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This is the Texas Minute for Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Venezuelan Gang Leaders Charged With Terrorism, Drug Trafficking

• Federal prosecutors in Houston have unsealed sweeping terrorism and drug-trafficking charges against senior leaders of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Sydnie Henry has the details.
        
• All four men, ranging in age from 24 to 48, are accused of conspiring to provide, and providing, material support to Tren de Aragua as a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted on all charges, the men face up to life in prison and fines of up to $10 million.
       
• Two of the men are believed to be among the top three leaders of Tren de Aragua worldwide. 
       
• The State Department designated Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist earlier this year, enabling terrorism charges and sanctions. 

Court Reinstates Corley as Lubbock County Commissioner

• A judge ruled on Friday that Jason Corley remains the lawful Lubbock County Commissioner for Precinct 2. Erin Anderson updates the developing story.
      
• Earlier this month, County Judge Curtis Parrish purportedly removed Corley from office, claiming the incumbent commissioner had “resigned to run” when announcing a campaign for the 19th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R–Lubbock). Parrish then installed a political ally to replace Corley, with whom he has had a long-running dispute.
      
• Corley quickly sued to retain his elected position, arguing Parrish had misapplied the law. On Friday, a state district judge ruled in Corley's favor.
      
• Commissioner Corley described Parrish’s “twisting” of the state's election law as “un-American.”

Ahead of Democrat Primary, Hidalgo Calls on Voters To Oppose Parker for County Judge

• Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has urged primary voters to reject former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, inserting herself into the race for who will succeed her and deepening a growing divide inside the county’s Democrat Party. Michael Wilson has the story.
     
• In a social media post directed at primary voters, Hidalgo accused the former Houston mayor of governing in ways that do not align with Democrat priorities. The outgoing county judge has not endorsed the other Democrat in the race, Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer. Several Republicans are vying for their party's nomination for the role, including Matthew Salazar, Aliza Dutt, Warren Howell, Oscar Gonzales, Marty Lancton, Orlando Sanchez, and George Zeos.
     
• Parker, a lesbian with a far-left record, dismissed Hidalgo’s criticism and focused on what she described as larger political fights against President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott.
     
• It is always good to remember, Republicans, that the other side has problems, too.

School District Adopts Policy Changes Ensuring Parental Transparency

• Last week, trustees in Brenham Independent School District approved policy changes to bring themselves into alignment with several newly passed laws ensuring parental access and transparency. Among other things, reports Addie Hovland, curriculum used in Brenham ISD will now be accessible to parents through the district’s website.
       
• Updated employee standards will result in disciplinary action for any employee who knowingly engages in DEI practices. Going forward, all staff in Brenham ISD will be prohibited from assisting in the social “transitioning” of students away from their biologically determined gender.

Cheer Coach Set To Plead Guilty After Sexting Student

• A woman who sent sexually explicit texts and photos to a 16-year-old male student while she was a teacher and cheer coach at Marshall High School plans to plead guilty to a felony charge once sentencing is settled.
     
• Margaret Claire Rizzo Burris was set to plead guilty this week, but sentencing negotiations hit a snag, postponing a hearing on the plea deal until January. She was once a student at Marshall High School, where she was a cheerleading champion and honor society member.
     
• Police arrested Burris in February 2024 after finding explicit messages from the teacher on the underage student’s cell phone, setting off a scandal in the East Texas town. Her father-in-law was president of the Marshall ISD school board.
      
• Burris remains free on an $85,000 bond; she was added to the state's Do Not Hire Registry in June 2024.

OTHER EDUCATOR NEWS

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– Winston Churchill​

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