Texas
Texas lawmaker proposes bill targeting furries; measure seeks to ban 'non-human behavior' in schools
A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill to ban “non-human behavior” in public schools, such as barking, meowing and other animal-like practices commonly used by furries.
The Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education, or FURRIES Act, was proposed in the state’s House last week by GOP Rep. Stan Gerdes.
“No distractions. No theatrics. Just education,” Gerdes wrote on X. “Texas schools are for educating kids, not indulging in radical trends. Let’s keep the focus where it belongs—on preparing students for success in life.”
Under the proposal, students would be prohibited from engaging in various animal behaviors, including using a litter box, licking themselves, making animal noises like barking, meowing, or hissing or otherwise pretending to be an animal.
OKLAHOMA BILL WOULD BAN ‘FURRIES’ FROM SCHOOL, REQUIRE PARENT, ‘ANIMAL CONTROL’ TO PICK-UP RULE-BREAKERS
A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill to ban “non-human behavior” in public schools. (Getty Images)
Allegations of litter boxes being set up in school bathrooms have repeatedly been debunked by schools across the country in recent years following false claims that circulated online.
Students would also be barred from wearing items that were not designed for human use, including animal ears, whiskers, tails, collars, leashes or other accessories typically used for pets. Fur is also prohibited, but the bill specifies that natural human hair and wigs are not included in the ban on fur.
The legislation would require students to present themselves as humans. They also would not be allowed to start organizations or clubs related to non-human behavior and would be prohibited from promoting the idea that non-human behaviors are socially acceptable.
There are some exceptions to the ban on animal accessories and non-human behaviors, including dressing up for Halloween or other school dress-up events related to human history, although this would be limited to five days per school year, as well as theater performances and dressing up as a school mascot.
TEXAS LAWMAKERS CONSIDERING BILL TO BAN GENDER CHANGES ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Under the proposal, students would be prohibited from engaging in various animal behaviors, including using a litter box, licking themselves or making animal noises. (Getty Images)
Students who fail to comply could be removed from class, suspended or expelled. The measure also allows for students to be transferred to a juvenile justice alternative education program.
Teachers would be required to report violations to the Texas attorney general, and school districts that do not enforce the restrictions could face fines starting at $10,000 for the first offense and $25,000 for additional violations.
The proposal has the backing of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state’s House Speaker, Dustin Burrows, both of whom are Republicans.
“If you have a child in a public school, you have one expectation: your children’s going to be learning the fundamentals of education — reading and writing and math and science,” Abbott said during a recent meeting with pastors in Austin, citing the furry issue as a motivating factor to allow private school choice vouchers.
The proposal has the backing of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. (Getty Images)
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“If they’re being distracted by furries, those parents have a right to move their child to a school of their choice,” he continued.
Gerdes called his bill “common sense” as he thanked Abbott and Burrows for backing the proposal.
“I’m grateful that our leadership is taking this issue seriously and ensuring that Texas schools remain places of learning, not roleplaying,” Gerdes said on X. “This is common sense. Let’s get it passed.”
Texas
Where to watch Texas A&M vs Sam Houston channel, time, & stream
No. 20 Texas A&M (22–5, 5–4 SEC) returns to Bryan‑College Station this week as the Aggies host Sam Houston (14–13, 4–5 SLC) in a midweek matchup at Olsen Field.
The Aggies are coming off a perfect 4–0 week, taking care of HCU in the midweek before sweeping Missouri in dominant fashion to secure their first SEC series win of the season. Nearly every bat in the lineup contributed, and the conference took notice.
Junior infielder Gavin Grahovac earned SEC Co‑Player of the Week honors, while freshman outfielder Jorian Wilson was named SEC Freshman of the Week. It was a strong showcase of the team’s depth, highlighted further by Nico Partida logging the first multi‑home run game of his young career.
