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MustReadTexas.com [ [link removed] ] – @MustReadTexas [ [link removed] ]
BY: @MattMackowiak [ [link removed] ]
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FRIDAY || 8/15/2025 & SATURDAY || 8/16/2025
Good Sunday afternoon.
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P.S. Some personal news: Amy and I are expecting [ [link removed] ] our first child -- a boy!
“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
“Beto O’Rourke PAC donated more than $1 million to Democrats during redistricting battle,” Texas Tribune's Colleen DeGuzman -- "Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced on Saturday that his political group, Powered by People, donated more than $1 million to Texas Democrats during a special session in which they walked out to deny Republicans the quorum they needed to pass new congressional maps.
In the announcement, O’Rourke said that “more than 55,000 donations” poured in from people across the country since the start of the first special session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. The money from his political group benefited the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the Texas House Democratic Caucus, and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.
Abbott’s first special session, which ended Friday, didn’t have a quorum for the past two weeks because most of the House’s 62 Democrats left the state to prevent proposed redistricting aimed at securing more GOP seats in Congress. He immediately called a second special session.
Last week, a Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, temporarily blocking [ [link removed] ]Powered by People from fundraising for Democrats or financially supporting the quorum break.
Paxton on Tuesday argued in a motion that O’Rourke had violated the temporary injunction. He asked the judge to imprison O’Rourke for the duration of the lawsuit, and to fine the Democrat $500 for each alleged violation of the injunction.
O’Rourke filed his own lawsuit against Paxton earlier this month after being sued by the attorney general. He’s asking a judge to block Paxton’s investigation [ [link removed] ] into Powered by People and alleges that he engaged in a “fishing expedition, constitutional rights be damned.”
In 2021, when Democrats broke quorum and left the state to prevent a bill that sought to tighten voting rules, which eventually became law, Powered by People donated around $600,000 [ [link removed] ] to help pay for their expenses, including lodging, travel, and meals. That was before the House passed new rules in 2023 imposing a $500-per-day fine on lawmakers who leave the state during sessions and said they aren’t allowed to use campaign funds to pay the penalties." Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries.
#TXLEGE
“Camp Mystic families seek sweeping reforms, camp safety laws in special session” Hou Chron [ [link removed] ] ($)
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Five Texas school districts at risk of a state takeover after ratings’ release” Texas Tribune [ [link removed] ]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Clashing with Council: Inside Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ rocky first two months at City Hall” SAEN [ [link removed] ] ($)
Ron Nirenberg & Nelson Wolff guest column: “City Council should seize the moment with a generational investment in downtown” SAEN [ [link removed] ] ($)
“Travis County officials admit communication flaws but stand by Central Texas flood response” AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
Editorial: “Travis County officials admit communication flaws but stand by Central Texas flood response” DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
2026
“Poll: Paxton-Cornyn US Senate race tightens. What's driving the change?” AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Southwest, city head to court in fight over airport gates” SAEN [ [link removed] ] ($)
“Kendra Scott back at the helm of namesake company after CEO, two others resign” AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "Kratom poisoning calls climb in Texas as the state fails to enforce ban on synthetic version" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Why some Texas schools are slashing budgets, even with historic $8.5B infusion" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Poll finds Cornyn, Paxton in dead heat in Texas’ Senate GOP primary" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> TX TRIB: "Riding political wins, a once-restrained Gov. Greg Abbott is increasingly steamrolling foes" TX TRIB [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: "Texas House Democrats release demands for ending quorum break, returning to Capitol" DMN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "Judge Drops Two Charges Against Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, Wife" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: "House Democrats announce they will conditionally return for second special session" KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "Texas House Public Health Committee Hears Public Testimony on Hemp-Derived THC Ban" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Senate Passes Human Trafficking Victims Affirmative Defense Amid House Quorum Bust" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: "Meet the 3 finalists for Fort Worth police chief at a public forum tonight" FWST [ [link removed] ]
> MRT: "TCEQ commissioner says she wants to get new oversight right" MRT [ [link removed] ]
> SAEN: "City splits Public Works after years of lagging city-run projects" SAEN [ [link removed] ]
> MRT: "Judge dismisses 2 counts against US Rep. Cuellar of Texas, moves bribery trial to next year" MRT [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "The 40: Dogfighting Over Districts, Trump's True Crime, and the GOP's Cost" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> TPR: "San Antonio budget proposal of $4B funds new departments and reduces some services" TPR [ [link removed] ]
> SA REPORT: "San Antonio's $4B budget calls for cuts to staff, park programs" SA REPORT [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: "Harris County Considers $2.7 Billion Budget as Hidalgo Spars with Fellow Democrats" THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: "Austin signs off on $6B+ budget, triggering property tax rate election" KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> SA REPORT: "San Antonio considers increasing parking ticket fees, alarm permits" SA REPORT [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: "Lawmakers will start with a clean slate if Democrats fail to return Friday, governor calls for second special session" KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> MY RGV: "Former Edinburg councilmember admits to ‘pay-to-win’ bribery scheme" MY RGV [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Fort Bend County approves redistricting criteria, will accept plan recommendations" COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: "Fossil Group’s new CEO driving a turnaround as stock soars over 20%" DMN [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "Texas flood risk from tropical disturbance: Here's the timeline" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: "New Heights cafe Caffvino brings together coffee, wine and family tradition" HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: "Fiancée of murdered transgender woman speaks about her loved one’s life" KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: "Birth of extremely rare ‘blue-eyed’ species in Brazil marks a first in history" FWST [ [link removed] ]
> TPR: "These 2025 Cliburn performances helped Aristo Sham win gold" TPR [ [link removed] ]
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports scores:
Thurs
None.
Fri
> MLB: Toronto 6, Texas 5
> MLB: Baltimore 7, Houston 0
> WNBA: LA 97, Dallas 96
Sat
> MLB: Toronto 14, Texas 2
> MLB: Houston 5, Baltimore 4 (12)
> MLS: Austin 1, Dallas 1
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 12:37pm: MLB: Texas at Toronto
> 1:10pm: MLB: Baltimore at Houston
> 3:30pm: WNBA: Dallas at Las Vegas (ABC)
> 8pm: MLS: Houston at Vancouver (Apple TV)
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 6:40pm: MLB: Houston at Detroit
> 7:40pm: MLB: Texas at Kansas City
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Urìas beats throw to 1st to help the Astros outlast the Orioles, 5-4 in 12 innings" AP [ [link removed] ]
TEXAS RANGERS: "Myles Straw stars as the AL-leading Blue Jays pound the slumping Rangers 14-2" AP [ [link removed] ]
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Happy homecomings for QB Cooper Rush, rookie K Tyler Loop in Ravens’ 31-13 win over Cowboys" AP [ [link removed] ]
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Dallas Cowboys have more questions than answers with one preseason game left" DMN [ [link removed] ] ($)
TEXAS FOOTBALL: "Texas football: Colin Simmons ready to rush at school sacks record" AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)
AUSTIN FC / DALLAS FC: "Owen Wolff’s second-half goal helps Austin up unbeaten streak to six in 1-1 draw with Dallas" AP [ [link removed] ]
TEXAS FOOTBALL: "By acting like a 'jerk,' Steve Sarkisian helped Texas football prep for Ohio State" AAS [ [link removed] ] ($)

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