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MRT (free): Hidalgo Won’t Seek Reelection // DFW, Love Field Ranked Among Best U.S. Airports // White to Run for Governor // 8 Media Orgs Seek to Unseal Paxton Divorce Case
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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TUESDAY || 9/16/2025 & WEDNESDAY || 9/17/2025
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TOP NEWS
“Abbott signs bill allowing Harris County law enforcement to contract with HOAs without commissioners’ OK,” Texas Tribune's Alex Nguyen -- "Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed two bills that focus solely on Harris County law enforcement agencies’ contracting and funding, which were added to the second special session’s agenda late last month. The laws will take effect on Dec. 4, 2025.
Currently, sheriffs and constables in Harris County can contract with homeowner associations, school districts and municipal utility districts to provide additional policing for them. Both the county and contracting groups have to sign off on the contract, and they split portions of the cost depending on the amount of time the deputies spend in the area.
The more prominent of the two proposals, House Bill 26, would allow these law enforcement agencies to enter into such contracts without the need for approval from the county’s commissioners court. Meanwhile, House Bill 192 would require the county to seek voter approval if it adopts a budget that reallocates unspent funding that was appropriated for law enforcement agencies or moves funding previously appropriated for a specific law enforcement position to another agency.
State Rep. Tom Oliverson, the Cypress Republican who carried both bills, and his backers said they are about protecting law enforcement including this popular deputy contract program.
Their critics, however, said the legislation would upend the county government’s checks and balances, as well as harm taxpayers.
“You already pay your taxes for a constable to patrol your neighborhoods. But now they want to go and bid a contract with your HOAs, to pay them, to contract with them, to patrol your neighborhood more often,” state Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson, D-Houston, said during a Texas House hearing about HB 26 on Wednesday. “That’s double taxation.”
The House then cleared HB 26 with a 88-49 vote and HB 192 with a 89-48 vote on Aug. 27 Hours later that day, the Texas Senate voted 21-5 to approve both bills.
The votes came two days after Abbott added the items to the second special session’s agenda, saying that the legislation would improve public safety. Oliverson quickly thanked the governor in a post on X for “protecting neighborhood law enforcement contracts for the vast majority of unincorporated Harris County and ISD’s that depend on them.”
Oliverson said the legislation is needed because the deputy contract program is under attack, despite its popularity and importance to unincorporated areas. The county also discussed earlier this month raising the contract’s costs for some groups in order to help cover constable pay raises, the Houston Chronicle reported.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of friction going on between the law enforcement departments and Commissioners Court with regards to the terms and conditions of those contracts,” Oliverson said during a House committee hearing for HB 26 on Aug. 22." Texas Tribune
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TOP NEWS
“Zilker Park shooting suspect faces murder charge after girlfriend's death” AAS ($)
“DFW, Love Field airports ranked among best in U.S.” DMN ($)
STATE GOVERNMENT
“San Antonio native to head Texas’ DOGE-inspired efficiency office” SAEN ($)
2026
“Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she will not seek reelection to her position in 2026” Hou Chron ($)
“Hearst Joins Media Organizations in Asking Judge to Unseal Ken Paxton Divorce Case” Hou Chron ($)
“Andrew White, son of former governor, takes step to challenge Greg Abbott” Hou Chron ($)
“Texas GOP may be banking on low Hispanic turnout in new map” Texas Tribune
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Travis County commissioners approve 9% property tax hike, citing costly summer floods” AAS ($)
TEXANS IN DC
“U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales staffer's death under investigation; her body was on fire, official said” SAEN ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Judge dismisses environmental lawsuit against FAA over failed SpaceX launch” Texas Tribune
“Dallas’ Crux Capital raises $342 million in 9 months, defying tough private equity market” DMN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> DMN: "McKinney drops plan for $45M deck park after losing federal funds to Trump spending cuts" DMN
> DMN: "Colin Allred touts support from Black elected leaders as Democratic Senate race heats up" DMN
> DMN: "Texas State student no longer enrolled after video mocking Charlie Kirk death" DMN
> SAEN: "Texas State expels student who mocked Charlie Kirk's murder" SAEN
