After facing intense pressure from state leaders, Houston City Council voted 13-4 on Wednesday to approve a revised immigration ordinance, easing previous limits on local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The decision reverses key elements of an ordinance the council had passed just two weeks earlier on April 8. That earlier measure, approved 12-5 with Mayor John Whitmire’s support, removed a longstanding Houston Police Department (HPD) policy that required officers to wait up to 30 minutes for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during encounters involving individuals with administrative immigration warrants, such as routine traffic stops.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott quickly responded by threatening to withhold roughly $110–114 million in critical state public safety grants. The funding supports vital programs including police overtime, homicide investigations, human trafficking and domestic violence response teams, and security planning for major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted at NRG Stadium. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also pursued legal action against the original policy, claiming it conflicted with state law.

Mayor Whitmire, who initially backed the April 8 ordinance, later called the standoff a “crisis” and worked with state officials to craft the revised version. The updated language provides police with greater flexibility during field encounters while aiming to restore compliance with the state grant agreements.

Councilmembers Alejandra Salinas, Abbie Kamin, and Edward Pollard — the original sponsors of the stricter measure — voted against the revision, arguing it represented capitulation to state pressure. Attempts to strengthen or further restrict cooperation with ICE were also defeated in the same 13-4 vote.

Supporters of the change stressed the need to protect essential public safety funding for Houston residents.

The revised ordinance brings an end to the immediate funding standoff between Texas’ largest city and state officials, though larger debates over immigration policy and local-federal law enforcement relations are expected to persist.

In Texas, the old “left versus right” script is dead. What we have instead is a uniparty, Republican establishment figures and their nominal Democratic opposition locked in an endless, self-serving loop of manufactured outrage. They bicker over shiny cultural grenades that they themselves lobbed into the public square, all while the real crises they helped create fester in the shadows. The result? Lawmakers pat themselves on the back for “winning” debates on boys in girls’ sports, plastering the Ten Commandments in every classroom, and even micromanaging whether Plato gets taught in college philosophy courses, while thousands of Texas children are molested in public schools and our electric grid and water supplies groan under the weight of unchecked data-center sprawl.

Let’s start with the human cost that barely registers in Austin. Over the last three years, there were 6,888 documented reports of sexual and violent misconduct by public-school employees against Texas students. Over 61% of those cases sat unresolved due to “budgetary constraints” even though the state sits at a surplus while Abbott awards billions in concessions to technocrats for building their data centers here. Lawmakers have passed some accountability bills—shortening reporting windows and chipping away at school-district immunity—but the scale of the problem dwarfs the response. This isn’t abstract policy; it’s kids being preyed upon in the very buildings we entrust with their safety. Yet these stories rarely break through the national noise. Social-media platforms routinely throttle or bury coverage of educator abuse scandals in Texas public schools, starving the public of the outrage necessary to force real reform. Without sustained pressure, the uniparty can keep kicking the can down the road, citing “budgetary constraints” while the predators keep their jobs and our children keep paying the price.

Meanwhile, the same politicians who can’t seem to fund thorough investigations into child abuse are cheerleading the data-center gold rush that is quietly reshaping Texas’s future. The numbers are staggering. ERCOT’s own forecasts show data centers driving explosive load growth—potentially hundreds of gigawatts in the coming decade, with speculative projects in the queue that could quadruple total system demand by the early 2030s. That power doesn’t materialize out of thin air. It comes from new gas plants, strained transmission lines, and, ultimately, your electric bill. Ratepayers—families and small businesses—foot the bill through higher prices while hyperscale operators negotiate sweetheart deals. And water? Existing data centers already suck down tens of billions of gallons a year for cooling and power generation. Projections show that figure could surge toward 160 billion gallons annually by 2030 under aggressive growth scenarios. The state water plan just ballooned to a $174 billion price tag over fifty years; data-center thirst is a big reason why. Yet instead of demanding transparency on these deals or tying approvals to real infrastructure upgrades, Austin’s uniparty class cheers the jobs and tax revenue while the rest of us brace for brownouts and drought.

This is the uniparty playbook in action. Create a culture-war wedge—trans athletes, scripture on the wall, ancient Greeks in the syllabus—watch the base cheer and the opposition seethe, then declare victory while the hard, expensive work of governance gets punted. The Ten Commandments debate generates cable-news clips; Plato’s temporary syllabus exile at Texas A&M becomes a free-speech skirmish. Boys-in-girls’-sports bills let everyone posture as protectors of fairness. None of it touches the 6,888+ kids whose abuse reports gather dust. None of it reins in the data-center boom that will reshape our energy and water future for decades.

Texans deserve better than this cycle of dysfunction. We deserve lawmakers who treat child sexual abuse in schools as the emergency it is—fully funded investigations, zero-tolerance enforcement, and public transparency that social media can’t suppress. We deserve an honest reckoning with the infrastructure bill coming due for the AI boom: no more blank checks for hyperscalers while families pay the freight in higher rates and scarcer water.

The uniparty thrives when we stay distracted. The real Texas issues—protecting our children and securing the resources that keep the lights on—won’t solve themselves while politicians play culture-war theater. It’s time to demand they drop the script and do the job we actually elected them for.

The State of Texas filed an original petition on April 20, 2026, in the 96th Judicial District Court of Tarrant County against ActBlue LLC, seeking temporary and permanent injunctions along with civil penalties. The lawsuit accuses the Democratic-aligned fundraising platform of engaging in false, misleading, and deceptive acts under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).

ActBlue processes small-dollar donations for Democratic campaigns and progressive causes, handling billions in contributions — including $1.78 billion in 2025 alone. The petition claims the company knowingly accepts payment methods like gift cards and prepaid debit cards that conceal donor identities, potentially enabling violations of federal and state election laws, such as bans on foreign national contributions and limits on donation amounts.

Key Allegations

Texas argues that ActBlue has misrepresented its fraud prevention measures to Congress and the public. In 2023–2024, the company assured lawmakers it had robust controls, including rejection of high-risk payment methods like gift cards, to prevent illegal contributions. Internal documents, however, reportedly showed warnings from counsel about risks of “knowing and willful” violations, including acceptance of funds from foreign nationals or in excess of legal limits.

Despite these assurances, ActBlue allegedly loosened controls, ignored fraud indicators, and resumed accepting gift cards and prepaid cards once public scrutiny subsided. The petition quotes internal concerns that such practices could open the door to election influence “from high-risk/sanctioned countries.”

Texas investigators conducted undercover tests in February 2026, successfully making small donations (e.g., $5) using physical gift cards on multiple dates. These transactions processed without flags or rejections, according to the filing.

The state contends that ActBlue shifts responsibility for compliance onto donors and recipient campaigns while profiting from high-volume, low-scrutiny transactions. This allegedly harms legitimate donors and campaigns by devaluing clean contributions and exposing recipients to potential legal risks under federal law (52 U.S.C. §§ 30121 et seq.) and Texas Election Code provisions.

Claims Under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act

The petition brings five specific counts under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 17.46:

• Engaging in false, misleading, or deceptive acts in trade or commerce.

• Causing confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of services.

• Representing that services have characteristics, benefits, or qualities they do not have.

• Advertising services with intent not to sell them as advertised.

• Failing to disclose known material information intended to induce transactions.

Supporting evidence cited includes congressional testimony, internal memos from firms like Covington & Burling and Dechert, screenshots of policy statements, and the declaration of investigator Rock Robinson (dated April 17, 2026).

