The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 25, 2024

Episode Date: June 25, 2024

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Howdy folks, today is Tuesday, June 25th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lausches, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, a judge in Harris County has set bail for the second suspect charged in the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungary. The bail amounts for Jose Peña Ramos and Johan Martinez Rangel, two Venezuelan nationals who were in the United States illegally, have both been set at $10 million. Next, the Commission on Presidential Debates has released the four remaining college campuses from their debate hosting contracts, including Texas State University, which was slated to host a debate in September. CPD co-chairs Antonia Hernandez and Frank

Farenkoff stated, quote, given the letter dated May 15, 2024 from Jen O'Malley Dillon, campaign chair for the Biden-Harris campaign, in which the Biden-Harris campaign informed the commission that President Biden will not agree to debate under the sponsorship of the commission during the 2024 general election campaign, it is unfair to ask the four campuses to continue to prepare for their debates, as they have been doing since their November 2023 selection. Texas State University President Kelly Damphus said the news of the cancellation is disappointing. In November last year, Texas State University was announced as one of the four participating campuses to host a presidential debate. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are currently slated

to debate on Thursday in Atlanta at 8 p.m. Central Time. CNN will be hosting the debate, and the two candidates have agreed to an extensive list of prerequisites in order to participate. Also, a lawsuit has been filed against Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, alleging that he effectively resigned as commissioner when he accepted an appointment to the newly formed Gulf Coast Protection District. In other news, the Texas Education Agency has released the results of the Spring 2024 Administration of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAR, tests. The STAR test is a standardized state testing program that measures students' learning in accordance with standards set by Texas Curriculum Standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. All public school students between grades 3 and 12 take star tests, with

3rd through 8th graders taking their tests in the spring. The tests cover core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Students up to middle school take reading and math, and sometimes take an additional subject test depending on the year. The star test is offered in English as well as Spanish. Both versions have the same design and assess the same standards. Students who pass the STAR test receive a rating of Approaches Grade Level, which is further broken down into Performance Levels. If students perform according to expectations, they receive a rating of Meets Grade Level and can receive Master's Grade Level if they demonstrate mastery of the material. In addition, Senator John Cornyn

has raised $20 million for the Republicans so far this election cycle and plans to continue fundraising throughout the summer. He hopes to help raise funds for Senator Ted Cruz's re-election campaign against Democratic Congressman Colin Allred. Last but not least, a decision last week by the Tarrant Regional Water District to demolish La Grave Field, the former home of the Fort Worth Cats, strikes at the hearts of Fort Worth's minor league baseball fans. TRWD is following the advice of HR&A Advisors, a group engaged to guide the future economic development of Panther Island, to demolish the vandalized stadium and try to store some of the memorabilia for future use or sale.

In its report, HR&A advisors expressed skepticism about the ability to, quote, attract a financially sustainable professional sports use for year-round activation of LeGrave Field. Much of the infrastructure at the stadium appears to be vandalized, with wiring and other materials stolen from the equipment. In its recommendation to demolish the stadium, the HRNA support cited the Graves Field location adjacent to the largest consolidated private land ownership on Panther Island as suggesting the need for, quote, prompt resolution regarding the use of the site for development,

public space, destination entertainment, or other uses. TRWD did not respond to an inquiry about the owner of the private land adjacent to LeGrave before the time of publication. 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.