November 23, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily halted a district court order that blocked Texas from using its newly enacted congressional map, granting Attorney General Ken Paxton an administrative stay while the state’s appeal proceeds.
In a brief order issued by Justice Samuel Alito, the Court stayed the three-judge panel’s November 18 injunction “pending further order” and directed opponents of the map to file a response by November 24. The stay allows Texas to continue operating under the new map for now, preventing immediate disruption to the 2026 election cycle.
Paxton filed an emergency application with the Court asking it to intervene after a split 2-1 decision from the district court panel. In a statement, Paxton blasted the ruling as an attempt by “radical left-wing activists” to “derail the Republican agenda and steal the U.S. House for Democrats,” adding that Texas had “engaged in partisan redistricting solely to secure more Republican seats in Congress.”
The map, which creates five new GOP-leaning districts, was passed during a special session this summer and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Further action from the Supreme Court is expected after the November 24 response deadline.
Featured
Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on law enforcement officials across North Texas to launch investigations into what he says may be illegal Sharia tribunals operating as rogue courts in Collin and Dallas counties.
In a letter sent to local district attorneys, sheriffs, the Texas attorney general, and the Department of Public Safety, Abbott warned that certain entities may be “masquerading as legal ‘courts’ staffed with ‘judges’ issuing orders” that claim to bind individuals to Islamic law—actions he says could violate multiple state criminal statutes.
Real Texans
In this edition of Real Texans, Michael visits with U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt about his bid to become the next senator from Texas. They talk about his military service, the issues that drive him, and the attacks coming from incumbent John Cornyn.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Judge Goes ‘Scorched-Earth’ in Dissent From Texas Redistricting Decision
The three-judge panel blocked Texas’ 2025 congressional map in a 2-1 decision.
UT-Austin Placed DEI Advocate on Core Curriculum Review Committee
Vice Provost Richard Reddick is a member of the 18-person committee.
Buzbee Announces Lawsuit Against ‘Influential’ Austin Lobby Group
Neither the victim nor the target were named in a social media announcement.
Local
ICE Houston Arrested Over 3,500 Illegal Aliens During Government Shutdown
Some of the individuals arrested by ICE have been accused of heinous crimes.
Uvalde Judge Suspended After Indictment for Official Oppression
Judge Mitchell allegedly had a UPS delivery driver handcuffed for disorderly conduct after he refused to deliver up multiple flights of stairs.
Former Austin ISD Teacher Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography
Jonathan Marks worked for two Austin ISD middle schools over the course of four years.
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