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Houston power politics, big changes in 2024 race: This Week in Texas Politics

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Houston power politics, big changes in 2024 race: This Week in Texas Politics


This week saw big changes in the 2024 presidential race with President Joe Biden dropping out and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as the continued impact on the Houston area from Hurricane Beryl.

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FOX 7 Austin’s Chief Political Reporter Rudy Koski and our panel of analysts take a look at This Week in Texas Politics.

RUDY KOSKI:  This week in Texas politics, got presidential and also kind of got into the dirt, literally. Let’s get the headlines from our panel and we’ll start first with Brad Johnson with the Texan News. Brad, what’s your headline for the week? 

BRAD JOHNSON/ TEXAN NEWS: How many more game changing events are on the horizon? 

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RUDY KOSKI: Annie Spielman with MainStreet Relations. What’s your headline? 

ANNIE SPILEMAN/ MAINSTREET RELATIONS: Austin’s DECA announces historic $1 million small business loan fund. 

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RUDY KOSKI: Patrick Svitek with the Washington Post. What’s your headline? 

PATRICK SVITEK/ WASHINGTON POST: Democrats have a likely new presidential nominee.

RUDY KOSKI: Top officials with CenterPoint went before the PUC Thursday and issued an apology. More hearings are promised. So do you think that this crisis remains an issue when the session starts? 

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ANNIE SPILEMAN/ MAINSTREET RELATIONS: I want to note two things here. You know, I don’t just think that the power companies will be front and center at the chopping block. We’re going to see leaders bring in the property and casualty insurance companies, front and center as well. Secondarily, I want to mention in 2021, the business community worked with the Texas Legislature to create a program that would create a temporary emergency loan program for small business owners. But the problem is, is that program was never funded.

RUDY KOSKI: A statehouse hearing was held this week on how to prevent hostile nations from buying Texas land. Brad, this was supposed to be more of a reboot of legislation that failed to pass in the past session. Then all of a sudden, it kind of morphed into a much broader issue on cyberattacks. 

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BRAD JOHNSON/ TEXAN NEWS: These issues all meld into one. It starts with the land purchases. It’s not surprising at all that it’s going to take that route. The biggest thing for me, though, is it’s this question of, on the land front, competing interests between national security and private property rights, the ability to sell your property to whom you want for how much you want. How do you find that balance? I really don’t know. That’s going to be a tough task for lawmakers. 

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RUDY KOSKI: Vice President Harris brought her presidential campaign to Texas, speaking to a teacher union group there in Houston. But just before [her] going on and speaking, on Capitol Hill, House members passed a resolution condemning her work dealing with legal immigration. Regardless of how you know, you want to describe it, was she a border czar or not? And Patrick, even a few Democrats voted for that resolution, Henry Cuellar among them. 

PATRICK SVITEK/ WASHINGTON POST:  No, I wasn’t surprised to see some Democratic crossover support for that resolution. That issue is no doubt going to be one of Kamala Harris’s biggest political liabilities as she takes over the Democratic presidential ticket.

RUDY KOSKI: Earlier in the week, Texas Democrats, who are delegates to the party’s convention, that’s going to happen, later on in August, up in Chicago, jumped on the Harris bandwagon. And was it what does the business community want to hear when the DNC starts up? 

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ANNIE SPILEMAN/ MAINSTREET RELATIONS: You know, business owners want to hear if anything has or will change in regard to her talking points from 2020, when she ran for president and during her time in the Senate in regard to economic politics. Will she be Biden 2.0 or make her way economically? 

RUDY KOSKI: Brad, Texas Democrats think that maybe, just maybe, all this energy that Harris is generating could help them flip some statehouse seats and be a defense against school choice. What are you hearing? 

BRAD JOHNSON/ TEXAN NEWS: I heard Republicans say yesterday, they think it’s possible they lose three seats in the House. That’ll be a problem for Republicans on the school choice front. Probably not the death knell, but it would be a difficulty.  Also, that would significantly impact the Speaker’s race. 

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RUDY KOSKI: As for school choice, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick accused House Speaker Dade Phelan of not listing that topic as a top priority in a budget document leading up to the session. Feeling on Friday swung back, claiming there are hearings on education, have already begun. Annie, clearly, what we’re seeing, there’s not going to be a cooldown in August regarding this issue, right? 

