AGP Executive Report

School Funding Fight: Midland ISD sued Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath over the “Robin Hood” recapture system, reviving the long-running debate over whether low-income districts get a fair shot. Data Center Costs: Lawmakers and Bell County officials are rethinking Texas sales-tax breaks for data centers as the number of projects and the price tag for residents keep climbing. Anti-ICE Pressure: Federal prosecutors moved to drop a misdemeanor obstruction charge against union leader David Huerta, while Texas continues to face calls for ICE accountability after deadly shootings. Public Safety & Crime: Houston-area residents got another reminder of risk after a study ranked Houston the second-least safe big city; in Victoria, police arrested a suspect in a July 25 shooting at a business. Health & Food: An FDA panel backed allowing pharmacies to compound four unapproved peptides, but experts warn about online sourcing; Texas A&M expects meat prices to stay high but more stable this summer. Local Development: Waco unveiled details for the $213M Barron’s Branch District near the Brazos River. Sports/Community: A Van Alstyne Marine reservist remains in ICU after a motorcycle crash.

Texas Housing & Suburbs: North Dallas’ Pepper Square redevelopment is moving forward after years of homeowner pushback, showing how new state housing laws are reshaping zoning and triggering local resistance. GOP Fundraising Access: Texas Republicans cut the price of premium access packages for Trump’s Dallas convention, highlighting a fast-changing, state-by-state approach to who gets in. Data Centers Backlash: Regulators and lawmakers keep tightening the screws as communities and candidates argue who pays the cost of AI and data-center growth. Oil & Shipping: Oil prices slid more than 5% as U.S.-Iran strikes paused, easing shipping fears—at least for now. Texas Economy & Food Costs: Grocery prices keep climbing nationwide, with Texans feeling the squeeze as shoppers change habits. Health & Agriculture: Vermont is adding new screwworm rules for shelter pets arriving from Texas, while Texas regulators also keep issuing food-safety warnings. Local Business & Jobs: Texas media and healthcare organizations continue hiring, including new investigative staff at KPRC and a new leadership role at Inneo Lab.

Space & Tech: SpaceX says Starship lifted off from Starbase, Texas for its 13th test, including a first Starship flight to deploy next-gen Starlink V3 satellites, with Super Heavy V3 completing most of the boostback before a hard splashdown in the Gulf. Energy & Finance: Baker Hughes reported second-quarter results and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, while Alkegen started prepackaged Chapter 11 in a Northern District of Texas court filing to cut about $3.1B in debt with $315M DIP financing. Local Food Security: Central Texas Food Bank’s new 64,000-square-foot Waco facility is nearing opening, aiming to reduce trucking from Austin and eventually hold about 1.5 million pounds of food. Public Health: A Texas study found 4 in 5 toddler foods are ultra-processed and about half fail WHO nutrient standards, as FDA considers new labeling and marketing rules. Immigration Enforcement: After Houston ICE killings, families and advocates are pushing for accountability and reforms, with renewed attention on how federal agents operate. Utilities & Costs: Denton is weighing 2026-27 utility hikes, projecting an average bill increase of about $8.30 a month, plus a new online payment fee.

Texas Politics, Midterms: Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is ramping outreach to Black Texans after criticism, including a $25M pledge for targeted ads, organizing, and voter registration. Accountability in Campaigns: Texas AG Ken Paxton’s refusal to answer questions about property holdings and voting residence is again drawing scrutiny as he pushes his Texas Senate bid. Border Economy & Trade: COSTEP is pitching the Rio South Texas binational corridor—bridges, ports, airports, and rail links—to Mexican industry groups, positioning the region as a logistics and investment gateway. ICE Shooting Fallout: Two sons of a man killed by ICE in Houston testified at a congressional hearing, demanding transparency and accountability around the shooting and the lack of body cameras. Courts & Online Safety: A federal appeals court blocked part of Texas’ children’s online safety law, ruling that federal liability protections for platforms limit the state’s monitoring and filtering requirements. Tech & Money: Wise says it will reapply for a U.S. trust bank charter after the OCC rejected its first bid over compliance concerns. Local Impact: Katy-area monitoring shows ongoing land subsidence, with measurable ground lowering since 2007.

