AGP Executive Report

WCWS Showdown: Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady delivered a complete-game two-hitter to beat Alabama 2-0, setting up a best-of-three finals rematch with Texas at Devon Park. College Baseball: Oregon will face Texas in an Austin super regional starting Saturday, with the Ducks chasing their first College World Series trip since the 1950s. Houston World Cup Security: City and FIFA officials laid out plans for heavy law enforcement, screening, and an 8-foot anti-climb fence around venues as the tournament nears. State Politics: Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced she’ll resign July 17, and Gov. Abbott will name a replacement. Border Water: The U.S. Supreme Court approved a Rio Grande compact ensuring downstream delivery obligations for Texas farmers and families. Public Safety & Health: Texas adds a new newborn screening test for GAMT deficiency, and DPS will require CDL/CLP knowledge exams in English only. Weather: Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of the Houston area. Local Business: White Castle broke ground on its first Texas location in The Colony, targeting a late-fall 2026 opening.

WCWS Finals Rematch: Texas and Texas Tech are set for a best-of-three Women’s College World Series title series in Oklahoma City after both survived Monday’s do-or-die semifinals—Texas swept Tennessee, while Tech knocked out Alabama twice behind NiJaree Canady’s complete-game shutout. Public Safety & Health Myths: Houston police said an elderly woman died after being hit by a car while crossing Fondren Road; meanwhile, experts pushed back on online panic about hantavirus and Ebola tied to World Cup travel. Local Power & Growth: Hood County residents are bracing for a massive data-center build that could reshape the Paluxy River Valley, while Houston installed new solar lights along the Columbia Tap Rail Trail ahead of World Cup crowds. Politics & Courts: Texas AG Ken Paxton sued Denton over “gender neutral” bathrooms tied to “Big Gay Swim Day.” Crime & Enforcement: The FBI said it arrested 276 people in an East Texas-linked child exploitation operation, and U.S. Customs seized $14.7M in meth disguised as lettuce at the Pharr bridge. Tech & Work: A Dallas Fed survey finds most Texas firms using AI, with some saying it’s reducing the need for workers.

WCWS Update: Texas swept Tennessee in the semifinals, winning 5-2 and then 4-0 behind Teagan Kavan’s complete-game shutout, sending the Longhorns to the championship series against Alabama or Texas Tech. Court & College Sports: A Lubbock judge left the courtroom without ruling in Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s injunction bid to play in 2026 after NCAA gambling violations; more documents are due and a decision could come soon. Public Safety: Houston police charged a driver after a fatal Westheimer Road crash killed a motorcyclist; the suspect faces criminally negligent homicide. State Policy: Texas ended the Spanish option for CDL and commercial learner permit tests, requiring knowledge exams in English. Business/Legal: Texas Precious Metals said it will keep fighting after a federal court denied a preliminary injunction in its dispute with the Texas Bullion Depository. Weather: A first major Saharan dust plume could hit Texas later this week, bringing hazy skies and possible air-quality impacts. Houston Schools: HISD is expanding its “Future 2” model, adding AI-focused seminars and activities as it scales up from earlier NES reforms. Environment & Outdoors: Texas announced a new Silver Lake State Park after acquiring nearly 54,000 acres in the Hill Country.

Energy & Infrastructure: The EIA says most planned new natural gas pipeline capacity additions for 2026-27 originate in Texas, with projects aimed at moving Permian gas and easing bottlenecks feeding LNG export terminals. Local Public Safety: A Brazoria County deputy shot and killed a driver after a chase ended at a Lake Jackson home; the deputy is on administrative leave and Texas Rangers are set to lead the investigation. Houston Development: Collierville’s major corridor near the Houston Levee may soon get a new multi-tenant retail building after a permit filing for a nearly 10,000-square-foot site. Education & Budgets: Texas lawmakers will hear how districts are still struggling financially about a year after major school funding increases, with enrollment declines and uneven funding cited. Tech & Jobs: Samsung plans to move its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to Plano, Texas, shifting about 1,000 employees. Sports (Texas): Texas Tech beat UCLA 8-7 in the WCWS elimination game and faces Alabama next; Texas A&M’s season is on the line after a 14-3 loss to USC in College Station. Crime & Courts: A federal task force sentencing handed down 915 months in prison across 13 defendants tied to drug and gun crimes.