Requested Relief

Texas is asking the court to:

• Issue temporary and permanent injunctions barring ActBlue from accepting campaign contributions via gift cards or prepaid debit cards.

• Impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per DTPA violation.

• Award attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, and costs.

• Grant any other equitable relief the court deems appropriate.

The filing emphasizes that the practices cause irreparable harm to the integrity of elections and the state’s ability to enforce campaign finance laws. Under the DTPA, injunctive relief can be granted in the public interest without a separate showing of imminent harm when statutory violations are established.

This case showcases ongoing tensions over online fundraising platforms and election integrity, particularly around anonymous or hard-to-trace small-dollar donations. ActBlue has previously defended its compliance systems in congressional hearings, maintaining that it follows applicable laws while facilitating grassroots participation.

The petition is brought by the Texas Attorney General’s Office in the name of the State of Texas and in the public interest. As of the filing date, no response from ActBlue has been detailed in public records.

Ashley St. Clair spent nearly a decade as a rising star in the MAGA influencer ecosystem. Recruited as a teenager through Turning Point USA, she built a following exceeding one million on X while promoting conservative causes on immigration, culture wars, and Trump-aligned policies. Now, in a series of candid TikTok videos filmed in “get ready with me” style, St. Clair is detailing what she describes as a professionalized pay-to-play operation behind much of the movement’s online presence.

Rather than purely organic grassroots activism, St. Clair portrays the system as a sophisticated marketing and influence apparatus run through Republican consulting firms and operatives, including former White House officials.

The Paid Campaign Platform

At the core of the alleged operation are dedicated online platforms or portals created by GOP firms. Influencers log in to browse active “campaigns” — specific tasks tied to bills, policies, scandals, petitions, or cabinet nominations. She was reportedly offered payment to promote Ric Grenell for Secretary of State. They receive pre-written scripts and post the content to appear natural.

Compensation includes flat fees, per-action payouts, or larger sums for priority work. St. Clair estimates 99% of the largest MAGA influencers receive some form of direct compensation or perks, protected by asymmetric NDAs.

Group Chats for Real-Time Coordination

Private group chats on twitter connect large influencers with Trump administration or campaign figures. These facilitate synchronized messaging during controversies, with big accounts setting the tone and smaller ones amplifying it, creating an appearance of organic consensus.

FEC Disclosure Loopholes Enabling Undisclosed Payments

St. Clair specifically highlights how this system operates with minimal transparency due to gaps in Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules:

• Consulting Firm Intermediary (“Wall”): When a campaign, PAC, or donor pays a consulting firm for “digital strategy” or messaging services, that expenditure appears in public FEC filings. However, once the firm pays individual influencers downstream (flat fees, per-post, or performance-based), no further disclosure is required. Influencers’ names and exact compensation amounts typically do not show up in records. The audience sees what looks like independent, organic commentary without any “paid for by” label.

• Organic Social Media Content Not Treated as “Public Communication”: FEC regulations (including 2023–2024 updates on technological modernization) generally require disclaimers only for paid ads placed directly on platforms or traditional media. Content that influencers create and post organically on their own free accounts (even if compensated by a third party) is often not classified as requiring a disclaimer. The FEC views personal social media as a “soapbox” rather than paid advertising. This differs sharply from commercial endorsements, where the FTC mandates clear disclosure of material connections (e.g., #ad or #sponsored).

• Issue Advocacy vs. Express Advocacy: Much of the promoted content focuses on policy, bills, or narratives rather than direct “vote for/defeat” calls, which lowers regulatory triggers. Coordination through group chats can blur independence lines, but proving violations is difficult.

Reform efforts exist: In October 2025, the Campaign Legal Center petitioned the FEC to require explicit “paid for by” disclaimers on influencers’ paid political content, arguing that voters are deprived of key information and can be misled into thinking support is organic. As of 2026, the FEC has not adopted broad new rules closing this gap, partly due to ongoing debates over free speech and the pace of digital evolution. Some states (e.g., California) have narrower rules for in-state elections, but federal oversight remains limited.

These claims, circulating widely in April, have sparked debate. Defenders note that donor-funded amplification and coordinated messaging occur across the political spectrum, and compensation for content creation is common in advocacy. Critics see it as undisclosed influence peddling that undermines authenticity.

Primary sources are her own video clips — viewers should watch them in full for context. As with any insider account, cross-reference against FEC filings, independent reporting on political consulting, and awareness of similar practices on all sides. The story raises larger questions about transparency in the influencer-driven era of politics: when does compensated, coordinated advocacy become undisclosed influence operations?

Across the United States, a growing wave of age verification requirements—promoted as necessary protections for children online—is rapidly transforming how people access the internet. As of April 2026, roughly 25 states have passed laws requiring websites with a substantial amount of material deemed “harmful to minors” (primarily adult or pornographic content) to verify users’ ages.

These laws typically apply to sites where one-third or more of the content qualifies as harmful to minors. They mandate the use of “reasonable” or “commercially reasonable” verification methods, such as uploading government-issued IDs, providing credit card information, or using third-party services that involve biometrics or transactional data.

States with these laws include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana (the first, passed in 2023), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio (via the Innocence Act), Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming, and most recently West Virginia (signed around April 2026, with implementation expected soon).

Some states have also enacted separate or overlapping rules for social media platforms. These often require age verification plus parental consent for users under 16 or 18, along with restrictions on features such as direct messaging, targeted advertising, and daily time limits.

The practical impact has been swift and significant. Major adult websites like Pornhub have chosen to geo-block access in many of these states rather than comply with ID-based verification, citing privacy concerns and high compliance costs. While minors can often bypass restrictions using VPNs or unregulated platforms, adults lose convenient anonymous access. Multiple lawsuits have challenged these laws on First Amendment grounds, arguing they are overbroad and chill protected speech. Some provisions have been blocked or delayed by courts, while others—such as parts of Texas’s law—have reached the Supreme Court and received partial approval.

Related efforts are also targeting app stores and operating systems. California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), signed in 2025 and set to take effect in January 2027, requires operating system providers to support age-bracket signaling (via self-attestation or similar methods) that apps and services can access. Though framed as more privacy-friendly than full ID checks, it still raises concerns about creating standardized data flows between platforms.

Enter H.R. 8250: The Parents Decide Act

This fragmented state-level approach now faces potential federal expansion. On April 13, 2026, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and co-sponsor Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced H.R. 8250, the “Parents Decide Act.” The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

If passed, the legislation would require operating system providers—including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and potentially even Linux distributions or other general-purpose computing platforms—to verify the age of every user during initial device or OS setup.

The bill centers on collecting date of birth at setup: users 18 and older could self-attest by entering their DOB, while those under 18 would require verification by a parent or guardian. It would mandate secure storage of this information and the creation of APIs so that apps and services could query age signals and apply consistent, device-wide parental controls for social media, apps, and AI tools.

Supporters argue that this approach goes beyond easily bypassed self-reported ages, gives parents control from the moment a device is first turned on, and helps protect children from explicit content and addictive AI interactions.

The Trojan Horse Argument: From Child Protection to Digital Infrastructure

Critics—including privacy advocates, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), open-source communities, and tech analysts—warn that these initiatives, beginning with state-level adult content restrictions and now potentially extending to the operating system level, serve as a Trojan horse for a de facto national digital ID system. What starts as narrowly targeted child safety measures can quickly normalize widespread identity collection and surveillance at the very foundation of computing.

the main concerns:

1. Mandatory Identity Linkage at the Device Level
State laws often require “verifiable” checks beyond simple self-attestation, frequently involving government IDs, biometrics, or credit data. While H.R. 8250’s DOB requirement appears lighter, embedding age verification directly into the operating system creates a persistent identity signal. On shared family devices or through API propagation, this could tie real-world personally identifiable information (PII) — including names, dates of birth, and potentially biometrics — to hardware and software from the very first boot. Anonymous computing would largely disappear, turning every device into an identity checkpoint. Complementary measures like California’s AB 1043 already push age data toward apps, concentrating power with major OS vendors.

