View this post on the web at [link removed]

MustReadTexas.com [ [link removed] ] – @MustReadTexas [ [link removed] ]
BY: @MattMackowiak [ [link removed] ]
Subscribe to the daily email here [ [link removed] ]
THURSDAY || 7/17/2025
Good Thursday afternoon.
Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber.
» Become a PAID subscriber here [ [link removed] ] for $7/mo or $70/yr and SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.
P.S. Some personal news: Amy and I are expecting [ [link removed] ] our first child!
“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
Are you one of the 100,000+ subscribers to ATX Pulse [ [link removed] ], a newsletter that delivers EVERYTHING you NEED TO KNOW about Austin?

Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here: ATXpulsepremium.com [ [link removed] ].
> Read the most recent FREE subscriber email here [ [link removed] ].
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr here [ [link removed] ].
A GOOD CAUSE
Disaster Relief Available for Flood-Affected Residents
Our hearts continue to go out to everyone impacted by the devastating floods that swept through Central Texas over the July 4th weekend. We know many families—including some within our REALTOR® community—are facing difficult days ahead. If you—or someone you know—suffered damage to a primary residence during the July 4th weekend flooding, assistance may be available through the Texas REALTORS® Disaster Relief Fund.
Please click the button below for the Texas REALTORS® Disaster Relief Fund [ [link removed] ]Application [ [link removed] ].
Who is eligible to apply?
Texas residents whose primary residence was damaged and who live in a county listed in the Governor’s disaster declaration: Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Gaudalupe, Travis, and Williamson. Only one application per residence is allowed.
What must be submitted with the application?
A valid photo ID
Proof of residence that matches the affected address
If insured, documentation showing the insurance claim, deductible, and payout amount
Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted by September 30, 2025.
To apply or learn more, please visit our website: Williamson County Disaster Relief [ [link removed] ]
TOP NEWS
“Greg Abbott logs $20M campaign haul after school voucher win,” Texas Tribune's Hayden Betts — “Gov. Greg Abbott raised more than $20 million for his campaign over just eight days in June — a haul that came after a legislative session that saw the Texas Republican sign long-sought private school vouchers [ [link removed] ] into law and veto a ban on hemp-derived THC products [ [link removed] ].
The Republican now has a whopping $87.2 million in his campaign war chest as he gears up to run for a record-breaking fourth term. He has yet to draw a high-profile Democratic challenger.
Four donors cut Abbott $1 million checks last month in a state with no limit on campaign contributions, the filing shows [ [link removed] ].
They include Kenneth Fisher, who heads the financial investment firm Fisher Investments; real estate titan Edward Roski, Jr., a California billionaire who is part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers; and Kelcy Warren, a Dallas pipeline company executive who Abbott appointed to the University of Texas System board of regents. All are longtime donors to the governor and each gave the Texas Republican $1 million in June.
Abbott also received a $1 million check from the Peachtree Trust, which is based in West Lake Hills and has virtually no public presence. A website that records show was registered in June and has the same name as the trust includes only the tagline “a living, lasting legacy.” That trust responded that it is affiliated with a church in Georgia and has not made any gifts to any organizations in Texas. The donation appears to be the trust’s first-ever to a Texas official.
The governor also received $500,000 from Mackenzie Price, the co-founder of the Alpha School, a private school that uses artificial intelligence to teach core subjects.
The massive haul comes after the governor logged a series of long-sought wins during the legislative session, including school voucher legislation that once seemed impossible. The law, which rolls out in the 2026-27 school year, allows public dollars to be spent on private education and had long been blocked by the GOP-led House.
The governor's campaign touted that more than 90% of funds raised came from Texans.
“Support from thousands of donors across the state reflect the unwavering trust Texans have in Governor Abbott’s strong leadership,” campaign manager Kim Snyder said in a statement. “The broad backing we’ve received proves that Texans are committed to keeping our state strong, secure, and prosperous.”" Hou Chron [ [link removed] ] ($)
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries.
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Most Texas prisoners don’t have AC access and it’s unclear when they will get it” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
#TXLEGE
“State Rep. Josey Garcia leads grassroots flood relief effort in Hill Country” SAEN [ [link removed] ] ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Appeals court throws out lawsuit against city over zoning near Toyota plant” SAEN [ [link removed] ] ($)
