January 11, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
As Democrat-run states continue to hemorrhage residents, Texas has once again emerged as the nation’s top destination for Americans on the move.
Texas has reclaimed its position as the nation’s top destination for inbound migration, according to the 2025 U-Haul Growth Index, as part of a continued streak for Republican-led states.
The annual report, which analyzes more than 2.5 million one-way moving transactions, ranks Texas No. 1 for net in-migration for the seventh time in the past decade.
Florida followed closely behind, with North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina rounding out the top five.
California finished dead last for the sixth consecutive year, once again leading the nation in resident departures.
U-Haul data show that 50.7 percent of all one-way moves involving Texas in 2025 were inbound, compared to 49.3 percent outbound. Arrivals to the state rose by 3 percent year-over-year, while departures increased by just 1 percent, reinforcing Texas’ status as a net-gain state.
Seven of the top 10 growth states currently have Republican governors, and nine voted Republican in the most recent presidential election. Conversely, nine of the bottom 10 growth states are governed by Democrats,
with seven voting blue in the last election.
Featured
Texas’ largest teachers union is suing the Texas Education Agency and Education Commissioner Mike Morath in federal court, claiming a new state policy weaponizes educator discipline to punish teachers who posted “vile content” to social media about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
In a complaint filed Tuesday, Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) highlighted a September 12, 2025 TEA “Policy Letter” that ordered superintendents statewide to report educators who shared “reprehensible and inappropriate content” about Kirk’s shooting to the agency’s Educator Investigations Division.
Real Texans
In this week's edition of Real Texans, Michael Quinn Sullivan travels to what will soon be Constitution City for a conversation with Rick Green about Patriot Academy’s efforts to encourage a new generation of engaged citizens.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
After Minnesota Scandal, Abbott Orders Review of Texas Child Care Program
The Texas governor noted that the state already conducts routine audits and in-person site visits of child care providers.
Unsolicited Seed Packages From China Pose Threat to Texas Agriculture
Similar unsolicited packages have also been confirmed in New Mexico, Ohio, and Alabama.
Lawsuit Seeking To Overturn Heartbeat Act Could Be Dismissed Over First Amendment Claim
The Texas Supreme Court must consider whether the lawsuit is subject to dismissal under the Texas Citizens Participation Act.
Local
Gov. Abbott Warns Harris County To Fix Election Issues or Face State Action
Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to strip the Harris County registrar’s office of its elections operations.
Facing Lawsuit, Azle ISD Bemoans ‘Negativity’ of Sex Abuse Coverage
Superintendent Todd Smith told parents he was “saddened” by media “negativity” surrounding the arrest of coach Carlos Font Santiago for sexually abusing a student.
Montgomery County Arrests Follow Crackdown on THC Vape Sales
Multiple smoke shops were selling products in violation of state law.
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