AGP Executive Report

Border & National Parks: Big Bend residents are protesting new CBP construction work inside the park, with Sen. John Cornyn pressing DHS to meet Texas stakeholders after footage showed bulldozers near Santa Elena Canyon. Tech & Power: Gov. Greg Abbott says major AI data centers must pass ERCOT and PUCT audits on electricity, water, and pollution impacts—or won’t be approved—while Democrats argue it needs enforceable law. AI Backlash: A broader national fight over AI’s electricity and water demands keeps spilling into Texas communities as projects face mounting scrutiny. Politics & Elections: Democrats set the 2028 presidential primary calendar, starting with South Carolina in January, while a new report highlights how tight the Senate race is less than 85 days from midterms. Local Schools & Money: Tyler ISD earned a perfect 100 on TEA’s School FIRST preliminary financial rating for the 23rd straight year. Health & Research: UT Austin researchers say they’ve turned everyday biomass into materials that can harvest water from air. Wildlife: Texas wildlife officials opened a poaching probe after alligators were shot at a Fort Worth refuge, including a tagged young gator and a nesting female found injured.

Democratic Primary Shakeup: The DNC approved a 2028 presidential primary calendar in Austin that puts South Carolina first (Jan. 22), followed by Nevada (Feb. 1) and New Hampshire pushed out of the top two, with early states also including New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia—setting up a fight over who gets early influence. ICE Fight Inside the Party: At the same meeting, Democrats passed dueling resolutions—one to abolish ICE and one to reform it—highlighting deep splits over how to respond to Trump-era enforcement. Texas Surrogacy Case: A Texas-born baby with a heart defect is now in the custody of the intended parents after a surrogate fled to Texas and refused an abortion, with the dispute tied to Texas AG Ken Paxton. Oil, Prices, and Hormuz: Iran and the U.S. traded hardline statements as Strait of Hormuz shipping stayed disrupted, while U.S. officials warned Americans to brace for higher gas prices. AI + Texas Data Centers: Rural Texans are pushing back on AI data center projects over drought, grid strain and land concerns, as regulators and companies move to comply with Texas data center standards. Beef Supply Crunch: Tyson is closing or selling multiple beef facilities as cattle shortages keep squeezing supply and margins.

Airport Religious-Facility Clash: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a review of state grants for DFW and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental after DFW scrapped Islamic ablution “wudu” washing stations, calling the setup illegal religious favoritism and pushing for possible federal investigation. Oil & Iran Pressure: With tanker attacks and stalled ceasefire talks, oil prices jumped—Brent and WTI both rose more than $1—while U.S. officials signaled tougher economic pressure on Iran as gas prices stay high. Medical Isotope Milestone: Oklo says its Groves Isotope Test Reactor near Austin reached first criticality, aiming to help the U.S. produce technetium-99m for scans and reduce reliance on aging foreign reactors. Surrogacy Court Fight: A Dallas newborn with a severe heart defect remains at the center of a high-stakes Texas surrogacy dispute involving a California couple, an Alaska surrogate, and AG Ken Paxton’s intervention. Housing Affordability Stress: New Rice University/Kinder Institute research finds insurance costs are worsening affordability, with nearly two-thirds of Texas households unable to afford the median home once premiums are included. Education Watch: Houston ISD teacher Darius Williams went viral after saying some seniors “cannot read,” while voucher data shows more than 20,000 students returned Texas school voucher funding. Local Growth: Bryan-College Station’s retail boom continues with new openings highlighted by Texas A&M’s Real Estate Research Center.

Data Center Audit: Gov. Greg Abbott’s order will force ERCOT and the PUCT to audit about 250–300 data center projects—mostly data centers—before any can connect to Texas’ grid, with the future demand slated for review far exceeding last month’s ERCOT peak. Election Integrity Win: The 5th Circuit reversed a lower court and upheld key parts of Texas’ mail-voting rules under SB 1, including ID/SSN matching and ballot-correction steps. Education Accountability: TEA released 2025–26 A-F ratings: Wheatley High School celebrated its first “A” after a teacher’s viral claim that students couldn’t read or write sparked backlash, while other districts across the state posted mixed but generally improving results. Immigration Pressure at Retail: In Houston, immigrant-rights advocates accused Home Depot of cooperating with ICE after a detention near a different store location. First Responder Fundraiser: The Dickey Foundation announced its 5th Annual Denim & Diamonds gala in Dallas on Oct. 22 to support first responder safety and wellness. Agriculture Update: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension updated guidance for pasture mealybug, highlighting EPA-approved emergency use of Centric 40WG. Marine Life: Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network responded to two coastal strandings, including a rare melon-headed whale near Galveston that was euthanized after assessment.