> DMN: "Dallas County Republicans vote to hand-count March primary election day ballots" DMN
> HOU CHRON: "Houston Black pastors challenge martyr narrative after Charlie Kirk's killing" HOU CHRON
> EP TIMES: "“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: Texas DPS arresting thousands to aid Trump’s mass deportation" EP TIMES
> HOU CHRON: "Beto O'Rourke wins another round against Ken Paxton — but at a great cost" HOU CHRON
> THE TEXAN: "Here's a Look at the State Constitutional Amendments on the November 2025 Ballot" THE TEXAN
> EP TIMES: "Texas lawmakers form committees to study campus free speech after Charlie Kirk killing" EP TIMES
> FWST: "Tarrant’s Democratic commissioners break quorum over ‘destructive’ tax rate" FWST
> SAEN: "Abbott taps retired Navy admiral to lead San Antonio-based Texas Cyber Command" SAEN
> KXAN: "Travis County approves higher tax rate Tuesday to address flooding, lawsuit likely" KXAN
> KXAN: "Austin to cut ties with homelessness nonprofit after ‘misrepresented’ records claims" KXAN
> THE TEXAN: "Tarrant County Redistricting Plan Survives Motion for Injunction" THE TEXAN
> HOU CHRON: "Texas DPS trooper killed in San Jacinto County crash overnight, officials say" HOU CHRON
> SA REPORT: "Listen: Brandon Seale rediscovers lost Battle of Medina in new documentary" SA REPORT
> FWST: "These programs help Fort Worth students get to college. They may be in jeopardy" FWST
> SAEN: "120 land and environmental defenders killed or disappeared in Latin America last year, report finds" SAEN
> HOU CHRON: "Memorial Hermann employees sue hospital over hidden restroom cameras" HOU CHRON
> FWST: "Off-duty police officer killed by store clerk ‘having a bad day,’ FL cops say" FWST
> TX TRIB: "“Our girls are still dead”: Camp Mystic parents pushed for laws to protect kids at camp. But their pain remains." TX TRIB
> FWST: "ICYMI: Six opinion articles explore the impact of Charlie Kirk's life, death" FWST
> KXAN: "Barton Springs aquifer declares historic ‘exceptional drought’ as state prepares to vote on water future" KXAN
> HOU CHRON: "TEA reviewing 180 complaints against Texas teachers for Charlie Kirk comments" HOU CHRON
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Voter Registration begins Sept. 16: Hays County election guide" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> EP TIMES: "“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: Texas DPS arresting thousands to aid Trump’s mass deportation" EP TIMES
> EP TIMES: "Texas lawmakers form committees to study campus free speech after Charlie Kirk killing" EP TIMES
> WACO TRIB: "Texas Republicans want to close the state’s primaries. Is it a good idea?" WACO TRIB
> THE TEXAN: "89th-session" THE TEXAN
> TX TRIB: "James Talarico’s progressive take on Christianity made him an online sensation. Will it translate to his Texas Senate bid?" TX TRIB
> THE TEXAN: "TEA Commissioner Mike Morath Seeks Certification Suspension for Educators Celebrating Kirk Assassination" THE TEXAN
> FWST: "Trump promises tough prosecution of immigrant accused of beheading man in Dallas" FWST
> KXAN: "Austin dog handler detained by ICE during routine check-in" KXAN
> THE TEXAN: "The Docket: The Totality of the Circumstances" THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: "Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Pushes for More Spending Cuts in City Budget" THE TEXAN
> EP TIMES: "500 Texas National Guard troops arrive in El Paso to help US Border Patrol" EP TIMES
> HOU CHRON: "Texans have moment of silence for all victims of violence and natural disasters" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Texas native wins an Emmy. Who else was nominated from the Lone Star State?" HOU CHRON
> FWST: "New owner has big plans for Bedford’s Stonegate Shopping Center" FWST
> MY RGV: "TxDOT prioritizes safety of Queen Isabella, 24 years after collapse" MY RGV
> MY RGV: "Trial begins for Alamo man charged with killing Donna teen" MY RGV
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "HTX-TOM: Impact 9/15/2025" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> SAEN: "Fired Texas State professor threatens lawsuit against university" SAEN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "HTX-SLM: Impact 9/15/2025" COMMUNITY IMPACT
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports scores:
Mon
> NFL: Tampa Bay 20, Houston 19
> MLB: Houston 6, Texas 3
Tues
> MLB: Houston 6, Texas 5
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:10pm: MLB: Texas at Houston
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 6:30pm: NCAAF: Rice at Charlotte (ESPN)
HOUSTON TEXANS: "Baker Mayfield and Rachaad White rally Bucs to 20-19 win over Texans" AP
TEXAS RANGERS: "With season winding down, Rangers ‘hopeful’ Corey Seager can return for playoff push" DMN ($)
HOUSTON ASTROS / TEXAS RANGERS: "Astros hold off Rangers 6-5 to keep pace in AL West and improve wild-card position" AP
DALLAS WINGS: "What’s next for Wings star Paige Bueckers after whirlwind year in basketball?" DMN ($)
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