February 8, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Texas families can now apply for the state’s brand-new school choice program, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts.
Applications opened Wednesday and will remain available through March 17 for families looking ahead to the 2026–27 school year.
Seeded with $1 billion by the Legislature last year, the program is designed to serve up to 100,000 students, giving parents access to roughly $10,000 per child for approved education expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, and curriculum.
Priority goes first to lower-income families and students with disabilities, but all Texas K–12 students are eligible to apply under the universal program.
Parents can use the funds only at approved education providers that meet state standards and participate in the program.
On the first day, over 42,000 applications were received by the Comptroller's office.
Featured
Texas has its first Inspector General for Educator Misconduct, and he is laser-focused on fixing the problem.
Attorney Levi Fuller was appointed to the newly created position within the Texas Education Agency on Wednesday, the TEA announced.
Fuller takes on a new enforcement role aimed at better responding to a flood of educator misconduct allegations reported in recent years.
“I can tell you that one of the big things, and the reason why this this job was created, was because of the sexual assault allegations in classrooms,” Fuller told Texas Scorecard during an interview Wednesday.
Real Texans
In this week’s edition of Real Texans, I sit down with Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss radical Islam in the Lone Star State and H-1B visa abuse. The governor also explains his push for a statewide prosecutor.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Two Casino-Backed PACs Continue Spending Spree
The Texas Sands PAC and the Texas Defense PAC are on track to spend millions of dollars ahead of the Primary Election.
Texas Sues CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood to Halt Operations in the State
The two groups were deemed foreign terrorist organizations by the governor in November.
Texas’ Handgun Trespass Signs Challenged in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
A church and coffee shop are claiming the sign requirements violate their First Amendment rights.
Local
GOP Candidate in Washington County Promoted Drag Performer
Brad Tegeler uses female pronouns to describe a male crossdresser he has supported.
Wylie ISD Employee ‘On Leave’ Over Hijab Day Handouts
Superintendent Spicer said the district does not allow distribution of any religious materials to students, although the Muslim Student Association hosted a hijab table last year.
Judge Speedlin-Gonzalez Suspended for Unlawful Detention of Attorney
The Democrat judge has a long history of controversy and discipline.
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