Texas Scorecard

Special Reports

Houston, Local

Barbers Hill ISD Teacher Re-Arrested for Sexual Assault of Student

Erin Anderson | February 28, 2025

Molly Colleen Spears was arrested earlier this month on a charge of improper relationship between educator and student.

Local GOP Sues Travis County Over Election Staffing

Adam Cahn | November 1, 2024

UPDATE: The Travis County Republican Party has appealed to the Texas Supreme Court after the 3rd Court of...

Texas Ranked Seventh in Tax System Efficiency

Will Biagini | October 31, 2024

A new report has found that Texas ranks behind six other states in terms of tax system efficiency and...

Former Teacher Faces 10 Felonies for Sexually Assaulting Student

Erin Anderson | October 31, 2024

A now-former Texas teacher was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, along with nine other sex crimes against a student, more than two years after he was allowed to resign while under investigation for the allegations. David Rios, 47, taught...

Houston Mayor Announces City-sponsored Homeless Encampment

Charles Blain | October 31, 2024

Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced a new program to create a city-sponsored homeless encampment in response to a citizen’s concern about the homeless population moving into neighborhoods they previously did not occupy. “The homeless will be pushed to another...

Harris County Bonds Out Man Charged in Murder of Deputy Sheriff

Dremone Francis, charged in the capital murder of an HCSO deputy, was released on bond.

Aldine ISD Will Close 6 Schools Due to Enrollment Loss

The closures are expected to save the district $35 million, providing significant relief to the $100 million budget deficit.

US Sen. Cornyn Backs Texas in Fight for Judicial Finality

The case is set to be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court this March.

Libraries Could Lose Funding for Hosting Drag Queen Story Hours Under Senate Proposal

The proposal follows legislation passed last session that sought to ban sexually oriented performances in front of minors, including drag performances.

Amid Concerns Surrounding Texas Lottery, Senators Approve Courier Ban

The measure banning lottery courier services by State Sen. Bob Hall passed unanimously and will now be sent to the Texas House.

State Rep. Leach Refiles Mail Ballot Measure Gov. Abbott Vetoed in 2023

Gov. Abbott argued that the measure would make the election system more susceptible to malfeasance.

A&M Geography Course Teaches Gender Is “Social Construct”

An Intro to Human Geography course teaches gender identity, intersectionality, and sexuality.

TEA Takes Over Another Texas School District After ‘Decades of Dysfunction’

South San Antonio ISD installed a new board of managers appointed by the Texas Education Agency.