Flood Response: Gov. Greg Abbott surveyed Nueces River damage in Cotulla and urged Texans to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” while directing TDEM to seek additional counties for a major disaster declaration. Child Safety Online: A federal appeals court ruled Texas can’t force social media platforms to filter harmful content for minors under Section 230, though it upheld age-verification parts of the law. ICE Accountability: Texas officials said testing found no narcotics in the vehicle of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, after earlier FBI concerns; he was killed in Houston during an ICE operation. Data Center Fight: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller renewed calls for a special legislative session over unchecked data center growth, warning of threats to water, rural communities, and the electric grid. Local Governance & Privacy: Conroe City Council indefinitely tabled two Flock camera proposals, including a citizens advisory committee and a vote on whether residents can weigh in. Economy & Cost of Living: Waco police handed out 1,500 free backpacks at a back-to-school bash as families face record spending pressure. Energy & Jobs: Panamint Capital broke ground on the $1.7B Big Rooter Power solar project between Houston and Dallas, targeting major construction jobs and phased operations.

Data Center Fight: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller renewed pressure on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session over “unchecked expansion” of massive data centers, arguing they threaten rural communities, farmland, and the electric grid—while Abbott points to a withdrawn East Texas project as proof his approach works. Grocery Shock: A new look at U.S. inflation calls it “rockets and feathers”: food prices have eased from peaks, but grocery bills still won’t fall, leaving Texans and everyone else stuck with higher costs. Oil Markets: Brent slipped back under $100 and WTI fell after Middle East strike jitters eased, helping stabilize stocks. SpaceX in Texas: SpaceX completed Starship’s 13th test flight from Starbase, deploying upgraded Starlink V3 satellites and testing in-space maneuvers before a splashdown. School Finance Court Battle: Midland ISD sued the Texas Education Agency over the “Robin Hood” school funding system, saying recent changes give the state too much control over local taxes and spending. Hill Country Relief: LiftFund launched a flood relief grant program for small businesses and nonprofits still recovering from July flooding. Local Sports: The Mariners were rocked by the surprise firing of hitting coach Bobby Magallanes ahead of a key series at Globe Life Field.

Data Center Rules Tighten: Texas regulators rolled out new requirements for data centers, including cost responsibility for transmission upgrades, grid-stress screening, and faster power cutbacks when ERCOT orders them—prompting Democrats to push for a moratorium while Abbott says the rules protect ratepayers. Flood Response: Gov. Abbott surveyed Nueces River damage in Cotulla and urged Texans to keep watching forecasts as waters rise, after at least three fatalities and hundreds of rescues were reported. Crypto Fallout in West Texas: Bitcoin miner Poolin filed for Chapter 11, setting up a $52M bid process tied to Pyote and Tarbush sites, with $163.7M in unsecured IOUs owed to about 11,700 users. Court Limits on Online Safety Law: A divided federal appeals court blocked Texas from enforcing part of the SCOPE Act that required social platforms to monitor and filter self-harm and related content. Immigration Accountability Push: Two sons of a man killed by ICE officers in Houston testified at a congressional hearing, demanding a transparent investigation. Public Safety: Texas authorities arrested three Romanian men in a card-skimming scheme targeting EBT and credit card data across West/Central Texas. Local Notes: SFA Gardens set its Fabulous Fall Plant Sale for Oct. 10; South Plains College will hold August registration rallies; and two people were arrested after a Honey Grove narcotics search.

Texas School Funding Fight: Midland ISD voted to sue TEA/Commissioner Mike Morath over the state’s “Robin Hood” recapture system, renewing the long-running fight over whether low-income districts get a fair shot despite repeated court rulings. Higher Ed Funding: The Texas higher education board trimmed community college incentive money after colleges beat graduation targets faster than lawmakers budgeted, meaning smaller bonuses for low-income students and adult learners. Storm & Flood Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha churned toward the Texas coast and brought hazardous conditions, with residents urged to prepare as it moved through the region. Energy & Markets: Brent crude pushed above $100 as Middle East shipping risks and new U.S. tariffs stoked stagflation fears—an inflation pressure point for Texas households and businesses. Houston Business Snapshot: A new Houston Business Journal roundup put the region’s top healthcare systems at 62 hospitals and 17,000+ beds, and its top residential property managers at 160,000+ units. Cross-Border Growth: A San Luis Potosí delegation toured Rio South Texas to explore expanding automotive supply chains and operations. Crypto/Finance: Poolin, once a major bitcoin mining pool, filed Chapter 11 to sell Texas mining sites and wind down. Local Housing Plan: Marshall’s historic high school redevelopment is moving forward toward a 245-unit housing complex, with preliminary plans under city review.

