The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 4, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Well, howdy folks, today is Friday, September 4th, 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, the State Board of Education approved revised high school social studies standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or Teeks, on Friday. The vote follows the board's passage of revised K-8 social studies teeks in June, after months of contentious debate and public attention. Roughly 150 people signed up for public testimony with the majority voicing opposition to the revised teaks. Many Muslim attendees voiced concern regarding the wording of specific standards related to Islam. On Friday, the board approved

Starting point is 00:00:54 revised social studies standards for courses in U.S. government, U.S. history, world history, and world geography, with votes mainly across-party lines of Republicans in favor and Democrats against. The revised social studies K-12 Teaks will be implemented in school districts beginning in the 2030-2031 school year, starting with kindergarten and the early grades and adding grades in the following years. Next, an alleged member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who was previously charged in Texas for human smuggling as well as kidnapping resulting in homicide in Chile was extradited out of the U.S. last week. TDA is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Texas and federal governments. Rafael Enrique Games Salas, who is an illegal alien from Venezuela, was prosecuted and ultimately

Starting point is 00:01:48 convicted on human smuggling charges by a Texas court after his re-entry into the U.S. following his removal in 2023. He had already been accused of directing multiple extortions and kidnappings while working as a member of Los Piratas, considered to be the Chilean branch of TDA, according to the August 28th press release by the U.S. Department of Justice. In other news, the Texas House Select Committee on Healthcare Affordability held a hearing on Tuesday, September 1st to look for means of bringing down health care costs in the state. Committee Chair James Frank said in his opening remarks that Texas overpays for health care and said the incentive structure was to blame. According to him, quote, prices lack transparency. Customers are given little agency in shopping.

Starting point is 00:02:38 Several witnesses touted the direct primary care model in which patients pay a monthly membership fee to a doctor instead of using health insurance. Another witness said that independent practices were being squeezed by rising costs, paperwork, and regulations. John Hawkins, President and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association, testified that hospitals are bearing the brunt of increased costs. According to him, quote, even after the state's supplemental payments, Texas hospitals absorbed $9 billion in totally unreimbursed Medicaid and uninsured costs in 2025 alone. Billionaire Mark Cuban, co-founder of Cost Plus drugs, also spoke at the hearing and offered

Starting point is 00:03:22 his own five-point plan to bring down pharmaceutical costs. Last but not least, a federal judge in San Antonio extended the pause on border construction in Big Bend until September 30th, while the court evaluates its potential impacts on the region. The pause was originally set to end on September 15th, but will now continue until September 30th. The decision follows an emergency hearing last week requested by the people of Lahunta Preservation, a non-profit organization associated with the Lepan Apache tribe of Texas, and far-flung outdoor center, a Terlingua-based outdoor recreation company. The court will reconvene after the parties meet. Those opposed argue that the formations of Big Bend create a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico that already deters illegal

Starting point is 00:04:12 immigration through the area, and that construction of a wall would be an unnecessary scourge on the landscape. The delay marks the latest chapter in the Big Ben border security dispute, a state and federal issue that has elicited bipartisan pushback. 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.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 4, 2026

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