Energy & Markets: Oil prices jumped after the U.S. warned it could keep an Iran naval blockade going indefinitely, raising fresh worries about Strait of Hormuz supply disruptions. Beef Supply Chain: Tyson Foods says it’s restructuring its beef business around three central U.S. hubs—Dakota City, Holcomb, and Amarillo—while ending Joslin, Illinois operations and putting a Washington plant up for sale as cattle shortages squeeze the industry. Local Governance & Courts: A judge denied a bid to undo the April appointment of Daniel Wong as interim Fort Bend County judge, keeping him in place through the November election. Politics & Campaigns: Texas Senate polling remains tight as Ken Paxton and James Talarico trade leads, with age and voter priorities driving the split. Border & Environment: Bulldozers began clearing desert land inside Big Bend National Park for border barrier work, drawing criticism from landowners and outdoor groups. Tech & Industry: Apple opened a Houston Advanced Manufacturing Center to train small and medium businesses, while Verizon expanded cellular connectivity for Midland-Odessa buses. Data Centers: Gov. Abbott’s data-center grid audit is getting public support from major tech firms, even as the state pauses new connections pending the review. Health & Law: A surrogacy dispute over a baby with a severe heart defect ended with the birth in Dallas after court orders for life-saving care.

Surrogacy & Medical Rights: A baby born in Dallas in a high-profile surrogacy dispute is receiving treatment for a severe congenital heart defect as courts keep sorting competing claims, with Texas AG Ken Paxton stepping in and the legal fight intensifying. Flood Recovery: In Boerne, a Hill Country nonprofit is distributing direct cash to families still recovering from July floods, with 39 households helped so far using $94,000 from a regional emergency fund. Texas Business Growth: El Paso’s Mission Trail small businesses are getting SBA-backed marketing and technical help through hands-on workshops led by local partners. Opioid Safety: Texas families are speaking out after a son’s death tied to “enhanced kratom” products as federal regulators move to classify 7‑OH and related compounds as Schedule I opioids. Data Centers & Power: Hut 8 says it will follow Texas Gov. Abbott’s directive on grid and local impacts as AI data center development continues. Workforce Training: The Texas Workforce Commission awarded a $85,924 grant to expand job training in the Rio Grande Valley, including welding, culinary, and dental assistant programs. Food & Agriculture: Tyson is reshaping its beef network, anchoring operations around Amarillo, Texas, as it responds to ongoing cattle supply constraints. Environment: A federal wetlands rule review could affect duck populations and guides along the Texas Gulf Coast, including the Laguna Madre.

Texas Data Centers: Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive has prompted companies to publicly align with ERCOT/PUCT expectations; Houston-based Hut 8 says it will keep building “responsibly,” citing grid reliability and local water protections as it expands Texas capacity. Politics & Faith: In the Texas U.S. Senate race, Ken Paxton and James Talarico are selling sharply different versions of Christianity to voters, turning religion into a direct campaign contrast. Immigration Pressure in San Antonio: Undocumented residents describe living with constant fear of ICE after Trump-era deportation threats, reshaping everyday routines. Courts & Surrogacy: A surrogate dispute tied to a California couple’s request to end a pregnancy is back in the spotlight after a baby was born in Texas, with Texas intervening in the medical-care fight. Workforce & Visas: H-1B filings are surging in Texas suburban districts, fueling a new debate over whether public entities should use the program. Energy Watch: EIA projects record U.S. natural gas output in 2026, with growth concentrated in the Permian and Haynesville. Local Business: Texas Roadhouse confirms an Amarillo expansion that adds dining space and shifts its to-go setup.

Data Centers Freeze: Texas Gov. Abbott ordered a pause on new data center grid connections and launched an audit after ERCOT’s queue topped 1,800 projects and 474GW, raising concerns about power reliability and water use. Surrogacy Fight: A baby at the center of a Texas AG Ken Paxton surrogacy dispute was born in Dallas, with lawyers saying the child has a congenital heart issue and accusing Paxton and the surrogate of turning the case into “political theater.” Public Safety/Local Gov: Refugio Mayor Wanda Dukes and city secretary Callie Shreckengost were arrested on felony financial charges tied to alleged misapplication of fiduciary property. Energy/Markets: The third Gulf offshore oil lease auction in eight months pulled in $82.7M in high bids, showing continued interest off the south Texas coast. Business & Jobs: Fort Worth approved incentives for Mach Industries, a defense tech firm that could bring 1,000 jobs to the Alliance area. Health Care: A Fifth Circuit ruling backed providers in a No Surprises Act fight over how insurers calculate qualifying payment amounts. Consumer/Crime: Popeyes customers sued over an alleged “condom-like” object found in chicken, while the company says it was likely a glove.

