Texas
Texas Republicans deliver Trump, Abbott major win on education
The Texas House of Representatives voted to give initial approval to a $1 billion program that will see taxpayer money fund private school fees, a top priority of Gov. Greg Abbott and one he says will improve choice for parents and children.
Under the bill, if a family sends their child to an accredited private school, they will receive a voucher worth $10,000 per year, rising to $11,500 if the student has a disability.
The bill was approved by 86-63, with all present Democrats voting against, arguing that it will take vital money from public education. Just two Republicans joined them.
President Donald Trump had called Republican legislators in Texas before the vote, urging them to vote for the “forward-thinking” reform.
It comes as the Trump Administration moves to shutter the federal Department for Education in order to pass responsibility entirely back to the states.
The private school voucher program faces one final vote for approval in the state House before it moves back to the Senate, where it started. Both chambers will then reconcile certain differences before it goes to Abbott, the Texas Tribune reported.
“For the first time in Texas history, our state has passed a universal school choice bill out of both chambers in the Texas Legislature,” said Abbott, a Republican, in a statement.
“This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children.”
Abbott vowed to “swiftly sign this bill into law” when it hits his desk, “creating the largest day-one school choice program in the nation and putting Texas on a pathway to becoming the best state in America for educating our kids.”
Austin Democrat Rep. Gina Hinojosa said she felt “cursed by this bill,” which will be “the interest of big money prevailing over the interests of Texans,” the Austin American-Statesman reported.
After Trump called Republican legislators, Abbott shared a video of the moment on X.
“Texas, I love it, it’s a great state. It’s leading because of a lot of the things that we’ve done together. Leading in energy, leading in jobs, and now we’re going to be leading in education too,” Trump said on the call.
“I just think it’s a really forward-thinking vote…I just want to let you know that I appreciate it…This is a big vote today and I hope you’re able to vote in a positive manner.”
This is a developing story and more information will be added shortly.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
More than 150 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have been infected with influenza over the past three weeks — a major outbreak less than two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American troops would no longer be required to be vaccinated against the flu.
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
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