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MRT 1/19-21/26 (free): State Braces for Weekend Winter Storm // ERCOT: We’re Ready // Autopsy: Cuban Immigrant in ICE Custody in TX Died from Asphyxia // Abbott Endorses Sheets over Miller
| From | Must Read Texas <[email protected]> |
| Subject | MRT 1/19-21/26 (free): State Braces for Weekend Winter Storm // ERCOT: We’re Ready // Autopsy: Cuban Immigrant in ICE Custody in TX Died from Asphyxia // Abbott Endorses Sheets over Miller |
| Date | January 22, 2026 4:07 AM |
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[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
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**MONDAY** 1/19/2026 - **WEDNESDAY** 1/21/2026
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**Good Wednesday evening.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» You are receiving the PAID subscriber version today so you can see what you are missing. Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]).
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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)_
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* **TOP NEWS **
**“Winter storm watch issued for North Texas warns of dangerous cold and ice”** via [Dallas Morning News]([link removed]) – A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Dallas-Fort Worth, with impacts coming late this week and into the weekend.
The alert warns of hazardous winter weather, including snow, ice and freezing temperatures, in all of North and much of Central Texas. Freezing precipitation is expected to start Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday night.
“Dangerous” cold is also expected to last through Monday morning, with temperatures forecast to drop to the single digits overnight in some parts of the region. Temperatures are not expected to rise above 32 degrees at DFW International Airport from 6 p.m. Friday until Monday afternoon.
**Greg Abbott** also activated the state’s emergency response resources on Tuesday ahead of the winter weather threat. The move includes directing the Texas Department of Transportation to pretreat roads, as well as instructing several other departments to have additional personnel ready to assist with road closures.
(_[DMN]([link removed])_)
———————————————————————————
**ACTION ALERT**: Become a PAID subscriber here for $7/mo or $70/yr — _[mustreadtx.substack. com]([link removed])_.
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**“Cold front could bring ice, snow to Texas. Here’s what to expect”** via [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) – A potentially hazardous winter storm is about three to four days away, so weather forecasts can still change significantly until then. However, here’s what we know so far about timing, temperatures, and types of winter precipitation that are possible across the state of Texas.
The arctic cold front is expected to start pushing through North Texas by early Friday morning, likely reaching Central and West Texas by noon. It will continue south, bringing cold air toward Austin, San Antonio and Houston by early Friday evening.
[BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
Models indicate a bitter cold day Saturday for much of the state. Most areas across the northern half of the state will stay significantly below freezing throughout the afternoon, with highs in the 20s around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For those in South Texas, subfreezing daytime high temps are less likely, but afternoon temps will still struggle to rise out of the 30s.
With the amount of cold air indicated by weather models, as well as a steady stream of Pacific moisture from the west, confidence is increasing that much of the state will see wintry precipitation, some of which could be heavy.
(_[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_)
**“Autopsy finds Cuban immigrant in ICE custody died of homicide due to asphyxia”** via [AP]([link removed]) – A Cuban migrant held in solitary confinement at an immigration detention facility in Texas died after guards held him down and he stopped breathing, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday that ruled the death a homicide.
**Geraldo Lunas Campos** died Jan. 3 following an altercation with guards. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the 55-year-old father of four was attempting suicide and the staff tried to save him.
[BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
But a witness [told The Associated Press]([link removed]) last week that **Lunas Campos** was handcuffed as at least five guards held him down and one put an arm around his neck and squeezed until he was unconscious.
His death was one of at least three reported in little more than a month at Camp East Montana, a sprawling tent facility in the desert on the grounds of Fort Bliss, an Army base.
The autopsy report by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office found Lunas Campos’ body showed signs of a struggle, including abrasions on his chest and knees. He also had hemorrhages on his neck. The deputy medical examiner, Dr. **Adam Gonzalez**. determined the cause of death was asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.
The report said witnesses saw Lunas Campos “become unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement.” It did not elaborate on what happened during the struggle but cited evidence of injuries to his neck, head and torso associated with physical restraint. The report also noted the presence of petechial hemorrhages — tiny blood spots from burst capillaries that can be associated with intense strain or injury — in the eyelids and skin of the neck.
