AGP Executive Report

Election Countdown: Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson is urging voters to make a plan for Tuesday’s May 26 primary runoff, reminding Texans they can’t cross party lines and that polling locations are set by county officials. AG vs. Big Tech: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Meta and WhatsApp, alleging the app’s “end-to-end encryption” claims are misleading and that the company can access private messages. Weather & Safety: With Memorial Day storms looming, Texas A&M AgriLife says flood risk is rising and advises moving equipment and livestock to higher ground. Sports—Texas Tech Upset Run: In Gainesville, Texas Tech stunned Florida 10-8 in Game 1 of the Super Regional after a wild comeback and a go-ahead homer by Mia Williams. Local Spotlight: Abbott appointed Rachel McLelland, a TTUHSC medical student, as the Texas Tech System student regent for 2026-27.

Privacy Lawsuit: Texas AG Ken Paxton is suing Meta and WhatsApp, accusing the app of misleading users about “end-to-end encryption” and allegedly accessing private messages and data. Weather & Safety: A flood watch stays up for parts of the Houston area through the weekend, with repeated heavy-rain rounds and street-flood risk. Houston Housing: City Council passed an apartment inspection ordinance aimed at pushing “high-risk” landlords to fix health and safety problems faster. Courts & Sports: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s NCAA eligibility fight gets a June 1 injunction hearing in Lubbock County. Crime & Courts: A former East Texas school aide was arrested after allegedly swinging a 5-year-old student upside down, and a separate case alleges a man secretly mixed abortion medication into a pregnant girlfriend’s drink. Sports Tonight: Houston and LA Galaxy meet after Houston’s shutout win, while Texas Lottery results and local tournament updates keep rolling in.

Housing Push: Austin Community Foundation is putting $5 million into affordable homes across Central Texas via its $24.2 million Housing Accelerator Loan Fund, aiming to speed up land buys and pre-development as costs rise. Tech & Privacy Fight: Texas AG Ken Paxton sued Meta and WhatsApp over alleged misleading “end-to-end encryption” claims, arguing the companies still had ways to access messages. Politics & GOP Tension: The Paxton–Cornyn runoff fight is getting nastier, with the Texas GOP chair urging both sides to pull negative ads as turnout fears grow. Sports Spotlight: Texas Tech added North Crowley wing Treaton Hall to its 2026 recruiting class, while Logan Hughes and Connor Shouse earned first-team All-Big 12 honors for baseball. Local Life & Safety: Houston-area Lone Star College-Houston North Fallbrook was evacuated after reports of a gas smell. Energy & Everyday Costs: AAA says Texas gas averages about $4.09 a gallon—among the lowest in the U.S.—even as Memorial Day prices climb.

Court Ruling: A federal appeals court let stand an order forcing a Rhode Island hospital to turn over records about minors’ gender-affirming care to a Texas court, rejecting claims the transfer would cause irreparable harm. Public Safety & Health: The EPA announced $76.6 million to cut lead exposure in Texas drinking water, while the Texas Board of Nursing suspended Camp Mystic’s chief health officer’s license after allegations tied to last year’s deadly flood response. Crime & Justice: A Houston jury convicted a man of sex trafficking and coercion involving multiple victims, including minors, and a Tyler man was sentenced to 16 years for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old. World Cup Watch: Houston warned fans about AI-powered ticket scams as Memorial Day travel ramps up, and stadium/hospitality workers pushed for higher pay ahead of the games. Everyday Texas: New driver’s licenses will flag communication impairments or hearing loss, and a man was arrested after driving a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake while testing “Wade Mode.”

Midtown Murder Charge: Houston police have arrested 46-year-old Damen Jerome Lee, accused of killing his 53-year-old brother, Henry Lee, after Henry was found stabbed in a parking garage on Crawford Street near I-45. SNAP Funding Shake-Up: A new federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” would change how Texas pays for SNAP—starting Oct. 1, 2026, Texas would cover 75% of administrative costs, and if Texas’ payment error rate stays above a threshold, the state could also owe hundreds of millions in benefit costs. Veterans Care Boost: Central Texas VA says it received funding for a new $44.5 million outpatient clinic in Round Rock to expand services for veterans. Privacy Watch: Texas AG Ken Paxton says his office is investigating Meta’s AI smart glasses over privacy and facial-data concerns. Rural TV Buzz: ABC has greenlit a West Texas-set “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff for 2027, shifting the franchise to a rural medical center. Local Win Against AI Surveillance: A tiny Bandera town says it fought back against AI license-plate cameras—cutting poles and ultimately terminating the contract after residents rejected the rollout.

