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MustReadTexas.com [ [link removed] ] – @MustReadTexas [ [link removed] ]
BY: @MattMackowiak [ [link removed] ]
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MONDAY 1/26/2026 - FRIDAY 1/30/2026
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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
“Texas stunner: Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips Republican state Senate district Trump won by 17 points” AP’s John Hanna and Julie Carr Smyth – Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a reliably Republican state Senate district in Texas in Saturday’s special election, continuing a string of surprise victories for Democrats across the U.S. in the year since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The Republican president immediately distanced himself from the loss. It’s a district he had won by 17 points in 2024.
At Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, Trump told reporters, “I’m not involved in that. That’s a local Texas race.”
Just a day earlier, however, he had used his social media platform to urge voters to support the Republican candidate, conservative activist Leigh Wambsganns. He called her a successful entrepreneur and “an incredible supporter” of his Make America Great Again movement.
Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, defeated Wambsganss easily in the Fort Worth-area district. With almost all votes counted, Rehmet was leading by more than 14 percentage points — a more than 30-point difference.
“This win goes to everyday working people,” Rehmet told supporters.
Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called it “a wake-up call for Republicans across Texas,” where the GOP controls every statewide office.
“Our voters cannot take anything for granted,” Patrick wrote on the social platform X, while noting low-turnout special elections are always unpredictable. “I know the energy and strength the Republican grassroots in Texas possess. We will come out fighting with a new resolve, and we will take this seat back in November.”
Rehmet’s victory added to Democrats’ record of overperforming in special elections so far this cycle, beginning in March — when they prevailed in a Pennsylvania legislative district made up of suburbanites and farmers that Democrats hadn’t held in a century [ [link removed] ] — and continuing through to November, when they dominated candidate and ballot contests [ [link removed] ] from Maine to California. ...
Democrats said Saturday’s results in Texas were further evidence that voters under the second Trump administration are motivated to reject GOP candidates and their policies.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said Rehmet won by standing with working people and talking to Texans about the future.
“This win shows what is possible in Texas with strong organizing, great candidates and strategic investments,” he said in a statement. “People are noticing that Democrats have the workers’ backs and are delivering results.”” AP [ [link removed] ]
“Deadly, drug-resistant fungus spreading in Texas. Here’s who is at risk” via Fort Worth Star-Telegram [ [link removed] ] – A deadly, drug-resistant fungus has infected more than 27 states in the last year, including Texas.
It’s called Candida auris. Since its emergence in the U.S. in 2016, the fungus has had a 34 percent mortality rate between 2016 and 2022, according to data from the Center for Disease Control, which now considers C. auris as a notifiable infectious disease.
As of Dec. 27, 2025 Texas reported 830 clinical cases of the fungal infection for that year.
Here’s what to know about Candida auris in Texas.
Candida auris is a yeast infection common in sick patients at healthcare facilities.
C. auris can cause both skin or bloodstream infections. The fungus commonly enters the body through pathways via medical devices like catheters, breathing or feeding tubes.
What makes it drug resistant is its ability to resist antifungal medications.
“The fungus develops the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill it,” according to the CDC. “That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow.”
(FWST [ [link removed] ])
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Gov. Greg Abbott says ICE needs to ‘recalibrate’ mission after deadly Minnesota shooting” via Dallas Morning News [ [link removed] ] – Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday the White House needs to “recalibrate” Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s mission to rebuild public trust after federal agents fatally shot a second protester in Minnesota.
Abbott said immigration authorities should “get back to what they wanted to do to begin with” and focus on removing “people from the country who are here illegally.”
He said respect for law enforcement, including ICE, is essential and that the Trump administration needs “to recalibrate on what needs to be done” to restore that respect, “especially under the current circumstances.”
On conservative radio host Mark Davis’ Dallas-based show, Abbott said he believes federal officials are working on a “game plan” for agents to carry out removals “in a more structured way,” without causing “all the kinds of problems and fighting in communities” seen now.
