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MustReadTexas.com [ [link removed] ] – @MustReadTexas [ [link removed] ]
BY: @MattMackowiak [ [link removed] ]
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MONDAY || 3/17/2025
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“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX)
AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
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TOP NEWS
“Gov. Greg Abbott’s national profile is on the rise,” Dallas Morning News' Gromer Jeffers, Jr. — “From his strategic partnership with President Donald Trump to his headline-grabbing border policies, Gov. Greg Abbott is riding a wave of Republican popularity that has raised his national profile and could put a 2028 White House campaign within reach if he wants it.
Few Republican governors have Abbott’s national stature, and the Texas governor for the past decade has basked in praise from Trump, who devoted part of his Jan. 20 inaugural speeches to lauding Abbott as the “leader of the pack” among the nation’s governors [ [link removed] ].
At the least, Abbott will have the choice to run for president or stay as governor in the nation’s most important and prosperous Republican state. Either way, he can strongly influence GOP politics on a national scale.
“That’s something that really came to mind when I saw Trump praise Abbott during that second inaugural speech,” said Aaron Kall, a University of Michigan political scientist and author of the book Debating the Donald.
“Abbott and Trump are similar. A lot of the governor’s actions are designed to solicit media attention on a larger, national stage. That suggests the potential for seeking something beyond being governor of Texas, and it will be a wide-open race in 2028,” Kall said.
Abbott is, for now, focused on his future in Texas, his chief political consultant, Dave Carney, said.
“The governor has been consistent that he has the second-best job in the country, and he loves what he’s doing and he’s going to run for reelection,” Carney said. “That’s what he’s focused on, Texas. He told the president when he [Trump] was a candidate that he has no interest in going to Washington.”
Even so, speculation about Abbott’s future persists.
Abbott and Trump see eye-to-eye on immigration, border security and reducing government regulation, providing common ground for one of the governor’s newest objectives — federal reimbursement for $11 billion spent on state border-security efforts during the Biden administration. Abbott has made several treks to Washington to rally support for the payout.
Buttering Texas’ toast is one benefit to being cozy with Trump. From a political perspective, the Trump-Abbott partnership improves his standing with Trump loyalists and conservative Republicans outside of Texas.
Abbott briefly pondered a presidential run during the 2024 cycle and made a few appearances in battleground states before the presidential campaign season. But he never fully explored a candidacy and backed away from the prospect when Trump emerged as the clear GOP frontrunner.
Term limits set up an open race for the Oval Office in 2028." DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries.
TOP NEWS
“Gateway’s Robert Morris turns himself in on child sex abuse charges” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
DMN: “University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for “race-exclusionary practices” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
“Texans grapple with rising toxic pollution as oil, gas production booms” The Hill [ [link removed] ]
#TXLEGE
Drew Springer guest column: “Former Texas senator: Lottery scandal confirms need for gaming commission” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
“Texas GOP backs bill to shield CEOs like Elon Musk from lawsuits” Houston Chronicle [ [link removed] ] ($)
Editorial: “Cryptocurrencies are no place for public investments” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
2025
“Christian Menefee, top civil attorney for Harris County government, files for Sylvester Turner’s congressional seat” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Texas to close border site used to process arrested migrants” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
“Here's how Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar's departure may influence state politics” AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Whitmire’s team carts efficiency study to Austin to build trust” Houston Chronicle [ [link removed] ] ($)
“Houston police directed to call ICE on undocumented immigrants with deportation orders” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
“Could Dallas Convention Center move near Reunion Tower? Hunt Realty shares new design plan” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
Editorial: “On housing shortage, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is right on the money” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“PepsiCo buys Austin-based Poppi to gain prebiotic soda brand” SAEN [ [link removed] ] ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here." TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "In Texas, Christian right grows confident and assertive" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> AP: "Accused Texas megachurch pastor to surrender in Oklahoma on child sexual abuse charges" AP [ [link removed] ]
