The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 13, 2026

Episode Date: July 13, 2026

The Texan’s Daily Rundown brings you a quick recap of the latest stories in Texas politics so you can stay informed with news you can trust.Want more resources? Visit The Texan for complete access to our in-depth articles, newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to follow us and leave a review!

Well, howdy folks. Today is Monday, July 13th, and you're listening to the Texans' Daily Rundown. I'm the Texan senior editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, as Texas public school districts approach the fiscal year deadline for budget approval, many are adopting deficits heading into the 2026-27 school year. Statewide, districts have reported ongoing financial struggles, citing factors such as a lack of of state funding, inflation, declining enrollment, lower birth rates, and falling property values as reasons for their growing deficits. Some districts have made cuts in order to avoid a projected deficit, such as Austin Independent School District. In April, the district projected a $181 million

deficit, and, after months of board deliberation, Austin ISD approved an $887 million budget in June, with $205 million in additional cuts. Those cuts include central office pay decreases, district-wide stipend adjustments, and partner-provided student support services. While campuses will retain librarians and counselors, some smaller campuses may have part-time assistant principals and second-through-fifth grade class sizes will also increase.

Among Texas' 10 largest school districts, a majority have approved or are projecting deficit budgets, with the largest running upwards of $100 million. Houston ISD, the state's largest district with nearly 169,000 students enrolled in the 2025-2020 school year, approved a $2 billion budget with an expected $25 million deficit in its general fund. In other news, an influenza outbreak at a Texas Air Force base prompted the Pentagon to allow a flu vaccine mandate to be reinstated for some branches of the U.S. armed forces, after it had been made voluntary earlier this year. On April 21st, Pete Hegseth, secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, also called the Department of War, per an executive order

from President Donald Trump in September, touted his change to the flu vaccine mandate. Hegseth referenced the COVID-19 vaccine mandates implemented between 2021 and 23, describing the two as similarly overreaching. He stated in April, quote, Our men and women in uniform were forced to choose between their conscience and their country, even when those decisions posed no threat to our military readiness, end quote, asserting that what he called the era of betrayal would now come to an end under President Donald Trump's second term. Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, discussed the COVID-19 vaccine mandates at great length during its hearings,

with the issue making their final list of recommendations to the president. They requested that retirement or re-enlistment eligibility be restored for service members impacted by their refusal to accept the vaccine. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told the Texan in a statement on Friday, quote, The Secretary of War recently issued updated guidance on the influenza vaccination, stating that this vaccination is voluntary, directing the Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness to consolidate all requested exceptions to the policy. Last but not least, a man from North Texas was extradited from Qatar back to Collin County, where he will now face charges for his alleged role in a transnational stolen electronics and money laundering scheme. Abdullah Anwar was included in a 2021 superseding indictment with 100 other individuals for conspiracy to commit the following. Interfering with interstate commerce, transporting stolen property in interstate commerce, wire fraud, money laundering,

and the, quote, use or brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. Anwar was charged for conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate and foreign commerce and to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as a charge for money laundering. The criminal organization to which Anwar allegedly belongs operated an illegal business scheme wherein the members stole various electronic products from companies, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and then resold them overseas. The scheme included stealing through in-person armed robbery, as well as fraud schemes to obtain products such as tablets, laptops, and cell phones through other means. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan.News to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.