WCWS Spotlight: Texas stayed alive with a 3-1 elimination win over Nebraska as Katie Stewart’s three-run homer in the sixth broke up Jordy Frahm’s no-hit bid; the Longhorns now face Tennessee in back-to-back games to reach the title series. Softball Rivalry & Drama: Tennessee’s Emma Clarke hit a walk-off homer to beat Texas Tech 2-1, and Texas Tech’s Taylor Pannell accused Tennessee coach Karen Weekly of a postgame handshake slight—Weekly called it an outright lie. Local Transit: Houston METRO will reopen Southwest Freeway HOV/HOT ramps at Westpark Tollway starting June 1, restoring access for commuters and buses in two daily time windows. Public Safety & Health: Air quality alerts are up across parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with unhealthy-to-very-unhealthy conditions raising risks for kids and seniors. Immigration & Courts: Rights groups sued over alleged inhumane conditions at ICE’s Camp East Montana detention facility at Fort Bliss. Tech & Privacy: Carnival disclosed a cybersecurity breach that may expose Texans’ passport and driver’s license data. Sports Elsewhere: Texas won its fourth NCAA rowing championship in six seasons; Milwaukee beat Houston 2-0 behind Jacob Misiorowski’s eight strikeouts.

Operation Soteria Shield: Texas authorities say a sweeping child-exploitation crackdown netted 276 arrests and rescued 89 children, with more charges possible as cases are reviewed. WCWS Spotlight: In Oklahoma City, Tennessee and Texas Tech meet for a WCWS semifinal spot, but ABC’s broadcast briefly went dark after a reported power outage at Devon Park. Texas Tech QB Fallout: Brendan Sorsby’s gambling case is back in focus after court filings say he placed at least 40 impermissible bets and wagered $90,000-plus, with a hearing set as Texas Tech fights for reinstatement. Houston Sports Recruiting: Houston landed a commitment from 2027 OT Sonny Mullen, adding another in-state piece to its offensive line haul. SEC Lawsuit: The SEC sued Texas resident Nathan Fuller over a $12.3 million crypto scheme tied to alleged fake AI trading bots and promised returns. Public Safety: Galveston firefighters rescued eight riders after a roller coaster malfunction left people dangling about 100 feet in the air for hours. Local Tragedy: Celina police say the body of a missing 8-year-old boy was found in a pond, with no foul play suspected.

Immigration & Courts: A federal appeals court cleared the way for Texas to enforce key parts of its 2023 immigration law, temporarily lifting a judge’s injunction as civil rights groups vow to keep fighting. Minneapolis Shooting Fallout: An ICE officer accused in a Jan. 14 shooting and a false report in Minnesota was arrested in Texas, with Minnesota prosecutors saying the case sparked violent protests during the crackdown. Voting Access: Texas is cross-checking a list of potential noncitizen voters against driver’s license records after counties found some flagged registrants may have already proved citizenship. State Politics: The Texas Senate race is heating up with Paxton trading personal attacks on Democratic Rep. James Talarico. Public Safety: Firefighters rescued eight riders after a roller coaster malfunction at Galveston’s Pleasure Pier left students stranded high above the ground for hours. Education: Austin ISD’s bid to avoid a Texas Education Agency takeover was rejected over failing-campus performance and limits on funding. Sports (Texas): Texas softball stayed alive at the WCWS with a 4-0 shutout of Mississippi State; Texas State upset USC 5-4 in the NCAA regional opener.