Dr. **Victor Weedn**, a forensic pathologist who reviewed the autopsy report for AP, said the presence of petechiae in the eyes support the conclusion that asphyxia caused the death. Those injuries suggest pressure on the body and are often associated with such deaths, he said.
He said the contusions on Lunas Campos’ body may reflect physical restraint and the neck injuries were consistent with a hand or knee on the neck.
The autopsy also found the presence of prescription antidepressant and antihistamine medications, adding that Lunas Campos had a history of bipolar disorder and anxiety. It made no mention of him attempting suicide.
([AP]([link removed]))
———————————————————————————
* **STATE GOVERNMENT **
**“ERCOT: Texas power grid is ready ahead of incoming winter storm”** via [Texas Public Radio]([link removed]) – Texas grid officials say the state is prepared to meet electricity demand ahead of a powerful winter storm that’s expected to bring days of freezing temperatures and the chance of ice or snow across parts of the state later this week.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the state’s power grid, told The Texas Newsroom on Tuesday that based on expected weather conditions, it “anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet demand” ahead of the storm.
“ERCOT will continue to deploy all available resources to manage the grid reliably and coordinate closely with the Public Utility Commission, generation providers, and transmission utilities,” the council said in a statement.
Subfreezing temperatures are forecast to arrive by Friday as arctic air pushes south into Texas. Forecasters say moisture arriving late Friday night into Saturday could set the stage for hazardous winter weather throughout the state.
(_TPR_)
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* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“Grapevine-Colleyville ISD High School Receives Backlash for Hosting CAIR-Sponsored ‘Islamic Games’”** [The Texan’s]([link removed]) **Meridith Dyer** – Colleyville Heritage High School, part of Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD), is scheduled to host the Dallas Islamic Games on May 9 and 10, 2026.
According to the Islamic Games website, the event is North America’s largest Muslim sports and athletic event and is “dedicated to promoting physical excellence, unity, and community development.”
(_[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_)
**“Bexar County now allows contracts up to $100K to go without court approval”** [San Antonio Report’s]([link removed]) **Andrea Drusch** – Bexar County Commissioners Court is embracing a new policy that gives county department heads authority to make purchases up to $100,000 without coming before the elected leaders for approval. The change was made possible during the last Texas legislative session, and the five-member Commissioners Court largely agreed Tuesday they should make the change — given the amount of frustration they’ve heard surrounding slow-moving contracts.
“Hopefully what we’ll see in return is a more effective and efficient process of executing contracts and the procurement process, which has always been a prior criticism,” Bexar County **Judge Peter Sakai** said of the new policy. ” … We can move very fast as county government. We don’t have to have that, ‘Well, the county takes [forever].’”
Earlier that morning, a voter registration vendor seeking to work with the county came before the court to air grievances about the process.
(_[SA REPORT]([link removed])_)
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* **2026 **
**“Gov. Abbott endorses Nate Sheets over Sid Miller for agriculture commissioner**,” [Texas Tribune’s]([link removed])** Kate McGee** -- In a stunning blow to Texas Agriculture Commissioner **Sid Miller**, Gov. **Greg Abbott **endorsed Miller’s Republican primary challenger for agriculture commissioner, putting his support behind first-time political candidate **Nate Sheets**.
“Texans deserve an Agriculture Commissioner who is focused on promoting Texas Agriculture, with zero tolerance for criminality,” Abbott wrote Wednesday on social media. “Nate Sheets is the true conservative champion for the job and is the leader we need to keep Texas the global powerhouse in agriculture.”
Last year, Miller turned heads when he hired his political consultant **Todd Smith **as the agency’s chief of staff just a few months after [Smith pleaded guilty to commercial bribery]([link removed]) after he was criminally charged for selling hemp licenses that are regulated by Miller’s office. The move sparked outrage among agency employees [who told Texas Rangers]([link removed]) they had warned Miller about Smith.
Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Sheets said: “I’m honored to have Governor Abbott’s support and I look forward to working together to fight for Texas agriculture and for farmers’ and ranchers’ future economic success, restore trust in our food system, and ensure Texas remains strong, healthy, and secure for generations to come.”
