Reported Elsewhere

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July 17, 2026

Breaking News:
Robert Howden, Abbott aide, to succeed Jane Nelson as Texas’ top election official

(Texas Tribune) Howden’s appointment follows weeks of speculation over who would take over running Texas’ elections before the November midterms.

Texas school districts move to curb screen time in classrooms

(Dallas Morning News) Richardson ISD leaders are rolling out a policy they hope will cut back on screen time while still allowing teachers to use online content in their lessons. The move comes as other districts across Texas and nationwide consider limits on how devices like tablets and laptops can be used at school. Some parents and policymakers worry the increased presence of screens in classrooms could disrupt students’ sleep patterns, affect social-emotional growth and create a source of distraction.

Houston ISD Board of Managers member resigns, cites ‘meaningful progress’ as reason to step away

(Houston Chronicle) The Texas Education Agency announced Thursday that Michelle Cruz Arnold, a member of Houston ISD’s state-appointed board of managers, has resigned. With the resignation, the TEA is appointing Karen Duffy, a former teacher and parent of two HISD students, to the district’s board of managers.

What a state takeover could change for Austin ISD students and families

(Austin American-Statesman) State control could change classroom instruction, school programs, student services and how Austin ISD parents influence district decisions. Related:

Selling, leasing and renovating, the future of AISD’s closed campuses (KUT)
Austin ISD’s first fully integrated campus could get new life after closing (Austin American-Statesman)

Autopsy report confirms Lindale student died from choking while eating lunch

(CBS19) The autopsy report for an 8-year-old Lindale ISD student who died after choking at school reveals investigators reviewed surveillance video of the incident and that doctors found a large bolus of shredded meat in her esophagus. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner ruled Adrian Thompson’s death accidental and caused by choking.

Temple ISD Substitute Teacher Charged With Sex Crimes Against Students

(Texas Scorecard) A Temple High School substitute teacher was charged with six felony sex crimes involving multiple male students she connected with via social media, including at least one 16-year-old boy. Keara Michelle Brady, 30, was arrested and charged with four counts of improper relationship between educator and student and two counts of sexual assault of a child. The boy told police he had sexual relations with Brady after she taught as a substitute in one of his classes then shared her Snapchat and Instagram accounts with students.

Documents: San Angelo man claims he had ‘hundreds’ of videos, ‘thousands’ of images of child sex abuse

(ConchoValley Homepage) A recently booked San Angelo 18-year-old confessed to possessing “hundreds” of videos and “thousands” of images of child sexual abuse material during an interview with law enforcement, court records indicate. According to the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster, 18-year-old Noah Ruiz was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on the afternoon of July 15 with a charge of possessing child pornography in an amount greater than 10 visual depictions but less than 50.

Texas Tech chair donated $275K to Ken Paxton day before AG intervened in Brendan Sorsby saga

(Fox34) Cody Campbell, a major Texas Tech booster and GOP megadonor, has vocally defended Brendan Sorsby’s right to play amid a legal battle stemming from his betting scandal. Related:

Texas Tech football stadium renamed to Galaxy Stadium in 15-year deal (KCBD)

TAMU’s Race and Ethnic Studies Institute Receives Over $100,000 Annually

(Texas Scorecard) Critical race theory and identity politics research is lavishly funded in Aggieland.

UT San Antonio to resume normal operations after severe weather

(San Antonio Report) University of Texas at San Antonio officials announced the campus will resume normal operations on Friday, July 17, after closures due to heavy rain, floods and a tornado that touched down near the university’s main campus.

New top leaders take office for Texas State Teachers Association

(TSTA) A new president, Linda Estrada, and new vice president, David Ring, took office this week as the top leaders of the Texas State Teachers Association, vowing to continue TSTA’s advocacy for policies that strengthen public schools and give every student an opportunity to succeed. Estrada — a former elementary school secretary in Donna ISD in the Rio Grande Valley — is the first education support professional to become TSTA president. Ring is a Lubbock-Copper ISD economics/government teacher.

Trump administration caps how long international students can stay in the US

(AP) The Trump administration has finalized a rule that will prevent international students from staying in the U.S. for more than four years unless they obtain the federal government’s approval, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday, announcing a departure from long-standing practice. The rule, which goes into effect in September, also puts in place restrictions on when and how students may change their major or academic program.

Gov. Greg Abbott rolls out initiatives to limit growth in home, car insurance costs

(Houston Public Media) Gov. Greg Abbott is proposing measures to help rein in rising home and car insurance costs for Texas residents. Abbott spoke Wednesday following a campaign stop in northwest Houston to meet with residents to discuss their concerns about affordability.

Texas says foster care is improving. Monitors are still raising alarms

(Austin American-Statesman) A judge said children were leaving the state’s child welfare system in worse shape than they entered. Now, Texas wants relief from oversight.

McAllen ISD rolls out new nutritional plan focused on scratch-cooking

(myRGV) The McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Program is set to introduce a new strategic plan focused on increasing scratch-cooking, improving freshness and nutritional quality, and equipping staff with upgraded kitchen equipment and culinary training.