MRT 9/2/25 (free) (sponsored by The AI Report): Creighton to Become Tech System Chancellor // Cornyn Launches KenStoppers.com Tip Line // Dallas County to Raises Property Taxes? // RIP Jodie Laubenberg

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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak 

TUESDAY | 9/2/2025

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• TOP NEWS  

“State Sen. Brandon Creighton expected to be sole finalist for Texas Tech chancellor,” Texas Tribune's Jessica Priest -- "​State Sen. Brandon Creighton, the architect of major higher education reforms that banned diversity programs, limited faculty influence and tightened rules on campus protests, is poised to become the next chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.

The Texas Tech Board of Regents is set to "publicly name Creighton as the sole finalist for the position" on Thursday morning, according to the board's agenda. But Chair Cody Campbell signaled the board's decision earlier when he posted Sunday on X that he expects the regents to unanimously select the Conroe Republican.

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Creighton “has been a strong voice in the fight to get our colleges and universities back on track and clearly shares the values and vision of the Texas Tech community,” Campbell wrote. “Texas Tech stands at a pivotal crossroads and is poised to accelerate the pace of massive growth and progress that we have achieved. We are confident that Senator Creighton will continue to advance our mission of serving students, driving research, and strengthening communities across the State, and especially in West Texas. He is, unquestionably, the right person for the job, and we all look forward to working with him.”

Board Vice Chair Dustin Womble echoed Campbell's message in his own post while House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Texas Tech alum, congratulated Creighton.

“Senator Creighton’s leadership and expertise on higher education matters will be a tremendous benefit to Texas Tech,” the Lubbock Republican wrote.

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U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, who was also considered for the role, offered his congratulations, as well.

“To my fellow West Texans and Red Raiders, please join me in congratulating our next Chancellor, @SenCreighton,” Arrington wrote on X. “I am at the ready to help Brandon ‘bear our banners far and wide’ in our nation’s capital and beyond as he leads the greatest University System in all the land. Guns up, and Go West Texas!!”

In a separate post on X Sunday evening, Creighton said he is honored that Texas Tech regents have expressed confidence in him.

“Serving as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Budget Subcommittee has been the honor of a lifetime—especially to help deliver that success for Texas Tech and its regional universities,” he said. “I feel very blessed to have been considered for the role of Chancellor.”

In the last three years, Creighton, who chairs the Texas Senate’s education committee, has authored some of the most impactful legislation for Texas higher education in decades: Senate Bill 17, which bans diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public universities; Senate Bill 37, which gives governor-appointed regents more authority over university operations and limits faculty’s influence on their schools; and Senate Bill 2972, which sets new rules on when, where and how protests can take place on campuses.

Together, these measures have significantly shifted control over higher education from campus leaders to regents and state lawmakers, upending a longstanding balance of power that has traditionally given universities greater autonomy. ...

Creighton’s appointment could strengthen Texas Tech’s political influence at the Capitol. He helped create the Texas University Fund, a $3.9 billion endowment approved by voters in 2023 that sends hundreds of millions of dollars to Texas Tech, the University of Houston, Texas State University and the University of North Texas. Lawmakers established the fund to help these schools compete with the state’s two flagship university systems, the University of Texas and Texas A&M, which draw billions in support from the Permanent University Fund, a $39.5 billion oil-and gas-funded endowment that other emerging research universities cannot access.

Creighton would be new to Raider Country. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he earned his law degree from Oklahoma City University. He was a state representative for seven years before winning a Senate Seat in 2014, representing Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson and Montgomery counties. His current term runs through January 2027. He would have to vacate his seat before then, at which point Abbott would be authorized to call a special election to fill the vacancy.