Sheets is the founder of Nature Nate’s Honey company. A native Texan business and ranch owner, he served for six years in the U.S. Naval Reserve before graduating from Texas State University. Sheets sold Nature Nate’s in 2021 and resigned as CEO in 2024 to run for agriculture commissioner. He also previously worked as communications director for E3 Partners, an evangelist ministry that establishes new Christian congregations around the world.
In a statement, **Kim Snyder**, Abbott’s campaign manager, said Abbott endorsed Sheets because of Miller’s “history of corruption” and pointed to [his vote in favor of in-state tuition for undocumented students]([link removed]) when Miller served in the Texas House. At the time, the measure had broad bipartisan support, but as the Republican Party has shifted further to the right, it has become a political sticking point among hardline anti-immigrant politicians.
“Nate Sheets is the only candidate in the race who has the integrity to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture,” Snyder added.
([Texas Tribune]([link removed]))
**“Rep. James Talarico takes lead in Democratic Texas Senate primary poll”** via [El Paso Times]([link removed]) – New polling shows state Rep. **James Talarico** leading the Democratic 2026 primary race for a Texas U.S. Senate seat.
A new poll from Emerson College Polling and Nexstar Media shows Talarico, D-Austin, earning support from 47% of possible primary voters compared to 38% for U.S. Rep. **Jasmine Crockett**, D-Dallas, and 15% still undecided.
“Talarico has built momentum among Hispanic (59%) and white (57%) voters, while a majority of Black Democratic primary voters (80%) support Crockett,” **Spencer Kimball**, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted in a news release. “Men also break for Talarico 52% to 30%, while women are about evenly split between the two Democrats, 44% for Talarico and 43% for Crockett.”
A head-to-head matchup between either of the leading Republican primary Senate candidates — incumbent U.S. Sen. **John Cornyn** and Texas Attorney General **Ken Paxton** — shows Talarico and Crockett fairing about the same.
(_[EP TIMES]([link removed])_)
**“Beto O’Rourke won’t endorse in Texas Senate Democratic primary”** via [Dallas Morning News]([link removed]) – **Beto O’Rourke** says he will not make an endorsement in the Democratic primary for Senate, calling U.S. Rep. **Jasmine Crockett** and state Rep. **James Talarico** “generational talents” who have what it takes to win.
“I believe in the Democratic voters of the state of Texas, who are going to have a real close and personal look at these two phenomenal candidates,” armed with appealing messages, fundraising skills and media presence, O’Rourke told Hearst Newspapers.
Crockett and Talarico square off in the March 3 primary.
Instead of picking a side, O’Rourke said he will focus on his Powered By People political action committee. He said that’s aimed especially at young voters and relies on more personal engagement to boost turnout for the eventual nominee.
“We’re going to make sure we have enough net new Democratic voters who aren’t just on the rolls, but are engaged, involved, informed and turn out to vote,” O’Rourke said.
(_[DMN]([link removed])_)
**“A former MLB star is a frontrunner for TX-21. Critics say he’s buying a seat.”** [San Antonio Express-News’s]([link removed]) **Bayliss Wagner** – He’s never held elected office and only once voted in a Republican primary. For most of his adult life, he lived far from Texas, building a standout baseball career.
**Mark “Tex” Teixeira** might not fit the mold of a traditional candidate, but he has quickly emerged as a frontrunner in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, in Congress.
Teixeira is dominating the Republican primary for Texas’ 21st Congressional District in cash on hand, loaning roughly $2 million to his own campaign and raising another $500,000 — far beyond the funds reported so far by his opponents. He also has high-profile endorsements from Gov. **Greg Abbott** and 11 sitting members of Congress, among them House Majority Whip** Steve Scalise** and nine Texans.
Teixeira has sought to portray himself as an analog to President Donald Trump — a political outsider who’s focused on tightening immigration rules, cutting “waste, fraud and abuse” and keeping “biological men out of our girls’ sports.”
“I’ve been on a lot of great teams, and President Trump’s team is one I want to be on to secure the border and crush the cartels,” he said in a TV ad.