> AP: "Oklahomans survey devastation after hundreds of homes are destroyed and damaged by wildfires" AP [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Texas GOP backs bill to shield CEOs like Elon Musk from lawsuits" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> AP: "Severe weather moves east after tornadoes, winds and wildfires killed at least 39 people" AP [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Harris County approves San Antonio’s $24M federally-funded solar initiative, advances statewide program" COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas lawmakers file plans to overhaul state water funding" COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Starliner astronauts closer to coming home after NASA's Crew-10 departs for ISS" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Harris County deputy sheriff dies after being reported missing" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Houston monitoring wastewater plants, schools for measles as Texas sees more than 250 cases" COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Keller ISD board calls off district split option" COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "McKinney Community Development Corp. awards nearly $7M to entertainment, development projects" COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Paxton investigates Dallas for alleged sanctuary city policies" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it." TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas Southern University asks for $120 million to replace aging law school" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Want to understand Texas’ water crisis? Start with the guide to water terms." TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and compliance" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers are pushing harsher criminal penalties while prison and jail populations soar" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "DOJ drops fight against Texas political maps as Trump administration retreats from voting rights cases" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers will debate saving the state’s water supply after key legislation is introduced" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "In lawsuit settlement, Texas Tech’s med school promises it won’t consider race in admissions" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "FEMA wants the names and addresses of migrants helped by Texas nonprofits and local governments that got federal grant money" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Feds are opening more detention centers in Texas as Trump administration steps up deportations" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Senate priority bill curbs faculty influence in state higher education" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers and charter leaders push back on the $870K paid to Valere schools’ superintendent" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> AP: "Big March storm system threatens US with tornadoes, blizzards and wildfire risk" AP [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Orator, conscience, advocate: State lawmakers honor Sylvester Turner with bipartisan accolades in Capitol ceremony" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Robert Morris, Texas megachurch pastor and former Trump adviser, indicted for child sex crimes" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenship" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistance" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Texas House bill would weaken renters’ rights, advocates say" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> AP: "FEMA launches review of migrant shelter aid, suggesting smuggling laws were violated" AP [ [link removed] ]
EXTRA POINTS
Last weekend's Texas sports scores:
Fri
> NBA: Houston 133, Dallas 96
> NBA: Charlotte 145, San Antonio 134
> NHL: Winnipeg 4, Dallas 1
> NCAAM: #2 Houston 74, 5 #17 BYU 54(Kansas City, MO)
> NCAAM: Texas at #8 Tennessee (Nashville, TN)
> NCAAM: Arizona 86, #9 Texas Tech 80
Sat
> NBA: Houston 117, Chicago 114
> NBA: San Antonio 119, New Orleans 115
> NCAAM: #2 Houston 72, Arizona 64 (Kansas City, MO)
> NCAAM: #8 Tennessee 83, Texas 72 (Nashville, TN)
> MLS: Austin 1, Los Angeles 0
> MLS: Vancouver 1, Dallas 0
> MLS: Salt Lake City 2, Houston 1
Sun
> NBA: Philadelphia 130, Dallas 125
> NHL: Colorado 4, Dallas 3
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: NBA: Philadelphia at Houston
> 9:30pm: NBA: Spurs at LA Lakers
HOUSTON TEXANS: "Houston Texans and Derek Stingley Jr. agree on contract extension" Houston Chronicle [ [link removed] ] ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "Texas Rangers LHP Cody Bradford to open season on IL" AAS ($)
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Houston a top seed for 3rd straight year, looks to make deeper run after 2 Sweet 16 losses in a row" AP [ [link removed] ]
TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL: "No. 4 seeded Texas A&M to face Yale in first round of NCAA men's basketball tournament" Bryan Eagle [ [link removed] ]
TEXAS MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Texas basketball: From tears to cheers, Longhorns embrace NCAA Tournament opportunity" AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
TEXAS TECH MEN'S BASKETBALL: "JT Toppin leads No. 9 Texas Tech past Baylor 76-74 in Big 12 Tournament" Lubbock Avalanche-Journal [ [link removed] ]
TEXAS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: "March Madness: Madison Booker boosts top-seed Texas to best season in 20 years" AP [ [link removed] ]
TCU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: "Van Lith's spark lights TCU's path to best season in program history and 2 seed in March Madness" AP [ [link removed] ]
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Framber Valdez to make 4th consecutive start on opening day for the Astros" AP [ [link removed] ]
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros: Christian Walker could be ready for opening day" Houston Chronicle [ [link removed] ] ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Quentin Grimes scores 28 as Sixers beat Mavs 130-125 in matchup of injury-depleted teams" AP [ [link removed] ]
DALLAS STARS: "Makar scores 34 seconds into OT, Avalanche hold off Stars 4-3 in Mikko Rantanen's return to Colorado" AP [ [link removed] ]
HOUSTON DYNAMO: "Diogo Gonçalves, Diego Luna score first-half goals to lead Real Salt Lake over Dynamo 2-1" AP [ [link removed] ]
FC DALLAS: "Blackmon scores 1st goal since 2023, Whitecaps beat Dallas 1-0" AP [ [link removed] ]
AUSTIN FC: "LAFC shut out by Austin FC for 3rd straight loss" LA Daily News [ [link removed] ]

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