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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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WEDNESDAY || 3/26/2025
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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
“Mexican drug lord charged with killing DEA agent could face death penalty,” AP's Philip Marcelo — “Federal prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty against Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero in a sprawling case that includes the 1985 killing of an agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Saritha Komatireddy confirmed that capital punishment remains on the table as a possibility when pressed by a judge hearing the case in Brooklyn federal court Wednesday.
The top count Caro Quintero faces — leading a continuing criminal enterprise — carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment, with the possibility of the death penalty, prosecutors have said.
“A determination has not been made but it is going through the process,” Komatireddy said as dozens of DEA agents packed the courtroom.
Judge Frederic Block, in response, tapped a lawyer with experience in federal death penalty cases to serve as special counsel to Caro Quintero.
Elizabeth Macedonio appeared alongside the 72-year-old former drug kingpin in court Wednesday.
She previously represented the late Vincent Asaro, the New York mobster acquitted in the notorious 1978 Lufthansa Airlines heist at John F. Kennedy Airport that was dramatized in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.”
Block also said he would weigh whether it’s appropriate for Caro Quintero to continue receiving court-appointed, taxpayer-funded legal representation as his family has not hired their own lawyer.
He asked representatives for Caro Quintero to complete financial disclosure forms and for prosecutors to help the court review them. Block set the next court date for June 25.
Caro Quintero, who has pleaded not guilty to a range of drug-related charges, didn’t speak in court and his lawyers didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
He appeared alongside his codefendant, Ismael Quintero Arellanes, his nephew and former top lieutenant." AP
TOP NEWS
“Carole Keeton Strayhorn, first woman to serve as Texas comptroller, dies at 85” Texas Tribune
“T.D. Jakes reveals the cause of his major health incident on The Today Show” DMN ($)
#TXLEGE
“Texas speaker says House has more than enough votes to pass school vouchers” SAEN ($)
Chris Tomlinson guest column: “Texas' THC ban is unlikely to pass. Expect lawsuits harassing shops while sales persist” Houston Chronicle ($)
2025
“Mayoral candidate John Courage takes heat for comments on homelessness” SAEN ($)
2026
“Sen. John Cornyn launches 2026 reelection bid by embracing Donald Trump in video” DMN ($)
“Cruz stays silent on Cornyn” Punchbowl News ($)
“Thune endorses Cornyn as Paxton eyes Texas primary challenge” The Hill
“Rep. Wesley Hunt praised in statewide ads as Cornyn kicks off reelection campaign” Texas Tribune
“Gov. Greg Abbott showing no rush to replace late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner” Texas Tribune
TEXANS IN DC
Editorial: “Crude and cruel: Jasmine Crockett’s ‘hot wheels’ slam sums up politics” DMN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> DMN: "Transgender Texans testify before lawmakers: ‘We’re terrified of you’" DMN
> AAS: "Here's why hundreds of LGBTQ Texans rallied against anti-trans bills: 'We have to show up'" AAS
> AAS: "What does Trump's 2025 travel ban mean for over 80K international students in Texas?" AAS
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Democrats Shift Messaging on Public Safety, Criminal Justice Legislation Slate" THE TEXAN
> FWST: "Trump officials’ war-plan goof was scary. What it revealed about Vance might be worse | Opinion" FWST
> AAS: "Texas Senate passes $336 billion state budget. Here's what's proposed for 2026-27." AAS
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Senate Gives Initial Approval to $336 Billion Budget for 2026–2027 Biennium" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "Trump, Musk seek massive cuts to federal workforce. Here's how Texas may be affected." AAS
> SAEN: "Mae Reeves used showstopping hats to fuel voter engagement and Black entrepreneurship" SAEN
> AAS: "Commissioners to select next Williamson County judge from 4 candidates" AAS
> SA REPORT: "School librarians warn against bill that gives more power to parents with ‘outsized’ voices" SA REPORT
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Senate Eyes Priority Legislation to Curtail Squatting, Speed Up Evictions" THE TEXAN
> TPR: "Bexar County commissioners declare drug overdoses a public health crisis" TPR
> THE TEXAN: "‘Governor Hot Wheels’: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Responds to Backlash After Abbott Comment" THE TEXAN
> HOU CHRON: "NASA is no longer vowing to land first woman, person of color on the moon" HOU CHRON
> EP TIMES: "Las Cruces police chief calls for action on crime involving minors after mass shooting" EP TIMES
> AAS: "Here's why Texas students, lawmakers fear uncertainty from razing US Education Department" AAS
> TPR: "Hill Republicans aim to rein in judges but divided on strategy" TPR
> TPR: "A program that subsidizes internet in remote areas is challenged at the Supreme Court" TPR
> HOU CHRON: "HISD closes six locations providing free food to community members" HOU CHRON
> KXAN: "GOP rallies behind debt limit hike in Trump tax bill, speedy timeline" KXAN
> EP TIMES: "Forgotten in jail without a lawyer: How a Texas town fails poor defendants" EP TIMES
> HOU CHRON: "Texas pays big bucks for Sean Miller to be a basketball coach at football school" HOU CHRON
> TX TRIB: "Five ways a funding overhaul has transformed Texas community colleges" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "Can the Texas Lottery recover cash from an unfair $95 million jackpot?" HOU CHRON
> FWST: "Fort Worth mother dies in hospital after car crash and baby’s death in Trinity River" FWST
> DMN: "Gateway tithe fraud suit won’t go to discovery, at least for now" DMN
> DMN: "Schneider Electric to invest $700 million, create jobs to boost US energy infrastructure" DMN
> AAS: "Yes, border control can search your phone. What to know when crossing Texas-Mexico border" AAS
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NBA: Detroit 122, San Antonio 96
> NBA: Dallas 128, NY Knicks 113
> NBA: Houston 121, Atlanta 114
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NBA: San Antonio at Cleveland
> 6:30pm: NBA: Dallas at Orlando
> 8pm: NBA: Houston at Utah
> 9pm: NHL: Dallas at Edmonton (TNT)
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 3:05pm: MLB: Boston at Texas
> 3:10pm: MLB: NY Mets at Houston
> 6pm: NBA: San Antonio at Cleveland
> 6:30pm: NBA: Dallas at Orlando
> 8pm: NBA: Houston at Utah
> 8pm: NHL: Dallas at Calgary (ESPN+)
> 9pm: NCAAM: #10 Arkansas vs. #3 Texas Tech (San Francisco) (TBS)
HOUSTON ROCKETS: "How Houston Rockets' balanced scoring could make them a nightmare NBA playoff matchup" Houston Chronicle ($)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Editorial: "Spurs ownership has failed to make the case for a new publicly funded stadium" SAEN ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "2025 MLB season predictions: Will the Texas Rangers bounce back from a disappointing 2024?" DMN ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "Texas Rangers’ Josh Jung has shown power, poise, potential. All that’s left is durability" DMN ($)
HOUSTON ASTROS: "How Ryan Gusto took advantage of opportunity and persevered to land on Houston Astros' roster" Houston Chronicle ($)
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros' opening-day festivities to include new look for Home Run Train" Houston Chronicle ($)
UNT MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Ross Hodge of North Texas hired as coach at West Virginia" AP ($)
HOUSTON / B1G: "Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy says it's a 'lifetime dream' to coach Houston's new BIG3 team" Houston Chronicle ($)
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