2. Ecosystem-Wide Data Propagation and Loss of Consent
Age and parental control settings would flow securely across the entire ecosystem, removing the ability for granular, per-app consent. This positions OS providers as central gatekeepers, raising risks of overreach, errors in restrictions, and reduced user autonomy. Privacy experts note that early bill language leaves important questions unanswered regarding data minimization, retention limits, and deletion rights.

3. Erosion of Anonymity and Free Speech
Anonymous access to information and general-purpose computing has long enjoyed strong constitutional protections. OS-level mandates threaten this foundation, creating new barriers for whistleblowers, journalists, researchers, activists, and anyone valuing privacy. The EFF and others argue that such systems build surveillance infrastructure, disproportionately harm small developers and open-source projects, and chill protected expression. Linux communities and analysts like Bryan Lunduke have highlighted how the bill’s broad definition of “operating system provider” could create insurmountable burdens for smaller, resource-limited projects that lack the infrastructure for ID or biometric verification.

4. Security Risks, Breaches, and Scope Creep
Centralizing sensitive age and identity data makes OS vendors and related services attractive targets for hackers. While children’s data already receives some protections under COPPA, expanded collection increases overall exposure. Past breaches at age-verification companies involving government IDs illustrate the real dangers of identity theft, blackmail, or data misuse. The bill’s “and for other purposes” clause and vague FTC enforcement mechanisms open the door to future expansions—such as content filtering, telemetry requirements, or remote attestation—layered onto standardized age APIs. Critics contend this normalizes surveillance, using “protect the children” as a stepping stone toward heavier handed government oversight of personal computing.

5. Disproportionate Impact and Unintended Consequences
Open-source platforms and smaller services may be forced to exit certain markets or incur heavy compliance costs, reducing consumer choice and stifling innovation. The actual effectiveness for protecting children remains questionable, as minors can still use VPNs, false attestations, or unregulated alternatives. Meanwhile, adults face new obstacles to accessing lawful content.

Public criticism on social media has been largely skeptical. Many view the progression from state-level porn restrictions to social media rules to OS-level mandates, as the gradual construction of digital identity infrastructure. While supporters stress the benefits of consistent parental controls over fragmented app-by-app systems, the lack of detailed safeguards around encryption, opt-outs, and data limits leaves significant privacy concerns unaddressed.

H.R. 8250 is still in its very early stages, with no hearings scheduled yet. Its future will depend on close examination of the full bill text, input from civil liberties organizations and open-source advocates, and how it interacts with existing proposals like the Kids Online Safety Act.

The core tension remains: real harms to children online deserve serious solutions. However, the specifics of implementation are critical. As state experiments continue and federal proposals advance, there is a genuine risk that age verification—marketed as targeted child protection—will ultimately construct the backbone of a heavily surveilled digital ecosystem that affects all users, eroding anonymity, privacy, and open access in the name of safety.

Houston City Council passed an ordinance on April 8, 2026, by a 12-5 vote that restricts the Houston Police Department’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The measure, led by Council Member Alejandra Salinas along with Council Members Abbie Kamin and Edward Pollard, prohibits HPD officers from detaining individuals or extending traffic stops solely based on civil immigration warrants (ICE detainers). It also removes a previous requirement for officers to wait 30 minutes for ICE agents to arrive and requires the mayor’s administration to provide regular reports on the department’s interactions with federal immigration authorities.

Supporters, including Salinas, argued the ordinance allows local police to focus on criminal activity and maintain community trust, while still complying with all mandatory state and federal requirements for reporting certain criminal matters. The proposal was placed on the agenda using authority granted by Proposition A, a 2023 charter amendment. Mayor John Whitmire initially expressed support for the measure as a way to show the city is responsive to community concerns, though a stronger version of the ordinance was scaled back after the City Attorney raised concerns about potential conflicts with state law.

The ordinance drew an immediate and sharp response from state officials. Governor Greg Abbott’s Public Safety Office notified Mayor Whitmire in writing that the new policy (Section 34-41 of the Houston Code of Ordinances) violates the city’s certifications and agreements for state funding. The governor’s office threatened to withhold approximately $110 million in public safety grants for Fiscal Year 2026, which fund the Houston Police and Fire Departments, emergency services, and preparations for major events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city was given until April 20, 2026, to confirm it will not enforce the ordinance and will repeal it, or risk losing the funding and facing demands for repayment.

In a letter dated April 15, 2026, Council Member Salinas urged Mayor Whitmire and the City Attorney to mount an immediate legal challenge. She described the governor’s threat as “an attempt to bully our city for doing what is right, what is legal, and what upholds the Constitution.” Salinas maintained that the ordinance complies with Texas law, does not prevent communication with federal authorities, and does not interfere with criminal law enforcement. She recommended filing a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and seeking a declaratory judgment to affirm the ordinance’s legality, noting that courts could act quickly without placing funding at immediate risk.

Salinas also issued a public statement calling the governor’s action “straight out of the schoolyard bully playbook.” She argued that Abbott is “wrong on the law” and that the ordinance is protected by constitutional principles, including protections under the Fourth Amendment. She criticized the move as putting politics ahead of public safety and pledged to work with the mayor and council to defend the city’s position.

The conflict centers on Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), the 2017 anti-sanctuary city law signed by Governor Abbott. The law, codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 752, Subchapter C, prohibits local governments and police departments from adopting policies that “prohibit or materially limit” the enforcement of federal or state immigration laws. It remains in effect after being largely upheld by the Fifth Circuit. Violations can result in significant civil penalties, criminal charges against officials, and potential removal from office.

In response to the funding threat, Mayor John Whitmire has scheduled a special City Council session for April 17, 2026, to discuss whether to repeal or modify the ordinance. The meeting will weigh the serious financial risks to police, fire, and emergency services against the legal and policy arguments for limiting cooperation with ICE on civil immigration matters.

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between Texas’s strict statewide immigration enforcement requirements and efforts by major cities like Houston to limit local involvement in non-criminal federal immigration actions. As of April 15, 2026, the city has not made a final decision.

As Texas races to become the world’s leading hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Governor Greg Abbott has championed a suite of state incentives designed to lure hyperscale data centers and the massive power demands they bring. These efforts have helped drive announcements like Google’s $40 billion commitment to new AI and cloud facilities, positioning Texas ahead of traditional tech strongholds.

Yet the scale of public support — particularly through tax breaks — has drawn increasing scrutiny, especially as the ERCOT grid grapples with a staggering 450 GW of large load interconnection requests, roughly 80% from data centers.

The Scale of Subsidies Under Governor Abbott

At the heart of Texas’s AI attraction strategy is the state sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers, enacted in 2013 but exploding in value during Abbott’s tenure amid the post-2023 AI surge. According to the Texas Comptroller’s office, the state forgoes more than $1 billion annually in sales tax revenue due to this program. In 2025 alone, data centers received over $1 billion in tax breaks, with projections showing the state losing $3.2 billion over the next two years (2026–2027 biennium). Some estimates suggest the annual cost could climb toward $1.8–2 billionby 2030

This exemption — applying the state’s 6.25% sales tax to servers, cooling systems, generators, electrical infrastructure, software, and even the electricity consumed by the facilities — is temporary (10 or 15 years depending on investment size) but expansive. Qualifying projects generally need at least $200 million in capital investment and 20 new jobs (or higher thresholds for larger facilities). Critics note these job requirements are modest for billion-dollar AI projects that consume enormous amounts of power and water but employ relatively few ongoing workers.