(_[SAEN]([link removed])_)
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* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> THE TEXAN: “**Paxton Targets Cornyn in Attorney General Opinion on Constitutionality of DEI Laws**“ _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: “**We haven’t endorsed a Democrat for county judge since 1974. Here’s why. | Opinion**“ _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: “**Texas House District 98 Candidates Spar Over Gambling, Taxpayer Lobbying, Campaign Donors**“ _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “**Council spots, use tax among ballot items in Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Trophy Club**“ _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: “**US Rep. Escobar warns of expanded migrant detention plans near El Paso, Texas**“ _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> MY RGV: “**Rio Grande Valley builders ask for immediate pause on worksite ICE raids**“ _[MY RGV]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “**Q&A: Meet the 4 Democratic candidates for Fort Bend County clerk ahead of the March primary election**“ _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: “**Cold front could bring ice, snow to Texas. Here’s what to expect**“ _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: “**AP college football poll: Texas Tech, A&M stay in top 10; TCU joins final rankings**“ _[DMN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: “**Train kills person on Humble tracks, Union Pacific says**“ _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> FWST: “**Winter storm watch for North Texas: Heavy snow and ice possible this weekend**“ _[FWST]([link removed])_
> DMN: “**Winter storm watch issued for North Texas warns of dangerous cold and ice**“ _[DMN]([link removed])_
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* **EXTRA POINTS**
Recent Texas sports scores:
Mon
> NBA: **Dallas **114, New York 97
> NBA: **San Antonio **123, Utah 110
Tues
> NBA: **Houston **111, San Antonio 106
> NHL: **Dallas 6**, Boston 2
> NCAAM: #12 **Texas Tech **92, Baylor** **73
> NCAAM: **SMU **91, Wake Forest 79
> NCAAM: **TCU** 68, Oklahoma St. 65
Tonight’s Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NBA: **Houston **at Philadelphia
> 6pm: NHL: **Dallas **at Columbus (ESPN+)
> 6pm: NCAAM: **Texas** at Kentucky (SEC Network)
> 6:30pm: NBA: Golden State at **Dallas **(Amazon Prime)
> 8pm: NBA: **San Antonio **at Utah
> 8pm: NCAAM: Mississippi St. at **Texas A&M** (SEC Network)
Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NBA: **Houston **at Detroit (Amazon Prime)
> 7pm: NHL: St. Louis at **Dallas **(ESPN+)
———————————————————————————
* **TEXAS SPORTS HEADLINES / LINKS**:
**HOUSTON TEXANS**: “Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair fined for ‘Stop the genocide’ message on eye-black strip” [Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
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BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
**[Subscribe to the daily email here]([link removed])**
———————————————————————————
**MONDAY** 1/19/2026 - **WEDNESDAY** 1/21/2026
———————————————————————————
**Good Wednesday evening.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» You are receiving the PAID subscriber version today so you can see what you are missing. Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]).
———————————————————————————
**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**
Are you one of the 100,000+ subscribers to [ATX Pulse]([link removed]), a newsletter that delivers EVERYTHING you NEED TO KNOW about Austin?
View image: ([link removed])
Caption:
_Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here:_ [ATXpulsepremium.com]([link removed]).
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr [here]([link removed]).
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS **
**“Winter storm watch issued for North Texas warns of dangerous cold and ice”** via [Dallas Morning News]([link removed]) – A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Dallas-Fort Worth, with impacts coming late this week and into the weekend.
The alert warns of hazardous winter weather, including snow, ice and freezing temperatures, in all of North and much of Central Texas. Freezing precipitation is expected to start Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday night.
“Dangerous” cold is also expected to last through Monday morning, with temperatures forecast to drop to the single digits overnight in some parts of the region. Temperatures are not expected to rise above 32 degrees at DFW International Airport from 6 p.m. Friday until Monday afternoon.
**Greg Abbott** also activated the state’s emergency response resources on Tuesday ahead of the winter weather threat. The move includes directing the Texas Department of Transportation to pretreat roads, as well as instructing several other departments to have additional personnel ready to assist with road closures.
(_[DMN]([link removed])_)
———————————————————————————
**ACTION ALERT**: Become a PAID subscriber here for $7/mo or $70/yr — _[mustreadtx.substack. com]([link removed])_.
———————————————————————————
**“Cold front could bring ice, snow to Texas. Here’s what to expect”** via [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) – A potentially hazardous winter storm is about three to four days away, so weather forecasts can still change significantly until then. However, here’s what we know so far about timing, temperatures, and types of winter precipitation that are possible across the state of Texas.
