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Sept. 1, 2026
Huffines: School Audits Could Lead to Prosecutions for ‘Nefarious Spending’

(Texas Scorecard) Texas Comptroller Don Huffines says school officials could face prosecution if upcoming state audits uncover fraudulent spending. The comptroller says his office is expanding its focus on government fraud as auditors prepare to investigate four Texas school districts.

School districts announce closures, preparations underway as Tropical Storm Edouard heads towards Southeast Texas

(KTRK) Multiple school districts across Southeast Texas announced on Monday that they would be closing schools on Tuesday ahead of Tropical Storm Edouard as it makes its way to the region.

‘Cat in the Hat’ TikTok trend prompts increased security at schools

(KHOU) Texas schools are responding to circulating posts on the threatening online trend. The trend involves edited or AI-generated images and videos featuring a threatening version of the Cat in the Hat character, according to the Falfurrias Police Department. Some of the posts circulating in Texas have named schools, communities, or students. Four school systems in Texas have posted safety updates on their Facebook pages in response.

How Clint ISD holds strong reserves as other El Paso school districts struggle

(El Paso Matters) Clint ISD adopted a balanced budget and the highest tax rate allowed without an election, while maintaining strong reserves and investing into facilities.

Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers launches “Car Line Blitz” to connect with parents, get feedback

(CBS Texas) Fort Worth ISD is in its first full school year under a state takeover, and district leaders are taking an unconventional approach to gathering parent feedback: meeting families where they already are, in school pickup and drop-off lines. “For the first time, we will be knocking on car door windows asking them to open their window, have a conversation with us, and discuss the importance of this survey with them,” said Board of Managers President Pete Geren. The effort is dubbed the “Car Line Blitz.” Fort Worth ISD board members will visit 13 campuses on Thursday and Friday to encourage parents to participate in a districtwide survey aimed at shaping the future of the school system.

As school libraries are pushed to remove books, a West Texas district stands by its library council

(Texas Standard) Lubbock ISD is defending its school library advisory council (SLAC) process as state and national conservative activists push for the removal of books they consider inappropriate. The district says its process complies with Texas’ Senate Bill 13: challenged books are temporarily removed while the council reviews them, and fewer than 150 challenges in two years have resulted in 10 books being permanently removed. The debate has intensified after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened legislative action against districts that do not remove books he considers harmful, while supporters of Lubbock’s process say it provides a structured way to balance parental concerns and access to books.

Leander ISD appeals penalties after TCOLE found it improperly vetted police officers

(KXAN) The Leander Independent School District has sent appeals to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) after the state licensing agency found the district’s police department did not properly vet officers, according to TCOLE. Earlier this month, TCOLE sent notices to the district recommending Leander ISD Police Chief Shā Rogers lose her peace officer license for a year. They also said the district could be fined $15,000.

DeSoto ISD responds to viral video, apologizes for not shaking football opponents’ hands

(WFAA) DeSoto ISD’s athletics directors says the captains’ decision not to shake hands before Saturday’s game “is not in our standard” and will be addressed.

Plano ISD parents push back on new rules shifting JV halftime band performances

(WFAA) Parents of Plano junior varsity band and drill team members are pushing back against changes this year that can push those band and drill team performances out of their normal halftime slot and instead happen after the football games are already over. In a letter dated Aug. 24, parents and students were informed that the UIL District Executive Committee (DEC) changed to a new Conference 6A alignment and that changes would come to JV halftimes that, in the past, were treated much the same as varsity games.

Controversial posts spark rally to remove board chair of Fort Worth charter school

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A group of around 20 students and parents rallied in front of the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts on Monday to call for the resignation of Texas Center for Arts + Academics board chair Cheryl Bean, following a string of racially motivated social media posts. During the school board meeting that followed the rally, a dozen parents and community members spoke in support of, and against Bean.

Family of Houston ISD Milby High School student killed by train faces new fear after father’s ICE detention

(KHOU) The family of 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez is preparing to attend the dedication of a new pedestrian overpass near Milby High School in his memory, months after the teen was struck and killed by a train while walking to school. At the same time, Sergio’s father, Marco Antonio Ortuno, is fighting to remain in the United States after being taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

Man arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot up a North East ISD elementary school in AI chats, affidavit says

(KENS) A man has been arrested after officials say he told an AI chatbot about wanting to shoot up a North East ISD elementary school, court documents say. One quote from the chat included: “I’m getting a gun as soon as I can, and when Serna Elementary starts, I’m just gonna walk in there and start shooting up kids.”

