The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - January 7, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy, folks. Today is Wednesday, January 7th, 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, the Texas State Auditor's Office released the results of its financial audit of Texas Southern University on December 29th, finding many instances of financial mismanagement. office had been investigating TSU for a few months, after state auditor Lisa Collier reported to the Legislative Audit Committee that her office found 743 invoices totaling approximately $282 million for vendors whose contracts were listed in the contract database as expired, as well as over 8100 invoices totaling approximately $158 million with invoice dates prior to their requisition dates. Collier also reported that TSU submitted its 2023 financial audit 10 months late to the Texas Comptroller's office and did not submit its 2024 audit until four months after the deadline.

Starting point is 00:01:11 Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick called for the Texas Rangers to investigate the situation on November 10th. Patrick said, quote, I am asking the Rangers to work in concert with the state auditor to determine if there are violations of state law. everyone involved must be held accountable, from school employees to contractors, going back as many years as there are questionable records and practices. Let the facts lead where they may, end quote. TSU had not reviewed a majority of its procedures every three years in accordance with university policy, and the last documented review of most policies was in 2010. In other news, 2025 made a dramatic exit as it related to border security issues in Texas, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas reporting 399 cases being filed between December 19th and January 2nd. The cases ranged from alleged illegal entry to the U.S. to alleged human smuggling.

Starting point is 00:02:09 The office announced that 19 individuals are being charged with human smuggling, 146 with illegal entry and 230 with re-entry after prior removal. Many of the individuals charged reportedly have other felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, immigration crimes, and more. The Mexican, Honduran, and Cuban nationals accused of illegal re-entry could face up to 20 years in federal prison. In December, authorities discovered Cuban national Armando David Naranjo Alamani and Honduran National Melvin Antonio Ramos Avila, allegedly unlawfully present in South Texas during the final weeks of December. Both men had previously been removed from the U.S.

Starting point is 00:02:52 Ruben Jimenez Garcia, Jose Raul Sotelo, and Germain Garza Velez, all from Mexico, were also found in the country, allegedly illegally, after prior removal. According to the Southern District of Texas, quote, Each man has a criminal history that includes convictions related to controlled substances, such as methamphetamine or cocaine, burglary, or illegal re-entry, according to the charges. The cases fall under the headship of the Trump administration's Operation Takeback America. Last but not least, the first baby known to have been left in a safe haven baby box was surrendered in Lubbock in the last 10 days. Lubbock Fire Rescue Chief Richard Stewart announced on Monday, January 5th, that the

Starting point is 00:03:36 the newborn was safely placed in the Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 9. Stewart said about the surrender, quote, Thank you to the mother. You had the courage and love for your baby to give them an opportunity at life. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website, the safe haven or baby Moses law, quote, gives parents who are unable to care for their child a safe and legal choice

Starting point is 00:04:01 to leave their infant with an employee at a designated safe place, a hospital, fire station, freestanding emergency centers, or emergency medical services pavilion. The baby will then receive any needed medical care and be placed with an emergency provider. 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 - January 7, 2026

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