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- MRT 2/19/25 (free) (sponsored by AI Capital News): Burrows Boosts Abbott on School Choice // Measles Outbreak Up to 58 // 54 Deaths While Awaiting State Hospital Opening Since 2018 // DA Jose Garza Lets Murderer Loose After Missed Deadline
MRT 2/19/25 (free) (sponsored by AI Capital News): Burrows Boosts Abbott on School Choice // Measles Outbreak Up to 58 // 54 Deaths While Awaiting State Hospital Opening Since 2018 // DA Jose Garza Lets Murderer Loose After Missed Deadline
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
Matt Mackowiak
February 19, 2025
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WEDNESDAY || 2/19/25
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“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX)
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TOP NEWS
“West Texas measles outbreak climbs to 58, with four saying they were vaccinated,” Texas Tribune's Ayden Runnels — “An outbreak of measles in West Texas has grown to 58 cases, including four patients who said they were vaccinated against the disease.
Ten more cases were added to the Department of State Health Services' count Tuesday, including for the first time the four who self-reported they were vaccinated against the disease, according to the agency’s latest update. A spokesperson with DSHS said health investigators are in the process of confirming whether the four were, in fact, vaccinated against measles and how many doses they may have received.
DSHS initially warned of two cases of measles in underage children in Gaines County in late January. The disease has since spread to four other counties and 58 people — most of whom are children — but 45 of the cases are still in Gaines County. Lubbock County, which reported a single case, is the largest county in which a case was reported.
Thirteen patients have been hospitalized, according to DSHS, and spokesperson Lara Anton said officials are still unsure what the initial source of exposure was. The outbreak is Texas’ largest in more than 30 years, and comes at a time where vaccination rates among children have dropped. Almost 97% of Texas kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles in 2019, compared to 94.3% in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite the increase in infections among those potentially vaccinated, a DSHS spokesperson said virologists do not currently see “any evidence” the measles virus present in the patients has mutated into a vaccine-resistant variant.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, commonly referred to as the MMR vaccine, is about 93% effective with one dose and 97% effective with two doses, according to the CDC. The first dose is usually administered to infants aged 12 to 15 months, while the second dose is given to kids between 4 and 6. Follow-up doses are not required if patients received them in their youth, and older eligible patients can be immunized at any period.
Measles’ symptoms include high fever, watery eyes, runny nose and rashes, which can be minor or full-body. Symptoms can become serious and even fatal, especially among children and those who are unvaccinated. One in five unvaccinated people who are infected are hospitalized, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Part of what makes measles so infectious is the virus’ ability to stay active long after a patient has left, as the virus can stay active for up to two hours in the air and on surfaces, according to the World Health Organization.
Anton said the outbreak has especially affected the large Mennonite community in Gaines County. While the Mennonite Church does not forbid or disavow vaccinations, Anton said their communities tend to be undervaccinated, which drastically increases the likelihood of infection. Measles has a 90% infection rate among unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus, according to WHO.
Alongside the decrease in vaccination numbers, Texas lawmakers have introduced over 20 bills into the Legislature aimed at loosening vaccine requirements across the state with the support of vaccine-hesitant or anti-vaccine groups." Texas Tribune
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STATE GOVERNMENT
“At least 54 died since 2018 waiting for state hospital opening, senator calls for more tracking” KXAN
“TEA replaces South San ISD superintendent, trustees” SAEN ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“EXCLUSIVE: Travis County prosecutors missed indictment deadlines, murder suspects released” AAS ($)
#TXLEGE
“Texas House Speaker Burrows gives Abbott boost on school voucher plans” Houston Chronicle
BUSINESS NEWS
“Exclusive: Houston Texans may push for new football stadium” Houston Chronicle ($)
“Austin drone boat startup Saronic raises $600M at $4B valuation” ABJ ($)
“Ellliott Management raises stake in Phillips 66 to $2.5B” Houston Chronicle ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "Texas official wants low-cost broadband requirements tied to federal dollars dropped" TX TRIB
> AP: "KFC is leaving its ancestral home as parent company moves its corporate office to Texas" AP
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Kentucky Fried Chicken headquarters to relocate to Plano" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TX MONTHLY: "Texas Monthly Is a Finalist for Two 2025 National Magazine Awards" TX MONTHLY
> HOU CHRON: "Luxury townhome rentals coming to Tomball to add to build-to-rent boom" HOU CHRON
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Frisco ISD state stipend program expands to over 700 teachers" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Lewisville City Council passes new regulations on warehouse development" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> DMN: "Greg Abbott urges caution but says power grid is ready for cold" DMN
> TX TRIB: "As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes" TX TRIB
> DMN: "6-year-old girl killed in Far North Dallas hit-and-run, driver sought" DMN
> DMN: "Police: Hate speech materials thrown throughout Prosper subdivisions" DMN
> FWST: "Sold! New owners, new life for Parker County’s landmark 1950s-style burger drive-in" FWST
> TX TRIB: "This Texas school district invested in a pre-K center that’s specifically designed for younger students" TX TRIB
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Arctic front expected to bring bitter cold, wintry mix to Dallas-Fort Worth" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TPR: "'Not my Presidents Day' protesters gather at San Antonio City Hall" TPR
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "$2.5M community center planned for Atascocita Park in Humble" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> KXAN: "Several injured in crash on SH 71 in southeastern Travis County" KXAN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Mattie Parker seeking 3rd term as Fort Worth Mayor" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> Community Impact Newspaper: "See January real estate numbers for Keller, Roanoke, Northeast Fort Worth" Community Impact Newspaper
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NCAAM: #21 Mississippi State 70, #7 Texas A&M 54
> NCAAM: TCU 69, #9 Texas Tech 66
> NCAAM: #5 Houston 80, Arizona State 65
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NCAAM: SMU at Notre Dame (ACC Network)
> 7pm: NCAAM: Tulsa at North Texas (ESPN+)
> 7pm: NCAAM: UAB at Rice (ESPN+)
> 7pm: NCAAM: South Florida at UTSA (ESPN+)
> 7:30pm: NCAAM: LA-Monroe at Texas State (ESPN+)
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Matt Eberflus wants Cowboys defense focused on attacking in 2025" DMN ($)
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros: Isaac Paredes comfortable following Alex Bregman" Houston Chronicle ($)
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: "UH basketball: Cougars beat Arizona State, set Big 12 road wins record" Houston Chronicle ($)
TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Texas A&M men endure miserable second half in loss at Mississippi State" Bryan Eagle ($)