The program has become one of Texas’s most expensive incentive efforts, with costs rising dramatically from just $5–30 million per yearbetween 2014 and 2022 to the current billion-dollar scale. Over the 2028–2029 biennium, projections reach as high as $3.3 billion in forgone revenue.

Governor Abbott has also utilized the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) — a “deal-closing” grant program he oversees — for targeted performance-based incentives when Texas competes against other states for major projects. While specific TEF grants tied exclusively to data centers are not always itemized publicly (many announcements bundle them with broader tech or energy investments), the fund has historically supported high-impact economic development. Abbott has additionally highlighted related investments, such as a $350 million nuclear fund launched to help meet data center power needs.

Local governments layer on property tax abatements (via Chapter 312 agreements), further sweetening deals in counties and cities eager for investment. Combined with Texas’s no-income-tax environment and deregulated ERCOT market, these tools have helped secure commitments like Google’s massive expansion.

Incentives in the Spotlight: Rep. Ken King’s Hearing and Senate Bill 6

These subsidies were a backdrop — if not always the explicit focus — at the April 9, 2026, interim hearing of the Texas House Committee on State Affairs, chaired by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian). The session examined the data center surge, with more than 413 active data centers already operating in the state and hundreds more planned.

Testimony highlighted ERCOT’s Large Load Queue and the transition to a new Batch Study Process for more efficient handling of interconnection requests. Under the old single-project approach, frequent “restudies” caused delays; the batch method groups projects for collective analysis every six months, aiming to provide certainty while protecting reliability. Witnesses, including ERCOT President & CEO Pablo Vegas and PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson, discussed Senate Bill 6 (SB 6) — the 2025 law imposing guardrails on large loads (≥75 MW). SB 6 requires financial commitments, study fees, emergency curtailment capabilities, and better forecasting to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and stranded transmission upgrades.

Water consumption also featured prominently. Data centers supporting dense AI workloads rely on cooling, with existing facilities already using billions of gallons annually. Projections vary widely (potentially 2–3% of state water use by 2030), prompting calls for better data on evaporative versus air-cooled or liquid systems. Developers touted efficiency gains, but community concerns about drought-prone areas persist.

Trade-Offs and the Path Forward

Supporters, including Abbott’s office, argue the incentives deliver strong returns through capital investment, construction jobs, indirect economic activity, and positioning Texas as an AI and national security leader. Data centers reportedly generated $3.2 billion in combined state and local tax revenue in 2024 (including property and other taxes), with projections of even higher future contributions.

Critics counter that the forgone sales tax revenue — now measured in billions under Abbott — could fund schools, infrastructure, or grid upgrades, especially as the queue strains ERCOT and water demands grow. Some lawmakers have signaled reviews of the sales tax exemption ahead of the 2027 session, with Senate Finance Chair Joan Huffman planning hearings on its sustainability.

Rep. King has indicated his committee will hold additional hearings, including one with public testimony, as Texas weighs how to refine incentives, enforce SB 6 guardrails via batch studies, and balance growth with reliability and resource constraints.

As the AI race intensifies globally, Governor Abbott’s incentive strategy has undeniably accelerated Texas’s rise. Whether the public return — in jobs, revenue, and resilience — matches the scale of subsidies offered will likely dominate debate in the coming months and the 2027 legislative session

Texas is at the center of America’s data center explosion, fueled by surging demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing. With hundreds of facilities already operating and more than 100 in planning or development, the state is on track to become a national leader in the sector. Yet this rapid growth has strained the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, prompting lawmakers to act.

In June 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), authored by Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford). The legislation, which took effect immediately, establishes a regulatory framework for “large loads” — electricity customers with peak demand of 75 megawatts (MW) or more at a single site. While aimed at supporting economic development, SB 6 introduces guardrails to prevent grid overload, minimize stranded infrastructure costs, and protect ordinary ratepayers from bearing the full burden of upgrades.

The Scale of the Challenge: ERCOT’s Massive Large Load Queue

As of late March 2026, ERCOT is tracking approximately 410 GW of large load interconnection requests — a figure that dwarfs the state’s current peak demand of roughly 85–90 GW. About 87% of these requests come from data centers, many tied to AI infrastructure. The queue has ballooned rapidly, with a surge of nearly 150 GW in a matter of weeks earlier this year, driven largely by submissions through Oncor Electric Delivery.

This unprecedented pipeline has exposed flaws in the old single-project study process, which led to frequent “restudies,” delays, and uncertainty. Only a small portion of queued projects have energized so far, but the potential strain on transmission, reliability, and resources like water is significant.

Key Provisions of Senate Bill 6

SB 6 directs the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and ERCOT to overhaul how large loads connect to and operate on the grid. Major elements include:

• Interconnection Standards and Cost Responsibility: Large loads must contribute to the costs of connecting to the grid, including direct interconnection facilities. The goal is to support business growth while avoiding “stranded” upgrades that might not be fully utilized.

• Financial Commitments: Developers face study fees (at least $100,000 in some cases), non-refundable interconnection fees, and security deposits to demonstrate project viability and deter speculative queue-crashing.

• Forecasting and Planning: ERCOT must improve large load forecasting for transmission and resource adequacy studies. Customers are required to provide detailed milestones and site information.

• Emergency Operations and Curtailment: New large loads (interconnected after December 31, 2025) at transmission voltage must install equipment allowing remote curtailment or disconnection during firm load shed events, after market options are exhausted. On-site backup generation (capable of serving at least 50% of load without exporting to the grid) must be disclosed, and ERCOT gains limited authority to dispatch it in emergencies.

• Co-Located (Behind-the-Meter) Generation Rules: Restrictions apply to pairing new large loads with existing grid-connected generation. Certain arrangements require ERCOT study and PUCT approval, with exemptions for legacy ownership structures.

• Demand Management: Development of competitively procured reliability services for voluntary or mandatory load reductions from large customers.

The bill also calls for a review of transmission cost allocation to ensure large loads pay their fair share rather than socializing costs across all ratepayers.

PUCT has advanced SB 6 through multiple rulemakings, including Project No. 58481 (large load interconnection standards) and others covering forecasting, net metering, and reliability services. In March 2026, the Commission published a draft rule (16 TAC §25.194) proposing stiff requirements: non-refundable fees of $50,000–$100,000 per MW in some scenarios, substantial financial security (with potential forfeiture for delays or withdrawals), site control documentation, and disclosures of parallel or affiliate projects. Initial comments on the draft were due in mid-April 2026.

ERCOT has shifted to a Batch Study Process for the large load queue, grouping projects for more efficient analysis every six months or so. This addresses the restudy loop and aims to provide greater certainty. “Batch Zero” efforts are underway to begin clearing the backlog.

At the Texas House Committee on State Affairs hearing on April 9, 2026 — chaired by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) — ERCOT President & CEO Pablo Vegas and PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson testified alongside data center industry representatives. The session highlighted the queue’s scale, implementation of SB 6, potential for co-located resources to bolster resilience, and broader issues like water use and workforce needs. Rep. King signaled that data centers would remain a focus, with additional hearings — including one with public testimony — expected soon.

