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[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
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**WEDNESDAY** || 2/19/25
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**Good Wednesday morning.**
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_“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)_
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* **TOP NEWS**
“**West Texas measles outbreak climbs to 58, with four saying they were vaccinated,**” Texas Tribune's** Ayden Runnels **— “An outbreak of measles in West Texas has grown to 58 cases, including four patients who said they were vaccinated against the disease.
Ten more cases were added to the Department of State Health Services' count Tuesday, including for the first time the four who self-reported they were vaccinated against the disease, according to the agency’s [latest update]([link removed]). A spokesperson with DSHS said health investigators are in the process of confirming whether the four were, in fact, vaccinated against measles and how many doses they may have received.
DSHS [initially warned]([link removed]) of two cases of measles in underage children in Gaines County in late January. The disease has since spread to four other counties and 58 people — most of whom are children — but 45 of the cases are still in Gaines County. Lubbock County, which reported a single case, is the largest county in which a case was reported.
Thirteen patients have been hospitalized, according to DSHS, and spokesperson **Lara Anton** said officials are still unsure what the initial source of exposure was. The outbreak is Texas’ largest in more than 30 years, and comes at a time where vaccination rates among children [have dropped]([link removed]). Almost 97% of Texas kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles in 2019, compared to 94.3% in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Despite the increase in infections among those potentially vaccinated, a DSHS spokesperson said virologists do not currently see “any evidence” the measles virus present in the patients has mutated into a vaccine-resistant variant.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, commonly referred to as the MMR vaccine, is about 93% effective with one dose and 97% effective with two doses, according to the CDC. The first dose is usually administered to infants aged 12 to 15 months, while the second dose is given to kids between 4 and 6. Follow-up doses are not required if patients received them in their youth, and older eligible patients can be immunized at any period.
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Measles’ symptoms include high fever, watery eyes, runny nose and rashes, which can be minor or full-body. Symptoms can become serious and even fatal, especially among children and those who are unvaccinated. One in five unvaccinated people who are infected are hospitalized, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Part of what makes measles so infectious is the virus’ ability to stay active long after a patient has left, as the virus can stay active for up to two hours in the air and on surfaces, according to the World Health Organization.
Anton said the outbreak has especially affected the large Mennonite community in Gaines County. While the Mennonite Church does not forbid or disavow vaccinations, Anton said their communities tend to be undervaccinated, which drastically increases the likelihood of infection. Measles has a 90% infection rate among unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus, according to WHO.
Alongside the decrease in vaccination numbers, Texas lawmakers have introduced [over 20 bills]([link removed]) into the Legislature aimed at loosening vaccine requirements across the state with the support of vaccine-hesitant or anti-vaccine groups." [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
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* **STATE GOVERNMENT**
“**At least 54 died since 2018 waiting for state hospital opening, senator calls for more tracking**” [KXAN]([link removed])
“**TEA replaces South San ISD superintendent, trustees**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
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* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT**
“**EXCLUSIVE: Travis County prosecutors missed indictment deadlines, murder suspects released**” [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
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* **#TXLEGE**
“**Texas House Speaker Burrows gives Abbott boost on school voucher plans**” [Houston Chronicle]([link removed])
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* **BUSINESS NEWS**
“**Exclusive: Houston Texans may push for new football stadium**” [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
“**Austin drone boat startup Saronic raises $600M at $4B valuation**” [ABJ]([link removed]) ($)
“**Ellliott Management raises stake in Phillips 66 to $2.5B**” [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
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* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> TX TRIB: "**Texas official wants low-cost broadband requirements tied to federal dollars dropped**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> AP: "**KFC is leaving its ancestral home as parent company moves its corporate office to Texas**" _[AP]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Kentucky Fried Chicken headquarters to relocate to Plano**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> TX MONTHLY: "**Texas Monthly Is a Finalist for Two 2025 National Magazine Awards**" _[TX MONTHLY]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Luxury townhome rentals coming to Tomball to add to build-to-rent boom**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Frisco ISD state stipend program expands to over 700 teachers**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Lewisville City Council passes new regulations on warehouse development**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Greg Abbott urges caution but says power grid is ready for cold**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**6-year-old girl killed in Far North Dallas hit-and-run, driver sought**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Police: Hate speech materials thrown throughout Prosper subdivisions**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**Sold! New owners, new life for Parker County’s landmark 1950s-style burger drive-in**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**This Texas school district invested in a pre-K center that’s specifically designed for younger students**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Arctic front expected to bring bitter cold, wintry mix to Dallas-Fort Worth**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**'Not my Presidents Day' protesters gather at San Antonio City Hall**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**$2.5M community center planned for Atascocita Park in Humble**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Several injured in crash on SH 71 in southeastern Travis County**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Mattie Parker seeking 3rd term as Fort Worth Mayor**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> Community Impact Newspaper: "**See January real estate numbers for Keller, Roanoke, Northeast Fort Worth**" _[Community Impact Newspaper]([link removed])_
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* **EXTRA POINTS**
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NCAAM: #21 Mississippi State 70, #7 **Texas A&M** 54
> NCAAM: **TCU** 69, #9 **Texas Tech **66
> NCAAM: #5 **Houston **80, Arizona State 65
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NCAAM: **SMU **at Notre Dame (ACC Network)
> 7pm: NCAAM: Tulsa at **North Texas** (ESPN+)
> 7pm: NCAAM: UAB at **Rice** (ESPN+)
> 7pm: NCAAM: South Florida at **UTSA **(ESPN+)
> 7:30pm: NCAAM: LA-Monroe at **Texas State** (ESPN+)
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Matt Eberflus wants Cowboys defense focused on attacking in 2025" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Houston Astros: Isaac Paredes comfortable following Alex Bregman" [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
**HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL**: "UH basketball: Cougars beat Arizona State, set Big 12 road wins record" [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL**: "Texas A&M men endure miserable second half in loss at Mississippi State" [Bryan Eagle]([link removed] upsets No. 9 Texas Tech, but was loss what Red Raiders needed?) ($)
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