(DMN [ [link removed] ])
“Abbott Speaks on State Examining H-1B Visas in Schools, Violence in Minnesota” The Texan’s [ [link removed] ] Mary Elise O’Bar – Greg Abbott confirmed during a Monday morning radio spot that his office is collecting data on H-1B visas in Texas, particularly in the state’s public schools, and also commented on the recent fatal shooting of a man in Minneapolis, Minnesota by a federal immigration agent — emphasizing Texas’ cooperation with law enforcement.
Internal communications published by Quorum Report on Saturday indicated that Abbott was examining H-1B visas in the state’s school system via emails sent to leaders of the Texas A&M University System, who were instructed to compile a list of employees on H-1B visas and report back by Monday.
(THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ])
“Abbott widens winter storm disaster to cover 219 Texas counties” Midland Reporter-Telegram’s [ [link removed] ] B. Kay Richter – AUSTIN — Greg Abbott has amended the state’s original disaster declaration for Winter Storm Fern to include 85 additional counties facing impacts from winter weather conditions.
Within the original disaster declaration issued on Thursday, Jan. 22, counties across the Permian Basin, including Midland and Ector, were listed. Additionally, surrounding counties such as Andrews, Borden, Crane, Dawson, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Reagan, Reeves, Sterling, Upton, Ward and Winkler were part of the original disaster decree. During the weekend, Abbott amended the state’s original disaster declaration for the ongoing winter storm to include Pecos County and others.
“Communities across the state have been impacted by the weekend’s winter weather,” Abbott said in a statement. “I am updating my disaster declaration to include additional counties to help more Texans during these freezing temperatures. Texans should continue to monitor local weather forecasts and road conditions to keep themselves and their families safe.”
In all, the disaster declaration includes 219 counties.
(MRT [ [link removed] ])
“Paxton Confirms Comptroller Can Block ESA Funds for Schools Tied to Terrorist Groups” The Texan’s [ [link removed] ] Meridith Dyer – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion confirming the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ full authority to block taxpayer funds from going to schools tied to terrorist groups or foreign adversaries, according to a January 24 press release.
On December 12, Hancock requested an opinion from Paxton asking if schools with such ties are legally disqualified from participating in the state’s education savings account program, Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA).
(THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ])
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Dallas City Council Resolves Not to Support Elevated High-Speed Rail” The Texan’s [ [link removed] ] Kim Roberts – The Dallas City Council passed a resolution last week that reaffirms its 2024 decision that any high-speed rail line between Dallas and Fort Worth should not be built above-ground through the Central Business District, Victory Park, nor the uptown area of the city.
However, Councilmember Paul Ridley noted that the future of the high-speed rail line is now more uncertain, as last week Congress defunded $928 million in high-speed rail grants during its negotiation of a transportation appropriations bill.
(THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ])
“Austin Light Rail Proposal Passes Environmental Assessment in Effort for Federal Funding” The Texan’s [ [link removed] ] Kim Roberts – The Austin Transit Partnership is celebrating that its light rail system has completed a “major milestone” required before construction can begin.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued its record of decision, finding that the project meets the environmental requirements and approving its environmental impact statement.
(THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ])
2026
“Top Hunt aide charged taxpayers $44,000 in hotel expenses” Politico’s [ [link removed] ] Daniel Lippman – The travel expenses of a Republican campaign manager in the crowded Texas Senate race have raised eyebrows for their seemingly exorbitant amount.
James Kyrkanides, the campaign manager for Senate candidate Wesley Hunt, charged taxpayers more than $44,000 in hotel expenses over three years as Hunt’s congressional chief of staff. The charges average $457 per night, four times the national standard rate set by General Services Administration rate [ [link removed] ] for many federal employees, according to a POLITICO analysis of House expense records.
That total accrued over 97 nights during 49 different stays. For instance, on Jan. 3, 2025, when Congress was being sworn in, Kyrkanides expensed a one-night hotel bill of $805. For May 20 to 22, 2024, he submitted a hotel bill of $1,692. And for a stay starting Aug. 6, 2024, he expensed two nights for a total of $1,321.
