Tag Archives: Texas

general

Jasmine Crockett Spouts Conspiracy Theory About GOP Rigging Midterm Elections Using Dominion Machines

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Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett baselessly theorized on the podcast “Defending Democracy with Marc Elias” Monday that Republicans may be planning to rig the 2026 midterm elections using Dominion voting machines.

Former GOP election reform advocate and Liberty Vote founder and chairman Scott Leiendecker acquired Dominion Voting Systems in October. Crockett claimed on the podcast that Leiendecker was a friend of President Donald Trump’s and suggested it was possible he bought Dominion to meddle with its voting machines to help Republicans win the midterms.

“We do know that one of his friends has purchased Dominion,” Crockett said. “So, it’s going to be really important for us to educate all states that we can to make sure that their secretary of states are like, ‘We don’t want the Dominion machines.’”

“Because I personally believe that that ally purchased Dominion so that he could potentially play with the machines, because we know that they’re trying to cheat by changing the lines for the midterms,” she continued. “And I think that they’re trying to solidify their cheat potentially with the voting machines.”

The deal for Leiendecker to purchase Dominion was contingent on dropping several remaining lawsuits against prominent conservatives and One America News Network (OANN).

“Every legacy system is under review. Liberty Vote will be 100 percent American-owned, American-built and independently audited,” Leiendecker told the Daily Caller in October. “We won’t ask for trust; we’ll earn it and prove it.”

“Liberty Vote signals a new chapter for American elections, one where trust is rebuilt from the ground up,” he said in a press release. “Liberty Vote is committed to delivering election technology that prioritizes paper-based transparency, security, and simplicity so that voters can be assured that every ballot is filled-in accurately and fairly counted.”

Dominion launched several major defamation lawsuits after the 2020 election following claims about its role in Trump’s loss, notably reaching a $787.5 million settlement with Fox News in April 2023. Newsmax Media Inc. also reached a settlement with Dominion, agreeing to pay $67 million over the next three fiscal years over their allegedly defamatory coverage surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

Left-wing media pundits, such as Democratic strategist James Carville, former MSNBC host Joy Reid, and radio host Charlamagne tha God, all suggested in July that the midterms would be rigged in favor of the Republican Party, citing the reconciliation bill Trump signed the same month.

“[Republicans are] not actually worried about getting reelected,” Reid said. “If they feared being reelected, they would not vote for this bill because they know it’s going to devastate their states.”

The legislation contained a permanent extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and delivered on his campaign promises to remove taxes on tips and overtime pay, and permanently raise the child tax credit to $2,200.

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https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/10/jasmine-crockett-conspiracy-theory-gop-rigging-midterm-elections-dominion/

general

Updated SEC football conference standings entering Week 12

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Another exciting weekend of SEC football action has officially passed, bringing us closer to the highly anticipated conference championship game in Atlanta. With just a few weeks remaining until the December showdown, the SEC still needs to determine which two teams will earn the coveted trip to compete for the conference title.

Following Week 11, the race for the SEC championship became a bit clearer, as two teams remain tied at the top of the standings. Notably, Alabama secured a crucial 20-9 victory over LSU, keeping their title hopes alive. But are there any other teams within striking distance as we head into Week 12?

Here is a look at the updated SEC football conference standings entering Week 12 of the 2025 season:

**Updated SEC Football Conference Standings Entering Week 12:**

1. **Tied – Texas A&M, Alabama (6-0)**
3. **Georgia (6-1)**
4. **Ole Miss (5-1)**
5. **Texas (4-1)**
6. **Vanderbilt (4-2)**
7. **Oklahoma (3-2)**
8. **Tennessee (3-3)**
9. **Missouri (2-3)**
10. **Tied – LSU, Florida (2-4)**
12. **Kentucky (2-5)**
13. **Mississippi State (1-5)**
14. **Tied – Auburn, South Carolina (1-6)**
16. **Arkansas (0-5)**

As the season moves forward, all eyes will be on these teams to see who can rise to the top and secure a spot in the SEC Championship game. Stay tuned for more updates as Week 12 approaches!
https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/crimson-tide/football/2025/11/09/sec-football-conference-standings-week-12/87171552007/

general

Longtime Houston Rep. Al Green switching to 18th Congressional District in run for reelection

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U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) ended months of speculation Friday night by declaring himself a candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District in 2026.

“We are here tonight, friends, because we refuse to allow President Donald Trump to decide for us who is going to represent us in the Congress of the United States of America,” said Green, speaking at his campaign kickoff event at the Wyndam Houston near NRG Park.

Green has represented Texas’ 9th Congressional District for more than 20 years. He became one of the central targets of Republican redistricting efforts this past summer, following intense pressure from Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott. State lawmakers moved the 9th from solidly Democratic territory in south and southwest Houston to Republican-leaning areas in eastern Harris County and Liberty County.

Much of Green’s traditional base, not to mention his own home, was redrawn into the 18th Congressional District. Green had stated as early as August that, while he would be on the ballot in 2026, he would not be a candidate for the 9th.

In the March primary, he likely will face the winner of a special election runoff to complete the term of the late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, who served in the 18th District from January until his death in March. The runoff is between acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, both fellow Democrats.

“We’re going to fight for all sides of the 18th and 9th congressional districts, because these districts have come together now as one, and while they are the 18th, the 18th is the number that’s on the district, most of the people have come from the 9th congressional district,” Green said. “And I’m going to ask that you in the 9th now and in the 18th now as they exist, let’s start now to unify.”

The redistricting map is currently under legal challenge. A collection of civil rights groups and individuals have asked a panel of three federal judges to issue an injunction blocking the map from taking effect in time for the 2026 election. The panel has yet to issue a ruling, and the candidate filing period for that election begins Saturday.

Green is trying to claim the mantle of two of the three previous members of Congress for the 18th District, both of whom he had worked alongside: U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died in July 2024 at the age of 74, and Turner, who died in March at the age of 70. Green himself is 78 and will be 79 by Election Day 2026.

He enters the primary just days after the first round of the special election to fill the remainder of Turner’s term. Menefee is 37, and Edwards is 43. Green alluded to the age difference, without naming his potential opponents in the Democratic primary, with a line reminiscent of one used by President Ronald Reagan against former Vice President Walter Mondale during the 1984 presidential campaign.

“There is some question about age, and I want you to know that I will not make an issue about anybody’s youthfulness,” Green said. “I think that people who are of age can run, so I want them to run.”

Green stressed his actions in office in making the case for the votes of residents of the new 18th Congressional District.

“You know that I will stand up to Donald Trump because you saw me do it,” Green said. “You know that I will fight for your health care because you’ve seen me do it. You know that I believe in raising the minimum wage to $25 an hour, because you’ve heard me say it.”

Green argued that, if Democrats retook control of both houses of Congress, they needed to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, overriding the use of the filibuster in the Senate if necessary, as Republicans had done in confirming Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Trump appointee.

“If we had used that rule, we could have prevented people from deciding now that where you are from does not allow you to buy land in the state of Texas,” Green said, in reference to Texas’ recently enacted Senate Bill 17. “We can protect people who happen to be of Asian ancestry, who have money in their pocket that they want to spend in this country to buy land, and they only want it for a residence, for a business.”

Finally, Green leaned into his record of having filed multiple articles of impeachment against Trump.

“I celebrate the people who are going to make sure that the Trumps of the world don’t have an opportunity to serve in office one day longer than they’ve already been there, which is why, when I go back to Congress, I promise you, I will file additional articles of impeachment to remove Donald Trump from office.”
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2025/11/07/535536/al-green-18th-congressional-district-march-primary-houston-democrat/

sports

Freshman Drew Mestemaker throws for school-record 608 yards in North Texas’ 54-20 win over Charlotte

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker set a new school record by passing for 608 yards and throwing four touchdowns in North Texas’ latest game.

Mestemaker’s impressive performance highlights his potential as a rising star for the Mean Green football program. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he continues to develop throughout the season.
https://wtop.com/ncaa-football/2025/10/freshman-drew-mestemaker-throws-for-school-record-608-yards-in-north-texas-54-20-win-over-charlotte/

charity, education, philanthropy, university

Huston-Tillotson University receives single largest donation to an HBCU with $150 million gift, school says

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Melva K. Wallace, president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University, embraced Ross Moody after he announced a historic $150 million donation from The Moody Foundation on September 18. This generous gift, to be distributed over the next 10 years, marks the single-largest donation ever made to a historically Black college or university (HBCU).

In celebration of Huston-Tillotson University’s 150th anniversary, Ross Moody, trustee and vice president of The Moody Foundation, revealed the foundation’s groundbreaking contribution during the university’s opening convocation on Thursday. The announcement was met with thunderous applause and cheers from attendees.

This large-scale donation comes amid the Trump administration’s continued efforts to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities. While President Donald Trump has recently redirected nearly $500 million in federal funding to HBCUs, he also cut grants for Hispanic-serving colleges.

Melva K. Wallace described the donation as “transformational” for the historically Black liberal arts institution. “I see this as an endorsement of what we’re doing and a rocket booster to help us get to the next level,” Wallace told CNN. “The difference maker is that this is truly going to help students.”

The funds will primarily support students through scholarships, as well as enable expansion of university housing and campus facilities, Wallace explained.

### The Moody Foundation and Its Legacy

This gift represents the largest donation in the Texas-based Moody Foundation’s 83-year history. In 2023, the foundation pledged to contribute $1 billion toward education in Texas by 2035.

Ross Moody emphasized that the foundation’s belief in education and Huston-Tillotson’s vision motivated this exceptional gift. Initially planning to donate $130 million, the foundation increased the amount, stating, “Our belief in (Huston-Tillotson’s) vision and in this university’s future moved us to do more.”

The Moody Foundation has maintained a long-standing relationship with Huston-Tillotson, donating over $1.3 million since 1968. Elle Moody, the foundation’s senior vice president of grants, highlighted the university’s special significance: “This institution is special in more ways than most are aware and is deserving of a grant of this magnitude.” She further noted the foundation’s commitment to supporting Huston-Tillotson for the next 150 years.

### Huston-Tillotson University: A Rich History

Founded in 1875 by George J. Tillotson, the university began as the Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute with a mission to provide teacher training and quality education for African Americans. It gained its charter in 1877, was renamed Tillotson College in 1909, and became a four-year institution in 1931.

In 1952, Tillotson College merged with Samuel Huston College to form Huston-Tillotson College. The institution officially became Huston-Tillotson University in 2005. Today, the 23-acre campus serves 1,059 students, according to Wallace.

Linda Y. Jackson, vice president for institutional advancement, reflected on the university’s resilience through significant social challenges such as segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter movement. As the only HBCU in Austin, Texas, Huston-Tillotson continues to stand strong.

“We have been through every single thing, but there is one component at the core of what we do here at Huston-Tillotson University: students are here to fulfill their dreams and aspirations,” Jackson told CNN.

### Continuing a Tradition of Supporting Texas Education

The Moody Foundation was established in 1942 by W.L. Moody Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody. Moody Jr., founder of Moody National Bank, was a multifaceted entrepreneur engaged in banking, insurance, hotels, ranching, and newspaper printing. The couple created the foundation to share their wealth and impact the lives of Texans positively.

Today, the foundation is led by Frances Moody-Dahlberg, Ross Moody, and Elle Moody, continuing the founders’ legacy.

Wallace praised the Moody family as “angels of change” for their significant investment in education at Huston-Tillotson. “(The Moodys) support education. They support this institution. They support Texas, and I hope that it becomes a symbol of infectious generosity, where one person is inspired to do something and then others begin to follow suit,” she said.

This $150 million gift surpasses the $100 million donation received by Spelman College in 2024, which previously held the record for the largest single donation to an HBCU.

Wallace remains hopeful that Huston-Tillotson will not hold this title for long and encourages other philanthropists to follow the Moodys’ lead.

“I’m calling out all philanthropists out there to top this, because our HBCUs need it, and they deserve it,” Wallace declared.

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https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/huston-tillotson-university-receives-single-largest-donation-to-an-hbcu-with-150-million-gift-school/article_3e64763a-0485-47bf-ab47-6fec157ac22a.html