’s a hassle to take time off to go and do that where we have to stop what we’re doing and lose money that day,” Schessler said. view article

After 1,700 Sundays preaching outside and under bridges, a Central Texas pastor retires

April 0808:30 AM

Urban minister Jimmy Dorrell bade farewell Sunday to his outdoor Waco congregation after baptizing a dozen people in the chilly waters of the Middle Bosque River. WACO — They lined up Sunday under giant pecan trees to wade into the muddy waters of the Middle Bosque River for a moment of redemption. Before submerging, the 12 men and women testified how Jesus Christ changed their lives. Most of them came to this moment through the ministry of Church Under the Bridge, whose congregants include the unhoused and mentally ill as well as Baylor University students and professionals. view article

Podcast project reshapes reading in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD second-grade class

April 0808:30 AM

Reading teacher Christi Cooper had an important question as her second-grade students gathered around a table with a laptop, an iPhone and handwritten scripts scattered across the top. “Do you want the fuzzy one or the squishy one?” Cooper asked. Picking the right type of microphone was important for her students before Cooper hits record on her phone. Cooper’s class at Heritage Elementary hosts a podcast called “Only Readers in the Building” where students discuss the books they’ve recently read. The fuzzy mic is a favorite among the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD students as they record the podcast that replaces the traditional book report. view article

Elon Musk Wants to Turn 700 Acres of Texas Wildlife Refuge Into SpaceX Property

April 0808:27 AM

“Rio Grande Valley residents oppose Elon Musk’s colonization of our wildlife, beach, and sacred lands for SpaceX’s dangerous and unnecessary rockets,” said Bekah Hinojosa, the network’s co-founder, in the press release. “We urge the US Fish & Wildlife to listen to our community’s pleas and deny SpaceX’s 712-acre land grab.” The proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the purpose of the land exchange was to “conserve species’ habitats, improve habitat protection, consolidate ownership, and simplify management of refuge lands”. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network also said the 712 acres that SpaceX wants are considered “culturally significant” to the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, a group indigenous to the Rio Grande Valley. “Elon Musk and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are allowing the destruction of our lands and ecosystems in pursuit of space ventures, while neglecting the responsibility to protect what is here,” said Juan B. Mancias, tribal chair, in the press release. view article

Texas Rangers join probe into Camp Mystic, following July 2025 flooding disaster

April 0808:09 AM

AUSTIN, Texas - A state investigation into Camp Mystic has been expanded to include the Texas Rangers, putting a spotlight on the camp’s actions during the deadly July 4, 2025, floods that killed 27 campers and counselors. view article

New highway signs urge drivers to watch for ‘ghost wolves’

April 0806:58 AM

Drivers headed to a vacation rental on Galveston's West End in the months ahead have 10 new reasons to keep their eyes on the road. Last month, the Texas Department of Transportation installed 'Wildlife Crossing' highway signs along 19 miles of FM 3005, Seawall Boulevard's designation after the seawall itself plays out (and also known as San Luis-Termini Road). view article

April is National Volunteer Month. Did you know:

April 0708:40 AM

April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize the people who give their time and energy to strengthen their communities. Here in Fulshear, that includes residents who serve on local boards and commissions, roles that may not always be visible but play a meaningful part in how our city grows and evolves. view article

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Real Texans: Daniel Hayworth on the Threat of Islamification

April 0708:40 AM

On this edition of Real Texans, Michael Quinn Sullivan visits with Pastor Daniel Hayworth. As a former Army officer, school planter, and now full-time pastor, Daniel explains why Texans must understand the threats posed by the Islamification of the Lone Star State. view article

UT-Austin Accelerates Consolidation of Ethnic and Gender Studies Programs

April 0708:38 AM

The move had previously been anticipated for fall 2027. The University of Texas at Austin appears poised to expedite a previously announced consolidation of ethnic and gendr studies coursework within the College of Liberal Arts. Interim liberal arts Dean David Sosa sent an email to faculty late last week in which he stated that the consolidation “will be finalized by Fall 2026.” A left-wing media outlet reported the provost’s office wants these changes to be in lace before state lawmakers return in January 2027. A university spokesman disputed this characterization, stating that “the academic calendar is what’s driving the timeline.” “Anytime we implement structural changes to academic units we want those completed by the start of an academic year to avoid disruption,” the spokesman continued. “This is a common-sense administrative practice.” view article

South Texas Federal Prosecutors File Record-Breaking Number of Illegal Immigration Cases 

April 0708:30 AM

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the southern and western districts of Texas continue to report a high volume of illegal immigration cases and related crimes.  The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the southern and western districts of Texas continue to report a high volume of illegal immigration cases and related crimes.  Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas reported over 500 cases filed, a new record high set since the implementation of Operation Take Back America. These cases include charges filed for illegal entry, reentry following prior removal, and human smuggling crimes. The district reports that many of these individuals have prior felony charges, which include narcotics, assault, immigration offenses, and firearm charges. view article

Where Fort Worth ISD Ranks In Texas Superintendent Pay During State Takeover

April 0708:29 AM

Fort Worth ISD’s new superintendent, Peter Licata, will be paid $1,384.62 per day as acting superintendent, a prorated rate based on former Superintendent Karen Molinar’s $367,000 base salary. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Education Agency recently took over Fort Worth ISD’s school board and superintendent position. Licata will serve as the acting superintendent, replacing former superintendent Karen Molinar. view article

