Good morning,

This is the Texas Minute for Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

But First... 

• In less than a month, our latest documentary—Red Power—has been watched by more than 2 million people! Red Power explores how Texas' power grid (and our national economy) have been purposefully weakened... to the geopolitical benefit of Beijing.

New Court Appointed by Greg Abbott Supports Gun Ban

• The first ruling from the new 15th Court of Appeals has the justices siding unanimously in support of the State Fair of Texas' policy blocking law-abiding Texans from carrying a firearm. Attorney General Ken Paxton is appealing that decision to the Texas Supreme Court.
      
• The prohibition, which was announced in August by Fair officials, applies even to individuals licensed to carry in the state. Barring immediate action from SCOTX, the gun ban will be in effect when the State Fair of Texas opens on Friday.
        
• Luca Cacciatore reports that Gov. Greg Abbott just appointed the new court's justices—Scott Brister, Scott Field, and April Farris—to the bench.
       
• "The State Fair’s policy—by which law-abiding citizens could not defend themselves—does not make the environment safer, it merely gives an advantage to criminals looking for victims." – Ken Paxton

Patrick Blasts Kamala Harris for Losing Thousands of Unaccompanied Minors

• Nearly 300,000 unaccompanied children have been brought illegally into the country, but because of Vice President Kamala Harris, no one knows where they are. Will Biagini has the story.
            
• A detailed report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explained that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unable to track unaccompanied minors once they are released from custody. This is because they are not issued notices to appear in court, which would create an opportunity to ensure such children are safe from harm and human trafficking.
      
• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pinned the responsibility for the country’s deep-rooted and pervasive child slave trade on Harris, whom President Joe Biden named as his "border czar."
       
• "Kamala Harris doesn’t care a damn about these children." – Dan Patrick

$5k Reward Offered for Information on Venezuelan Gang Members

• A $5,000 reward is being offered by Gov. Greg Abbott's Public Safety Office to anyone with knowledge about members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua who are in the state and have been involved in criminal activity. Emily Medeiros has the details.
       
• The gang is notorious for its involvement in sex trafficking young girls and women and exploiting other Venezuelans. The group has also been behind a string of crimes stretching from New York to Miami and now Texas and Colorado.
         
• Earlier this month, Abbott declared the Venezuelan gang a foreign terrorist organization, which allows authorities to forfeit the assets of suspected TdA associates.

Texas Sues Biden Admin Over Foster Care Requirement to 'Affirm' Gender Identity

• A new federal rule giving special treatment of, and placements for, "LGBTQI+" children in the foster care system is being challenged in court by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Valerie Muñoz reports the new rule from the Biden-Harris administration requires that a child be placed in a home that affirms their sexual identity.
          
• Paxton's suit asserts that the rule imposes requirements without statutory basis, adding that Title IV does not address anti-discrimination protections for sex, "much less the derivative categories of gender identity and sexual orientation."
       
• "The Biden Administration is attempting to hold the Texas foster care system hostage to force unscientific, fringe beliefs about gender upon the entire country," said Paxton in announcing the action. "The new rule directly violates federal law and threatens to undermine our vital foster care programs, putting children who need safe, loving homes at risk."

Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Resigns

• Fort Worth Independent School District Superintendent Angélica Ramsey has tendered her resignation following parental and teacher outrage at her leadership over the past two years. Ramsey’s last day as superintendent will be October 1.
       
• In an 8-1 vote this week, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees agreed to accept Ramsey’s resignation. Trustees hired Ramsey to lead Fort Worth ISD in 2022 and set her salary at $337,000. Her contract was scheduled to expire in July 2026.
      
• Even though she is stepping down as superintendent, Ramsey will apparently remain employed by the district until August. 30, 2025. District officials have not said what her new salary or job title will be.
   
• Questions about Ramsey’s performance peaked after Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker spoke to the board last month about the district’s failings. Parker's concerns were sparked by revelations that FWISD students are significantly trailing students in the Dallas, Houston, and Brownsville school districts.
      
• Ramsey led Midland ISD for only a year before breaking her contract there and moving to Fort Worth.

Quote-Unquote

"Schools have not necessarily much to do with education… they are mainly institutions of control where certain basic habits must be inculcated in the young. Education is quite different and has little place in school."

– Winston Churchill

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