POLITICS
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.
Houston mayor John Whitmire blasts critics of retiree pay delays
| September 19, 2025
Mayor John Whitmire, facing criticism over a delay in payouts for more than 300 city employees who accepted a buyout to retire, fired back during a recent Houston City Council meeting. He put the blame on the Houston Municipal Employees Pension Plan, which was overwhelmed with processing 1,052 early retirements.
Sherry Mose, chair of the pension plan, told Whitmire and the council during its Sept. 10 meeting that more than 700 of the retirees have been paid. The remainder will be paid by the end of September. The city offered early retirement to workers earlier this year to help address a budget shortfall.
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.
Lina Hidalgo won’t seek third term as Harris County chief executive
| September 18, 2025
Harris County voters will choose a new county judge in 2026, as Lina Hidalgo announced she won’t seek a third term.
‘This is not right’: Texas students, educators criticize Ten Commandments in classrooms
| September 16, 2025
Some Texas students and educators are criticizing new laws that added prayer time, Ten Commandments to public schools.