The Texas Tribune first reported on Thursday that Creighton and Arrington were in the running to succeed Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, who announced his retirement in July. The board met behind closed doors for four hours on Saturday and then adjourned without taking any action. The earliest the board could meet next would be Thursday. By law, the board must wait 21 days before finalizing Creighton’s appointment. If confirmed, Creighton would become the sixth chancellor since the system’s creation in 1996." Texas Tribune

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• TOP NEWS

“Study debunks ‘Rainey Street Ripper’ myth, finds no serial killer at Lady Bird Lake” AAS ($)

“Former Texas Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, author of 2013 abortion restrictions, dies” Texas Tribune

• #TXLEGE  

“Texas lawmakers scrap new measure allowing late voter registration changes” Texas Tribune

“Texas House advances fundraising restrictions for lawmakers who leave state to block legislatioN” Texas Tribune

• 2026  

“Cornyn Launches ‘KenStoppers’ Hotline in Escalation of Effort to Make Primary About Paxton’s Character” Wash Examiner

“Dallas County commissioners mull steady or higher tax rates for 2026” DMN ($)

“Some Texas counties replace touchscreen voting machines after Trump order” Texas Tribune

• LOCAL GOVERNMENT  

“Storm recovery is getting more expensive. Houston’s controller’s office is suggesting policy change” Hou Chron ($)

“DaSean Jones plans to resign from Harris County felony court in October” Hou Chron ($)

• STATE GOVERNMENT  

“Texas National Guard isn't preparing to deploy to Chicago, Abbott's office says” Hou Chron ($)

• TEXANS IN DC  

John Cornyn guest column: “We can't let China win the new Space Race” Hou Chron ($)

• NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE 

> TX TRIB: "Some Texas counties replace touchscreen voting machines after Trump order" TX TRIB

> HOU CHRON: "Labor Day protesters say police response was 'overblown'" HOU CHRON

> TX TRIB: "In rapidly diversifying Tarrant County, a summer of GOP redistricting hits Black and Latino representation" TX TRIB

> HOU CHRON: "SCO summit could challenge US dominance and lend weight to China’s vision of a multipolar world" HOU CHRON

> KXAN: "Fixes to Texas’ Crime Victims’ Fund take effect following KXAN investigations" KXAN

> THE TEXAN: "Here's the Top Bills That Become Texas Law on September 1" THE TEXAN

> SA REPORT: "Over 234K Bexar County residents could lose health tax credit" SA REPORT

> SAEN: "Labor Day rally calls for more community benefits from Project Marvel" SAEN

> TPR: "Bexar County commissioners take up budget, voter registration system" TPR

> THE TEXAN: "GOP Candidates for North Texas Senate District Spar Over DEI, Casino Gambling" THE TEXAN

> HOU CHRON: "Workers launch rare strike at one of Houston's largest hotels" HOU CHRON

> TX TRIB: "Hoping to curb roadside deaths, TxDOT is helping stranded drivers in West Texas" TX TRIB

> DMN: "Former L.D. Bell High football standout shot and killed outside Euless bar, 2 wounded" DMN

> MRT: "Texas Pacific Land CEO: Peak Permian is misguided conclusion" MRT

> HOU CHRON: "This Houston-area school district is embracing AI to teach in classrooms" HOU CHRON

> HOU CHRON: "The Houston apartment market has taken a sharp turn in 2025" HOU CHRON

> TPR: "Could a new Texas law make some types of anime illegal? Fans worry it’s possible under SB 20" TPR

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Prosper council tables zoning change for 374-acre housing development off Parvin Road" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> EP TIMES: "Labor Day weekend travel 2025 meets rising gas prices in Texas and New Mexico" EP TIMES

> DMN: "What to know about a Texas bill to let residents sue out-of-state abortion pill providers" DMN

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "First Hays County administrator takes the reins" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> FWST: "10-year-old gunned down after playing ding-dong ditch prank on home, TX cops say" FWST

> HOU CHRON: "Update: Boy, 11, dies after being shot playing game of 'ding dong ditch'" HOU CHRON

> EP TIMES: "SISD Superintendent James Vasquez signs $285,000 salary contract, talks future of district" EP TIMES

> SA REPORT: "Economic experts remain optimistic about growth of U.S.-Mexico trade at San Antonio summit" SA REPORT