Cybersecurity for CPAs: Houston’s TXCPA Annual Conference heard from Impress Computers CEO Roland Parker, warning that accounting firms are prime cyber targets and urging stronger protections. Tech & Kids Online: A Texas court order forces Discord to add temporary child-safety protections, including tighter default settings for Texas accounts, ahead of a June 5 hearing. Texas Senate Race: A new poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate general election, though within the margin of error. Immigration Enforcement Accountability: ICE agent Christian Castro, charged in a Minneapolis shooting, was arrested in Texas. Local Tragedy: Celina police say the body of an 8-year-old boy missing since Friday morning was found in a pond; no foul play suspected. Houston Transit Disruption: A major train derailment in northwest Houston sent 11 cars off the tracks, with road closures as crews work to upright cars. Sports (NCAA): Texas opened the NCAA baseball tournament with a record-setting 19-1 win over Holy Cross, powered by three homers from freshman Anthony Pack. Agriculture: Texas A&M AgriLife researchers are advancing peanut breeding focused on nutrition, shelf life, and drought resilience.

Texas Politics: Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock named members to a new Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Advisory Committee, setting up guidance on how the state values and manages its bitcoin reserve. Elections: Texas Democrats are lining up for the general election after Ken Paxton’s GOP Senate runoff win, with Rep. James Talarico pressing his case to flip the seat. Public Health: A CDC report on the 2025 West Texas measles outbreak found most hospitalized patients were children, and nearly all were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Houston & Crime: Houston police say two bakeries were burglarized by masked men on the same night, and a former TDCJ officer pleaded guilty in a federal case tied to an inmate assault conspiracy. Tech & Transportation: Tesla’s Texas robotaxi fleet is still tiny—42 vehicles—while Waymo has 577, according to new DMV registration records. Sports: Texas Tech opened the WCWS with an 8-0 run-rule win over Mississippi State, while the Rangers’ Josh Smith returned to action after hospitalization for viral meningitis. Weather & Safety: Eight students were rescued after a roller coaster malfunction at Galveston’s Pleasure Pier left them stuck high above the ground.

Texas Politics: Ken Paxton won the GOP U.S. Senate runoff over John Cornyn, setting up a high-stakes general election against Democrat James Talarico and drawing fresh national attention to Texas’ Senate fight. Education & Local Governance: Austin ISD’s plan to use an outside nonprofit to run three struggling middle schools was rejected by the Texas Education Agency, leaving the district exposed to possible state takeover. Weather & Public Safety: Central Texas leaders reviewed new flood prediction models meant to improve early warnings after Kerr County’s flash floods. Houston Weather: A preliminary report rates a Houston-area tornado EF-1 with peak winds around 105 mph. Courts & Crime: Prosecutors dropped the remaining charges tied to a southwest Houston mortuary accused of mishandling bodies; the facility remains shut down. Sports: Tennessee stunned defending champion Texas 6-3 to open the Women’s College World Series, while Texas Tech advanced with an 8-0 run-rule win over Mississippi State. Business: ExxonMobil shareholders approved moving the company’s legal headquarters to Texas.

Texas Senate Fallout: Trump-backed Ken Paxton crushed Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP runoff, setting up a high-stakes general election against Democrat James Talarico, with analysts warning the race could drain GOP money while Democrats see a real opening. Prison Policy: Texas is tightening rules on books in state prisons after hundreds tested positive for synthetic drugs, but advocates say the new ban on hardbacks and used books will cut off important information. Healthcare in the spotlight: Texas Children’s Hospital reached a settlement tied to stopping gender interventions for children and changing billing practices, with major compliance and staffing requirements. Local Crime: A Harris County man was charged with murder after a deadly shooting tied to a child custody exchange; investigators say the victim was shot in the roadway. Education Discipline: A new look at Texas disciplinary alternative education programs shows students can be sent for a wide range of behavior issues, raising questions about oversight and education quality. World Cup in North Texas: Fans and rideshare companies are gearing up for heavy demand, while some ticket buyers complain FIFA seat assignments didn’t match what they paid for. Business & Tech: A Texas bank won approval to become nationally chartered, aiming to be a bridge between crypto and traditional finance. Sports: Astros and Rangers continue their series, and Texas Tech’s QB Brendan Sorsby faces a tough NCAA path after a denial of reinstatement.