2026
“Democrat Joe Jaworski to run for Texas attorney general again” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
“GOP AG candidate Aaron Reitz took $100K donation from doctor accused of millions in fraud” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
“A sweet campaign? Nate Sheets launches bid for agriculture commissioner” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
“Harlingen doctor becomes first Democrat to challenge GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz for South Texas congressional seat” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ] ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> HOU CHRON: "Here’s the donor behind the mysterious trust that gave Greg Abbott $1M" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> MY RGV: "Texas lawmaker proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages" MY RGV [ [link removed] ]
> MRT: "State Rep. Brooks Landgraf files another bill to eliminate STAAR test" MRT [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "Texas State Rep. Steve Toth Launches Primary Challenge to Congressman Dan Crenshaw" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "“You can’t replace memories”: Volunteers seek to return personal items after Texas floods" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "No shackles, no cuffs: Texas death row loosens solitary confinement for first time in years" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Falkenberg: So many didn't have to die. Texas must act after Hill Country flood" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: "Former Rangers MVP Josh Hamilton reminisces on time in Texas, his Home Run Derby and more" DMN [ [link removed] ]
> TPR: "Live Updates: Death toll from Texas floods hits 133, and 97 people are still missing in Kerr County | TPR" TPR [ [link removed] ]
> AAS: "How to get disaster relief after the Central Texas floods" AAS [ [link removed] ]
> MY RGV: "Elon Musk: SpaceX aims to launch Starship in three weeks" MY RGV [ [link removed] ]
> AAS: "Texas court orders Uvalde County, schools to release shooting records" AAS [ [link removed] ]
> SAEN: "Search for flood victims has spanned 100 miles of Guadalupe River" SAEN [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Chinese hackers targeted UTMB in COVID espionage operation, university officials confirm" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> TPR: "Veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon mobilizes volunteers in Hill Country flood response" TPR [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: "Affidavit: Dallas police officer allegedly steals nearly $38,000 worth of Apple products" DMN [ [link removed] ]
> AAS: "Robert Earl Keen, George Strait share details for Texas flood relief benefits" AAS [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Education Agency Data Shows More Teachers Leaving Profession Even as Overall Turnover Declines" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: "UTSW researchers uncover how phosphate additives sneak into brain, spike blood pressure" DMN [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Police chase from Houston to Galveston ends in shootout with driver, police say" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Timeline of Houston flood risk as tropical disturbance nears Texas" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> MRT: "Camp Mystic leader may not have seen urgent alert before Texas flood, family spokesman says" MRT [ [link removed] ]
> AAS: "Potential Tropical Storm Dexter may bring 'impactful' rain from Houston to Panama City" AAS [ [link removed] ]
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports schedule:
> NBA: Las Vegas 90, Dallas 86
> MLS: Vancouver 3, Houston 0
> MLS: Austin 2, LA FC 1
> MLS: Dallas 2, San Jose 2
Today's Texas sports schedule:
None.
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Detroit at Texas
> 9:10pm: MLB: Houston at Seattle
TEXAS RANGERS: Grant: "10 thoughts on the Texas Rangers: Trade deadline ideas and a murky future" DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL: "NFL draft prospects Texas A&M fans should watch for in 2025" AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Micah Parsons on contract talks: Cowboys making it ‘more complicated than it has to be’" DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
HOUSTON TEXANS: "Former Houston Texans LB Bryan Braman dies at 38 after cancer battle" Hou Chron [ [link removed] ] ($)
RASHEE RICE: "Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice gets jail time in Dallas hit-and-run case" DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
AUSTIN FC: "Myrto Uzuni and Owen Wolff score goals, Austin beats Galaxy 2-1" AP [ [link removed] ]
HOUSTON DYNAMO: "Sabbi scores in 4th minute, White adds 1 goal, 1 assist as Whitecaps beat Dynamo 3-0" AP [ [link removed] ]
DALLAS FC: "Josef Martínez scores one minute after Petar Musa’s go-ahead goal to help Earthquakes tie Dallas 2-2" AP [ [link removed] ]
DALLAS WINGS: "A’ja Wilson scores a season-high 37 and Las Vegas holds off a late rally to beat the Wings 90-86" AP [ [link removed] ]

Unsubscribe [link removed]?