Trade-Offs and Stakeholder Perspectives

Data center developers argue that Texas’s pro-business environment, combined with clearer rules, will attract massive investment and jobs while positioning the state as an AI powerhouse. They emphasize economic multipliers and innovations in flexible, curtailable operations or on-site generation.

Critics and regulators worry about reliability risks, potential cost shifts to residential and small commercial customers, water consumption in drought-prone areas, and whether tax incentives deliver sufficient public benefits. Public comments submitted for hearings have raised concerns about projects near neighborhoods, farmland conversion, and the sheer scale of proposed subsidies versus returns.

Final rules under SB 6 are expected throughout 2026, with full implementation shaping how — and how quickly — data centers expand in Texas. The legislation represents a pragmatic middle path: welcoming growth while imposing structure on a previously fragmented process.

As Texas navigates its role in the global AI economy, SB 6 and the ongoing legislative oversight (including Rep. King’s committee work) will determine whether the state can power the future without compromising the lights for everyone else.

Anthropic, the company behind the Claude large language model, is engaged in a tense standoff with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), also referred to in some recent communications as the Department of War. The dispute revolves around the Pentagon's push for unrestricted access to Claude under an "any lawful use" policy, while Anthropic insists on preserving critical safeguards in its contracts and usage terms.

In July 2025, Anthropic secured a prototype agreement with the DoD worth up to $200 million to supply Claude for defense-related tasks. This positioned Anthropic as the first frontier AI provider to deploy its models on classified U.S. government networks, national laboratories, and for tailored national security applications. Claude has supported functions such as intelligence analysis, modeling and simulation, operational planning, and cyber operations.

The company has aligned with national security priorities in other ways, including forgoing substantial revenue by restricting access for entities tied to the Chinese Communist Party and helping counter related cyberattacks.

The core issue stems from the Pentagon's demand to eliminate safeguards that prohibit two categories of use:
- Mass domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens.
- Fully autonomous weapons systems capable of selecting and engaging targets without human oversight.

Anthropic has maintained these restrictions consistently. CEO Dario Amodei has explained that mass domestic surveillance could enable the compilation of detailed personal profiles from disparate data sources, often lacking sufficient oversight, thereby threatening democratic freedoms. On autonomous weapons, he has highlighted that current frontier AI models do not possess the necessary reliability or ethical judgment for decisions involving human life, risking harm to both military personnel and civilians. Anthropic has proposed joint research and development for more secure alternatives, though these offers have not been accepted.

Negotiations escalated when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Amodei on February 24, 2026. The Pentagon issued a compliance deadline of 5:01 p.m. ET on February 27, 2026. Failure to meet the terms could trigger:
- Termination of the $200 million contract.
- Designation of Anthropic as a "supply chain risk," a classification typically applied to adversarial entities.
- Invocation of the Defense Production Act to mandate changes.

Anthropic rejected the Pentagon's "final offer," delivered overnight on February 26–27, describing it as showing "virtually no progress" on the company's key concerns. In a public statement on February 26, Amodei declared that the company "cannot in good conscience accede to their request." He reiterated a willingness to support the military with safeguards in place and offered assistance for an orderly transition if the partnership ends.

Pentagon representatives have maintained that there is no plan to pursue mass domestic surveillance—considered illegal—or fully autonomous lethal systems without human involvement. They emphasize the need for flexibility across "all lawful purposes."

As of February 27, 2026, the deadline has passed with no confirmed resolution, though some reports indicate the DoD expressed interest in continuing talks despite the rejection. Anthropic's position illustrates the friction between private-sector ethical commitments and government requirements for operational latitude in AI deployment.

Transitioning away from Claude on classified networks could prove challenging and time-intensive, potentially spanning months, according to defense-related sources, due to its established integration and frontier-level capabilities.

This episode may shape future dynamics for AI companies navigating innovation, safety protocols, and collaborations with national security entities, particularly under geopolitical strains. Anthropic's decision reflects a prioritization of measures to avert AI misuse that could compromise democratic norms, even when such a stand carries financial and partnership risks.

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, few entities have sparked as much debate as Tether (USDT), the world's largest stablecoin with over $180 billion in circulation. Recent discussions have highlighted its deep ties to traditional finance powerhouse Cantor Fitzgerald, as well as lingering controversies involving co-founders and high-profile figures like Jeffrey Epstein…

Cantor Fitzgerald has emerged as a pivotal player in Tether's operations since around 2021, serving as the primary custodian for the majority of Tether's reserves, which are predominantly held in U.S. Treasuries. This arrangement has been instrumental in addressing longstanding doubts about Tether's backing and transparency. Brandon Lutnick, son of Howard Lutnick and current Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, personally verified Tether's reserves in the early stages, providing a much-needed boost to its credibility.

Beyond custodianship, Cantor's involvement extends to significant financial stakes. The firm acquired approximately 5% of Tether Holdings through convertible debt and investments totaling around $600 million. Should Tether achieve its ambitious valuation targets—discussed in fundraising efforts between 2025 and 2026—of up to $500 billion, Cantor's stake could potentially balloon to billions, with some estimates reaching as high as $25 billion.

These ties not only generate fees for Cantor but also position the firm at the forefront of cryptocurrency's integration with traditional finance (TradFi). The collaboration has helped legitimize Tether's massive reserves, which include tens of billions in Treasuries, while offering Cantor substantial upside in the crypto sector's expansion.

Leadership Endorsements and Major Collaborative Ventures

The Lutnick family's influence is central to this partnership. Howard Lutnick, former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and now U.S. Commerce Secretary, has been a vocal supporter of Tether for years. His son, Brandon, has publicly lauded the stablecoin, describing it as the "mainstay of the global digital dollar" amid its growth to over $180 billion in tokens.

In 2025, this alliance expanded into groundbreaking ventures. Cantor Fitzgerald, through its Cantor Equity Partners arm, teamed up with Tether, SoftBank, Bitfinex, and Strike CEO Jack Mallers to launch Twenty One—a Bitcoin-native company. Starting with over 42,000 BTC in holdings, Twenty One aims to compete with giants like MicroStrategy in Bitcoin accumulation and exposure strategies.

Ongoing collaborations include Cantor's advisory role in Tether deals, explorations into Bitcoin lending programs (potentially up to $2 billion), and support for Tether's U.S.-centric initiatives. A notable example is the 2026 launch of USA₮, a GENIUS Act-compliant stablecoin designed for U.S. markets and remittances. These efforts underscore the strengthening bridge between TradFi and crypto, despite persistent regulatory hurdles.

Brock Pierce: Tether's Co-Founder and Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Brock Pierce, a former child actor known for roles in films like The Mighty Ducks, co-founded Tether in 2014 alongside Reeve Collins and Craig Sellars. As the first major USD-pegged stablecoin, Tether revolutionized crypto trading, particularly through its integration with the Bitfinex exchange. Pierce played a key role in its early vision but stepped away from active involvement around 2015. He holds no current position, ownership, or operational role in Tether Holdings, which is now led by CEO Paolo Ardoino.

Pierce's broader crypto legacy includes co-founding Blockchain Capital (an early venture capital firm), the EOS blockchain (via a massive ICO), Mastercoin (the first ICO), and serving as chair of the Bitcoin Foundation. An early investor in Bitcoin and Ethereum, he has shifted focus to blockchain, AI, and DePIN projects, such as backing Bit Digital's transition to an Ethereum treasury in 2025–2026.

However, controversy has resurfaced with the early February 2026 release of millions of pages from DOJ Epstein files. These documents reveal Pierce's extensive personal and professional connections to Jeffrey Epstein from 2011 to 2018 and beyond, post-Epstein's 2008 conviction. Key revelations include:

- Pierce brokering Epstein's $3 million investment in Coinbase's 2014 Series C round through Blockchain Capital (Epstein invested independently and later sold half his stake for approximately $15 million profit in 2018).
- Over 1,800 mentions of Pierce in the files, covering crypto discussions (e.g., Bitcoin demos at Epstein's mansion involving economist Larry Summers, potential introductions to the Winklevoss twins, and Mt. Gox-related plans), business networking, and troubling personal references (invitations involving travel, "girls," photos of women, and a "boat in Antigua full of Ukraine's finest").
- Pierce advising Epstein on other crypto investments, such as a $500,000 stake in Blockstream.

Importantly, there is no evidence that Epstein directly funded Tether's launch, reserves, or operations—the connections appear tied to Pierce's personal network rather than corporate involvement. A 2014 email mentions interest in involving Summers for "Noble Markets and Tether" to add legitimacy, but no follow-through is documented.

These disclosures have ignited speculation in crypto communities, amplifying longstanding criticisms of Tether as a potential "Trojan horse" for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) or a tool for money laundering. Critics point to guilt by association with an early co-founder who exited long ago, while noting no proven links to Tether's current Treasury-backed reserves or daily operations.

senate Scrutiny: Howard Lutnick Under the Microscope

Howard Lutnick's nomination and confirmation as U.S. Commerce Secretary brought Tether's controversies into the congressional spotlight. During multiple Senate hearings in early 2026, Lutnick faced pointed questions about conflicts of interest, Tether's alleged role in illicit finance, and reserve transparency.

- Senate Commerce Committee Hearing (January 29, 2025): Chair Maria Cantwell questioned Lutnick on potential conflicts, Tether's use in money laundering and sanctions evasion, and backing opacity. Lutnick confirmed Cantor's "convertible bond" with Tether (stressing no equity stake) and pledged full divestment upon confirmation, which he completed by stepping down from Cantor roles. He defended stablecoins, noting that criminals also exploit USD cash, and advocated for AI-driven tracking of illicit crypto flows.

- Senate Banking Committee Letter from Elizabeth Warren: Warren labeled Tether the "outlaws' favorite cryptocurrency" due to its history of opacity and allegations of facilitating terror financing and North Korean hacks. She demanded details on due diligence, AML/KYC compliance, and any discussions with the Trump administration regarding Tether. Lutnick was grilled on his prior endorsements, such as claims of Tether being "fully backed" and liquid.

- Senate Appropriations Committee (February 2026): Senator Jack Reed pressed Lutnick on Tether's lack of a full independent audit despite Cantor's custodial role. Lutnick agreed that audits are generally advisable, reiterated his divestment, and distanced himself from ongoing operations. This occurred amid heightened scrutiny from Epstein file releases and Tether's pivot to compliant products like USA₮.

Throughout, Lutnick tempered his earlier bullish statements, clarifying they were accurate at the time but no longer reflecting continuous diligence. He emphasized Cantor's stabilizing influence on Tether and called for regulated stablecoins to mitigate risks. While these sessions sparked debates—critics highlighting red flags in conflicts and illicit use estimates in the billions, supporters viewing it as a path to sector legitimacy—no major issues derailed his confirmation.


Additional claims have circulated, including a quoted post suggesting Epstein received $15 million from Pierce for half of his Coinbase position, framing Tether as a vehicle for moving "black budget" money. Such narratives tie into broader theories of intelligence agency involvement, though they remain unsubstantiated beyond personal connections.

These revelations underscore the tensions in cryptocurrency's maturation. Tether's partnerships with firms like Cantor Fitzgerald represent a vital TradFi-crypto bridge, fostering growth and credibility. Yet, historical associations and regulatory gaps continue to fuel skepticism. As stablecoins like Tether push toward compliance—evidenced by initiatives like USA₮—the industry faces a critical juncture: balancing innovation with accountability to address illicit finance concerns and build broader trust.

A four-and-a-half-year legal battle between rival Texas medical-freedom organizations ended at the trial-court level Monday when the 17th District Court in Tarrant County signed a final judgment ordering former Texans for Vaccine Choice executive director Jackie Schlegel to pay more than $380,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to her former employer.

The judgment also imposes a permanent injunction barring Schlegel and the Texans for Vaccine Choice Political Action Committee (which she still controls) from further trademark violations, subject to contempt of court.

Hours after the ruling was signed, Schlegel’s current organization, Texans for Medical Freedom, issued a press release headlined “Court Clears Jackie Schlegel In Ongoing Legal Dispute.” The release described the outcome as a “huge victory” for Schlegel and the “vaccine freedom movement,” claiming the court overturned an attempt to force her to pay nearly $200,000 in additional attorney’s fees, ruled that Texans for Vaccine Freedom did not infringe trademarks, “vindicated” her on breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, and rejected wrongful-interference allegations.

What the Jury Actually Found (January 2026 Trial)

A Tarrant County jury had already returned its verdict in early January after a week-long trial. Key findings included:

• Schlegel breached her fiduciary duty to Texans for Vaccine Choice when, on the eve of a scheduled board meeting in November 2021, she attempted to transfer approximately $116,000 (roughly 80% of the organization’s cash) from the 501(c)(4) advocacy group’s account to the separate 501(c)(3) she controlled. The transfer was reversed the next day; because the money was recovered, the jury awarded $0 in damages on that claim.

• Schlegel and the PAC she controls infringed Texans for Vaccine Choice’s trademark, resulting in $5,403.66 in damages.

• Schlegel breached her employment agreement and non-disclosure agreement.

• All of Schlegel’s counterclaims (including defamation) were rejected.

The jury awarded Texans for Vaccine Choice more than $575,000 in attorney’s fees for the core litigation, plus $186,756 for defending against Schlegel’s Texas Citizens Participation Act (anti-SLAPP) motion, which delayed the case for roughly two years. Conditional appellate fees of up to $200,000 were also awarded if Schlegel appeals and loses.

The final judgment signed February 24 affirmed the $380,000+ award (apparently excluding the extra $186k TCPA-related fees that the trial judge declined to assess) while keeping the permanent injunction in place and preserving the conditional appeal fees.

Opposing Side’s Response

Texans for Vaccine Choice responded swiftly on X (formerly Twitter), calling the press release “misinformation” and stating the litigation is now over at the trial level:

“The court signed a final judgment in favor of Texans for Vaccine Choice… The final judgment affirmed a Tarrant County jury’s award of over $380,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to TFVC from Schlegel based on Schlegel’s breach of her employment agreement and insistence on prolonging the litigation.”

The organization noted that Schlegel’s attempt to move nearly the entire bank balance occurred the night before a board meeting at which the other two directors planned to discuss her future and had even considered offering her a year of paid leave.

Background of the Split

The dispute traces back to late 2021, when tensions arose inside Texans for Vaccine Choice over the group’s direction. Schlegel, who had been executive director, board member, and PAC treasurer, was removed after the attempted transfer. She went on to lead Texans for Vaccine Freedom (later rebranded or succeeded by Texans for Medical Freedom), while the original group continued under new leadership.

Both organizations describe themselves as defenders of medical liberty, parental rights, and opposition to vaccine mandates. The internal feud has divided donors and activists in Texas conservative and medical-freedom circles for more than four years.

Political Context

Schlegel, a mother of three and longtime advocate, announced in mid-February 2026 that she is running as a Republican for Texas House District 94 in the March 2026 primary.