Politics: President Trump just endorsed Texas AG Ken Paxton in the GOP U.S. Senate runoff, a last-minute move that’s already rattling Republicans and supercharging Paxton’s bid to unseat John Cornyn. Elections: Early voting is underway for the May 26 runoff as both sides trade sharp attacks. Public Safety: Houston police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash and the death of a woman found at a Woodlyn Road residence; separately, law enforcement is pushing seat belt use through Click It or Ticket. Health: The CDC is tightening Ebola-related travel rules as Houston prepares for World Cup visitors. Energy & Industry: Texas-based Caturus Energy greenlit a $13B Commonwealth LNG project in Louisiana, while an air quality expert says B.C.’s LNG Canada expansion is getting a “free pass” on emissions. Weather: Storms have knocked out power for thousands across Southeast Texas. Courts: A jury convicted a man who claimed he was kidnapped and forced to return to the U.S.

Texas Senate Shock: President Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the GOP Senate runoff, sending prediction markets into a quick scramble and turning the race even more personal as early voting is already underway. Politics & Power: Cornyn fired back that voters must choose between a “strong nominee” and a “weak” one, while Paxton framed the moment as a boost for his America First agenda. Local Government & Courts: The Texas Supreme Court backed “passive shippers” in a Home Depot-related ruling, limiting negligence claims tied to trucking. Public Safety: Houston confirmed its first West Nile human case of 2026 in Harris County, while a disabled aircraft triggered a ground stop at Bush Intercontinental that was later lifted. Business & Growth: C.H. Robinson opened a South Texas produce logistics center near the border, and Fort Worth closed two downtown streets for a Paramount+ series shoot. Health Watch: Houston is preparing for DR Congo’s World Cup team arrival as officials monitor an Ebola outbreak, with CDC saying the risk to Americans remains low.

Storm Aftermath: More than 4,000 Coastal Bend residents woke up without power as strong storms rolled through, with crews working to restore electricity before sunrise. Public Safety: Austin police arrested three suspects tied to a string of random shootings that left four people injured, while Houston continues a busy stretch of homicide and crash investigations, including a fatal stabbing in a parking garage and a fatal shooting of a man found on Chrystell Lane. Power & Disruption: Six Flags Texas briefly shut down after a power outage stranded riders on coasters, underscoring how quickly weather and infrastructure problems can turn scary. Legal/Politics: Texas AG Ken Paxton is pushing a new antitrust probe into major meatpackers as beef prices climb, and he’s also in court again over a Dallas-area Muslim university. Sports: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby filed to fight the NCAA over gambling-related ineligibility, while Dallas beat Washington in the WNBA and Texas A&M celebrated a women’s tennis national title at home.

Court Fight in College Football: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby filed an injunction against the NCAA, seeking a fast decision on reinstatement after a gambling-addiction rehab stint and allegations of “thousands” of bets—aimed at keeping his 2026 eligibility alive for the NFL Supplemental Draft. Public Safety: Fire crews battled multiple grass fires in Bosque County, with officials warning windy conditions could make things worse. Wildfire Response: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged vigilance as Panhandle wildfires burn under red-flag conditions. Houston Crime Update: New court details describe a violent stabbing and robbery inside a Texas Medical Center garage, where a victim escaped after being attacked with a kitchen knife. Travel & Economy: With the 2026 World Cup starting June 11, CBP says travel authorizations are rising as millions of visitors prepare to enter the U.S. Business Moves: Stargel Office Solutions completed its acquisition of Precision Printing & Office Supply, expanding deeper into the Texas market.

Renewables Deal: OCI Energy and Arava Power just inked a deal to co-develop the 670 MWdc La Salle Solar project in La Salle County, with Arava taking a 50% stake and both firms targeting a 2028 commissioning. Road Safety: TxDOT is pushing “buckle up or pay the price” messaging after 965 Texans died in crashes in 2025 where seat belts weren’t used. Space Watch: SpaceX is gearing up for Starship Flight 12 from Starbase near Boca Chica, with a Tuesday evening launch target and live streams planned. Sports Spotlight: Texas A&M women won the NCAA tennis title again, beating Auburn 4-1, while Texas men’s tennis fell to Virginia 4-3 for the championship. Local Crime: Austin police say two teens are in custody after a weekend spree of random shootings that left four people hurt, with motives still unclear.

Injury Update (MLB): Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is sidelined again with back spasms and is getting an MRI Sunday after being held out of Saturday’s loss to Houston. Weather Watch (Houston): Gulf moisture is pushing humidity up and raising the risk of dangerous rip currents along Southeast Texas beaches—officials urge swimmers to stay near lifeguards. Local Politics (Houston): Joe Panzarella won the District C City Council runoff, beating Nick Hellyar with about two-thirds of the vote. Fraud Crackdown (Houston): A Secret Service operation in Harris County found 14 card-skimming devices at businesses and says it helped stop about $14.5 million in potential losses. Elections (Bexar County): Early voting for the May 26 Texas primary runoff starts Monday, May 18, with voting sites and hours posted by county officials. Community & Sports: Six Flags Over Texas reopened after a power outage; and Texas Longhorn Justus Terry hosted a free kids day in Manchester.