Texas Politics: Attorney General Ken Paxton won the GOP U.S. Senate primary runoff, defeating longtime Sen. John Cornyn and setting up a November showdown with Democrat James Talarico—another sign of Trump’s endorsement power reshaping Texas Republicans. Statewide Education: Gov. Greg Abbott extended a tuition freeze for Texas public colleges and universities through the 2026-27 school year, keeping undergraduate tuition and fees flat. Public Safety & Weather: Texans are being urged to report storm damage through the state’s iSTAT tool, and TxDOT reminded drivers: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” as flash flooding can turn deadly fast. Houston & Crime: A Houston man was convicted on federal firearms charges tied to an undercover operation, and federal prosecutors brought a human trafficking case alleging coercion of Cuban nationals into sex acts. Business & Energy: Exxon Mobil shareholders approved the company’s plan to redomicile in Texas, while Enbridge switched on the first phase of its Sequoia Solar project. Local Land Use: Texas Parks and Wildlife acquired Silver Lake Ranch, creating what will become the state’s second-largest park. Sports: Texas is set to lead the field at the Women’s College World Series, with Alabama and Nebraska also in the mix.

Politics: Texas voters delivered a Trump-backed shocker: Attorney General Ken Paxton crushed Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP Senate runoff, setting up a November showdown with Democrat James Talarico. Statewide GOP: Paxton’s ally Mayes Middleton won the AG runoff, beating Chip Roy and vowing to take on the H-1B program. Houston & crime: HPD is investigating a fatal shooting at Pitner Road, and DPS says it found 20 people hidden inside a truck during a Webb County traffic stop. Weather: A severe thunderstorm watch is up for parts of Southeast Texas into early Wednesday, with heavy rain and gusty winds possible. Sports & local life: The Astros host the Rangers Wednesday, while Amarillo’s Sod Poodles jumped into the Texas League lead after shutting out Midland. Tech & culture: A 100% electric boat made waves on Texas lakes, and Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson is staying in the NBA draft.

Election Day Runoffs: Texans head to the polls Tuesday to settle high-stakes GOP and Democratic primary runoffs, with the biggest spotlight on the U.S. Senate fight between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas AG Ken Paxton—an outcome shaped by Trump’s late endorsement. Voting Glitches: Fort Bend County election officials say a county-wide poll book problem hit Tuesday afternoon; some voters could still check in, while others were directed to vote provisionally. Border Crackdown: Texas DPS released video from a routine traffic stop that led to 20 migrants—four minors—found hidden in a truck’s sleeping compartment in Webb County. Sports & Courts: NCAA denied Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility reinstatement after he acknowledged wagering, and the school says it will appeal. Local Safety: Firefighters rescued an injured swimmer from Tom Finley Park in East Texas. Business: Cheniere Partners priced $1B in senior notes due 2036 and $750M due 2056. Houston Pro Sports: Nico Collins’ deal gets reworked with added cash guarantees, keeping him off the trade block.

Astros’ No-Hitter: Houston’s Tatsuya Imai and relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa combined for a 9-0 no-hitter over the Rangers in Arlington—Houston’s first no-hitter since 2024 and the majors’ first since then. GOP Loyalty Test: Tuesday’s Texas Senate runoff is turning into a Trump loyalty showdown: President Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, setting up a high-stakes battle that could reshape the GOP’s future and its Senate math. Democrats Under Pressure: On the Democratic side, a Texas House runoff is also being framed as a referendum after antisemitic rhetoric sparked backlash around Maureen Galindo. Local Life & Safety: Memorial Day travel and weather remain in the mix, with ongoing reminders about road risks and storm impacts across parts of Texas.

Storm Damage Watch: North Texas storms are being blamed for lightning-sparked structure fires, including a Colleyville home that caught fire after a roof strike and a North Richland Hills senior facility blaze that displaced residents. Elections Tuesday: Texans head to the polls for key primary runoffs, with the GOP U.S. Senate showdown between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton drawing nonstop TV attack ads after Trump’s endorsement. Public Health Prep: Houston officials say Ebola risk is still low ahead of World Cup travel, but airport screening is ramping up. Crime & Safety: HPD is investigating a body found near Brays Bayou, while Ferris police say a child gained access to a gun and killed a 7-year-old. Business & Growth: Firefly Aerospace is expanding its Texas campus for lunar and orbital vehicle work, and White Castle is breaking ground on its first Texas location. Entertainment: ABC has ordered a rural West Texas “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff.