The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 1, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Monday, December 1st, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans assistant editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, State Representative Gary Van Deaver will retire after six terms in the Texas House, marking the 25th open seat in the legislature next year. He wrote in a letter first reported, by Quorum report, quote, throughout my six terms, I have been privileged to serve under the leadership of four outstanding speakers and alongside hundreds of fellow members who are some of the most selfless servant leaders the state has to offer. Van Diever was first elected to House District 1 in 2014 after defeating then-incumbent state representative George Lavender in the primary.

Starting point is 00:00:53 HD1 spans five counties in northeast Texas. Next, in an unexpected turn, Congressman and Troy Nellz announced his retirement from Congress at the conclusion of his current term. Nels, one of the most outspoken figures in the Texas delegation, will not seek re-election next year. He said in a press release over the weekend, quote, after more than 30 years in law enforcement serving and protecting my community as a police officer, constable, Fort Bend County Sheriff, an Army veteran, and six years representing this district in Congress, I have made the decision, after conversations with my beautiful bride and my girls over the Thanksgiving holiday to focus on my family and return home after this Congress.

Starting point is 00:01:37 Congressional District 22 contains most of Fort Bend County and portions of Harris and Brazoria counties, along with the entirety of Madagorda and Wharton counties. In other news, the day before the fatal shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan national, another one was arrested for alleged. terroristic threats in Texas. The Afghan National allegedly shot two National Guard members on November 26th, one of whom later died. U.S. Army specialist Sarah Bextram succumbed to her injuries on November 28th, while the other victim, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf remains in critical condition. Following the attack, U.S. citizenship and immigration services

Starting point is 00:02:22 issued new guidance on refugee settlement from 19 high-risk countries, including Afghanistan. allowing for certain factors to be considered in the alien vetting process, including negative, country-specific factors. USCIS also announced on November 26 that it had stopped indefinitely the processing of all immigration requests from Afghanistan. Heads up, for Black Friday, the Texan is giving you our biggest deal of the year, and this offer is available now. For a limited time, get a full year of independent Texas-focused journalism for just $48.

Starting point is 00:02:58 half off our annual regular subscription. Stay informed on the stories that matter to Texans from politics to your pocketbook and everything in between without the spin of legacy media. You'll get full access to articles, newsletters, and more. Don't miss out. This offer is available now, but won't last long. Head to the texan.com news to claim your 50% off annual subscription.

Starting point is 00:03:23 Now back to the news. Also, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick called for energy executives to appear before a Texas Senate committee after the release of information that purported to show Chinese investments in solar panel companies operating in the state. The statement from Patrick came over the weekend. He highlighted a Fox News report, writing that in 2026, he plans to hold a hearing in the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce to hear, quote, from the executives of these solar companies so they can answer questions about their connections to communist China. The Fox news story discusses how Texas has seen subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act,

Starting point is 00:04:03 past during the Biden administration, flow to solar companies with links to China. In addition, Cyprus Fairbanks, Katie, and Friscoe Independent School districts have all announced the launch of virtual high school campuses for the 26, 2027 school year. These announcements follow the passage of Senate Bill 569 in May, which created a new legal path for districts to offer virtual and hybrid programs with funding equal to in-person options. The Texas Education Agency laid out the law's framework in an August 21st letter, saying that, quote, school systems may now offer virtual and hybrid instruction through a variety of models, including individual courses, programs, or full-time virtual and hybrid campuses. Districts with existing virtual or hybrid

Starting point is 00:04:51 courses and programs can continue them during the 2025-2020-6 school year, but in any new full-time virtual or hybrid campuses must receive TEA authorization before they can operate. Last but not least, Kima Mayor Robin Collins faces a new legal challenge in probate court after she suddenly filed a handwritten will for her stepfather, Harold Lee Peterson, in Galveston County last month, more than 10 years after his death, a document that is now contested by Peterson's biological children. Harold Lee Peterson died May 1, 2014. but a will addressing his assets was never presented until October 28, 2025, when Collins filed for probate. Under Texas law, a probate must be filed within four years of death.

Starting point is 00:05:40 Otherwise, the deceased is considered to have died without a will, and the assets are then divided among the living heirs. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the Texan. News and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts. Thank you.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 1, 2025

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