Staff Reports
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.
Texas Republicans pass anti-trans bathroom bill
| September 9, 2025
The Texas Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that bans transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity in government buildings, and public schools and colleges, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.
If Abbott signs the bill into law, it will take effect on Dec. 3.
Nearly 350 Houston retirees still waiting on buyout payments
| September 9, 2025
Houston City Council member Edward Pollard is demanding accountability as nearly 350 of the 1,000 city workers who took early retirement buyouts are still waiting for their pension payments months after they were promised.
The buyout program, launched to help close a $330 million budget shortfall, offered lump-sum payouts of 25% of annual salary to eligible employees. The employees were promised the payments within 60 days of their May 1 retirement.
Pollard has expressed growing concern over the city's handling of the program, and wants a timeline from Mayor John Whitmire’s administration on when the retirees will be paid. He questioned the mayor during an Aug. 27 city council meeting.