ANNIE SPILEMAN/ MAINSTREET RELATIONS: This is all kind of new territory. And I think this goes to show that when we go into next session, you know, it’s going to be really hard for, for groups to be trying to move their legislation forward. 

RUDY KOSKI: Now, a congressional seat is up for grabs. One that was held by, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who recently passed away. Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is among the names being tossed around right now as a possible successor. Patrick, what are you hearing up on Capitol Hill as who’s going to throw their hat in the ring on this one? 

PATRICK SVITEK/ WASHINGTON POST: What’s fascinating here is it’s going to be, you know, the way that this election is going to be handled is is rather unique. We’ve seen it happen before in Texas, but it doesn’t happen all the time. But what’s going to happen is that the Democratic Party Precinct Chairs in Harris County are going to meet, likely in mid August, and select a replacement nominee. The governor does have the power to call a special election. But why give  the Democrats won more seats that they currently now don’t have.

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RUDY KOSKI: You can catch our longer discussion on the Fox7 YouTube page, but let’s wrap things up right now with one word, and we’ll start with Annie. What’s your one word for the week?

ANNIE SPILEMAN/ MAINSTREET RELATIONS: Deluge? 

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PATRICK SVITEK/ WASHINGTON POST: Kamala.

BRAD JOHNSON/ TEXAN NEWS: Patrick stole mine. I was gonna say Kamala, too. I’ll go with Feuding. 

RUDY KOSKI: And that is This Week in Texas Politics. 

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Texas Eats: Spicy ramen bowls in Austin, wok-fired fusion in SA and Houston Barbecue

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Texas Eats: Spicy ramen bowls in Austin, wok-fired fusion in SA and Houston Barbecue


You can watch “Texas Eats” on Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KSAT 12, KSAT.com, and KSAT Plus, our free streaming app.

This week on Texas Eats:

Spicy ramen bowls at Ramen Tatsu-Ya in Austin (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

Ramen Tatsu-Ya

1600 E 6th St., Austin, Texas 78702

Ramen Tatsu-ya is an Austin staple known for serious Japanese ramen, crafted by chefs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto. Their broths are slow-cooked, complex, and authentic, and their noodle bowls are rich, comforting, and widely praised by locals and critics alike.


David Elder grills with Levi Goode at Otto’s Ice House (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

Otto’s Ice House

111 Newell Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212

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Otto’s Ice House, located in the Pearl District, mixes the chill vibes of a Texas ice house with upscale touches. From street tacos and bratwurst to creative cocktails and live music, it’s a place to kick back with friends outdoors or by the river. The menu is casual but well-executed, and the owner Levi Goode brings in a reputation for quality and storytelling.


Shrimp and lemon risotto at Texas Bistro in New Braunfels (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

Texas Bistro

1932 S Seguin Avenue #209, New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Texas Bistro is a New American restaurant in New Braunfels that focuses on fresh, thoughtfully prepared dishes in a relaxed but refined environment. It draws praise as one of the area’s standout places for dinner.


David Elder rips apart the brisket and eats a pork rib at Houston’s Goode BBQ. (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

Goode Co. BBQ

5109 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098

Goode Co. Barbeque is a long-standing Houston institution (since 1977) specializing in Texas-style barbecue slow-smoked over mesquite wood. They serve tender brisket, ribs, sausage, and classic sides, often paired with their signature pecan pie. The vibe is down-home, rustic, and welcoming — a place built around tradition, smoked meats, and a sense of genuine Texas BBQ hospitality.

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David Elder trys the jerk chicken at Canje in Austin (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

Canje

1914 E 6th St. Ste C, Austin, Texas 78702

Canje is a vibrant Caribbean-inspired restaurant founded by Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph. Located in East Austin, it blends Caribbean and Guyanese traditions with modern techniques, emphasizing fresh, regionally-sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. The atmosphere is lively and colorful, with bold flavors and inventive dishes that reflect the broader diaspora of island cuisines.


David Elder explores the menu at Best Quality Daughter in San Antonio. (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

Best Quality Daughter

602 Avenue A, San Antonio, Texas 78215

Best Quality Daughter is an Asian-American restaurant in the Pearl, founded by Chef Jennifer Dobbertin. It showcases flavors from her heritage and her travels, offering dishes that blend comfort with creativity in a welcoming space. It’s earned acclaim locally and has become a key part of San Antonio’s emerging food scene.