The expense records do not require the hotels or the city in which they’re located to be listed, and Kyrkanides declined to name the hotels.
Kyrkanides said all of the expenses were reviewed and approved by the House finance office, which handles disbursements of member money. He said less than half of the money that was reimbursed went to him personally and the remainder covered travel expenses for other Hunt staffers. He declined to provide receipts to verify that claim.
Kyrkanides confirmed Washington was his primary workplace during that period of time. He said a number of the reimbursements were in Hunt’s hometown of Houston, where the GSA’s recommended federal lodging rate [ [link removed] ] is $128 per night. Krykanides said expenses also included stays in Washington, San Diego and New York, which have had average GSA rates of $234, $205 and $277 over the last year, respectively. Krykanides said the hotel stays in those cities were expensed on behalf of Hunt staffers for work travel, including a district director conference in San Diego and communications staffers going to New York for Fox News interviews related to policy.
Kyrkanides also noted that costs of food, beverage and parking aren’t included in the GSA rates, but his reimbursements folded in those items. He said subtracting them brings his average nightly lodging costs, excluding taxes, to $269. He also pointed to GSA policy that allows federal employees to be reimbursed up to 300 percent of the recommended rate if no other rooms [ [link removed] ] are available.
Asked for comment about the expenses, a Hunt spokesperson said in a statement: “All transactions in this office are approved by the chief administrative officer, made public, and carried out in accordance with the highest ethical guidelines.”” Politico [ [link removed] ]
“Sen. Ted Cruz pitches 2026 Texas Senate race while steering most donations to his campaign” Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Morton – It starts as an urgent warning [ [link removed] ].
Texas’ primary is speeding closer, Sen. Ted Cruz says, the nation is watching and Republicans need to get off the sidelines to win in 2026.
Later come buttons to make a donation, a familiar step in fundraising emails. The pitch reassures your money will help both Cruz and the future Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas, a two-for-one play to counter Democrats.
If you stop to click on a small-type link for additional details, the math appears. With a $100 donation, $1 is dedicated to a new fund for whoever wins the GOP nomination.
The rest, $99, goes to Cruz’s campaign account, unless donors change the allocation.
Cruz’s recent appeal to conservative donors is a staple of modern campaign fundraising emails, with preset donation amounts, flashing buttons and fine print dividing contributions.
The approach is legal and reflects the growing prevalence of aggressive political email appeals that critics say are often manipulative.
Cruz’s effort has stirred questions in Washington, with early donations meant to fully help the nominee largely being steered to Cruz.
Some election law experts called it deceptive, trading on concerns about the Texas Senate race to benefit Cruz, who is not on the 2026 ballot but has been mentioned as a presidential contender in two years.
Attention over campaign money is even sharper this cycle because of the high-profile, high-spending Republican primary [ [link removed] ] among Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston.
“Cruz is basically diverting money away from the Cornyn-Paxton race for his own personal ambition,” said campaign finance lawyer Brett Kappel, a former legal counsel to three presidential campaigns.
Cruz spokesperson Macarena Martinez dismissed that, saying his outreach is aimed at keeping Texas Republican and ensuring a GOP victory in November.
“No Republican in the country has devoted more time and spent more money to elect Republican senators and House members than Sen. Cruz,” she said.
She said any criticism of Cruz’s appeal “conveniently ignores the well-known fact that this standard split is routinely used by both Democrats and Republicans when a campaign pays the cost of a digital solicitation.”
The Cornyn, Paxton and Hunt campaigns declined to comment on Cruz’s fundraising approach.”
(DMN [ [link removed] ])
“Heated GOP Primary for Southeast Texas House District Draws Scrutiny Over Public School Education Foundation Spending” The Texan’s [ [link removed] ] Holly Hansen – A heated Republican battle is emerging in southeast Texas, where state Rep. Terri Leo Wilson (R-Galveston) faces a primary challenge from a Chambers County developer in a race shaped by conflicting characterizations of Leo Wilson’s voting record — and renewed scrutiny of a tiny school district’s relationship with a lucrative non-profit public-school foundation.