While the pitching staff is still working through inconsistencies, the offense continues to provide enough cushion to withstand the occasional rough inning. The starters delivered several solid stretches over the weekend, but the lack of bullpen depth remains a concern if the bats ever go cold. When the offense stalls, games can get out of hand quickly.
Sam Houston enters the matchup having won six of its last eight and hovering just above .500 for most of the season. Outfielder Jeric Curtis leads the Bearkats with a .345 average, five doubles, and two triples. If he reaches base, his speed makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Still, Sam Houston averages fewer than six runs per game compared to A&M’s nine, meaning they’ll likely need an above‑average offensive night to keep pace.
This will be the 139th meeting between the programs, with Texas A&M holding a commanding 93‑43‑2 advantage. The Aggies have run‑ruled the Bearkats in each of the last two matchups, outscoring them 27–4, and carry a three‑game winning streak into Tuesday. If A&M plays to its standard, the midweek streak should remain intact.
Below is all the information for the game:
What channel is Texas A&M vs. Sam Houston on today?
- TV Channel: SEC Network+
- Livestream: ESPN App
What time is Texas A&M vs. Sam Houston today?
- Date: Tuesday, March 31
- Start time: 6 p.m. CT
The Texas A&M vs Sam Houston game starts at 6 p.m. CT from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park in Bryan-College Station
Starting Pitchers
Texas A&M: LHP Cole Hubert
Stats: 0-0, 8.75 ERA, 11.1 IP, 13 K, 3 BB
Sam Houston: RHP Mason Muphy
Stats: 0-0, 8.00 ERA, 9.0 IP, 11 K, 8 BB
Other ways to follow the Game
Radio: Locally Sports Radio 1150/93.7 The Zone
Social: Follow the @AggiesBaseball on X for updates
Internet: 12thMan.com / 12th Man Mobile app for live play-by-play
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
Texas
Texas Rangers investigating allegations of assault against Magnolia mayor
MAGNOLIA, Texas (KTRK) — Texas Rangers confirmed to ABC13 that they have an active and open investigation into Magnolia Mayor Matthew “Doc” Dantzer following allegations of assault against the city’s secretary.
Bryan Emery spoke to ABC13 on behalf of his fiancée, Christian Gable, the Magnolia City secretary.
Gable told her fiancé what happened last October during an out-of-town work conference with Mayor Dantzer.
Emery said Gable, who was pregnant at the time, told him the mayor was walking her back to the hotel.
“He’s like, ‘Well, that only means one thing, once they get past the belly, they come off easier, and he reaches over there and tries to pull her pants down,’” Emery said.
Next, he said his fiancée threatened to kill the mayor, and when they got back to the hotel, Emery said the mayor went a step further towards Gable.
“He turns around and says this is how he needs to deal with you and grabs her by the throat and pins her up – there’s these big silver pillars in front of valet – pins her up against this pillar in front of the valet, she fights her off, turns around and yells at the valet people ‘nobody seen that, nobody’s going to do anything,’” Emery said.
ABC13 reached out to the attorney representing Mayor Dantzer. He sent ABC13 a statement denying the allegations and saying Dantzer looks forward to defending himself through the legal process.
The city’s attorney said they have no comment, but Emery hopes justice will be served.
“I’m really hoping they get everything they need and get him off the streets pretty soon,” Emery said.
The mayor has not been charged.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Texas
Scouting the women’s NCAA Elite 8 contest between Michigan and Texas
Free Press staff writer Arpan Lobo breaks down the Elite Eight matchup between 1-seed Texas and 2-seed Michigan in the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament.
Fast facts
- Matchup: 1-seed Texas (34-3, 13-3, SEC) vs. 2-seed Michigan (28-6, 15-3 Big Ten); 2026 NCAA Tournament Fort Worth-3 regional final.
- Tipoff: 7 p.m., March 30; Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas.
- TV: ESPN.
- Series: 1-0 Texas. The only other meeting between the two programs was in 2018, when Texas won, 69-52.
