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- MRT 2/26/25 (free) (sponsored TX Flyover): First Measles Death Reported in Lubbock // AG Paxton Announces Probe of Two Large Lottery Payouts // Abbott: Continue Border $ as Feds Ramp Up
MRT 2/26/25 (free) (sponsored TX Flyover): First Measles Death Reported in Lubbock // AG Paxton Announces Probe of Two Large Lottery Payouts // Abbott: Continue Border $ as Feds Ramp Up
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
Matt Mackowiak
February 26, 2025
In partnership with
WEDNESDAY || 2/26/25
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TOP NEWS
WEDNESDAY || 2/26/25
Good Wednesday afternoon.
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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)
AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
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TOP NEWS
“First measles death in West Texas reported by Texas Tech hospital,” Houston Chronicle's Catherine Dominguez and Evan MacDonald — “A child died from the measles after being hospitalized in Lubbock, the first death amid an outbreak that began last month in the South Plains region, health officials said.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the school-aged child's death on Wednesday but did not offer any additional details about the child's age or identity. The child had not received the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella before being hospitalized last week, department officials said.
The measles outbreak in northwest Texas grew to 124 cases in nine counties on Tuesday, and health officials warned that residents in other parts of the state may have been exposed to the highly contagious respiratory illness.
The state’s largest measles outbreak in more than 30 years has already spread to neighboring New Mexico, which reported nine cases on Tuesday. The latest update from the Texas Department of State Health Services now includes a handful of cases in the northernmost part of the Panhandle and potential exposures in San Antonio and San Marcos.
The outbreak is still concentrated in school-aged children, who account for 101 of the 124 cases. Only five of the cases are individuals who have received the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella; the rest are those who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing and can linger in the air for up to two hours. It’s also highly contagious; up to nine in 10 people who are exposed to the virus will become infected if they aren’t vaccinated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It can also lead to serious health complications. One in five unvaccinated people who are infected will need to be hospitalized, and one in 20 children will develop pneumonia, according to the CDC. In rare cases it can lead to brain swelling, blindness and death.
Health officials have stressed that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, and vaccinated individuals generally experience milder symptoms if they do become sick, according to the CDC. Measles can cause serious illness; 18 people have been hospitalized amid the current outbreak in northwest Texas, according to the DSHS.
“For those who are not vaccinated against the measles, now is the time,” Dr. Ericka Brown, local health authority for Harris County Public Health, said during a Tuesday news briefing. “That really is the best method of prevention.”" Houston Chronicle ($)
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STATE GOVERNMENT
“Greg Abbott wants to keep spending billions on Texas border push” SAEN ($)
“Ag Commissioner Sid Miller issues warning after fatal border IED” SAEN ($)“ERCOT approves $54 million plan to move CenterPoint’s mobile generators to San Antonio” Texas Tribune
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Dallas reignites legal fight over short-term rentals, files for rehearing” DMN ($)
“Fort Bend County Judge KP George lashes out at DA’s office over arrest” Houston Chronicle ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Fertitta now largest shareholder in Wynn Resorts gaming company” Houston Chronicle ($)
TEXANS IN DC
“Tony Gonzales cautions Republicans on budget cuts” SAEN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "High housing costs, inflation bite into Texas sales tax growth" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas wants the NCAA to start “sex-screening” its student athletes" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "How the Supreme Court of the United States and federal courts work and affect Texans" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas’ has the highest rate of uninsured children, and it’s getting worse" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "U.S. Rep. August Pfluger benefits from fund drive promoting third Trump term" TX TRIB
> AP: "Texas pipeline company’s $300M lawsuit against Greenpeace heads to trial in North Dakota" AP
> TX MONTHLY: "Can the American Bumblebee Get a Little Help From Man’s Best Friend?" TX MONTHLY
> TX TRIB: "Bexar County hires veteran election official pushed out of previous job amid right-wing criticism" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "More than 100 arrested in Colony Ridge raids, ICE says" TX TRIB
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Montgomery County looks to state, federal funding for $350M in projects" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas Senate committee moves to ban online lottery ticket sales" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Frisco ISD joins litigation for youth protection on social media platforms" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Othram to Partner with U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to solve missing and murdered cases" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Kalahari could open proposed Allen location by 2030" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "'We are out of options': Judges urge action for new Montgomery County Courthouse" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TX TRIB: "New study finds elevated cancer rates near toxic San Jacinto River waste pits" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "U.S. Supreme Court hears Texas death row inmate’s appeal for DNA test of evidence" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "“We’re in competition”: An East Texas school district faces hard choices as education options grow" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "Development could add almost 700 homes west of Lake Conroe" HOU CHRON
> AP: "The few Republicans who still oppose Trump gather in search of a path to oppose him" AP
> HOU CHRON: "Apple to follow Meta, X and Chevron to the state and to Houston" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Here's how crime stats look over a year into John Whitmire's mayoral term" HOU CHRON
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Apple to build 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Houston" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Houston Police Department reports 5% increase in 2024 crime rate" COMMUNITY IMPACT
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NBA: LA Lakers 107, Dallas 99
> NBA: Houston 100, Milwaukee 97
> NBA: New Orleans 109, San Antonio 103
> NHL: Columbus 6, Dallas 4
> NCAAM: Cincinnati 69, Baylor 67
> NCAAM: Troy 74, Texas State 69
> NCAAM: West Virginia 73, TCU 55
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NCAAM: Vanderbilt at #12 Texas A&M (SEC Network)
> 7pm: NCAAM: Rice at #18 Memphis (ESPN+)
> 8pm: NCAAM: Texas at Arkansas (ESPN2)
> 8:30m: NBA: San Antonio at Houston (ESPN)
> 10pm: NCAAM: SMU at California (ESPNU)
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros: Jose Altuve to make first start in left field" Houston Chronicle ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "Evan Help Us: Rangers’ potential plan for CF, opening day starter" DMN ($)
TEXAS FOOTBALL: Golden: "Why Duane Akina hire is a huge win for Steve Sarkisian, Texas football" SAEN ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Luka Doncic reminds Mavs of generational talent in win vs. Dallas" DMN ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "After Mavs-Lakers, Kyrie Irving details bond with Luka Doncic" DMN ($)
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Stay or go, Cowboys free agency edition: Rico Dowdle might be Dallas' only option at RB" DMN ($)
HOUSTON TEXANS: "Houston Texans eye making improvements to interior of defensive line" Houston Chronicle ($)