MRT 6/10/25 (free) (sponsored by The Rundown AI): Anti-ICE Protests Held in Major TX Cities // // Patrick’s Push to Ban THC Draws Backlash // DFPS Commissioner to Retire // Hidalgo Arrives in Paris

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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak 

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TUESDAY | 6/10/2025

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• TOP NEWS

“Texas bets big on nuclear: Lawmakers greenlight $350M in taxpayer funds for new projects,” Houston Chronicle's Claire Hao – “Texas lawmakers have approved the creation of a $350 million program to attract the advanced nuclear industry to the state by giving companies taxpayer-funded grants to develop nuclear projects.

The amount falls short of the $2 billion initially sought by the industry. Still, the money set aside in Texas’ budget this session for nuclear projects is the “largest national commitment” of its kind, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a recent statement congratulating the state legislature on passing House Bill 14.

Abbott last year declared his goal for Texas to be “the global leader in advanced nuclear power.” HB14 implements several initiatives recommended by the governor’s advanced nuclear working group. The bill has been sent to Abbott, who said that he looks forward to signing it into law.

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“Texas is the energy capital of the world, and this legislation will position Texas at the forefront of America's nuclear renaissance,” Abbott said in the statement.

Under HB14, a Texas nuclear energy office would be established within the governor’s own office. This new office would oversee the nuclear funding program, as well as help companies interested in developing projects navigate the state’s permitting and regulatory process.

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Reed Clay, president of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, a statewide trade group, said Friday there’s “overwhelming excitement” within the industry about HB14’s success. He expects to see “a continued stream” of companies announcing intentions to develop nuclear reactors in Texas.

“Texas has really cemented its position as the head of the class, in terms of the state that’s best positioned to take advantage of the next Atomic Age,” Clay said.

The American nuclear industry is awakening from a decades-long slump as it touts a technology known as small modular reactors, which are supposed to be easier and cheaper to build than traditional reactors, though no commercial SMRs have been deployed in the country.

Texas has already attracted a growing number of advanced nuclear companies to set up in the state or to announce plans to build here. The nuclear industry has argued that Texas could reap tens of billions in investment and hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs if the state put up its own funds to jumpstart the sector’s expansion.

Plus, nuclear’s proponents argue, incentivizing the construction of more advanced nuclear power plants would be beneficial for Texas’ power grid. Demand for electricity could jump more than 70% by 2031, according to the Texas power grid operator’s estimates, as data centers and other large electricity users flock to the state.

Thus, more nuclear is needed to provide Texas residents and businesses a source of continuous electricity generated without climate-warming emissions, industry supporters say.

Yet, many of Texas’ most prominent environmental groups are strongly opposed to giving what they called “handouts” to nuclear companies. The industry has a history of overpromising and under-delivering, so taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be spent on a risky technology that hasn’t yet proven itself in the market, critics said repeatedly to Texas lawmakers in the last few months.

The nuclear industry started in January with an ambitious ask — $2 billion — from the Texas Legislature. That number was gradually whittled down in lawmaker negotiations to $750 million, and then finally to the $350 million that was approved." Hou Chron ($)

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• TOP NEWS

“Authorities use tear gas, pepper spray to disperse anti-ICE protesters in downtown” AAS ($)

“Dallas anti-ICE protest turns tense as crowd takes to street” DMN ($)

• #TXLEGE

“Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s push to ban THC in Texas draws rare backlash from the right” Texas Tribune

• STATE GOVERNMENT

“Texas foster care agency chief to step down this summer” Texas Tribune

“Texas’ abortion bans are here to stay despite narrow clarification” Texas Tribune

• LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo arrives in Paris as part of trade mission” Hou Chron ($)

• 2026

“Dan Crenshaw, once a Republican star, is now facing a growing list of challengers” Hou Chron ($)

• BUSINESS NEWS

“Data center firm pulls back on $100M economic development agreement” DMN ($)

• NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

> DMN: "Texas teens worry as lawmakers ban LGBTQ clubs in public schools" DMN

> DMN: "How could Texas’ new child care laws impact students and parents?" DMN

> HOU CHRON: "Greg Abbott's influence grows after all his legislative priorities pass" HOU CHRON

> THE TEXAN: "Uranium Mining, Nuclear Energy Expansion Bills Headed to Abbott's Desk" THE TEXAN

> THE TEXAN: "Ibogaine Research 'Consortium' to Treat Opioid Addiction Passes Texas Legislature" THE TEXAN

> THE TEXAN: "Texas Secretary of State Refers 33 Alleged Noncitizen Voters to Attorney General" THE TEXAN

> DMN: "Dallas rally to show solidarity with LA protesters turns tense as crowd takes to street" DMN

> HOU CHRON: "'Unacceptable': What Texas and U.S. leaders are saying about the Los Angeles ICE protests" HOU CHRON

> WACO TRIB: "Ashley Bean Thornton: Five things to know about our new voucher bill" WACO TRIB

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Health Care Edition: Potential cuts to federal funding could set back medical research in Houston" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> TPR: "HIV testing ends in San Antonio raising public health concerns" TPR

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Health Care Edition: Potential cuts could set back medical research in Houston" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> DMN: "Texas natural gas production set record high earlier this year" DMN

> AAS: "Austin police use tear gas, pepper spray to disperse anti-ICE protesters in downtown" AAS

> SA REPORT: "As questions about his political future swirl, Nirenberg describes how a global pandemic shaped vision for leadership" SA REPORT

> KXAN: "Live Blog: ICE protest at Texas Capitol: Tear gas deployed, arrests being made in downtown Austin" KXAN

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Officials working to rename Plantation Road in Southwest Austin" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> THE TEXAN: "Bill Addressing Harris County Toll Road’s Massive Surplus Dies" THE TEXAN

> SAEN: "Anti-terrorism job given to MAGA loyalist from S.A. called 'insignificant'" SAEN

> HOU CHRON: "Why the murder of Joel Osteen's relative is being investigated 18 years later" HOU CHRON

> FWST: "Worker dies when scaffolding collapses in wind, attorneys say. Family wins $23M" FWST

> HOU CHRON: "Texas' largest chlorine gas leak in years shows flaws in Brazoria County alerts" HOU CHRON

> FWST: "23-year-old killed by boat propeller while tubing at lake, Texas officials say" FWST

> DMN: "Fairview residents file lawsuit challenging LDS temple permit approval" DMN

> FWST: "Fort Worth ISD’s Helbing Elementary will close. Teachers there ‘gave it our all’" FWST

• EXTRA POINTS

Recent Texas sports scores:
None.

Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6:40pm: MLB: Texas at Minnesota
> 7:10pm: MLB: Chicago (WS) at Houston

Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 6:40pm: MLB: Texas at Minnesota
> 7:10pm: MLB: Chicago (WS) at Houston
> 9pm: WNBA: Dallas at Phoenix

HOUSTON TEXANS: “Houston Texans sign former Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb" AP

TEXAS / TEXAS TECH SOFTBALL: "Women's College World Series 2025 sets softball viewership record" AAS ($)