Staff Reports
Texas teacher fired over Charlie Kirk comments amid free speech crackdown
| September 19, 2025
Hundreds of Texas teachers are being investigated by the Texas Education Agency over social media posts commenting on Charlie Kirk’s death, sparking concerns over free speech.
James Talarico opens US Senate campaign denouncing ‘bullies bigots, billionaires’
| September 19, 2025
Feeling scrappy? State Rep. James Talarico reminded supporters that living in a politically red state has taught them how to fight, pointing to Democratic icons like Barbara Jordan, Beto O’Rourke, and Wendy Davis.
Talarico, running for US Senate in 2026, wants to become the first Texas Democrat to win a statewide campaign since 1994.
Texas’ DEl ban in K-12 public schools challenged in court
| September 12, 2025
A new Texas law that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 public schools claims to be about parental rights, but civil rights groups that are suing to block its enforcement say it’s blatant government overreach.
Texas House votes to end STAAR testing
| September 12, 2025
The Texas House approved a bill that replaces the state’s STAAR exam with three shorter tests given over the course of the school year starting in 2027.
Greg Abbott brushes off NAACP lawsuit over new congressional map
| September 12, 2025
CIVIL RIGHTS | EXCO-Player | Gerrymandering | greg abbott | local politics | old texas | redistricting | TEXAS
Facing a second lawsuit over his new congressional map for Texas—labeled by critics as “racial gerrymandering”—Gov. Greg Abbott curtly dismissed the legal challenges.
Texas A&M fires professor for discussing gender identity
| September 11, 2025
Texas A&M University fired a children’s literature professor for discussing LGBTQ+ topics in class. A department head and dean were also removed from their administrative positions.