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MRT (free): Gov. Abbott Raises $20M and Shows $87M Cash on Hand // Jaworski Announces Another Bid for Atty Gen // Sheets Announces Primary Challenge of Sid Miller
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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THURSDAY || 7/17/2025
Good Thursday afternoon.
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P.S. Some personal news: Amy and I are expecting 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)
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A GOOD CAUSE
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Disaster Relief Available for Flood-Affected Residents
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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 Application.
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
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 into law and veto a ban on hemp-derived THC products.
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.
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 $500,000 from Mackenzie Price, the co-founder of the Alpha School, a private school that uses artificial intelligence to teach core subjects.
The massive haul comes after the governor logged a series of long-sought wins during the legislative session, including school voucher legislation that once seemed impossible. The law, which rolls out in the 2026-27 school year, allows public dollars to be spent on private education and had long been blocked by the GOP-led House.
The governor's campaign touted that more than 90% of funds raised came from Texans.
“Support from thousands of donors across the state reflect the unwavering trust Texans have in Governor Abbott’s strong leadership,” campaign manager Kim Snyder said in a statement. “The broad backing we’ve received proves that Texans are committed to keeping our state strong, secure, and prosperous.”" Hou Chron ($)
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Most Texas prisoners don’t have AC access and it’s unclear when they will get it” Texas Tribune
#TXLEGE
“State Rep. Josey Garcia leads grassroots flood relief effort in Hill Country” SAEN ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Appeals court throws out lawsuit against city over zoning near Toyota plant” SAEN ($)
2026
“Democrat Joe Jaworski to run for Texas attorney general again” Texas Tribune
“GOP AG candidate Aaron Reitz took $100K donation from doctor accused of millions in fraud” DMN ($)
“A sweet campaign? Nate Sheets launches bid for agriculture commissioner” DMN ($)
“Harlingen doctor becomes first Democrat to challenge GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz for South Texas congressional seat” Texas Tribune ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> HOU CHRON: "Here’s the donor behind the mysterious trust that gave Greg Abbott $1M" HOU CHRON
> MY RGV: "Texas lawmaker proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages" MY RGV
> MRT: "State Rep. Brooks Landgraf files another bill to eliminate STAAR test" MRT
> THE TEXAN: "Texas State Rep. Steve Toth Launches Primary Challenge to Congressman Dan Crenshaw" THE TEXAN
> TX TRIB: "“You can’t replace memories”: Volunteers seek to return personal items after Texas floods" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "No shackles, no cuffs: Texas death row loosens solitary confinement for first time in years" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Falkenberg: So many didn't have to die. Texas must act after Hill Country flood" HOU CHRON
> DMN: "Former Rangers MVP Josh Hamilton reminisces on time in Texas, his Home Run Derby and more" DMN
> TPR: "Live Updates: Death toll from Texas floods hits 133, and 97 people are still missing in Kerr County | TPR" TPR
> AAS: "How to get disaster relief after the Central Texas floods" AAS
> MY RGV: "Elon Musk: SpaceX aims to launch Starship in three weeks" MY RGV
> AAS: "Texas court orders Uvalde County, schools to release shooting records" AAS
> SAEN: "Search for flood victims has spanned 100 miles of Guadalupe River" SAEN
> HOU CHRON: "Chinese hackers targeted UTMB in COVID espionage operation, university officials confirm" HOU CHRON
> TPR: "Veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon mobilizes volunteers in Hill Country flood response" TPR
> DMN: "Affidavit: Dallas police officer allegedly steals nearly $38,000 worth of Apple products" DMN
> AAS: "Robert Earl Keen, George Strait share details for Texas flood relief benefits" AAS
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Education Agency Data Shows More Teachers Leaving Profession Even as Overall Turnover Declines" THE TEXAN
> DMN: "UTSW researchers uncover how phosphate additives sneak into brain, spike blood pressure" DMN
> HOU CHRON: "Police chase from Houston to Galveston ends in shootout with driver, police say" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Timeline of Houston flood risk as tropical disturbance nears Texas" HOU CHRON
> MRT: "Camp Mystic leader may not have seen urgent alert before Texas flood, family spokesman says" MRT
> AAS: "Potential Tropical Storm Dexter may bring 'impactful' rain from Houston to Panama City" AAS
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports schedule:
> NBA: Las Vegas 90, Dallas 86
> MLS: Vancouver 3, Houston 0
> MLS: Austin 2, LA FC 1
> MLS: Dallas 2, San Jose 2
Today's Texas sports schedule:
None.
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Detroit at Texas
> 9:10pm: MLB: Houston at Seattle
TEXAS RANGERS: Grant: "10 thoughts on the Texas Rangers: Trade deadline ideas and a murky future" DMN ($)
TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL: "NFL draft prospects Texas A&M fans should watch for in 2025" AAS ($)
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Micah Parsons on contract talks: Cowboys making it ‘more complicated than it has to be’" DMN ($)
HOUSTON TEXANS: "Former Houston Texans LB Bryan Braman dies at 38 after cancer battle" Hou Chron ($)
RASHEE RICE: "Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice gets jail time in Dallas hit-and-run case" DMN ($)
AUSTIN FC: "Myrto Uzuni and Owen Wolff score goals, Austin beats Galaxy 2-1" AP
HOUSTON DYNAMO: "Sabbi scores in 4th minute, White adds 1 goal, 1 assist as Whitecaps beat Dynamo 3-0" AP
DALLAS FC: "Josef Martínez scores one minute after Petar Musa’s go-ahead goal to help Earthquakes tie Dallas 2-2" AP
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
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