At stake: Winner advances to the Final Four in Phoenix on April 3-5.
Michigan women’s basketball: Meet the Wolverines
- Location: Ann Arbor.
- Coach: Kim Barnes Arico (311-150 over 14 seasons at U-M, 487-284 career).
- School tournament record: 15-13 in 13 appearances.
- Past 10 games: 9-1
- Scoring leaders: Olivia Olson, 19.2 points per game; Syla Swords 14.8; Mila Holloway, 12.4.
- Rebounding leaders: Olson, 6.2; Brooke Quarles Daniels, 5.2; Te’yala Delfosse, 4.6.
- Assist leaders: Holloway, 4.8; Quarles Daniels, 2.9; Olson, 2.5.
- 3-point leaders: McKenzie Mathurin, 40%; Macy Brown*, 36.1%; Holloway, 34.9%.
*Out for season.
The buzz: Michigan is back to the Elite Eight for only the second time in program history, with its only other appearance being a loss to Louisville in 2022. They’ve outclassed and outworked their first three opponents in the tournament, most recently overcoming an early deficit against Louisville to run away late in a 71-52 victory in the Sweet 16.
Even after slow shooting starts from stars Olson and Swords in their past two contests, the Wolverines have been able to break down their opponents by deploying constant pressure, picking up ballhandlers deep in their own backcourts. They force turnovers and create easy looks in transition. Olson, a third-team AP All-American, was big in the second half against both North Carolina State and Louisville, and has been Michigan’s leading scorer in the tournament.
Another factor aiding Michigan’s run? Outworking their opponents on the glass. Guard Brooke Quarles Daniels, at all of 5-foot-7, had a whopping seven offensive boards against Louisville. Michigan has won the rebounding battle in all three of its tournament games so far.
The Wolverines haven’t met an opponent like Texas yet, and particularly an individual force like Madison Booker.
Texas women’s basketball: Meet the Longhorns
- Location: Austin, Texas.
- Coach: Vic Schaefer (177-29 at Texas, 478-211 career).
- School tournament record: 58-36 in 38 appearances.
- Past 10 games: 10-0.
- Scoring leaders: Madison Booker, 19.3 points per game; Jordan Lee, 13.5; Kyla Oldacre, 10.4
- Rebounding leaders: Booker, 6.7; Oldacre, 6.1; Breya Cunningham, 5.6.
- Assist leaders: Rori Harmon, 6.1; Booker, 3.8; Lee, 2.5.
- 3-point leaders: Harmon, 45.8%; Bryanna Preston, 44.4%; 43.8%.
The buzz: After a dominating season, the Longhorns find themselves a win away from a second consecutive Final Four appearance. And the team’s biggest star is three-time All-American forward Madison Booker, who’s led the Longhorns in scoring on the way to another deep tournament run.
Booker is more than just a scorer, however, and is able to facilitate in half court. Although her 3-point field goal percentage has dipped compared to her sophomore season, she’s still able to provide spacing for Texas. Against Kentucky in the Elite Eight, she totaled 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists on the way to a 76-54 win for Texas that was never really in doubt.
Although the Longhorns have others with better percentages from deep, guard Jordan Lee is the team’s most willing outside shooter, hitting nearly 36% from range on more than three attempts a game.
Against Kentucky, Texas forced 24 Wildcat turnovers. The Longhorns boasted the third-best turnover margin in the country this season. Against a Michigan team that likes to bring pressure as well, the turnover battle could play a sizeable role in determining which program heads to Phoenix. The matchup represents a styles clash as well — the Wolverines are the eighth-best scoring offense in the country at 83.9 points per game, but Texas owns a top-15 scoring defense, limiting opponents to 56.4 points per game.
The contest is also taking place in Fort Worth, a much shorter trip from Austin than from Ann Arbor. The crowd is likely to be behind the Longhorns.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
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