The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 22, 2026

Episode Date: June 22, 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, June 22nd, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texan's senior editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock joined the Texans reporter Mary Aliso Barr at the Republican Party of Texas' 26th State Convention to discuss his experience in leading the state's highest civil court, constitutional originalism, reforming. child welfare in Texas, and more. Visit the texan. News or wherever you get podcasts to listen now. Next, confirmed cases of New World Screwworm in Texas are now in the double digits, with the 15th detection in the state confirmed on Sunday. After being previously eradicated in the

U.S. in the 1960s, the destructive flesh-eating livestock pest known as NWS was discovered in a calf in Zavala County in the first week of June. Since then, 14 more debaesiesies. Since then, 14 more domestic cases have been confirmed. NWS is not contained to one area of the state or now the country. One was found between the border of Texas and New Mexico on June 7th, far from the first case in South Texas. While three were found in Zavala County, five were discovered in Edwards County. Other affected Texas counties include Crockett, Sutton, Tom Green, and Gillespie in the central western part of the state. Only one case has affected a dog, with all of the other cases being cattle or goats. In other news, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 735 criminal illegal aliens

in the Houston area during the month of May, while elected officials, candidates, and courts in Texas continue to debate the limits of local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. The 735 arrested in May account for 1,11 criminal convictions, 70% of which were for violent crimes or offenses that endangered public safety. At least 25 of those arrested were affiliated with transnational gangs such as MS-13, and 13 arrestees were convicted of sexual offenses against children. ICE enforcement and removal operations Houston acting field office director Gabriel Martinez said in a statement on Monday, quote, we're releasing this data not because it stands out from any other month, but because this is a snapshot of who we're arresting every single month, as a result of the

reckless immigration policies enacted by prior administrations that allowed gang members, murderers, child rapists, and other violent criminal illegal aliens to flood into the country unvetted. Also, Congressman Craig Goldman introduced the Better Care, Better Cost Act last week, which he told the Texan, quote, creates market incentives for health insurance companies to improve patient care and reduce costs. Goldman is a former 12-year member of the Texas House of Representatives who is now serving his first term in the U.S. House, where he sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Goldman stated, quote, what are great pieces of legislation we've passed in Texas that we can translate into the federal government? Because the federal government's a mess, end quote, explaining that

Senate Bill 7 from the 83rd legislature was one of those pieces of legislation. SB 7, authored by now Secretary of State Jane Nelson, and co-authored by now Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick during their time in the Texas Senate, focused on improving delivery and quality of care for health and human services, including Medicaid services and supports. Under the Better Care, Better Cost Act, introduced on June 18th, states would create a system to evaluate Medicaid insurance providers and publish an annual report of their findings. Last but not least, the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CARE, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Fort Worth Independent School District for reassignment of incoming principal Seema Albuzzi over her controversial pro-Palestine social media posts.

Albuzy, a Palestinian Muslim administrator who has been employed by the district since 2013, was promoted to be principal for the 2026-27 school year at Western Hills High School, which Fort Worth ISD announced last month. Kair's lawsuit claims that internet trolls incited mass hysteria by sharing photos online from Albuzzi's time as an undergraduate, depicting texts she wrote such as, quote, Free Palestine and, quote, Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine. Faith Power Alliance, an organization that aims to advance, quote, an Islamic intellectual and political framework, end quote, and frequently collaborates with care, encourage citizens to pack out a Fort Worth ISD board meeting in support for Albuzzi. The latter part of the meeting, taking place tomorrow, Tuesday,

June 23rd will allow for public comment. 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.