The arctic cold front is expected to start pushing through North Texas by early Friday morning, likely reaching Central and West Texas by noon. It will continue south, bringing cold air toward Austin, San Antonio and Houston by early Friday evening.
[BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
Models indicate a bitter cold day Saturday for much of the state. Most areas across the northern half of the state will stay significantly below freezing throughout the afternoon, with highs in the 20s around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For those in South Texas, subfreezing daytime high temps are less likely, but afternoon temps will still struggle to rise out of the 30s.
With the amount of cold air indicated by weather models, as well as a steady stream of Pacific moisture from the west, confidence is increasing that much of the state will see wintry precipitation, some of which could be heavy.
(_[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_)
**“Autopsy finds Cuban immigrant in ICE custody died of homicide due to asphyxia”** via [AP]([link removed]) – A Cuban migrant held in solitary confinement at an immigration detention facility in Texas died after guards held him down and he stopped breathing, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday that ruled the death a homicide.
**Geraldo Lunas Campos** died Jan. 3 following an altercation with guards. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the 55-year-old father of four was attempting suicide and the staff tried to save him.
[BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
But a witness [told The Associated Press]([link removed]) last week that **Lunas Campos** was handcuffed as at least five guards held him down and one put an arm around his neck and squeezed until he was unconscious.
His death was one of at least three reported in little more than a month at Camp East Montana, a sprawling tent facility in the desert on the grounds of Fort Bliss, an Army base.
The autopsy report by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office found Lunas Campos’ body showed signs of a struggle, including abrasions on his chest and knees. He also had hemorrhages on his neck. The deputy medical examiner, Dr. **Adam Gonzalez**. determined the cause of death was asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.
The report said witnesses saw Lunas Campos “become unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement.” It did not elaborate on what happened during the struggle but cited evidence of injuries to his neck, head and torso associated with physical restraint. The report also noted the presence of petechial hemorrhages — tiny blood spots from burst capillaries that can be associated with intense strain or injury — in the eyelids and skin of the neck.
Dr. **Victor Weedn**, a forensic pathologist who reviewed the autopsy report for AP, said the presence of petechiae in the eyes support the conclusion that asphyxia caused the death. Those injuries suggest pressure on the body and are often associated with such deaths, he said.
He said the contusions on Lunas Campos’ body may reflect physical restraint and the neck injuries were consistent with a hand or knee on the neck.
The autopsy also found the presence of prescription antidepressant and antihistamine medications, adding that Lunas Campos had a history of bipolar disorder and anxiety. It made no mention of him attempting suicide.
([AP]([link removed]))
———————————————————————————
* **STATE GOVERNMENT **
**“ERCOT: Texas power grid is ready ahead of incoming winter storm”** via [Texas Public Radio]([link removed]) – Texas grid officials say the state is prepared to meet electricity demand ahead of a powerful winter storm that’s expected to bring days of freezing temperatures and the chance of ice or snow across parts of the state later this week.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the state’s power grid, told The Texas Newsroom on Tuesday that based on expected weather conditions, it “anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet demand” ahead of the storm.
“ERCOT will continue to deploy all available resources to manage the grid reliably and coordinate closely with the Public Utility Commission, generation providers, and transmission utilities,” the council said in a statement.
Subfreezing temperatures are forecast to arrive by Friday as arctic air pushes south into Texas. Forecasters say moisture arriving late Friday night into Saturday could set the stage for hazardous winter weather throughout the state.
(_TPR_)
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“Grapevine-Colleyville ISD High School Receives Backlash for Hosting CAIR-Sponsored ‘Islamic Games’”** [The Texan’s]([link removed]) **Meridith Dyer** – Colleyville Heritage High School, part of Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD), is scheduled to host the Dallas Islamic Games on May 9 and 10, 2026.
According to the Islamic Games website, the event is North America’s largest Muslim sports and athletic event and is “dedicated to promoting physical excellence, unity, and community development.”
(_[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_)
**“Bexar County now allows contracts up to $100K to go without court approval”** [San Antonio Report’s]([link removed]) **Andrea Drusch** – Bexar County Commissioners Court is embracing a new policy that gives county department heads authority to make purchases up to $100,000 without coming before the elected leaders for approval. The change was made possible during the last Texas legislative session, and the five-member Commissioners Court largely agreed Tuesday they should make the change — given the amount of frustration they’ve heard surrounding slow-moving contracts.