Border Watch: A $1.7 billion contract was awarded for Big Bend border construction even as CBP’s own “Smart Wall” map labels the area “No Wall,” listing patrol roads and tech instead. Energy Shift: ERCOT is on track to see solar generation top coal for the first time in 2026, with Texas driving a big share of new solar capacity. Houston Sports: The Houston Dynamo beat Vancouver 1-0 to snap the Whitecaps’ seven-game unbeaten run, while the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez powered a 4-1 win over Texas’ Jacob deGrom. College Athletics: Texas A&M claimed the Lone Star Showdown title over Texas, and A&M baseball closed the regular season with a 7-6 win over Mississippi State to lock in the No. 3 SEC Tournament seed. Public Safety: Houston police are investigating after a body was found in Greens Bayou near I-10. Community: BARC Animal Shelter is changing stray intake hours to manage capacity.

Detransition Clinic Fallout: Texas Children’s Hospital reached a DOJ settlement that slaps it with $10M+ in penalties and forces the creation of the nation’s first detransition clinic, after allegations over children’s gender procedures. Houston Transit Violence: METRO police say an employee spotted a knife at a bus stop near the Houston Botanic Garden; officers fired after the suspect charged, and the man died—HPD is now leading the investigation. Wildfire Damage: A fast-moving Texas wildfire reportedly destroyed a railway bridge and homes across thousands of acres, with lightning suspected. Texas Politics: Sen. Bryan Hughes announced a hearing to investigate whether proxy advisors ISS and Glass Lewis violated Texas transparency law. Legal/Consumer Watch: Texas AG Ken Paxton also sued Netflix over claims it tracked children’s data via autoplay. Sports & Local Life: Texas beat Wisconsin 9-0 in NCAA softball; and in Houston, Texans scouting exec John Ritcher is joining the Giants in personnel.

Death Penalty: Texas executed Edward Busby Jr., the state’s 600th person since 1982, after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay tied to his claims of intellectual disability. Workforce & Schools: Texas awarded $2.52M in Jobs and Education for Texans grants to nine East Texas schools to buy career-tech equipment and train about 700 students. Local Tax Fight: A new Texas law is blocking more than 130 cities from raising property taxes, after AG Ken Paxton’s compliance push. Immigration & Courts: Houston saw 211 immigration/border-related charges filed over May 8-14, and a Tren de Aragua suspected leader was extradited to face federal court. Energy Shift: Solar is projected to overtake coal in ERCOT this year as Texas adds massive new PV capacity. Business & Jobs: Toyota filed to build a $2B assembly facility in Bexar County, aiming to create 2,000 jobs. Politics: Jed Wallace appealed after a Texas court dismissed his defamation case against Blake Lively over jurisdiction. Health Policy: Texas Children’s Hospital agreed to create a “detransition clinic” in a settlement tied to a state investigation.

Detransition Clinic Deal: Texas Children’s Hospital agreed to a sweeping settlement with Texas AG Ken Paxton and the Trump administration, including a $10 million payment and a requirement to create the nation’s first “detransition clinic” for kids who previously received gender-transition care, plus firing/revoking privileges for doctors tied to the state’s allegations. Courtroom Politics: The Texas Supreme Court also rejected Gov. Abbott’s push to remove Rep. Gene Wu from office after the 2025 redistricting fight, saying courts shouldn’t settle disputes between political branches. Public Safety: Houston police say a Methodist employee was stabbed and robbed in a Texas Medical Center garage, prompting questions about what security changes will follow. Tech & Transport: Tesla Robotaxis were linked to at least two remotely handled crashes in Austin, according to newly unredacted federal records. Crime & Courts: A suspected Tren de Aragua leader was extradited to Houston to face terrorism and drug charges. Business & Growth: Houston’s Ritz-Carlton Residences are selling at a record pace ahead of construction.

NBA/Local Sports: Kevin Durant says he has about two to three high-level playing years left, and he’s still aiming to finish in Houston as his Rockets deal runs through at least 2026-27. Capital Punishment: Texas executed Edward Lee Busby Jr., the state’s 600th modern-era execution, after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay tied to claims of intellectual disability. Courts/Immigration: A federal judge blocked key parts of Texas’ SB 4 migrant arrest-and-deport plan, saying it conflicts with federal immigration authority. Houston Schools: Parents and students packed HISD board meetings to oppose a proposed special education plan that would move some students to specialty campuses starting 2026-27. Houston Pro Football: The Texans’ 2026 schedule is out, including a Week 1 home opener vs the Bills and multiple primetime games. Tech/Autonomous Vehicles: Waymo issued a voluntary software recall after a driverless car drove into flooded lane conditions in San Antonio.