Texas THC Crackdown: Texas banned several hemp-derived THC products (delta-8/delta-10 and more), but delta-9 THC remains legal, following a May Texas Supreme Court decision that reclassified most hemp-derived THC as schedule I. Texas Data Center Politics: Gov. Greg Abbott’s audit pause on new data center grid hookups is reshaping financing and local opposition, with industry and power players pushing back while regulators sort through massive new demand. Oil & Middle East Risk: Oil prices climbed as U.S.-Iran deal hopes faded and attacks near key shipping lanes raised supply disruption fears; the IEA warned global oil stockpiles are rapidly depleting. Houston/Business & Health: The Texas Tribune is expanding coverage with a new education reporter focused on Houston ISD and more Houston-region reporting; meanwhile, hospitals are increasingly seeking upfront payments as costs rise. Inc. 5000 Texas Wins: Teal and Plutus Health both landed on the Inc. 5000 list again, underscoring continued growth in Texas-based services.

Data Center Power Grab: A new report says AI data centers are increasingly using massive “behind-the-meter” gas power plants, with Texas projects like an Amazon-linked 7.5 GW facility adding to the state’s pollution footprint. Courtroom Update: A federal appeals court struck down a Biden-era rule on efficiency standards for gas and electric stoves and ovens, siding with Texas and other states. THC Fight: A federal judge refused to pause Texas’ ban on most hemp-derived THC products while a lawsuit moves forward. Border Wall Pressure: Sen. John Cornyn urged DHS to meet with Big Bend locals before more physical barrier construction proceeds. Local Government/DMV: Houston County commissioners are weighing privatizing the DMV/License Center as staffing gaps strain the current setup. Rural Health Tech: Rural Texas clinics are leaning on telehealth as broadband funding and access lag. Community Back-to-School: Waco ISD students got free haircuts through a PTA partnership with a local barbershop. Business & Jobs Watch: Hut 8 says it will follow Texas directives on responsible data center development. Scam Tracker: Texas remains near the top for scam reports in BBB Scam Tracker’s July rankings.

Data Centers & Power Grid: Texas is tightening the screws on AI data-center growth, with new scrutiny over hookups and community concerns about water, power bills, and secrecy—while Meta signals it will comply with Abbott’s data-center standards. Big Tech Finance: Nvidia is defending a $500B AI infrastructure financing plan after investors worried about “circular” deals that could inflate the AI boom. Local Economy & Growth: Texas’ economy keeps outpacing the nation, and “Y’all Street” coverage highlights how finance is shifting toward Texas. Border Small Business Impact: A Trump-era crackdown on money transfers near the U.S.-Mexico border is hitting mom-and-pop businesses in places like El Paso, where cash services are a lifeline. Health & Veterans: A Dallas VA clinical trial is testing semaglutide to reduce alcohol cravings among veterans, aiming to help East Texas’ large veteran population. Community & Housing: A new East Texas veterans housing project is helping former service members “start over,” while Texas Counseling Center expands mental health services statewide.

Robotaxi Shake-Up: Waymo is set to end its Uber partnership in Atlanta and Austin by 2028, after the two already split in Phoenix—while Uber ramps up robotaxi plans using Lucid and Rivian vehicles. Courts & Accountability: A Harris County jury awarded West Houston residents $61.5M in the Watson Grinding explosion case, finding 3M 30% responsible. Cybersecurity: Ransomware hit fewer U.S. K-12 schools in early 2026, but higher education saw attacks rise. Aerospace Deal: Archer will acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid (Austin), and Insitu, combining autonomy and eVTOL know-how. Food Security: Texas could owe up to $709M a year over SNAP payment errors, with food banks warning the impact could be “catastrophic.” Housing Costs: A new study links Texas home affordability stress to a 74% jump in homeowners insurance since 2009. Big Pharma Jobs: Bristol Myers Squibb picked Houston for a $2.3B manufacturing campus, targeting ~500 jobs. Sports Business: The Dallas Stars hired HNTB to design a new Plano arena. Back-to-School Support: Houston’s Johnny Dang & Paul Wall block party handed out thousands of backpacks and supplies.