Carthage ISD Superintendent Resigns; Interim Named

April 0708:29 AM

The Carthage ISD Board of Trustees accepted the voluntary resignation of Superintendent Jarrod Bitter during a special-called meeting held Monday evening. Following the resignation, the board appointed Dr. Glen Hambrick to serve as interim superintendent. The appointment is effective immediately. view article

Waskom ISD names interim superintendent after previous superintendent’s death in Shreveport crash

April 0708:29 AM

The Waskom Independent School District Board of Trustees has appointed an interim superintendent after the previous one recently died in a car wreck in Shreveport. On Monday, April 6, the school district announced the appointment of Ross Boyett as interim superintendent. Boyett has nearly three decades of experience in education; the school district says he has a strong track record of “supporting students, empowering staff, and leading with integrity.” view article

Carthage ISD school board accepts superintendent’s resignation

April 0708:29 AM

An administrative change has occurred following a special-called school board meeting Monday night. According to the district, Supt. Jarrod Bitter submitted his resignation to the board during that meeting. The resignation was expected. Dr. Glen Hambrick, a former Carthage ISD superintendent and still a Carthage resident, has been appointed interim superintendent. view article

Chris Clark officially named Leander ISD superintendent, effective immediately

April 0708:27 AM

Leander ISD has officially hired Chris Clark, Ed.D., as the district’s superintendent, finalizing the decision during the Board of Trustees’ April 2 meeting. The board’s vote came after the state-required 21-day waiting period that followed Clark being named the lone finalist in March. Clark assumes the role effective immediately. view article

Georgetown ISD delays opening of 2 campuses until 2027

April 0708:26 AM

Georgetown ISD leaders are delaying the opening of a new elementary and middle school until 2027 after seeing lower enrollment projections. view article

Most charges against Millsap ISD, former faculty dismissed in alleged child abuse case

April 0708:26 AM

A lawsuit filed against Millsap ISD, its former superintendent, an elementary school principal and two former educators regarding the alleged abuse of autistic children has been almost entirely dismissed, court records show. Former Millsap ISD superintendent Edie Martin and two former educators -- Jennifer Dale, 44, and Paxton Kendal Bean, 25 -- were arrested in March 2025 after a video of a February incident showed educators allegedly abusing an autistic child in a classroom. view article

Keller ISD joint committees recommend school closures amid declining enrollment

April 0708:25 AM

The Keller Independent School District is looking to close schools, citing declining enrollment and financial constraints. Keller is the latest among several North Texas districts forced to restructure campuses over the past several years. Keller ISD said its enrollment has declined by more than 4,000 students over the past five years and is expected to continue declining. On Thursday night, joint committees presented what they believe will be the best solution. view article

Humble ISD to host job fair to fill teacher, counselor and administrative positions

April 0708:24 AM

The job fair will be open to certified staff only, according to the district’s website. Officials will be hiring for the following positions: Teacher Counselor Administrative staff view article

Keller ISD could close 4 schools in 2027-2028

April 0708:22 AM

Big changes could be coming for families in the Keller Independent School District. A district committee is recommending the closure of four schools. view article

Here’s which Keller ISD schools could close as enrollment declines

April 0708:22 AM

Keller ISD mother Katie Gillham watched over the past few months as her Facebook filled with posts and chats speculating on which schools will close in the north Fort Worth district. view article

Amarillo ISD offers new hybrid, virtual learning for student choice

April 0708:19 AM

Jennifer Wilkerson, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Amarillo ISD, said that the school district was starting new virtual learning classes for grades 6-12 for those who wanted more choices in their education. view article

What to know about Lubbock ISD’s district optimization plan

April 0708:18 AM

Earlier in the year, Lubbock ISD's Board of Trustees adopted a plan that would dictate how the district would go about considering school closures and consolidations after previous efforts were met with community outrage. This new plan — named the District Optimization Plan — lays out three main criteria and the following sub-criteria the district will use to determine whether to close each school. view article

Dripping Springs ISD opens out-of-district transfer applications

April 0708:17 AM

Starting April 1, Texas families will be able to apply for an out-of-district transfer to Dripping Springs ISD. view article

Fort Bend ISD parents raise concerns about special education support during campus transitions

April 0708:15 AM

As Fort Bend ISD moves forward with campus changes, some parents of students receiving special education services say they are worried about what those transitions will mean for the support their children rely on every day. view article

Dalhart ISD mourning loss of 7th grader who died as a result of a ‘tragic incident’

April 0708:09 AM

Dalhart ISD is mourning the loss of 7th grader who died as a result of a "tragic incident." Superintendent Jeff Byrd sent ABC 7 News a statement Monday afternoon. Byrd couldn't say anything about the incident other than it happened Thursday night and that it did not occur on school grounds. view article

Pflugerville ISD cuts ‘Kickstart Kids’ martial arts program amid budget challenges

April 0708:08 AM

Parents in Pflugerville ISD are rallying to save a long-running martial arts program that district leaders said will soon be eliminated due to mounting budget deficits. Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit founded by the late Chuck Norris, operates in more than 50 middle schools across Texas. The elective uses martial arts training to teach students discipline, respect and responsibility. But Pflugerville ISD announced the program, along with the AVID college prep course, will be cut from three campuses beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The affected schools include Pflugerville Middle School, Dessau Middle School and Westview Middle School. view article

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