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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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WEDNESDAY || 7/2/2025
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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
“Community concerns grow over $2B expansion of Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center,” Houston Chronicle's Ryan Nickerson – “Houston First officials outlined plans to close Polk Street and reconfigure nearby roads as part of a $2 billion expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center at a town hall Tuesday evening. While the tone was civil, some East End residents said the format limited their ability to ask tough questions directly.
The event, held at the convention center, was led by a professional facilitator who framed the meeting as an informational session. Attendees were asked to submit written questions on index cards, which were then posed to a panel that included representatives from Houston First, Metro, Houston Public Works, and other project partners.
In the audience, members of the advocacy group People for Polk quietly held signs and passed around bingo cards labeled “Traffic Impact Bingo,” encouraging attendees to check off boxes when their concerns were substantively addressed.
By the end of the meeting, few if any attendees had completed a row.
Houston First CEO Michael Heckman opened the evening by recounting the history of the expansion and reiterating that the Polk Street closure had been extensively studied. He acknowledged community concerns and emphasized that the organization had met with neighborhood leaders and East End business owners.
“We committed to coming back to share the results of the traffic study,” Heckman said. “We’re following through on that."
Heckman said that while change is difficult, it's inevitable due to the upcoming highway construction that will sever Polk Street for several years, regardless of the convention center expansion. Heckman said that converting Leeland Street into a two-way road, which he said is already in progress, would provide a more viable east-west connection in the long term.
“There’s going to be disruption,” Heckman said. “But we believe that if we do it right, Leland can be a great solution.”" Hou Chron ($)
TOP NEWS
“Man killed in Red Bird mall shooting had restraining order against alleged shooter” DMN ($)
“Las Palapas founder's nephew 'snapped' before fatal stabbing, father says” SAEN ($)
“Man charged with killing 2 men during their daily walk in Houston park, authorities say” Hou Chron ($)
#TXLEGE
“Texas families sue to block Ten Commandments law” DMN ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Houston ISD will distribute state teacher raises by performance for up to $2,500” Hou Chron ($)
2025
“George Foreman IV to run for Congress in Houston district” Hou Chron ($)
2026
Editorial: “Bo French should resign as Tarrant County GOP chair” DMN ($)
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
“Judge blocks order barring asylum access at border and gives administration two weeks to appeal” AP
BUSINESS NEWS
“Spanish backer of Dallas-Houston bullet train folds U.S. operations, report says” DMN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers update sexual assault laws, allowing more survivors to pursue justice" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Inside Elon Musk’s stellar year at the Texas Capitol" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "Who would be the biggest winners in Texas from Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’?" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "How Dan Patrick’s power has taken a hit — at least when it comes to THC" HOU CHRON
> THE TEXAN: "U.S. Senate Passes Budget Reconciliation Package with Texas Border Reimbursement, Universal School Choice Provisions" THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Supreme Court Says Governor, Attorney General Not Subject to Lower Court Orders in Public Information Dispute" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "Senate passes Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill.' When does no tax on overtime start in Texas?" AAS
> FWST: "Here’s how Tarrant County GOP could remove Bo French over social media ‘bigotry’" FWST
> THE TEXAN: "Colin Allred Launches 2026 Bid for U.S. Senate Following Last Year's Loss" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "New Texas license plate law kicks off July 1. Here's what to know when buying a new car" AAS
> FWST: "Local leaders and Texas republicans call for Bo French to resign" FWST
> AAS: "New Texas response team to launch preemptive strike against screwworm" AAS
> KXAN: "Homelessness spending likely to be focal point of Austin budget conversations" KXAN
> THE TEXAN: "U.S. Senate Votes to Strip State AI Regulation Moratorium from 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill'" THE TEXAN
> FWST: "The Recap: Investigation of missing Everman, Texas, child who’s presumed dead" FWST
> AAS: "CapMetro celebrates 40 years of serving Central Texans with press conference, proclamations" AAS
> FWST: "Two friends, 68 and 74, shot dead on daily walk, Texas cops say. Man arrested" FWST
> HOU CHRON: "More Saharan dust is coming to Texas. Here's what the models say" HOU CHRON
> FWST: "Dad killed in ‘catastrophic’ crash with accused impaired driver, NM officials say" FWST
> FWST: "Boy dies after he’s left in day care van on hot day, Texas cops say. 2 arrested" FWST
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Here’s how to receive a school supply voucher for Alvin ISD" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> FWST: "Tenants of The Cooper apartments collect belongings after fire" FWST
> FWST: "ZTEST Electronics Inc. Announces Transition to the OTCID Market" FWST
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "See how Hays County school districts performed against state scores on STAAR" COMMUNITY IMPACT
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports schedule:
> MLB: Texas 10, Baltimore 2
> MLB: Houston 6, Colorado 5
Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Baltimore at Texas
> 7:40pm: MLB: Houston at Colorado
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 2:10pm: MLB: Houston at Colorado
> 7pm: WNBA: Phoenix at Dallas
> 7:05pm: MLB: Baltimore at Texas
> 7:45pm: MLS: Dallas at Minnesota
HOUSTON ASTROS: “Banged-up Astros place infielder Luis Guillorme on injured list with hamstring strain" AP
TEXAS RANGERS: “Texas Rangers send struggling Josh Jung to minors as third baseman searches for swing" DMN ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Dallas Mavericks sign No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to rookie contract" AP
DALLAS STARS: "Gulutzan says the Stars were right not keeping him as coach 12 years ago, and now bringing him back" AP
TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS: "Texas sports: How does SEC debut compare to its first year in Big 12?" SAEN ($)
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