Data Centers & Power: Texas is pausing new data center grid connections and tightening oversight as drought and brownout fears grow, while banks increasingly weigh community pushback when financing projects. Tech & Finance Migration: Wall Street talent keeps flowing to Texas—Dallas is pitching itself as a new financial hub with a Texas stock exchange and major bank expansions. Texas Senate Race: New polling and campaign messaging keep spotlighting affordability and culture-war issues, with Democrat James Talarico pressing an “AI dividend” and GOP Ken Paxton facing scrutiny. Education Equity: Black-majority schools in Texas are getting more Fs than A ratings, leaving families to make hard enrollment choices ahead of new accountability releases. Public Safety: Texas DPS is issuing back-to-school driving warnings for school zones and bus stops. AgTech & Local Business: Ranchbot raised $15M+ in a Series B and set up a Delaware holding company, while Santa Cruz Properties launched a bilingual site aimed at buyers shut out by traditional credit scores. Hurricane Prep: A Valley lawn care company urges homeowners to storm-proof yards now.

Energy & Tech Policy: Texas has paused approvals for data centers seeking ERCOT grid connections until regulators audit each project, with developers required to disclose expected power and water use, subsidies, ownership, and community impact; the move targets a queue of 1,800+ large-load projects where data centers make up about 90% of the 474 gigawatts proposed. Local Development: Rowan Digital Infrastructure is pushing ahead with a “final” sixth data center in Temple, even as residents protest the expanding footprint. Business & Jobs: Hutto approved incentives for “Project Blue Hub,” a potential Blue Origin-linked manufacturing plant that could bring up to 2,000 jobs. Sports & Community: A proposed 146,000-square-foot warehouse in Hall County is headed for a vote. Health & Services: University Health says it’s on track to open new community hospitals in 2027 (Retama in February, Palo Alto in April) and expand services like a milk bank and dialysis center. Politics: RNC chair Joe Gruters attacks claims of Republican crossover support for Senate nominee James Talarico as “a pipe dream,” while Ken Paxton urges national fundraising as polls show Talarico leading.

Texas Senate race: Ken Paxton and James Talarico are both rolling out economic plans as polls keep the U.S. Senate contest tight, with Paxton pitching big federal tax deductions (medical, first-time homebuyers, “healthy lifestyle”) while Talarico leans on affordability themes. Immigration and faith politics: A resurfaced interview has Talarico saying his church stirred controversy by housing an undocumented family facing ICE deportation—an issue likely to keep dogging the campaign. Data centers showdown: President Trump weighed in on Texas’ data-center fight, calling the state’s pause a “mistake” and arguing the industry could eclipse oil, while Gov. Abbott’s grid audit and community pushback continue to shape where projects can plug in. Big Bend border barriers: Bulldozers have started clearing land in Big Bend National Park for border barrier-related roads and surveillance work, drawing outrage from conservation groups. Weather impacts: Houston drivers faced sudden flooding on North Freeway after a low-probability rain forecast turned into dangerous conditions. Local public safety: A missing man in Sabine County was found inside a cabin he broke into and was arrested on drug and other charges. Energy policy: Texas’ Railroad Commission highlighted geothermal permitting momentum, issuing additional deep geopressured geothermal well permits for energy storage.

Texas Data Centers Clash: President Trump called Gov. Greg Abbott’s pause on new data center grid hookups a “mistake,” arguing the industry could become “bigger than oil” for local economies. State Budget/Quorum Crunch: Fort Bend County warned that a continued boycott by two commissioners could break the legal quorum needed to set the tax rate—risking pay raises and major projects. AG Confirmation Fallout: Todd Blanche was confirmed as U.S. attorney general in a 50-49 vote, while Epstein survivors renewed claims DOJ still isn’t doing enough. Paxton Campaign Disruption: Ken Paxton faced hecklers at a San Antonio stop, with security escorting people out after accusations and other chants. Energy/Jobs & Labor: Ashland Specialty Chemicals workers in Texas City ratified a new contract, ending a 42-day strike. Houston Texans Update: David Montgomery says he’s in “the best shape of my life,” as the team looks to fix its running game. Culture & History: Houston’s Heritage Society opened an exhibit on Spanish Texas’ role in the American Revolution. Local Fire: A massive early-morning fire gutted a Devers fuel and food stop between Beaumont and Houston.