August 17, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
A second special session of the Texas Legislature began immediately at noon Friday after House Democrats ended the first special session early by breaking quorum over congressional redistricting.
Democrats have indicated they will return this weekend, with the House scheduled to reconvene Monday—this time with a quorum expected.
Gov. Greg Abbott kept the agenda largely the same as the first session, which was abruptly halted by Democrats’ absence.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows also announced that legislation to allow ivermectin sales over the counter authored by State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R–Nacogdoches) would be given priority status after it gained majority support in the chamber through coauthors.
Shofner told Texas Scorecard she was grateful and thankful for the bill’s inclusion.
“Many other states already have this legislation. Texas is next!!” said Shofner. “When passed, this will be another feather in the cap of ‘Make Texas Healthy Again’, medical freedom and a conservative win!”
Abbott has not added the issue to the special session call yet, though he has indicated he is open to expanding it.
With Democrats signaling their return and Abbott determined to keep pressure on the chamber, lawmakers will have another chance this week to tackle a slate of stalled legislation.
Featured
Newly surfaced audio of Greg Potts, chief operating officer of Lottery.com, suggests the company was intimately involved in the controversial April 2023 Lotto Texas event, which guaranteed a $95 million jackpot win for a single buyer.
The audio bolsters Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s claim that the 2023 lottery event was one of the largest scandals in the game’s history and raises the specter of recurrence.
The recorded call, reviewed by Texas Scorecard, is a one-sided conversation in which listeners hear Potts, speaking in the days after the unprecedented Lotto Texas event, outlining the operation’s inner workings and contradicting representations to state lawmakers.
Real Texans
In this week's edition of REAL TEXANS, Michael visits with former State Sen. Don Huffines about his bid to be the GOP's candidate for comptroller. They talk about his background and the importance of protecting the taxpayer.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Gov. Abbott, Secretary Rollins Announce Major Actions To Combat Flesh-Eating Parasite
The New World screwworm has been confirmed less than 400 miles from the Texas-Mexico border and could decimate the state’s cattle industry.
Texas Education Agency Releases School Accountability Ratings for 2025 & 2024
Legal challenges had halted the release of last year’s ratings.
Texas AG Sues ‘Big Pharma’ Company Eli Lilly for Bribery
Attorney General Paxton is calling out “Big Pharma” for compromising medical decision-making.
Local
Harris County Budget Deficit Hits $200 Million
The deficit sparked debate over cost-saving measures and funding priorities during a Commissioners Court special session.
New Subpoenas in Perryton ISD Sex Abuse Lawsuit Seek Amarillo Records
Now-imprisoned Perryton coach Cole Underwood earned the nickname “Perv” while coaching at Amarillo ISD.
Prosecutors: Fort Bend County Judge Used Campaign Funds for Personal Bills
Prosecutors say Fort Bend County Judge KP George raided his campaign account for property taxes, a house down payment, and other personal costs—and then lied about it on official reports.
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