“Hopefully what we’ll see in return is a more effective and efficient process of executing contracts and the procurement process, which has always been a prior criticism,” Bexar County **Judge Peter Sakai** said of the new policy. ” … We can move very fast as county government. We don’t have to have that, ‘Well, the county takes [forever].’”
Earlier that morning, a voter registration vendor seeking to work with the county came before the court to air grievances about the process.
(_[SA REPORT]([link removed])_)
———————————————————————————
* **2026 **
**“Gov. Abbott endorses Nate Sheets over Sid Miller for agriculture commissioner**,” [Texas Tribune’s]([link removed])** Kate McGee** -- In a stunning blow to Texas Agriculture Commissioner **Sid Miller**, Gov. **Greg Abbott **endorsed Miller’s Republican primary challenger for agriculture commissioner, putting his support behind first-time political candidate **Nate Sheets**.
“Texans deserve an Agriculture Commissioner who is focused on promoting Texas Agriculture, with zero tolerance for criminality,” Abbott wrote Wednesday on social media. “Nate Sheets is the true conservative champion for the job and is the leader we need to keep Texas the global powerhouse in agriculture.”
Last year, Miller turned heads when he hired his political consultant **Todd Smith **as the agency’s chief of staff just a few months after [Smith pleaded guilty to commercial bribery]([link removed]) after he was criminally charged for selling hemp licenses that are regulated by Miller’s office. The move sparked outrage among agency employees [who told Texas Rangers]([link removed]) they had warned Miller about Smith.
Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Sheets said: “I’m honored to have Governor Abbott’s support and I look forward to working together to fight for Texas agriculture and for farmers’ and ranchers’ future economic success, restore trust in our food system, and ensure Texas remains strong, healthy, and secure for generations to come.”
Sheets is the founder of Nature Nate’s Honey company. A native Texan business and ranch owner, he served for six years in the U.S. Naval Reserve before graduating from Texas State University. Sheets sold Nature Nate’s in 2021 and resigned as CEO in 2024 to run for agriculture commissioner. He also previously worked as communications director for E3 Partners, an evangelist ministry that establishes new Christian congregations around the world.
In a statement, **Kim Snyder**, Abbott’s campaign manager, said Abbott endorsed Sheets because of Miller’s “history of corruption” and pointed to [his vote in favor of in-state tuition for undocumented students]([link removed]) when Miller served in the Texas House. At the time, the measure had broad bipartisan support, but as the Republican Party has shifted further to the right, it has become a political sticking point among hardline anti-immigrant politicians.
“Nate Sheets is the only candidate in the race who has the integrity to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture,” Snyder added.
([Texas Tribune]([link removed]))
**“Rep. James Talarico takes lead in Democratic Texas Senate primary poll”** via [El Paso Times]([link removed]) – New polling shows state Rep. **James Talarico** leading the Democratic 2026 primary race for a Texas U.S. Senate seat.
A new poll from Emerson College Polling and Nexstar Media shows Talarico, D-Austin, earning support from 47% of possible primary voters compared to 38% for U.S. Rep. **Jasmine Crockett**, D-Dallas, and 15% still undecided.
“Talarico has built momentum among Hispanic (59%) and white (57%) voters, while a majority of Black Democratic primary voters (80%) support Crockett,” **Spencer Kimball**, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted in a news release. “Men also break for Talarico 52% to 30%, while women are about evenly split between the two Democrats, 44% for Talarico and 43% for Crockett.”
A head-to-head matchup between either of the leading Republican primary Senate candidates — incumbent U.S. Sen. **John Cornyn** and Texas Attorney General **Ken Paxton** — shows Talarico and Crockett fairing about the same.
(_[EP TIMES]([link removed])_)
**“Beto O’Rourke won’t endorse in Texas Senate Democratic primary”** via [Dallas Morning News]([link removed]) – **Beto O’Rourke** says he will not make an endorsement in the Democratic primary for Senate, calling U.S. Rep. **Jasmine Crockett** and state Rep. **James Talarico** “generational talents” who have what it takes to win.
