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Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath likes what he sees at local elementary school

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Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath likes what he sees at local elementary school



Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath gets a look at learning in Wichita Falls ISD.

The state’s top education official visited Southern Hills Elementary School on Tuesday to see kids learning with new material.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath wanted to see how it was going in classes using reading curriculum Wichita Falls ISD paid for with the help of state funding.

“I had a great visit at Southern Hills Elementary and was able to witness curricular and instructional improvements initiated by the district firsthand,” Morath said in a statement Tuesday. “I saw kids reading Shakespeare and learning about the war of 1812 — all indications of a robust learning environment.”

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Southern Hills, Booker T. Washington and Burgess are among three WFISD elementary schools implementing Amplify Texas.

A grant of about $500,000 helped the district furnish the reading curriculum, approved by the Texas Education Agency, to campuses that feed into Kirby Middle School.

More: Students earning musical honors announced at WFISD meeting

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The commissioner, members of his team and representatives from Region 9 Education Service Center toured Southern Hills Tuesday morning.

“During his visit, Mr. Morath commended the school for their dedication and the incredible efforts of our teachers and leadership,” WFISD officials said in a Facebook post.

Morath discussed the curriculum with Dr. Donny Lee, WFISD superintendent, and Southern Hills Principal Amanda Garcia.

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School Board President Katherine McGregor and Place 2 Trustee Diann Scroggins were among those at the school Tuesday morning for the commissioner’s visit.

WFISD is expanding the Amplify Texas curriculum to Scotland Park, Zundy, Fain, Cunningham and Franklin elementary schools with the help of a $430,000 grant from the James N. McCoy Foundation.

Morath’s next stop Tuesday was Region 9 ESC where he was expected to speak to superintendents.

More: WFISD seeks to dispel rumors about Legacy High School

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Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.



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Gov. Abbott to tour South Plains College, discuss Texas Jobs Council

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Gov. Abbott to tour South Plains College, discuss Texas Jobs Council


LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Gov. Greg Abbott is scheduled to tour the Automotive Technology and Welding Facility at South Plains College on Tuesday, April 14, and deliver remarks on the creation of the Texas Jobs Council and the state’s investments in career and technical education.

Abbott will be joined by Teamsters Local 988 President Robert Mele, South Plains College President Robin Satterwhite and Texas Association of Community Colleges President and CEO Ray Martinez III.



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Texas AG opens investigation into Austin over APD guidance on ICE warrants

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Texas AG opens investigation into Austin over APD guidance on ICE warrants


The Texas Attorney General’s Office is launching an investigation into the City of Austin over recent changes to Austin Police Department policy involving immigration enforcement.

A news flash obtained by CBS Austin and sent to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and city council confirms the review focuses on updated guidance for how officers handle administrative ICE warrants.

The investigation comes as the state claims those changes may violate Texas Senate Bill 4, a law banning sanctuary cities in the state.

The policy change follows the addition of more than 700,000 ICE administrative warrants to a national law enforcement database earlier this year. According to the city, the revised policy creates a process for officers who encounter a person with an ICE administrative warrant and allows officers to provide “reasonable or necessary assistance,” while taking into consideration legal constraints and limited police resources.

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City leaders maintain the policy is lawful.

“We believe our general orders are consistent with SB4 and will cooperate with the Attorney General’s investigation,” said the newsflash.

Officials say the changes were designed to provide clearer guidance for officers while balancing public safety priorities and constitutional requirements.

CBS Austin has reached out the Attorney General’s Office for comment.

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KXII 12 wins 10 first place awards at Texas Broadcast News Awards

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KXII 12 wins 10 first place awards at Texas Broadcast News Awards


KXII 12 received 10 first place awards at the Texas Broadcast News Awards by the Texas Association of Broadcasters over the weekend.(KXII)

AUSTIN, Texas (KXII) — KXII 12 received 10 first place awards at the Texas Broadcast News Awards by the Texas Association of Broadcasters over the weekend.

The station won the following awards in the small market division:

•Breaking News

•Investigative Report

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•Election Results Coverage

•Sports Special (The Max Blitz)

•Sports Anchor (David Reed)

•Station Photojournalism

•Individual Photojournalism (Drury Vaughan)

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•Morning Newscast

•Evening Newscast

•Overall Broadcast Excellence

KXII 12 has been recognized for Overall Broadcast Excellence three times in the past four years. The award is the top station honor in each division.

“This is an incredible honor and a testament to the integrity and hard work of our entire news team,” station vice president & general manager Derek Rogers said. “We’re proud to be recognized for journalism that puts Texoma first, and we’re grateful to our viewers for trusting us to tell the stories that matter most.”

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Station news director Matt Griffin said the awards reflect the team’s commitment to the community.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the team we have at KXII 12,” Griffin said. “They are committed to serving our communities by giving them the quality coverage they deserve every day.”



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