Wall Street & Energy: Stocks slid as Tesla and Alphabet’s AI spending worries hit sentiment, while oil jumped after Red Sea attacks and fresh Iran threats pushed Brent above $100. Texas Power & AI Data Centers: ERCOT urged Texans to cut electricity use during peak demand, and Louisiana’s Entergy joined a “ratepayer protection” pledge aimed at keeping AI data-center costs off utility bills. East Texas Data Center Backlash: Gov. Abbott said Diode withdrew an East Texas data-center plan after it failed state standards for protecting communities, water, and the power grid. Schools & Funding: Declining enrollment is forcing Texas districts to close schools and cut staff, with advocates pointing to Education Savings Accounts as one possible driver. Local Business & Community: Victoria College and the Gary Moses family launched a community impact scholarship; Houston officials say the men’s World Cup helped set up a bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2031. Food Safety: Nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs produced in Texas were recalled for possible Salmonella contamination.

Local Politics: Corpus Christi’s mayoral removal hearing for Paulette Guajardo moved into day one, with petitioners arguing for removal as city leaders and attorneys faced off. Border & Public Safety: Texas voters are weighing new border-security pitches as Eagle Pass and other South Texas communities debate deportations and enforcement after crossings fell. Public Health: The FDA ordered a recall of nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs from Midwest Poultry Services in Texas over possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination, with no illnesses reported yet. Energy & Markets: Oil prices surged toward $100 a barrel amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and Red Sea shipping threats, adding pressure across stocks and crypto. AI & Power Demand: New projections say U.S. data centers could consume about one-fifth of electricity by 2035, raising questions about who pays for grid upgrades. Business & Finance: FirstCash reported record results, boosted pawn demand, declared a quarterly dividend, and authorized a new $150M share repurchase. Tech/Space: New research links the James Webb’s “Little Red Dots” to possible early-universe globular clusters, hinting at another cosmic puzzle.

Housing Watch: Realtor.com says Houston and San Antonio are among metros trending toward a buyer’s market as conditions shift from seller-heavy to more balanced. Public Safety & Politics: At the Texas Sheriffs Association conference in Fort Worth, top-of-ballot candidates for U.S. Senate, AG and comptroller pitched law enforcement priorities, with Democrats and Republicans trading sharp contrasts on policing. State Oversight: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows are pushing for an audit of the Texas Broadband Development Office after concerns about grant distribution and satellite-related treatment. Disaster Relief: Texas extended SNAP replacement benefits for flood-impacted counties, giving recipients until Aug. 3 to apply. Consumer Data: Texas AG Ken Paxton secured a $150M settlement with 23andMe over a 2023 genetic data breach. Business & Energy: Tesla reported lower profits despite higher revenue, while Texas-based Ring Energy and Carriage Services set earnings call dates. Local Life: Lemonade Day Coastal Bend brought young entrepreneurs to Portland, and Victoria insurance pros urged residents to buy hurricane coverage now.

Texas Politics & Public Safety: Texas AG Ken Paxton kicked off a Fort Worth campaign stop by portraying Senate rival James Talarico as anti-law-enforcement, using a fake “Talarico mugshot” and backing from independent sheriffs. Elections & Scams: A new report flags hundreds of campaign-linked websites nationwide, including Texas, that appear to be bogus merch and donation scams—so “donor beware” is the headline. Immigration Enforcement: A Houston ICE shooting case is spotlighted alongside other fatal incidents, raising fresh questions about accountability and whether federal oversight is being narrowed. Flood Aftershocks in the Hill Country: One year after catastrophic Kerr County flooding, residents and first responders describe renewed trauma as storms hit again, with officials urging Texans to document damage for claims. Texas Economy & Jobs: The Dallas Fed says Texas employment growth is back on track for a long-run norm, citing strong June hiring and boosts from data centers and higher oil prices. Tech & Chips in Texas: Wistron opened a $700M Fort Worth factory to build Nvidia’s Grace Blackwell superchips, adding hundreds of jobs and signaling deeper AI hardware onshoring. Business & Health: Greenwich LifeSciences won UK approval to expand its FLAMINGO-01 breast cancer trial, adding new sites with Royal Marsden leading the UK effort.

