AGP Executive Report

Tech Privacy Clash: Texas AG Ken Paxton sued Meta and WhatsApp, alleging the apps mislead users about end-to-end encryption and that Meta/WhatsApp can access private messages—another front in his pre-runoff tech crackdown. Election Countdown: Texas voters are in the final stretch for Tuesday’s primary runoff; the state reminded people to confirm polling locations and stick to the same party runoff they voted in. U.S. Senate Fight Over Ukraine Aid: Bipartisan senators pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over delays in releasing $600M in security aid for Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Campaign Pressure on DOJ: Senate Republicans derailed an immigration enforcement bill after outrage over an “anti-weaponization” DOJ fund tied to Jan. 6-related compensation. Public Safety & Courts: A retired East Texas Air Force official got 40 years for child sex crimes; separately, a Houston man received life for a 2024 girlfriend killing. Local Watch: Tyler’s State of the City highlighted major road, water, and public safety upgrades under Mayor Don Warren.

Justice Department Clash: GOP senators grilled Acting AG Todd Blanche over Trump’s new $1.776B “anti-weaponization fund,” with lawmakers saying they got no clear answers on how claims work or who qualifies—while Democrats call it a slush fund. Tech & Privacy: AG Ken Paxton sued Meta/WhatsApp, alleging the company misleads Texans about “end-to-end encryption,” and the fight is piling onto earlier Paxton privacy cases. Courts & Sports: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby got a June 1 injunction hearing date in his NCAA eligibility fight, after a judge recused. Public Safety: Houston’s city is investigating after a 14-year-old was shocked by an energized light pole at a southeast park, sending him into cardiac arrest. Crime: East Texas authorities say multiple arrests followed an investigation into child sexual assault, and a former educational aide was arrested for allegedly swinging a 5-year-old upside down. Politics Watch: A Bexar County DA runoff pits Jane Davis against Luz Elena Chapa as the Senate GOP’s internal ICE funding fight stalls.

Immigration fight hits a wall: Senate Republicans abruptly left Washington without voting on a $70B immigration enforcement bill after anger over Trump’s nearly $1.8B DOJ “anti-weaponization” settlement fund, with lawmakers demanding the money be “fenced in” and effectively punting action past Trump’s June 1 deadline. Texas GOP civil war: In the Paxton–Cornyn runoff fallout, the Texas GOP chair urged both sides to drop negative ads; Paxton signaled he would, but Cornyn’s camp said it won’t. Border enforcement headlines: CBP seized $14.7M in meth at Pharr and $604K in cocaine at Hidalgo; a separate Chambers County stop netted about 22 pounds of cocaine from an I-10 18-wheeler. AG privacy push: Ken Paxton sued Meta/WhatsApp over claims about end-to-end encryption and alleged access to message content. Public safety push: TPWD kicked off Memorial Day boating season with “Clean, Drain, and Dry” to stop invasive species. Culture & community: Houston’s Ismaili Center hosts “Spice Routes: The Cardamom Challenge” June 7, blending food, art, and Urban Harvest.

World Cup Scam Warning: Houston experts warn that FIFA ticket fraud is getting smarter fast, with AI-cloned ticket sites and convincing texts making old “red flags” less useful as scammers chase desperate fans. Criminal Courts: A Houston jury convicted Jonathan Smith-Byrd of sex trafficking and coercing victims into prostitution, while an Abilene man received 50 years for producing child pornography and a Jasper felon got 37 months for illegal firearms possession. Immigration Enforcement: An El Salvador man was sentenced to 40 months for illegal reentry, with removal expected after prison. Texas Politics Runoff Heat: Trump’s endorsement of AG Ken Paxton is energizing his GOP Senate runoff push against John Cornyn, as Cornyn’s camp argues the move could backfire. AG Legal Fight: Texas AG Ken Paxton sued ISS over alleged ESG-based shareholder advice. Tech/Space Business: SpaceX filed for an IPO, targeting a $1.75T valuation, as Musk’s AI ambitions draw fresh attention.

School Safety Scare (Klein Forest HS): Klein ISD lifted a morning lockdown after police determined a reported weapon on campus was false, with the building checked and a matching person report at a nearby restaurant also found to be untrue. SNAP Funding Shake-Up: A new federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” changes how Texas pays for SNAP—starting Oct. 1, 2026 with higher state admin costs, and potentially hundreds of millions more tied to Texas’ SNAP payment error rate. Texas Politics—War Powers: In Washington, senators advanced a war powers resolution limiting Trump’s Iran actions, with GOP defections including Sen. Susan Collins—setting up a tougher fight ahead. GOP Primary Fallout (Texas Senate): Trump’s endorsement of AG Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn is still roiling the Senate GOP, with leaders publicly signaling discomfort as the May 26 runoff nears. Local Public Safety: Odessa launched Operation Graduation to curb underage drinking and drug use over graduation weekend, while Odessa and other agencies are urging tips that can lead to citations. Crime & Courts: A College Station murder case ended with a 50-year sentence for Samuel Rodriguez. Energy & Prices: Oil slid sharply after Trump said the U.S. is in the “final stages” of an Iran deal, adding to already-stressed farm economics.

