The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - January 20, 2026

Episode Date: January 20, 2026

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Howdy folks. Today is Tuesday, January 20th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Managing Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Collieville Heritage High School, part of Grapevine Collieville Independent School District, was scheduled to host the Dallas Islamic Games on May 9th and 10th, 2026. According to the Islamic Games website, the event is North America's largest Muslim sports and athletic event and is, quote, dedicated to promoting physical excellence, unity, and community development. One of its sponsors was the Council on American Islamic Relations of New Jersey. Governor Greg Abbott has designated CARE as a foreign terrorist and transnational

criminal organization. Following the negative online reactions, including from many Texas elected officials, the Islamic Games removed CARE New Jersey as a sponsor. State Representative Jeff Leach announced on social media on Tuesday afternoon that GCISD had not finalized the facility rental and was, quote, severing negotiations for the use of district properties for the 26 Islamic Games. Next up, Texas law generally limits the attorney general to issuing legal opinion letters only when requested by certain public officials. But on Monday, Attorney General Ken Paxton broke from that norm by issuing an unsolicited opinion on the legal opinion. legality of race-related state laws, and launched a political attack on his 2026 opponent,

U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Paxton's 74-page opinion purports to declare over 100 state laws and policies relating to race-based initiatives as unconstitutional, and adds that private companies that implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs risk legal liability under state and federal law. Beginning with a mixture of philosophical statement and a historical Overview, Paxton singled out and elevated a 1999 opinion by then Attorney General John Cornyn, claiming Cornyn failed to confront DEI in higher education, and further lamented that Cornyn added insult to injury by deferring to a pending court decision instead of rendering guidance

via an opinion. In other news, the entire U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on a new Texas law requiring the display of donated copies of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, alongside a challenge to a similar Louisiana law, both previously ruled likely unconstitutional. Texas Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display copies of the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments in classrooms if donated by an outside source, was passed during the 89th legislative session and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20th. Igniting a flurry of lawsuits promised by activists and highlighted by Democratic law, when the bill was taken up on the respective House and Senate floors. Texas Attorney General Ken

Paxton appealed the Texas case to the Fifth Circuit after U.S. District Court Judge Fred Beery found the law to be in potential violation of the higher law of the U.S. Constitution in Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District. Also, Houston Texan's linebacker, Aziz al-Shahir, put forth a Stop the Genocide message last week during a playoff win against the Pittsburgh. Steelers and was fined almost $12,000 by the National Football League. During the AFC Wildcard game, he wore black tape across his nose and cheeks with the words Stop the Genocide painted in white across. The message likely referenced Israel's policies in the ongoing war in Gaza. The Houston chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations

condemned the fine. Last but not least, Texas House District 98, located in northeast Tarrant County, is an open seat for the first time in 13 years since State Representative Giovanni Capriglione is not running for re-election. Three Republican candidates are aiming to fill the seat that leans heavily Republican, with a score of R-66 percent according to the Texans' Texas Partisan Index. They are Armin Mizani, Fred Tate, and Z. Wilcox. Last week, the Collieville Conservative Club hosted a candidate forum for the race. Mizani and Tate were allowed to participate, but because the Texas GOP County Chairman had declared her ineligible for the race based on problems with her candidate form, Wilcox's invitation was revoked. On January 15th, the day of the forum,

Wilcox won a temporary injunction in a Terrant County District Court that prevented her name from being removed from the primary ballot until further orders are issued by the court. She is involved in a writ of mandamus action over the removal of her name from the contest. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure. to visit the texan dot news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.