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MRT (free): UT-Austin Enrolls 55k+ // Mortgage Fraud Complaint Filed Against Paxton // 17 Statewide Props to Appear on Nov. Ballot // ATX 6th Street Traffic Redesign?
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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MONDAY || 9/22/2025 & TUESDAY || 9/23/2025
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A WORD FROM SENATOR PHIL GRAMM ABOUT MUST READ TEXAS
“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
“University of Texas sets records for enrollment, applications, retention,” Austin American-Statesman’s Lily Kepner -- “The University of Texas — again — is breaking enrollment, application and retention records as it kicks off its 2025 academic year, according to a report by the school.
This fall, an all-time high of 55,000 students enrolled for class at the 40 Acres, with a 7.5% increase for first-time college students at 9,900 incoming freshmen.
Undergraduate enrollment also increased, climbing to 44,314 students. The freshmen were selected from a pool of an all-time high 90,690 applicants, nearly 18,000 — or 25% — more than the previous year and 51% more since 2022.
The first-year retention rate of 97.1% is also the highest ever, a UT news release said, and significantly higher than the national average of about 77%, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Four-year retention at UT increased to 75.7% from 75% in fall 2024.
UT also awarded 576 more degrees than the previous year at 15,963, the highest amount the institution has conferred in a year.
“We are educating more students than at any time in our University’s history, and most importantly, we are doing it while maintaining our standard of academic excellence,” UT President Jim Davis said in a news release last week. “That is our commitment as the public flagship university in Texas. I am proud of our students for their achievements and grateful to our faculty and staff for their hard work in support of our students’ academic experience.”
The university credits the high-demand to greater affordability and student performance, as well as its reputation for excellence.
U.S. News & World Reports ranked UT the 30th best college in the nation and seventh best public school, as well as the top public university in Texas. But its affordability initiatives are a key part of its attractiveness to students.
Texas full-time undergraduates paid $3,852 for the 2024-2025 academic year, nearly a third of the average full tuition price, $11,823. Net-tuition was even less for incoming full-time freshman, who paid $2,582 on average that year, according to the news release.
This is also the first batch of students benefiting from the UT System’s increased investment in its Promise Plus initiative, where the system committed to covering tuition for any student from a household with an adjusted total combined income of $100,000 or less.
At UT, this means 12,200 undergraduate students are attending tuition-free this year, or 4,575 more students than in 2024, when the threshold for free tuition was $65,000 and about 27.5% of its undergraduate class.
An additional 1,500 students from households with less than $125,000 adjusted gross income are receiving subsidized tuition at UT, the university said, through its Texas Advanced Commitment that offers tuition support for about a third of its undergraduate students.
UT also provides financial support for housing through its Presidential Scholarship, which is now in its third year.
More than 22% of undergraduate students are first-generation students, meaning they are the first in their families to go to college. The more than 10,000 such students is an increase from 2023 when 9,015 students were first generation, but a slightly smaller total percentage of students.” Texas Tribune
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TOP NEWS
“West Texas wants to sell its natural gas to AI data centers, but has few options for transporting it” Texas Tribune
“Judge sets trial date for Brad Simpson, accused of killing Olmos Park Realtor, wife Suzanne Simpson” SAEN ($)
2026
“Mortgage Fraud Complaint Filed Against Paxton” The Texas Voice
“17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know” Texas Tribune
“As Republicans make gains in the Rio Grande Valley, Democrats are fighting among themselves” Texas Tribune
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Austin looking for input on East Sixth Street traffic redesign” ABJ ($)
TEXANS IN DC
“Jasmine Crockett defends vote against resolution honoring slain activist Charlie Kirk” DMN ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Microsoft acquires 90 acres to expand its data center hub in San Antonio” SAEN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> DMN: “Gov. Greg Abbott signs Texas transgender bathroom ban into law“ DMN
> THE TEXAN: “What Comes Next for Texas Pro-Lifers After Recent Republican Policy Victories“ THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: “Here’s a Look at Texas’ Five Projected GOP Pickups After Congressional Redistricting“ THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: “Texas State Senator Requests State Agencies Create New Regulations on Hemp-Derived THC“ THE TEXAN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “McKinney council approves unified development code amendments“ COMMUNITY IMPACT
> THE TEXAN: “Tarrant County Successfully Passes Lower Tax Rate Following Democratic Quorum Break“ THE TEXAN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “Meet the Buda City Council Single-Member District C candidates“ COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TPR: “City of San Antonio gives Confederate statue to private park“ TPR
> HOU CHRON: “As Gabrielle becomes a major hurricane, Texas has 2 hotspots to watch“ HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: “Conroe ISD family files latest lawsuit against Ten Commandments display law“ HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: “More than 1 in 4 Harris County residents are immigrants. See what countries they come from.“ HOU CHRON
> FWST: “53-year-old woman fatally stabbed in back yard of Arlington home, police say“ FWST
> DMN: “What we know so far about the DFW, Love Field tech failure that snarled flights“ DMN
> THE TEXAN: “State Officials Request Information from University of North Texas After Kirk Assassination-Related Student Controversy“ THE TEXAN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “Harris County ESD 11 opens two new 24-hour mobile stations“ COMMUNITY IMPACT
> HOU CHRON: “As Trump eyes National Guard troops in major cities, could Houston be next?“ HOU CHRON
> SA REPORT: “CHCS to serve 2,800 fewer San Antonio residents amid ARPA loss“ SA REPORT
> HOU CHRON: “Here’s everything you need to know about State Fair of Texas“ HOU CHRON
> FWST: “Mom says 2 kids were found dead in hot car, but story isn’t adding up, TX cops say“ FWST
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports scores:
Sat
> NCAAF: #8 Texas 55, Sam Houston St. 0
> NCAAF: #17 Texas Tech 34, #16 Utah 10
> NCAAF: TCU 35, SMU 24
> NCAAF: North Texas 45, Army 38 (OT)
> NCAAF: Arizona State 27, at Baylor 24
> NCAAF: Texas St. 35, Nicholls 3
> NCAAF: LA Monroe 31, UTEP 25
> NCAAF: UTSA 17, Colorado St. 16
> MLB: Miami 4, Texas 3
> MLB: Seattle 6, Houston 4
> MLS: Dallas 3, Colorad0 1
> MLS: Houston 1, Portland 0
Sun
> NFL: Jacksonville 17, Houston 10
> NFL: Chicago 31, Dallas 14
> MLB: Miami 4, Texas 2
> MLB: Seattle 7, Houston 3
> MLS: Austin 2, Seattle 1
Mon
None.
Tonight’s Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Minnesota at Texas
> 9:05pm: MLB: Houston at Oakland
Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Minnesota at Texas
> 9:05pm: MLB: Houston at Oakland
TEXAS RANGERS: “With Rangers’ playoff chances nearly gone, here’s what they should consider for final week” AP
DALLAS COWBOYS: “Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker could land on IR with sprained ankles, Jerry Jones says” AP
DALLAS COWBOYS: “Do Cowboys feel urgency to swing trade for defensive playmaker? Jerry Jones responds” DMN
DALLAS COWBOYS: “Tim Cowlishaw’s Cowboys-Bears report card: It was a failure of a day in more than one area” DMN
UH FOOTBALL: “What’s helped Houston Cougars to 3-0 start? A firm grasp on ball security, for starters” Hou Chron ($)
UH FOOTBALL: “Houston Cougars to host Arizona, Baylor in high-profile games on Big 12 schedule” Hou Chron ($)
HOUSTON ROCKETS: “Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet tears ACL and is likely lost for season” Hou Chron ($)
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