Good morning, 

Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, May 20, 2024.

– Sydnie Henry 

Did Round Rock ISD Officials Attempt to Cover Up a Sexual Assault?

• According to former Round Rock ISD Chief of Police Dennis Weiner, the district attempted to hide a sexual assault of a five-year-old student. Emily Medeiros has the story. 
   
• Weiner asserted the principal of the elementary school, area superintendent, senior chief of schools, general counsel, Title IX investigator, and Superintendent Azaiez knew of the criminal activity but failed to report it to the district police.
   
• He wrote in a letter to Azaiez and the school board, "there may not be any criminal liability or malfeasance in the current case or in the historic practices and actions of district leadership," but he did complain about "undue influence, pressure, or involvement" hindering his ability to do his job. He added that he formally requested the involvement of the Texas attorney general’s office. 
   
• "I really hope that the Attorney General comes in and investigates, and does something because there’s really no recourse for parents at this point." - Jill Farris

Venezuelan Fugitive Crossed in Texas, Arrested in New York

• An illegal alien and member of a transnational criminal organization first encountered in Del Rio, Texas, was arrested on multiple weapons charges in New York City.
   
• Johan Jose Cardenas Silva is a member of the Tren de Aragua transnational criminal organization and is currently wanted by Peruvian authorities for conspiracy, assault, and aggravated theft. 
   
• In March, Silva was one of eight illegal aliens arrested by the New York City Police Department but was later released. However, Silva was arrested once again on April 1 by the Nassau County Police Department.
   
• He has now been detained in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, pending removal proceedings.    

In Their Own Words: The Six Candidates for Texas GOP Chair

• Candidates seeking to lead the Republican Party of Texas were asked about a range of issues, from election integrity to the proper role of the party. Brandon Waltens has the story. 
   
• At the Republican Party of Texas’ biennial convention in San Antonio this week, delegates will have the opportunity to choose the new state party leader for the next two years.
   
• The six candidates vying for the role are Ben Armenta, Mike Garcia, Abraham George, Matt Mackowiak,  Weston Martinez, and Dana Myers. 
   
• Texas Scorecard will have a booth at the RPT convention, so be sure and stop by to say "hi" if you're attending!  

Prosper ISD Parents Propose Single-member Voting Districts

• Local families say there’s a real need for all areas of the district to be properly represented. Erin Anderson has the details. 
   
• A group of parents and taxpayers in Prosper Independent School District are asking trustees to consider transitioning from an at-large election system to a single-member model for trustee districts.
   
• "There’s a real need for all of our areas to be properly represented," district resident Doug Charles, who helped organize the redistricting request, told Texas Scorecard.
   
• The group are asking the school board to commit within 90 days to studying how the district could implement a single-member trustee district model.

Primary Runoff Elections Early Voting Starts Today

• Texas Scorecard has been previewing races and covering shenanigans for months now. You can find all of our primary election coverage here.
   
• Early voting runs from today, May 20 to Friday, May 24. Election Day is May 28.

Quote-Unquote

"I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free. Amarillo by morning, Amarillo is where I'll be."

– George Strait

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