Whether she will appeal Monday’s final judgment remains unclear. Any appeal would risk triggering the additional $200,000 in conditional attorney’s fees awarded to Texans for Vaccine Choice.

Texans for Medical Freedom’s press release concluded by reaffirming its focus on “protecting individual liberty, defending medical privacy, and standing up for Texas families.” Texans for Vaccine Choice responded that it remains “steadfast in our mission to fight for Texans’ medical freedom” and will continue “faithfully steward[ing] the resources entrusted to us by our donors.”

The case (Cause No. 017-330567-21) is now final at the district-court level unless Schlegel files a notice of appeal. Court records are public in Tarrant County.

In a stunning development just days before early voting intensifies ahead of the March 3, Republican primary in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is reeling from explosive allegations of an extramarital affair with a former staffer. The release of text messages allegedly exchanged with Regina Santos-Aviles — a married district director in his Uvalde office who died by suicide in September 2025 — has triggered a sharp backlash among GOP voters and propelled challenger Brandon Herrera into a clear lead.

Santos-Aviles, 35, known as “Regi” to colleagues, served as Gonzales’ regional director in Uvalde. She was a mother of an 8-year-old son and had been married to Adrian Aviles for seven years (following a 21-year relationship) before the couple separated. On September 13, 2025, she set herself on fire outside her Uvalde home in an act ruled a suicide by self-immolation; she died the following day at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

The affair allegations first surfaced publicly in late 2025 but erupted this month when Aviles released private communications. According to reporting by the San Antonio Express-News and the New York Post, Aviles discovered sexually suggestive texts from Gonzales on his wife’s phone in May 2024 — shortly after Gonzales narrowly defeated Herrera in the 2024 GOP primary runoff. One text from Gonzales reportedly asked Santos-Aviles for a “sexy pic” and inquired about her “favorite sexual position.” Separately, Santos-Aviles sent a text to a fellow staffer on April 27, 2025, confessing: “I had affair with our boss and I’m fine. You will be fine.”

A former staffer described the relationship as an “open secret” in the office during the 2024 cycle. After Aviles confronted the situation, office dynamics shifted dramatically: meetings were canceled, and Santos-Aviles’ workload suffered as she battled depression and began taking antidepressants.

Gonzales has vehemently denied the affair, calling the claims “completely untruthful” regarding circumstances tied to her death and labeling recent developments a “coordinated political attack.” In a statement shared on Twitter he wrote: “During my six years in Congress not a single formal complaint has been levied against my office. Now days away from an election, coordinated political attacks reign in. IT WONT WORK.” He has also accused Aviles and his attorney of attempted blackmail, referencing a demand for up to $300,000 in a settlement under the Congressional Accountability Act related to alleged workplace issues. Aviles, for his part, has expressed frustration over Gonzales’ lack of outreach or remorse, telling the New York Post the congressman “lives his life as if nothing happened” while emphasizing the personal toll on their son.

Polls Show Dramatic Shift: Herrera Leads by 24 Points

The timing of the text releases could not be worse for Gonzales. A new survey conducted February 18-20, 2026, by Political Intelligence (commissioned by the Herrera campaign) of 543 likely Republican primary voters in TX-23 shows Brandon Herrera surging to a commanding lead:

• Brandon Herrera: 51%

• Tony Gonzales: 21%

• Keith Barton: 4%

• Francisco “Quico” Canseco: 4%

• Undecided: 21%

The poll carries a ±4% margin of error.

Favorability ratings tell an even starker story. Only 24% of likely GOP primary voters view Gonzales favorably, while 54% view him unfavorably (22% no opinion). By contrast, Herrera enjoys 52% favorable and just 20% unfavorable ratings (29% no opinion).

Crucially, 61% of respondents said learning about the alleged affair would make them “somewhat less likely” or “much less likely” to support Gonzales; only 32% said it would make no difference. When asked what bothers them more — the affair itself or Gonzales allegedly lying about it — 54% chose “both equally,” 22% said “lying,” and just 3% said “the affair.”

This represents a massive reversal from the 2024 cycle, when Gonzales edged out Herrera in a bitter runoff to secure the nomination for the safely Republican-leaning but still competitive district that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso.

With early voting already underway in some areas and the primary just over a week away, the scandal has dominated local and national headlines. Aviles has publicly urged President Trump — who has endorsed Gonzales — to reconsider that support. An ethics investigation into the matter by the Office of Congressional Conduct reportedly began months ago.

Gonzales, a married father of six first elected in 2020, has positioned himself as a pragmatic conservative willing to work across the aisle, but the revelations have energized the district’s more hard-line Republican base that has long favored Herrera, a popular firearms YouTuber and Second Amendment advocate known as “The AK Guy.”

Whether the incumbent can salvage his campaign in the final stretch remains to be seen. For now, the leaked texts and the tragic death of Regina Santos-Aviles have transformed what was expected to be a competitive but winnable primary for Gonzales into an uphill battle — one that current polling suggests he is losing badly.

In a recent Twitter post, veteran advocate Mark Lucas, founder of Veteran Action, lambasted VoteVets.org as a “Soros-linked group” that pretends to champion veterans while advancing a left-wing agenda. The post highlights VoteVets’ role in a surprising Democratic victory in a Texas state Senate race and its association with Alexander Vindman, a key figure in Donald Trump’s first impeachment. Lucas argues that the organization prioritizes political disruption over genuine veteran support, including efforts to “retake the House in ’26, impeach Trump again, and reverse pro-veteran reforms.”

VoteVets.org, founded in 2006 by Iraq War veterans Jon Soltz and Jeremy Broussard, describes itself as the largest progressive organization of veterans in America, with over 700,000 supporters including veterans, military families, and civilians. Its mission focuses on electing veterans to public office—primarily Democrats—and advocating for issues like troop welfare, veterans’ care, and national security. The group operates through a political action committee (PAC) and a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the VoteVets Action Fund, which allows it to engage in advocacy and limited political activities.

Critics, including Lucas, point to VoteVets’ funding as evidence of its partisan leanings. The organization has received significant contributions from Democratic-aligned entities, such as the House Majority PAC ($1.29 million in October 2024) and labor unions like the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry. Links to billionaire George Soros are indirect but notable: Soros’ Open Society Foundations have funded allied progressive groups, such as America Votes ($16.9 million in 2021) and others opposing voter integrity measures like the SAVE Act. While Soros himself has not directly donated to VoteVets, his network’s support for overlapping causes—such as combating voter suppression and promoting progressive policies—fuels accusations of influence. Defenders argue these funds enable advocacy on veterans’ issues, and VoteVets has also received donations from veterans like Jennifer Pritzker.

The post specifically calls out VoteVets’ $500,000 expenditure to back Democrat Taylor Rehmet in a special election for Texas Senate District 9, a seat in Tarrant County that Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. Rehmet, a union president, Air Force veteran, and first-time candidate, won the January 31, 2026, runoff against Republican Leigh Wambsganss by a 57%-43% margin, flipping a district no Democrat had held in nearly 50 years. Analysts attribute the upset to Rehmet’s working-class appeal, increased Latino voter turnout, and suburban backlash against GOP policies. Trump endorsed Wambsganss but distanced himself post-loss, blaming low Republican turnout. Rehmet’s win is for a partial term ending in early January 2027, with a full-term election set for November 2026.

