The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 17, 2025

Episode Date: July 17, 2025

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Howdy folks, today is Thursday, July 17th, and you are listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, the state of Texas is suing US Master Swimming for allegedly allowing biological males to compete in women's events in violation of state law, following an investigation into the organization launched by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in May.

Paxton said in a press release on Thursday afternoon, quote, US Master Swimming's insane policy of allowing men to participate in women's competitions is both deeply unfair to female competitors and unlawful. He asserted that, quote, unbeknownst to these female athletes, who paid to compete against or otherwise participate alongside other women, they have been paying to participate in events and competitions that include biological men. Paxton launched an investigation into U.S. master swimming in May, spurred on by reports that a biological

male had competed in women's events during its 2025 Spring National Swim Meet held in San Antonio, noting that it may be in violation of Texas consumer protection laws. Next, a controversial criminal court judge in Harris County who has been accused of bias set aside the conviction of a sex offender and ordered a new trial, prompting the Harris County District Attorney's Office to file an appeal. In April 2025, a jury found Patrick Burton guilty on a felony charge of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced him

to 26 years in state jail. A second charge of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced him to 26 years in state jail. A second charge of aggravated sexual assault was dismissed on the same day since Burton was found guilty. Two months later, Judge Melissa Morris of the 263rd District Court ordered a new trial and Burton's release from custody on June 27th. Originally charged in December 2019, Burton was released on a $75,000 surety bond on January 14th, 2020. Morris reinstated the original conditions of bond allowing Burton to be released without providing additional surety.

In other news, over 1300 criminal illegal aliens were arrested in June by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Houston Division. Individuals convicted of a variety of criminal offenses, including child sex abuse, homicide, hijacking a plane, and cartel-related crimes. During the month of June, Houston ICE arrested a total of 1,361 illegal aliens convicted of crimes other than illegal immigration after their entry

into the U.S. Of the five alleged criminals highlighted by ICE in a press release on Monday, four are from Mexico and one is from Cuba. The latter, 56-year-old Adermis Wilson-Gonzalez, was arrested on June 29th by ICE. He was convicted of hijacking an airplane 22 years ago. The plane he attacked was reportedly flying from Cuba to Key West, Florida. Also, new questions have emerged about a legal dispute between the owners of Trump Burger in Kima and their landlord Archie Patterson and whether the city police department unlawfully removed employees from the property. According to a lawsuit filed in Harris County last month, on or about June 7, Trumpberger employees were forcibly removed from the KEMA location, quote, based on alleged no-trespass orders.

An attorney representing Trumpberger confirmed to the Texan that officers with the KEMA police department enforced the action, but said they did not present a court order. Under Texas law, a landlord may lock out a tenant for non-payment of rent, but must first provide the tenant with three days notice, something the Trump Burger owners say they never received. To evict a tenant, the property owner must file a forcible detainer suit in the justice of the Peace Court

where the property is located, and the tenant is then given the opportunity to cure the alleged breach. The court may order either the county constables or sheriff's office to enforce removal but city law enforcement agencies are not enlisted in eviction actions. Last but not least, members of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council voted to support the Amtrak route between Dallas, Fort Worth and Oklahoma City to the tune of $3.5 million. The Regional Transportation Council is an independent transportation policy body made up of 45 elected or appointed officials. The Heartland Flyer, which has been operating since 1999, has about 80,000 riders per year, according to Amtrak.

Amtrak announced in June that it was facing imminent suspension on October 1st, quote, unless Texas secures its share of the funding. Amtrak operated at a $635 million loss in 2024, according to its financial performance report. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.