Former North East ISD math teacher arrested, accused of child sex crimes, records say

(KENS) A former MacArthur High School teacher was arrested Sunday on four child sexual abuse counts, according to Bexar County court records. Paul Pearcy formerly taught at MacArthur High School, according to North East Independent School District. He resigned in 2024. “We were unaware of any alleged wrongdoing at the time of his resignation,” a NEISD spokesperson said.

Willis ISD IT employee arrested for online solicitation of minor

(KBTX) A Willis Independent School District IT employee was arrested Sunday following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a child, authorities said. Austin Gwaltney, 27, faces a charge of online solicitation of a minor, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives with the agency’s Special Victims Unit determined that Gwaltney and a 14-year-old former Willis ISD student had exchanged inappropriate photographs.

Channelview ISD disciplines student after school threat reported on social media

(Houston Chronicle) Social media rumblings about a threat against Channelview High School over the weekend led to disciplinary action against a student, according to Channelview ISD.

UT Arlington President Jennifer Cowley to step down, focus on teaching

(KERA) University of Texas at Arlington President Jennifer Cowley will step down after more than four years of leading Tarrant County’s largest four-year college with plans to now focus on teaching and research. Cowley announced the decision Aug. 31 in an email to students, faculty and staff.

Former Texas A&M University-Victoria Staff challenge work-from-home narrative

(Houston Chronicle) A retired former Texas A&M-Victoria employee says the administration has been “running off” staff since the school started its transition from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System. The University previously described that process as one to ensure instructors had a more pronounced presence on campus. “It is a total cluster f**k and I couldn’t be happier to be the hell out of there,” the former employee told the Houston Chronicle.

TCU player hospitalized for 3 days with brain bleed after assault, warrant says

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) TCU wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma was in the hospital for three days with injuries including a brain bleed and a concussion after teammate Jacob Fields punched and kicked him in the head, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Fields was allegedly unhappy about Ezukanma playing better than him in practice before the assault inside the football team’s locker room that led to Fields’ dismissal and arrest, a TCU police officer wrote in the affidavit obtained by the Star-Telegram.

Former employee, students react to UT Tyler employee buyouts

(KLTV) UT Tyler offered 952 employees voluntary buyout packages as part of efforts to manage budget reductions, but only 99 accepted them. A former employee who took the package said it was surprising to hear the university could not afford to keep all of its staff while enrollment was growing. Some students said they were unaware of the buyouts, while university officials said some positions will be eliminated and others may eventually be refilled.

Texas District Uses Multimodal Transportation to Stretch Limited Resources

(School Transportation News) Mesquite ISD is using a multimodal transportation strategy to cope with rising costs, bus-driver shortages and growing transportation needs for special education and students experiencing homelessness. The district uses traditional school buses when practical but turns to smaller vehicles and outside providers when they are more efficient or better suited to a student’s needs. Officials say the approach can save money, free up buses and staff, and ultimately help improve student attendance and access to school.

Powerful winds topple North East ISD Johnson High School band trailer during Friday storm

(San Antonio Express-News) Powerful winds toppled Johnson High School’s band trailer during a lightning delay at Friday night’s football game against Judson at Heroes Stadium, one of numerous incidents caused by a severe storm that swept through San Antonio.

Bullard ISD reviews dress code amid parental concerns over enforcement practices

(CBS19) Bullard ISD is reassessing its dress code amid parent concerns about enforcement, with calls for clearer, gender-neutral policies.

Texas hospitals expect to lose $27 million a day in Medicaid funding starting Tuesday

(Texas Tribune) Starting Sept. 1, the Trump administration will withhold about $9.8 billion in extra funding that helps hospitals cover the difference between Medicaid payments and the actual cost of services.

Lawsuit: Fort Worth council member owes Texas up to $1M, mismanaged food program

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A ministry overseen by pastor and Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles is being sued by the state after officials alleged his ministry misused federal food program funding and owes more than $700,000 to the state. State officials filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in Travis County District Court against Purpose Driven Ministries, alleging it owed the state $787,873 in “disallowed expenses” through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Montgomery ISD fishing team advisors reflect on decade of success

(Community Impact) Since its inception in January 2014, the Montgomery ISD fishing program has seen much success under the leadership of Toni Luedke and John Hooker. This success includes not only scholarships for its prospective students, but state championships and a strong team bond.

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