Good morning, Today marks the halfway point of 2025; thanks for spending part of it with the Texas Minute!
– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
FBI Arrests Chinese National in Houston for Spying on US Navy
Federal authorities say a Houston bar shooting that injured six people in March is connected to a violent Venezuelan gang known as Anti-Tren, now the target of a sweeping operation. As Michael Wilson reports, Anti-Tren is almost exclusively made up of "former members and associates of Tren de Aragua."
US Senate Rejects Limit on States' AI Regulations
- When the One Big Beautiful Bill pushed by the Trump administration passed the U.S. Senate yesterday, it did so without a controversial provision that had been inserted by the House. Specifically, senators removed a provision that would have stopped states from regulating artificial intelligence, and even undone protections already in law. Addie Hovland has the details.
- State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) had sent a letter to Texas' John Cornyn and Ted Cruz asking them and their colleagues to remove that prohibition "in the spirit of federalism."
- Paxton highlighted the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, which was designed to encourage the development of AI in the state while also allowing lawmakers to explore how to best regulate AI to protect Texans' privacy. With the OBBB provision removed, Texas’ law can move forward.
- "This is a major victory for states, like Texas, to be able to protect children from AI abuse." – Angela Paxton
Abbott Asked To Put Library Limits on Special Session Agenda
Paper License Plates Are History
- An automotive era quietly ended yesterday, reports Luca Cacciatore. Texas will no longer issue temporary paper license plates to new vehicle purchasers. Instead, purchasers will receive metal license plates that are harder to forge.
- In 2021, officials for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles estimated that at least 1.8 million fraudulent paper plates were on the roads in Texas. Two years later, lawmakers ordered the transition to metal temporary plates because criminals were exploiting the easily counterfeitable paper tag system.
- The temporary plates are issued in four colors—purple, blue, green, and red—corresponding to the use of the vehicle. Dealers will be responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of the license plates.
Democrat Allred Launches Another Senate Bid After 2024 Defeat
- Less than a year after losing his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Democrat Colin Allred is launching another campaign—this time setting his sights on Texas’ other Senate seat. Brandon Waltens has the story.
- Allred is seeking the Democrats' nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn. Cornyn, of course, is being challenged in the GOP primary by Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Just seven months ago, voters rejected Allred by a margin of 53 to 45 percent.
- Seems like Colin didn't get the hint...
- Allred is unlikely to get a free pass for the DEM nomination; former U.S. Rep. Robert "Beto" O'Rourke of El Paso and State Rep. James Talerico of Austin are also said to be exploring bids for the seat.
The number of days left in 2025.
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of the independence resolution put forward by Richard Henry Lee. The formally edited document—written primarily by Thomas Jefferson with support from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston—was adopted on July 4.
"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
– John Adams
From a letter to Abigal Adams on July 3, 1776
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