... The Texas Minute ...

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Good morning,

This is the Texas Minute for Thursday, June 26, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

But First... Something Fun As you know, Texas Scorecard has a variety of shows and podcasts—dailies, weeklies, and occasional serials. You'll find that lineup below. Of course, we also produce a daily podcast that is similar to—but not exactly the same—as the Texas Minute email. I thought you might enjoy being the first to see our new ad for the Texas Minute podcast.

Available on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], Amazon [[link removed]], iHeartRadio [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]].

DOJ Drops Investigation Into EPIC; State Probes Continue A federal civil rights investigation into a master-planned Muslim community in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area has been dropped by the U.S. Department of Justice. This investigation was sparked by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, unrelated to the investigations launched at the state level by Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Luca Cacciatore has the latest [[link removed]].

In a letter obtained by The Dallas Morning News, EPIC City developer Community Capital Partners was informed that the investigation was ending without any lawsuits or charges being brought forward. Community Capital Partners was created by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) to oversee the construction of the planned 402-acre development called EPIC City, located approximately 40 minutes outside Dallas.

Gov. Abbott has ordered four state agencies to probe CCP and EPIC's project, specifically tasking the Texas Rangers, Workforce Commission, State Securities Board, and Funeral Service Commission.

The attorney general is continuing investigations into EPIC and its related entities. A source in Paxton's office said the OAG was not involved in the DOJ decision to launch, or now drop, an investigation. FBI Offers Reward for Venezuelan Gang Leader as ICE Arrests Two Iranians Illegally in Houston FBI Houston is hunting for a top leader in the brutal Tren de Aragua gang. As Michael Wilson reports, [[link removed]] a $3 million reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, the alleged second-in-command of the Venezuelan criminal organization.

Serrano is the first TdA member to be placed on the FBI's "10 Most Wanted" list.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE had arrested 11 Iranian illegal aliens, including two in Houston. Among those arrested across the country were men with ties to Hezbollah and a former Iranian army sniper.

One of those men arrested in Houston had been ordered out of the United States nearly 20 years ago. 17 Proposed Amendments Head to Voters in November Voters across Texas will have the opportunity this November to approve or reject 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution covering issues ranging from property tax exemptions to bail reform. Brandon Waltens summarizes [[link removed]] what they are in the order they will appear on the ballot.

For example, one proposition (#2) would prohibit a tax on capital gains, while another (#8) stops the state from imposing “death taxes.” The homestead exemption applied to school property taxes would be increased under Proposition 13 to $140,000. Proposition 16 creates constitutional clarity that only U.S. citizens can vote in Texas' state and local elections.

Texans will vote on the propositions on Tuesday, November 4, 2025; early voting will run from October 20 through October 31. New Law Lets Texans Use Precious Metals in Everyday Transactions With the backing of the Republican Party of Texas and several grassroots organizations, a new law will soon take effect allowing Texans to use precious metals in day-to-day financial transactions. As Adam Cahn notes [[link removed]], Gov. Greg Abbott signed the measure despite strong opposition from the banking industry.

Authored by State Rep. Mark Dorazio (R–San Antonio), the law will allow Texans to deposit precious metals with the Texas Bullion Depository in Leander and use a debit card system for purchases, similar to traditional currency. The comptroller’s office will contract with a debit card provider to facilitate transactions.

The law is set to take effect on May 1, 2027. Legal Challenge Brought Against 10 Commandments Addie Hovland reports [[link removed]] that a coalition of self-described religious leaders in North Texas has filed suit challenging the newly passed law requiring the Ten Commandments to be visible in government school classrooms.

The plaintiffs describe themselves as Christian pastors, Islamic leaders, and parents from several school districts. They argue the law violates both the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment and Free Exercise clauses, as well as the Freedom of Worship clause in the Texas Constitution.

“This is what the Left does,” said State Sen. Phil King (R–Weatherford), who authored the legislation. “We knew this was coming, and we feel strongly that the law is on Texas’ side.”

A similar Louisiana law has been tied up in court challenges for nearly two years. TEXAS TOMORROW: A City Abolishes Its Police Force In the latest edition of Texas Tomorrow [[link removed]], Charles Blain looks at the decision of the City of Hudson to abolish its police department. It turns out, this isn't the first small town to do so. Harris County Jail: 3 Deaths in 48 Hours

Three inmate deaths within two days have reignited scrutiny of the Harris County Jail. Joseph Trimmer has the story [[link removed]].

With these latest fatalities, 10 inmates have now died in custody during the first half of 2025 alone.

The Harris County Jail has consistently failed state compliance checks since September 2022, particularly in regards to inmate observation and healthcare provision. Staffing shortages continue to impede efforts to meet these basic standards.

The situation will be discussed by county commissioners later today. Head Football Coach Charged With Soliciting Sex From a Minor The head football coach in Howe, Andrew Harvey, has been jailed for multiple child sex crimes—including soliciting a minor for sex. Erin Anderson has the report [[link removed]].

Harvey also serves as the athletic director for Howe Independent School District in Grayson County, located north of Dallas on the Texas-Oklahoma border. He was arrested this week by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.

A statement from Howe ISD's superintendent indicated that Harvey was “immediately” placed on administrative leave following the arrest and is barred from district property and contact with students and staff.

State records show Harvey has been certified as a classroom teacher since 2013. He previously taught in Keller ISD and Sanger ISD.

RELATED PUBLIC SCHOOL NEWS

W [[link removed]] innsboro ISD Coach Charged With Covering Up Fellow Coach’s Sex With Student [[link removed]]

Coach Jared Lancaster is accused of knowingly failing to report another teacher’s sexual abuse of a student.

Today in History

On June 26, 1832, the Mexicans at Fort Velasco surrendered to Texians in what is considered by many to be the first bloodshed in the struggle for Texas independence.

Number of the Day

5,200

The approximate population of Velasco, Texas, in the 1950 census. It merged into the larger city of Freeport in 1956.

[Source: author calculation]

Quote-Unquote

"Texas is a blend of valor and swagger." – Carl Sandburg​

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