Former Mont Belvieu City Manager Nathan Watkins, vice president at Americus Holdings Real Estate Development and a director of the Barbers Hill Independent School District’s (BHISD) education foundation, announced last year that he would run against Leo Wilson for Texas House District 23, which includes Chambers County and part of Galveston County.
(THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ])
TEXANS IN DC
“Rep. Julie Johnson traded stocks from company that helps Trump’s deportation efforts despite anti-ICE comments” Texas Tribune’s [ [link removed] ] Olivia Borgula – Julie Johnson, a Farmers Branch Democrat who was elected in 2024 to represent Texas’ 32rd Congressional District, bought and sold stocks from Palantir Technologies, a contractor with the federal government that has been key to the Trump administration’s efforts to track and deport undocumented immigrants.
Johnson bought Palantir stock days before President Donald Trump took office for his second term on Jan. 15, 2025, and again on Feb. 12, 2025, according to congressional financial disclosure reports. She sold her shares a few months later in April and June of 2025, the reports show, and for each sale she reported earning between $1,001 and $15,000. In a statement to the Texas Tribune, Johnson said the stocks were managed through independent third parties and that she started divesting her holdings in March, and that all Palantir holdings were sold by June.
(TX TRIB [ [link removed] ])
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> HOU CHRON: “Texas SBOE appears poised to require Bible readings in public schools“ HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: “Could the Bible become required reading in Texas public schools? What to know“ FWST [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: “Gov. Greg Abbott: It’s OK for Texans to bring guns to protests“ DMN [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: “Texas leaders weigh in after federal officers fatally shoot two in Minneapolis“ HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: “ICE agreements with Texas police climb as new state law takes effect“ KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: “Abbott declares a statewide disaster to block screwworm fly threat from reaching Texas“ KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> SAEN: “‘(Expletive) you, Ted’: In leaked audio, Cruz says he took Trump to task on tariffs“ SAEN [ [link removed] ]
> EP TIMES: “Who is running for Texas governor in the 2026 election? See the list“ EP TIMES [ [link removed] ]
> EP TIMES: “Tear gas used to disperse protesters at Dilley detention facility“ EP TIMES [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: “ICYMI: Top Lines From Saturday’s Debate Between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico“ THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: “Dallas ISD Steering Committee Recommends $6.2 Billion Bond for May Election“ THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: “Austin Light Rail Proposal Passes Environmental Assessment in Effort for Federal Funding“ THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: “House Republicans propose voting changes as Trump administration eyes the midterms“ KXAN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: “Heated GOP Primary for Southeast Texas House District Draws Scrutiny Over Public School Education Foundation Spending“ THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> THE TEXAN: “The 40: DHS Dissidence, Democratic Senate Debate, CD 18 Goes to Washington“ THE TEXAN [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: “An Arlington father was arrested by ICE. Now his son will be buried without him“ DMN [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: “MacKenzie Gore might make Texas’ pitching staff one of baseball’s best. Is that enough?“ DMN [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: “Ponder High School student dies following sledding accident earlier this week“ DMN [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: “What did MacKenzie Gore say at his first Texas Rangers news conference?“ FWST [ [link removed] ]