Houston Politics: Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico faced a tense Houston town hall as an attendee challenged him over Black voter trust, while he pushed childcare affordability and promised more outreach. AG & Immigration: Texas AG Ken Paxton’s press event turned chaotic when reporters pressed him on scandals instead of his law-enforcement message. West Texas Data Centers: State Sen. Charles Perry’s pro–AI data center stance drew backlash from residents worried about rent hikes, water and energy strain, and environmental uncertainty—calls for a moratorium are growing. Student Debt: A new Associated Press analysis shows student-loan defaults are surging, with Texas among states hit hardest. Economy & Jobs: Texas unemployment stayed steady in June, with World Cup tourism giving some hospitality lift. Border Business: McAllen secured a $6M federal grant to expand its industrial park, aiming to spur nearly 500 jobs. Public Safety: Authorities issued an active alert for missing 57-year-old Juan Montez in San Antonio.

Heat & Power: ERCOT says Texas demand nearly hit its all-time record as temperatures push past 100°F, with Tropical Storm Bertha adding humidity and higher heat indexes—grid officials say Monday’s peak didn’t break the record, but Tuesday and Wednesday could run hotter. Oil & Geopolitics: Crude eased as markets weighed reports of possible US-Iran ceasefire talks, even while Yemen’s Houthis threaten shipping disruptions in the Red Sea. Texas Courts: Two former Williamson County officials sued Travis and Williamson counties and their DAs, alleging malicious prosecution tied to missing Live PD footage in the 2019 Javier Ambler death case. Business & Jobs: Longview is set to get a $76 million dairy processing facility creating 150 jobs, with construction starting July 20 and a target opening in fall 2027. Tech & Data Centers: Texas leaders are looking at more regulation for data centers as AI-driven power demand and grid strain keep rising. Sports (Local): The New York Liberty beat the short-handed Dallas Wings in overtime, snapping a skid.

Hill Country Flood Recovery: Gov. Greg Abbott says swift floodwater destroyed or heavily damaged 135 Kerr County homes, with damage also hitting 490 homes and about 100 businesses in the county; officials warn downstream flooding risk remains. Houston Housing Pressure: A Kinder Institute report finds some Harris County neighborhoods saw eviction filings up to three times the county average, with more than 75,000 filings statewide in 2025. Texas Politics & Voting: State Rep. James Talarico pledges $25 million to mobilize Black voters in his Senate bid, while Paxton and Talarico trade debate and fundraising pressure. Energy & Industry Moves: Magnolia Oil & Gas launched a $1 billion stock offering (with an option for more), and Samsung is relocating its U.S. HQ from New Jersey to Texas. Business & Banking: ServisFirst Bancshares announced a two-for-one stock split, while Broadway Bank named a new chief risk officer. National/Global Watch: Trump signaled possible extra Canada tariffs tied to wildfire smoke impacts, and NASA set briefings for SpaceX Crew-13 from Houston.

Texas Tech & semiconductors: Texas’ microchip footprint keeps expanding, with new fabs and data-center demand boosted by public incentives—A&M’s Semiconductor Institute says the ecosystem has been “replenished” and Texas now has dozens of semiconductor facilities and tens of thousands of jobs. Energy & geopolitics: Oil prices jumped above $90 a barrel as US-Iran attacks escalated, raising Strait of Hormuz supply fears and adding inflation pressure to markets. Samsung reshuffle: Samsung cut hundreds of US consumer-electronics jobs tied to moving its HQ from New Jersey to Texas, with relocation offers for many and layoffs for others. Rural health funding: Questions remain about whether the Rural Health Transformation Program can actually keep rural hospitals afloat, since the money may not solve payment shortfalls. ICE and Houston: Community members in Houston are pushing for independent investigations and policy changes after an ICE-related killing, organizing for a shutdown day. Flood recovery: Hill Country residents are rebuilding again after deadly flash flooding, testing warning systems and emergency readiness. Business/legal: A Texas bank-heist defendant was sentenced to federal prison, while an AG consumer alert warned Texans about flood-related scams and price gouging.