> TX TRIB: "As Guatemalan kids sit in planes in Texas, judge orders they stay in the U.S., for now" TX TRIB

> EP TIMES: "TABC agents detain man after Tipsy Tiger bar shooting in El Paso" EP TIMES

• EXTRA POINTS 

Recent Texas sports scores:
Sat
> MLB: LAA 4, Houston 1
> MLB: Texas 9, Oakland 3
> NCAAF: Ohio State 14, #1 Texas 7
> NCAAF: #16 SMU 42, East Texas A&M 13
> NCAAF: #19 Texas A&M 42, UTSA 24
> NCAAF: #23 Texas Tech 67, AR-Pine Bluff 7
> NCAAF: UTEP at Utah State
> NCAAF: Rice 14, Louisiana 12
> NCAAF: Tulsa 35, Abilene Christian 7
> NCAAF: North Texas 51, Lamar 0
> NCAAF: Texas State 52, Eastern Michigan 27
> MLS: Austin 3, San Jose 1
> MLS: St. Louis 3, Houston 2
Sun
> MLB: LAA 3, Houston 0
> MLB: Texas 9, Oakland 6
Mon
> MLB: Houston 8, LAA 3
> MLB: Texas 7, Oakland 5
> NCAAF: TCU 48, North Carolina 14
> WNBA: Minnesota 96, Dallas 71

Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:10pm: MLB: NYY at Houston (TBS)
> 8:40pm: MLB: Texas at Arizona

Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 2:40pm: MLB: Texas at Arizona
> 7:10pm: MLB: NYY at Houston (Amazon Prime)

HOUSTON ASTROS: "Altuve’s homer and Garcia’s strong return power the Astros past the Angels, 8-3" AP

TEXAS RANGERS: "Osuna’s 2-run single in 10th inning pushes Rangers past Diamondbacks 7-5 for 6th straight win" AP

TEXAS RANGERS: "The Texas Rangers are making a push, but injuries to key players are beginning to mount" AP

DALLAS COWBOYS: Watkins: "After getting DaRon Bland’s deal done, could Tyler Smith be next for the Cowboys?" DMN ($)

HOUSTON TEXANS: "10 bold predictions for the Houston Texans as they open their 2025 season" Hou Chron ($)

TEXAS FOOTBALL: "Matt Patricia’s Ohio State defense makes a statement in win over top-ranked Texas" AP

TEXAS FOOTBALL: "Sarkisian, Manning, preseason No. 1 Texas under microscope after 14-7 loss to Ohio State in opener" AP

TEXAS A&M / UTSA FOOTBALL: "Reed’s career-high 4 TD passes and Concepcion’s strong debut lead Texas A&M to 42-24 win over UTSA" AP

SMU FOOTBALL: "No. 16 SMU returns two interceptions for TDs in season-opening 42-13 win over East Texas A&M" AP

TEXAS TECH FOOTBALL: "No. 23 Texas Tech routs Arkansas-Pine Bluff 67-7 as Behren Morton exits after sack" AP

TCU FOOTBALL: "Belichick loses college coaching debut as TCU uses 2 defensive TDs to beat UNC 48-14" AP

RICE FOOTBALL: "Rice beats Louisiana-Lafayette 14-12 behind Quinton Jackson’s 119 yards rushing and a TD" AP

TEXAS STATE FOOTBALL: "Texas State thrashes Eastern Michigan 52-27 with seven touchdowns" AP

UT RGV / SUL ROSS FOOTBALL: "Marburger throws 5 TDs, leads UTRGV to 66-0 win over Sul Ross State in Vaqueros’ first football game" AP

AUSTIN FC: "Osman Bukari and Myrto Uzuni spark Austin to 3-1 victory over Earthquakes" AP

HOUSTON DYNAMO: "Duane Holmes scores 1st MLS goal, Dynamo beats St. Louis City 3-2" AP

DALLAS WINGS: "Hiedeman has 20 points and career-high 10 assists for first double-double as Lynx beat Wings 96-71" AP