Texas Senate Runoff Power Move: Trump’s Tuesday endorsement of Texas AG Ken Paxton supercharged his GOP bid to unseat Sen. John Cornyn, with early voting already underway for the May 26 runoff. Campaign Fallout: Republican senators publicly bristled at the pick, warning it could put the seat “in jeopardy” as Paxton heads into a high-stakes matchup with Dem. James Talarico. Runoff Politics on the Ground: Early voting is also moving across local races, including Denton’s mayoral forum and Matagorda County’s two-runoff calendar. Public Safety Push: Texas law enforcement kicked off “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement through May 31. Courts & Rights: A federal jury convicted a man in Houston who claimed he was kidnapped and forced back into the U.S. Houston Watch: Prosecutors expanded a case against a former park ranger, adding alleged victims in a superseding indictment. Energy & World Events: Oil dipped as traders weighed Trump’s latest Iran strike threats, while Houston prepares for Ebola travel restrictions tied to World Cup travel.

Texas Senate Runoff Shock: President Trump endorsed AG Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary runoff, calling Paxton a “true MAGA Warrior” and saying Cornyn wasn’t supportive “when times were tough,” a move that immediately jolted prediction markets and tightened the race as early voting runs through Friday. Legal & Ethics Fallout: The endorsement lands as Paxton faces fresh scrutiny over controversies tied to his office, including a recent investigation into a plea deal in a Waco child sex abuse case. Health Policy Clash: A Kansas judge protected access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors as Texas Children’s Hospital moves to comply with a settlement requiring a “detransition clinic.” Consumer Protection: Paxton also scored a settlement stopping Albertsons from misting organic produce with synthetic pesticides. Local Economy & Logistics: C.H. Robinson opened a South Texas fresh-produce logistics center near the Pharr-Reynosa bridge. Public Safety & Crime: Paxton sued a DFW-area roofing company over alleged storm-scams targeting elderly Texans, while Odessa police arrested a repeat pharmacy robber.

Austin Crime Crackdown: Austin police say three suspects—one 17-year-old and two juveniles—are in custody after a weekend spree of random shootings and stolen vehicles that left four people injured, with investigators expecting multiple charges as they review what they’ve recovered. AG Antitrust Push: Texas AG Ken Paxton is teaming with the DOJ to investigate major meatpackers amid rising beef prices, arguing consolidation may squeeze ranchers while driving up costs for families. Ebola Border Move: The U.S. invoked Title 42 for the first time since COVID, imposing a 30-day travel ban tied to an Ebola-positive American doctor in Congo, with high-risk contacts headed for treatment in Germany. Corpus Christi Mayor Fight: A federal judge is weighing whether he can halt Corpus Christi’s mayor removal process, pressing lawyers on the city charter and the facts behind the challenge. Texas Tech Gambling Case: QB Brendan Sorsby’s camp filed for an injunction against the NCAA to restore eligibility after he admitted gambling and entered treatment. Local Politics: Temple residents are pushing a recall over data center plans, while early voting is underway for high-stakes Texas runoffs.

ESG Spotlight: RS just swept five major ESG honors, including a second straight CDP “A-List,” EcoVadis Platinum, and fresh LGBTQ+ workplace awards—another reminder that Texas-area industry is chasing global climate and equality scorecards. Runoff Politics: Early voting for the May 26 primary runoffs is in full swing, with the GOP Senate fight between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton and the AG runoff between Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy drawing the most attention. Texas on the Move: Houston’s IAH Terminal E was officially renamed for Sheila Jackson Lee, while DFW got $8 million for family-friendly airport restroom upgrades. Wildfire Response: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged Panhandle residents to stay vigilant as red-flag conditions persist. Sports & Legal Pressure: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby filed an injunction against the NCAA over gambling allegations, setting up a fast-moving eligibility fight ahead of the NFL Supplemental Draft. Community & Culture: Sewa International launched its first dedicated disaster response vehicle in San Antonio, built to deploy across Texas within hours.

