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MRT (free): Measles Outbreak Grows to 321 Cases // Fredericksburg Fire Now 85% Contained // TX Sees Record Job Growth in January // Menefee Releases Strong Endorsement List
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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TUESDAY || 3/18/2025
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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)
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TOP NEWS
“Measles outbreak grows to 321 cases across three states,” Dallas Morning News' Emily Brindley — “The measles outbreak that began in West Texas has now grown to more than 300 cases across three states.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported Tuesday morning that Texas now has 279 confirmed measles cases from the outbreak. That number does not include at least four additional measles cases that have been reported in Texas, but which are not not connected to the outbreak.
Texas' case count also does not include cases reported in neighboring New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The New Mexico Department of Health on Friday reported 38 measles cases in two counties. The vast majority of those cases are in New Mexico’s Lea County, which directly borders Texas' Gaines County, where the outbreak originated.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has reported a total of four probable measles cases, which are all believed to be connected to the Texas and New Mexico outbreak.
In Tuesday’s update, the Texas Department of State Health Services did not report any new counties with cases.
Last week, the state reported five measles cases in northeast Texas. Those cases, in Lamar County, were the first instance of the outbreak spreading outside of West Texas and the Panhandle.
Since the outbreak began, a total of 36 people in Texas have been hospitalized. In Texas, one child, who was not vaccinated, has died. New Mexico has also reported one adult death in connection with the outbreak.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads primarily among unvaccinated people. The disease has been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, but there have been outbreaks across the country in communities with low vaccination rates.
Of the 279 measles cases in Texas, only two were identified in people who have been vaccinated. (State officials previously reported five cases among vaccinated people, but revised the number after learning that two cases were people vaccinated after exposure to the virus, and a third case was a measles vaccine reaction as opposed to a measles infection.)
The remaining 277 cases in Texas were among people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the state.
The two-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles infection. It’s recommended for children beginning at about 12 months old and for all adults, with the exception of people who are pregnant or severely immunocompromised.
Local health authorities across Texas are offering the vaccine at clinics. People can also contact their doctor or pharmacy to ask about the vaccine." DMN ($)
TOP NEWS
“Fire near Fredericksburg destroys 30 buildings; now 85% contained” SAEN ($)
“Texas sees record job growth in January, over past year” AAS ($)
“Two Houston-area clinic employees arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions” Texas Tribune
“After COVID, Texas is less prepared for the next pandemic” Texas Tribune
“An oil well sinkhole grows in the Permian Basin” Inside Climate News
#TXLEGE
“Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M system” Texas Tribune
2025
“Menefee gleans backing of some of state's top Democrats” Houston Chronicle ($)
2026
“National Republicans target South Texas Democrats for 2026 election” Texas Tribune
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
“Pentagon deploys Navy destroyer to Texas-Mexico border” Houston Chronicle
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "As Trump vows mass deportations, Texas lawmakers want to require sheriffs to work with ICE" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Lawmakers weigh moving bingo operations out of Texas Lottery’s purview amid agency’s uncertain future" TX TRIB
> AP: "A timeline of the legal wrangling and deportation flights after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act" AP
> AP: "High winds threatening Oklahoma again, days after wildfires destroyed and damaged hundreds of homes" AP
> AP: "Texas midwife accused by state’s attorney general of providing illegal abortions" AP
> AP: "As Oklahoma reels from deadly wildfires, authorities warn of fresh fire threat" AP
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas Senate approves bills aimed at promoting healthy eating" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> HOU CHRON: "12-story luxury apartment tower coming soon to Houston's Museum District" HOU CHRON
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Conroe secures $30M in funding for Foster Road expansion project" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TX TRIB: "These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here." TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "In Texas, Christian right grows confident and assertive" TX TRIB
> AP: "Accused Texas megachurch pastor to surrender in Oklahoma on child sexual abuse charges" AP
> AP: "Oklahomans survey devastation after hundreds of homes are destroyed and damaged by wildfires" AP
> HOU CHRON: "Texas GOP backs bill to shield CEOs like Elon Musk from lawsuits" HOU CHRON
> AP: "Severe weather moves east after tornadoes, winds and wildfires killed at least 39 people" AP
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Harris County approves San Antonio’s $24M federally-funded solar initiative, advances statewide program" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas lawmakers file plans to overhaul state water funding" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> HOU CHRON: "Starliner astronauts closer to coming home after NASA's Crew-10 departs for ISS" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Harris County deputy sheriff dies after being reported missing" HOU CHRON
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Houston monitoring wastewater plants, schools for measles as Texas sees more than 250 cases" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Keller ISD board calls off district split option" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "McKinney Community Development Corp. awards nearly $7M to entertainment, development projects" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TX TRIB: "Want to understand Texas’ water crisis? Start with the guide to water terms." TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and compliance" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers are pushing harsher criminal penalties while prison and jail populations soar" TX TRIB
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NBA: Houston 144, Philadelphia 137
> NBA: LA Lakers 125, Spurs 109
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: NHL: Anaheim at Dallas (ESPN+)
TEXAS FOOTBALL: "How Arch Manning has been prepping to take over as Texas football starting QB" AAS ($)
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Addition of Milos Uzan helps top-seeded Houston Cougars reload for another March Madness run" AP
SEC MEN'S BASKETBALL: "The Rise of the SEC: How a league known for the gridiron became kings of college basketball" AP
TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Taylor looks to cap illustrious Texas A&M career with deep run in NCAA Tournament" AP
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: "Castle's perserverance pays off vs. Doncic, Lakers" SAEN ($)
RICE BASEBALL: "Rice hires former Texas baseball coach David Pierce to lead program" Houston Chronicle ($)
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