“I believe in the Democratic voters of the state of Texas, who are going to have a real close and personal look at these two phenomenal candidates,” armed with appealing messages, fundraising skills and media presence, O’Rourke told Hearst Newspapers.
Crockett and Talarico square off in the March 3 primary.
Instead of picking a side, O’Rourke said he will focus on his Powered By People political action committee. He said that’s aimed especially at young voters and relies on more personal engagement to boost turnout for the eventual nominee.
“We’re going to make sure we have enough net new Democratic voters who aren’t just on the rolls, but are engaged, involved, informed and turn out to vote,” O’Rourke said.
(_[DMN]([link removed])_)
**“A former MLB star is a frontrunner for TX-21. Critics say he’s buying a seat.”** [San Antonio Express-News’s]([link removed]) **Bayliss Wagner** – He’s never held elected office and only once voted in a Republican primary. For most of his adult life, he lived far from Texas, building a standout baseball career.
**Mark “Tex” Teixeira** might not fit the mold of a traditional candidate, but he has quickly emerged as a frontrunner in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, in Congress.
Teixeira is dominating the Republican primary for Texas’ 21st Congressional District in cash on hand, loaning roughly $2 million to his own campaign and raising another $500,000 — far beyond the funds reported so far by his opponents. He also has high-profile endorsements from Gov. **Greg Abbott** and 11 sitting members of Congress, among them House Majority Whip** Steve Scalise** and nine Texans.
Teixeira has sought to portray himself as an analog to President Donald Trump — a political outsider who’s focused on tightening immigration rules, cutting “waste, fraud and abuse” and keeping “biological men out of our girls’ sports.”
“I’ve been on a lot of great teams, and President Trump’s team is one I want to be on to secure the border and crush the cartels,” he said in a TV ad.
(_[SAEN]([link removed])_)
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* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> THE TEXAN: “**Paxton Targets Cornyn in Attorney General Opinion on Constitutionality of DEI Laws**“ _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: “**We haven’t endorsed a Democrat for county judge since 1974. Here’s why. | Opinion**“ _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: “**Texas House District 98 Candidates Spar Over Gambling, Taxpayer Lobbying, Campaign Donors**“ _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “**Council spots, use tax among ballot items in Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Trophy Club**“ _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: “**US Rep. Escobar warns of expanded migrant detention plans near El Paso, Texas**“ _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> MY RGV: “**Rio Grande Valley builders ask for immediate pause on worksite ICE raids**“ _[MY RGV]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: “**Q&A: Meet the 4 Democratic candidates for Fort Bend County clerk ahead of the March primary election**“ _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: “**Cold front could bring ice, snow to Texas. Here’s what to expect**“ _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: “**AP college football poll: Texas Tech, A&M stay in top 10; TCU joins final rankings**“ _[DMN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: “**Train kills person on Humble tracks, Union Pacific says**“ _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> FWST: “**Winter storm watch for North Texas: Heavy snow and ice possible this weekend**“ _[FWST]([link removed])_
> DMN: “**Winter storm watch issued for North Texas warns of dangerous cold and ice**“ _[DMN]([link removed])_
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* **EXTRA POINTS**
Recent Texas sports scores:
Mon
> NBA: **Dallas **114, New York 97
> NBA: **San Antonio **123, Utah 110
Tues
> NBA: **Houston **111, San Antonio 106
> NHL: **Dallas 6**, Boston 2
> NCAAM: #12 **Texas Tech **92, Baylor** **73
> NCAAM: **SMU **91, Wake Forest 79
> NCAAM: **TCU** 68, Oklahoma St. 65
Tonight’s Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NBA: **Houston **at Philadelphia
> 6pm: NHL: **Dallas **at Columbus (ESPN+)
> 6pm: NCAAM: **Texas** at Kentucky (SEC Network)
> 6:30pm: NBA: Golden State at **Dallas **(Amazon Prime)
> 8pm: NBA: **San Antonio **at Utah
> 8pm: NCAAM: Mississippi St. at **Texas A&M** (SEC Network)
Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NBA: **Houston **at Detroit (Amazon Prime)
> 7pm: NHL: St. Louis at **Dallas **(ESPN+)
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* **TEXAS SPORTS HEADLINES / LINKS**:
**HOUSTON TEXANS**: “Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair fined for ‘Stop the genocide’ message on eye-black strip” [Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
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