> DMN: “Harwood loses control of seventh office tower in namesake district in span of year“ DMN [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: “Spurs gave Amen Thompson space — and shut down Rockets’ offense in 2nd half“ HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: “‘His patients loved him’: Family remembers Texas doctor who died in winter storm“ FWST [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: “Texas AG Ken Paxton investigates Grapevine-Colleyville ISD over Islamic Games“ FWST [ [link removed] ]
> SAEN: “San Antonio entrepreneur agrees to plead guilty to huge real estate fraud, pay back $66M“ SAEN [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “​​Retail Therapy turns resale fashion into fresh starts in Cypress“ COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> SA REPORT: “Alamo Colleges expands free-tuition program to a private university“ SA REPORT [ [link removed] ]
> SA REPORT: “Pazzo Pastaria evolved from easy-to-miss to Italian hot spot“ SA REPORT [ [link removed] ]
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “Kyle’s free outdoor fitness court promotes community wellness“ COMMUNITY IMPACT [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: “Residents, TCU, city are working to revive a once effective neighborhood program“ FWST [ [link removed] ]
> SAEN: “5-year-old’s health deteriorating in ICE facility in Texas, mom says“ SAEN [ [link removed] ]
> HOU CHRON: “Houston plane wreckage in Maine moved to secure site, Bangor airport reopens“ HOU CHRON [ [link removed] ]
> FWST: “He kept saying ‘I’m sorry’: Friend arrested in gunplay death of Fort Worth teen“ FWST [ [link removed] ]
> KXAN: “‘We all believe that we’re close’: Williamson County detective reveals latest on Rachel Cooke’s disappearance“ KXAN [ [link removed] ]
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports scores:
Wed
> NBA: Minnesota 118, Dallas 105
> NBA: San Antonio 111, Houston 99
> NCAAM: #10 Houston 79, TCU 70
> NCAAM: Auburn 88, Texas 82
> NCAAM: Cincinnati 67, Baylor 57
> NCAAM: Rice 83, East Carolina 77
> NCAAM: Tulsa 82, North Texas 66
> NCAAM: UAB 83, UTSA 73
> NCAAM: Texas St. 72, Marshall 68
> NCAAM: Sam Houston 80, Missouri St. 71
> NCAAM: Louisiana Tech 69, UTEP 59
Thurs
> NBA: Charlotte 123, Dallas 121
> NBA: Houston 104, Atlanta 86
> NHL: Dallas 5, Vancouver 4 (SO)
> NCAAM: UT-Arlington 80, Southern Utah 61
> NCAAM: Utah Tech 76, Tarleton St. 55
Fri
> NCAAM: Charlotte 80, Rice 70
Sat
> NBA: Charlotte 111, San Antonio 106
> NBA: Houston 111, Dallas 107
> NHL: Dallas 3, Utah 2
> NCAAM: #10 Houston 76, Cincinnati 54
> NCAAM: UCF 88, #11 Texas Tech 80
> NCAAM: Texas A&M 92, Georgia 77
> NCAAM: Texas 79, Oklahoma 69
> NCAAM: Baylor 63, West Virginia 53
> NCAAM: #20 Louisville 88, SMU 74
> NCAAM: UAH 72, North Texas 68
> NCAAM: Sam Houston 83, Louisiana Tech 67
> NCAAM: UTEP 70, Delaware 55
> NCAAM: Texas St. 81, Old Dominion 64
> NCAAM: Stephen F. Austin 85, SE Louisiana 58
> NCAAM: Cal-Baptist 87, UT-Arlington 77
(OT)

Today’s Texas sports schedule:
> 1pm: NCAAM: TCU at Colorado
> 6pm: NBA: Orlando at San Antonio
Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NBA: Houston at Indiana
> 6:30pm: NCAAM: McNeese at Stephen F. Austin
> 7:30pm: NHL: Winnipeg at Dallas
> 8pm: #14 Kansas at #11 Texas Tech
TEXAS SPORTS HEADLINES / LINKS:
DALLAS COWBOYS: “Is there black ice on the road? What to know as snow melts, refreezes” FWST [ [link removed] ] ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS / HOUSTON ROCKETS: “Amen Thompson’s near triple-double lifts Rockets over Mavericks in thrilling finish” AP [ [link removed] ]
DALLAS STARS: “Stars top Mammoth 3-2 for 4th straight win” AP [ [link removed] ]
TEXAS RANGERS: “MacKenzie Gore might make Texas’ pitching staff one of baseball’s best. Is that enough?” DMN [ [link removed] ]

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