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- MRT 8/12/25 (free): Dems to Return Home? // Paxton Seeks to Jail Beto // TX Supreme Court Delays Ruling on Expulsion // Gov. Abbott Activates Emergency Response for NW TX Storm
MRT 8/12/25 (free): Dems to Return Home? // Paxton Seeks to Jail Beto // TX Supreme Court Delays Ruling on Expulsion // Gov. Abbott Activates Emergency Response for NW TX Storm
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
Matt Mackowiak
August 12, 2025
In partnership with
TUESDAY | 8/12/205
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TOP NEWS
“Texas Democrats to return home for second special session, ABC13 sources confirm,” via KTRK -- "ABC13 has confirmed with multiple sources that House Democrats will return to Texas.
Eyewitness News has not confirmed the date, but we do know that Democrats believe they've accomplished their mission by killing the first special session and by raising national awareness about the mid-decade redistricting effort.
It is unclear which day they will be in Austin at the Capitol, but they stress that they will push for Hill Country flooding relief to be the priority.
This comes as the House went another session without a quorum on Tuesday, with just 95 members present for the second day in a row. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said that assuming there is no quorum on Friday, the session will end, and a new one will begin.
Hours later, the Senate actually passed a new map that benefits Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. It's the same map that passed out of committee in the House and precipitated more than 50 House Democrats to break quorum.
Democrats in the Senate walked out in protest, but a quorum remained. Sources told ABC13 that Senate Democrats will not break quorum." KTRK
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TOP NEWS
“Greg Abbott activates Texas emergency response before potential storms” Hou Chron ($)
“Texas shooter killed 3 outside a Target store for no reason, police say” AP
“Kevin Michael Balditt wanted in two San Antonio-area shootings” SAEN ($)
#TXLEGE
“Texas Supreme Court delays ruling on expelling Democrats” Texas Tribune
“Texas Senate Democrats walk out to protest redistricting map” DMN ($)
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Paxton calls for Beto O'Rourke to be jailed in Texas redistricting fight” AP
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
"'Nothing gets through’: Critics say concerns about José Garza fall on deaf ears” AAS ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Rackspace has deal with University of Texas’ Dell Medical School” SAEN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "In redistricting clash, Texas GOP flexes power to shut down Democrats' last tool of resistance" TX TRIB
> DMN: "Here are the new Texas state laws that go into effect Sept. 1" DMN
> TX TRIB: "Colin Allred wants voters to know “I’m just as angry as they are” in new Senate bid" TX TRIB
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas lawmakers advance plans to improve flood response, fund warning sirens" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Friendswood ISD to go for $163M bond in November" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Judson ISD to call for voter-approval tax rate election to reduce $37M shortfall" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> THE TEXAN: "Texas House Lawmaker Files Special Session Bill to Reform Harris County Flood Control District" THE TEXAN
> MRT: "MISD could be first in Texas to reverse course on Confederate naming" MRT
> SA REPORT: "Spurs arena hits roadblock at City Hall as Mayor Jones demands ‘independent’ economic analysis" SA REPORT
> KXAN: "Republican Party of Texas sets stage to censure members, block them from primaries" KXAN
> KXAN: "Doggett says Casar should stay out of his district: ‘2 seats is better than 1’" KXAN
> DMN: "Texas agency warns toxic shale drilling wastewater threatens top oil fields" DMN
> DMN: "Uvalde school district releases 2022 classroom shooting records" DMN
> DMN: "Four Texas-related takeaways from the first AP poll of 2025" DMN
> AP: "Israel targets and kills Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif as toll worsens on Gaza journalists" AP
> HOU CHRON: "Houston gang member gets 30 years for trafficking teen girl through brothel" HOU CHRON
> DMN: "Plane spotters celebrate the return of the Airbus A380 to DFW Airport" DMN
> FWST: "At least five vehicles involved in fatal crash on Interstate 30 in Fort Worth" FWST
EXTRA POINTS
Yesterday's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: Texas 7, Arizona 6
> MLB: Houston 7, Boston 6
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6:30pm: WNBA: Dallas at Indiana (ESPN)
> 7:05pm: MLB: Arizona at Texas
> 7:10pm: MLB: Boston at Houston
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 1:35pm: MLB: Arizona at Texas
> 6:10pm: MLB: Boston at Houston
TEXAS FOOTBALL: "No. 3 Ohio State still doing some shuffling along the offensive line ahead of opener vs. No. 1 Texas" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Astros hold off Red Sox rally for 7-6 win, Urías and McCormick homer" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Astros’ Josh Hader sidelined with shoulder discomfort, tests pending" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Astros place closer Josh Hader on injured list with shoulder strain" Hou Chron ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "Burger hits RBI single in 10th as Rangers end 4-game skid with win over Diamondbacks" AP
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Cowboys want to get Joe Milton plenty of snaps before deciding if he will be Dak Prescott’s backup" AP
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Mavs’ opening night, Christmas and MLK Day games announced, including tip times and TV" DMN ($)