Central to Lucas’ critique is Alexander Vindman, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who served as VoteVets’ senior advisor starting in 2022. Vindman gained national prominence as a National Security Council director who testified in Trump’s 2019 impeachment, alleging the president pressured Ukraine’s leader to investigate Joe Biden. Reassigned and later retiring, Vindman has authored books like Here, Right Matters and leads think tanks focused on national security. On January 27, 2026, he launched a Democratic Senate bid in Florida against GOP Sen. Ashley Moody, raising $1.7 million in the first 24 hours from over 36,000 donors. His campaign emphasizes affordability and anti-corruption, drawing on his military service and impeachment role. Critics like Lucas view this as part of a broader strategy to place anti-Trump veterans in power.

VoteVets has faced controversies over its partisan tilt, with some labeling it a “dark money” group that prioritizes Democratic elections over nonpartisan veteran advocacy. It spent $14.4 million in outside spending during the 2024 cycle and $45 million supporting Biden-Harris in 2020, often on ads criticizing Republican foreign policy. The group has pushed agendas like climate action and disinformation combat, which Lucas claims ignore core veteran concerns such as VA reforms. However, VoteVets defends its work, noting collaborations with conservatives on issues like ending endless wars and providing direct aid to troops. Fact-checkers rate it as left-center biased with mixed factual accuracy in ads, but it remains influential in electing veterans—over 20 to Congress since 2006.

Lucas promotes his own group, Veteran Action, as a counter to VoteVets, advocating for a “Veterans’ Bill of Rights” and the “Veterans’ ACCESS Act” to protect against bureaucracy and ensure healthcare access. Replies to his post echo sentiments calling Vindman a “traitor” and questioning VoteVets’ authenticity.

As midterm elections approach, VoteVets’ strategies—recruiting veteran candidates and targeting red districts—could signal shifting dynamics, even in Trump strongholds. Whether this represents genuine veteran empowerment or a veiled partisan push remains a point of heated debate, with substantial funding and high-stakes races like Rehmet’s and Vindman’s underscoring the divide.

In a significant move aimed at strengthening student safety and accountability in public schools, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has named Levi Fuller as its inaugural Inspector General for Educator Misconduct. The announcement, made on February 4, 2026, comes amid growing concerns over reports of educator misconduct, including sexual assault and other forms of abuse in Texas classrooms.

Fuller, a Lufkin native and veteran with a robust background in law and public service, will oversee the enforcement of policies related to educator misconduct. His role involves coordinating with TEA’s Educator Investigation Division to handle investigations, certification sanctions, placements on the Do Not Hire Registry, and case closures. Additionally, Fuller will provide policy guidance to the State Board for Educator Certification, Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, the Governor’s Office, and state legislators.

Commissioner Morath praised Fuller’s appointment, stating, “I look forward to the impactful work Levi Fuller will do in service of our students, families and school systems. With more than a decade of experience holding bad actors accountable, Levi will help root out the flawed few that sow distrust among families and school communities while helping to restore confidence in the teaching profession

Fuller, who is himself a parent of public school children, expressed his commitment to the position. “I know the positive impact my teachers had on my life, and I want all students in our public schools, including my own children, to have that same experience,” he said. “My mandate from Commissioner Morath is to do everything in the TEA’s power to ensure a safe learning environment for all Texas students, and I intend to see that mandate fulfilled.”

In an interview given to Erin Anderson of Texas Scorecard following the announcement, Fuller elaborated on his approach, describing himself as a “crusader” ready to address the issue head-on. “The goal is, how do we address this problem? How do we get rid of bad actors in schools who are hurting our kids? How do we get the kids back in the schools in a safe environment and learning?” he told Texas Scorecard. He emphasized the need for structural changes within TEA, increased transparency, and close collaboration with law enforcement.

The creation of this new enforcement role stems from a surge in allegations of educator misconduct, particularly sexual assault cases. Senate Bill 571, signed into law in June 2025, updated reporting requirements for child abuse and misconduct, mandating quicker notifications and imposing penalties for failures to report. It also empowered TEA to publish quarterly reports on misconduct data and enhanced the Do Not Hire Registry.According to a groundbreaking report by parent advocacy group Texas Education 911 titled State-Sponsored Child Abuse: School Employee Misconduct in Texas, released in December 2024, there were 6,888 reports of sexual and violent misconduct by public school employees against students in Texas schools over a 34-month period from September 2021 to July 2024.The report, based on an analysis of data from TEA’s Educator Misconduct Reporting Portal, revealed that a staggering 61 percent of these misconduct reports were not investigated by the TEA. This lack of follow-through has drawn sharp criticism for allowing potential bad actors to remain in or return to classrooms, contributing to eroded public trust in the education system.Breakdowns from the report further highlight the problem:

• 1,028 accounts of sexual misconduct, with 73 percent not investigated.

• 4,144 instances of violence by school employees against students, with 74 percent not investigated.

• 1,412 accounts of inappropriate relationships with students.

These figures were cited repeatedly during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, including in analyses of bills like HB 4623 and SB 571, which aimed to strengthen reporting requirements, enhance the Do Not Hire Registry, and mandate faster notifications and penalties for non-reporting. As of mid-2024, roughly 6,654 of the 6,888 allegations remained unresolved, amplifying calls for systemic reform.Fuller’s role as Inspector General directly addresses these gaps. He has indicated plans to incorporate recommendations from the Texas Education 911 report, including structural changes at TEA, greater transparency, and improved collaboration with law enforcement to ensure thorough investigations and accountability.With Texas public schools serving nearly 5.5 million students, the creation of this position and Fuller’s mandate represent a critical step toward protecting children and restoring confidence in educators by rooting out the minority of individuals who betray that trust. Advocates hope his leadership will lead to meaningful reductions in uninvestigated cases and faster resolutions for victims and families.

In the most significant development in the long-running probe into the activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the U.S. House Oversight Committee has authorized a subpoena for billionaire businessman Les Wexner. The move, approved on January 7, 2026, requires Wexner to appear for a private deposition as part of the committee’s investigation into Epstein’s crimes and potential government mishandling.

Wexner, the Ohio-based founder of L Brands—which includes iconic retail chains like Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works—has been a focal point due to his decades-long association with Epstein

However, recently unsealed documents, including a 2019 FBI email, have mentioned Wexner in contexts related to potential Epstein associates. Despite this scrutiny, Wexner has not faced any charges, and during a prior U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation, he was informed that he was neither a target nor a co-conspirator.

Representatives for Wexner have affirmed his intention to cooperate fully with the subpoena, consistent with his responses to earlier inquiries. The deposition will involve sworn testimony before the committee, conducted privately and transcribed, though not open to the public. Transcripts could be released later with approval from committee leaders. Failure to comply could lead to contempt of Congress charges, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment, as exemplified by past cases like that of Steve Bannon.

This subpoena is part of a committee effort, which has already targeted figures such as Bill and Hillary Clinton and former Department of Justice officials. No specific public hearing date related to Epstein has been set for 2026, and the committee—comprising Ohio Republicans Jim Jordan and Michael Turner, as well as Democrat Shontel Brown—continues its work amid calls for transparency.

The investigation aligns with ongoing initiatives to unseal Epstein-related documents under congressional transparency laws, with the DOJ reviewing over 5.2 million pages. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained ties to numerous prominent individuals across politics and business, including former President Donald Trump, with whom he had a public falling out. As more details emerge, the subpoena of Wexner presents the persistent quest for accountability in one of the most notorious scandals of recent decades.

Palantir cofounder joe Lonsdale on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, with marina corina Machado. 4 months ago

“You’re really positive with the [Trump] administration’s recent moves. There’s more coming. I guess, there’s probably certain things you’re not supposed to say that are coming.”