Seafood tower at McAdoo’s in New Braunfels (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

McAdoo’s Seafood

196 N Castell Ave., New Braunfels, Texas 78130

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McAdoo’s is an upscale seafood restaurant in downtown New Braunfels housed in the old post office building. They offer a mix of fresh seafood, authentic Cajun-Creole dishes, and Texas Creole favorites. The setting includes a courtyard and intimate bar, and the menu combines fine dining touches with hearty, flavor-forward preparations.


Loaded Molcajete at La Tequila in San Antonio (Copyright KSAT 12 2025)

La Tequila Mexican Restauarnt

90 Crossroads Blvd., Balcones Heights, Texas 78201

La Tequila Jalisco offers auténtica comida mexicana in Balcones Heights with a menu full of Jalisco-style dishes like enchiladas, fried shrimp, and classic tacos. Its warm, family-friendly setting makes it a go-to for locals craving hearty, approachable Mexican food.

Follow Texas Eats and David Elder on Facebook and Instagram for more food info, pictures, videos and giveaways.

Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.

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Records in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case are unsealed

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Records in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case are unsealed


AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) — The records in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case have been unsealed.

Judge Robert Brotherton, who is presiding over the case, signed an order Friday morning allowing the records to be made public. The decision came after Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced that they had come to an agreement late Thursday to unseal the documents.

Tyler Bexley, an attorney for a group of media organizations fighting for the records to be released, celebrated the decision as a win for transparency.

“We’re certainly pleased with the result,” Bexley said after the hearing.

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The move was an abrupt about-face for the couple, who had fought to keep the records secret. It’s unclear exactly what brought on the change.

The records were released before noon. They show the Paxtons have entered mediation, and their blind trust had doled out $20,000 to each of them to pay for their attorneys. The documents also show that earlier this month, Angela Paxton asked her husband to produce records pertinent to the case. They also show multiple judges recused themselves from the case before it was given to Brotherton, a visiting judge based in Wichita Falls.

The Texas Newsroom previously published copies of several records — including Paxton’s general denial of his wife’s divorce petition — before they were sealed.

The records did not shed more light on the couple’s financial situation, division of assets or the alleged affair that led to the divorce — but additional filings will be made as the case continues. Bexley said the media organizations agreed to redactions only of personal information like Social Security numbers and home addresses.

State Sen. Angela Paxton filed for divorce in July alleging adultery. Soon after, she asked for the court record to be sealed. A previous judge handling the case agreed and put all of the records under seal. Ken Paxton initially supported the decision, filing a court document that accused the press of attempting to unfairly invade his personal life.

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Eight media organizations and a nonpartisan nonprofit opposed the sealing. The media group argued Paxton’s divorce records should be public because he is an elected official running for office who has faced repeated allegations of corruption. The attorney general’s finances, which are a subject of the divorce case, have been central to the misconduct allegations against him. While he has been charged with multiple crimes during his decade in statewide office, Paxton has never been convicted.

Paxton is now challenging John Cornyn in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Laura Roach, one of Ken Paxton’s lawyers, said after the Friday hearing that the attorney general had always wanted the record to be unsealed.

“Mr. Paxton has always wanted us to actually unseal it,” she said. “Attorneys get on a path and we think that that’s the right way to go and we were finally able to get everybody on the same page.”

When asked why he initially opposed it so strongly, she added, “that’s just legal stuff. … His attorneys said that.”

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Angela Paxton had asked the records be sealed because doing so would “not have an adverse affect on the public health or safety.” Her representatives declined to respond on Friday.

Michael Clauw, the communications director for the nonprofit Campaign for Accountability that also sought the release of the records, said he does not believe Ken Paxton actually wanted them to be made public.

“It’s ridiculous to believe that Ken Paxton ‘always wanted’ his divorce record to be unsealed,” he said. “Only when it became apparent he likely would lose in court did he change his tune.”

Roach said she expects the case to be resolved amicably soon. Neither Ken Paxton nor Angela Paxton appeared at the court.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans – and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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Photo of the Week: Texas K-9 care

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Photo of the Week: Texas K-9 care


EMS1 Staff comprises experienced writers, editors, and EMS professionals dedicated to delivering trusted, timely, and actionable information and resources for public safety. EMS1 Staff is committed to equipping EMS providers with the knowledge and resources they need to excel in pre-hospital care. With a focus on delivering breaking news, expert advice, and practical tools, our team ensures EMTs and paramedics have access to reliable information that supports their professional growth and enhances patient outcomes.

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