Iran Pressure, Oil Spike: A drone strike hit the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant as the U.S. weighs military options and Trump warns Iran the “clock is ticking,” pushing Brent near $112 and WTI above $108 on renewed Strait of Hormuz fears. Voting Rights Backlash: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson blasted the Supreme Court’s fast-tracked move to eliminate majority-Black districts, calling it “spawned chaos” as states scramble to redraw maps. Election Integrity Fight: The Trump administration is said to have run 67 million voter registrations through DHS checks, with critics warning it could wrongly flag eligible voters. Texas Runoff Season: Early voting starts Monday for the May 26 Texas primary runoffs, with key races including Cornyn vs. Paxton and AG contests. Public Safety Push: TxDOT renewed its “Click It or Ticket” push, citing hundreds of Texas crash deaths where seat belts weren’t used. Austin Crime Alert: Police arrested two teens and sought another after a weekend spree of random shootings across Austin, including at fire stations.

Houston Runoff: Joe Panzarella won the special Houston City Council District C runoff, beating Nick Hellyar with nearly two-thirds of the vote—despite pushback from some Houston Jewish leaders tied to concerns about endorsements and CAIR. Cybercrime: A Secret Service operation in Harris County turned up 14 card-skimming devices after inspections of thousands of payment terminals, with officials warning businesses and shoppers what to look for. Public Safety: Austin police are hunting suspects in multiple “random” shootings, including attacks on fire stations, while a shelter-in-place order covered parts of South Austin. Elections: Early voting starts Monday in Bexar County for the 2026 primary runoff, with key deadlines for mail ballots. Local Disruptions: Cameron Park Zoo in Waco shut down after bomb-threat communications, then stayed closed for the rest of Sunday as staff worked with law enforcement. Crime/Border: Federal agents are investigating six deaths found in a shipping container at a Union Pacific yard in Laredo as a potential human smuggling case.

Influencer Pay-to-Play: A Texas-based progressive TikTok star says he endorsed a California candidate after taking $100,000—hidden as “strategic advice” in campaign records—spotlighting a fast-growing online political marketplace. Border & Big Bend: Even as CBP plans show “no wall” for Big Bend, a $1.7B contract was awarded for “technology & patrol road” work tied to the park area. Texas AG & Health Policy: Texas Children’s Hospital is under a DOJ settlement requiring a “detransition clinic” and $10M in penalties, while courts elsewhere keep gender-care access fights alive. Election Ground Game: Early voting starts Monday for Texas primary runoffs, including the high-profile AG race and a Houston City Council District C runoff that already ended with Joe Panzarella winning. Energy & Growth: ERCOT solar is projected to beat coal for the first time in 2026, as Texas keeps pulling in major power-hungry projects. Security: Secret Service says it seized 14 card skimmers and stopped $14.5M in Houston-area fraud ahead of the World Cup.

Detransition Clinic Deal: Texas Children’s Hospital just agreed to a DOJ-and-state settlement that slaps it with $10M+ in penalties and forces the Houston provider to create the first-ever “detransition clinic” for kids, alongside a halt to the specific gender procedures the state says were improperly billed. Netflix vs. Texas AG: Ken Paxton also moved to sue Netflix over claims it tracks children’s data through autoplay and other features without proper consent. Wildfire Damage: A massive Texas wildfire has destroyed a railway bridge and homes, with officials still assessing the full damage. Politics, Runoff Pressure: As Texas primary runoffs near, the Cornyn–Paxton fight keeps heating up with more attack ads and scrutiny. Local Life: Victoria police held a community 5K Donut Dash fundraiser, while Nacogdoches hosted an ADA-friendly disability inclusion festival. Immigration Enforcement: Federal authorities reported 211 immigration and border-related charges in one week, including 133 felony reentry cases.

Death Penalty: Texas executed Edward Busby Jr., the 600th person put to death since 1982, after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay tied to his disability claims. Border & Courts: A federal judge blocked key parts of Texas’ SB 4 before it could fully take effect, while Houston reported 211 immigration/border-security charges in one week. Gender Care Legal Fight: Texas Children’s Hospital agreed to create a “detransition clinic” and pay $10M as part of a DOJ-linked settlement, with the hospital also set to end certain doctors’ privileges. Cybersecurity: Texas’ cyber chief warned foreign actors are already inside critical systems, including water, power, hospitals, and networks. Elections: A Houston District C runoff voting-hours petition failed in court, and early voting for the May 26 runoffs is underway. Economy & Policy: Abbott announced $2.5M in JET grants for East Texas CTE programs, while Paxton moved to block 130+ cities from property tax hikes under a new law. Energy/Defense: Poland’s PM said a U.S. troop deployment halt is “logistical” and won’t hurt deterrence, as Texas also keeps pushing major energy and security priorities.

Attorney General Runoff: Chip Roy says the GOP AG race is “neck and neck” and vows to “punch back” with contrast ads after a University of Houston poll had Mayes Middleton up 48%-39% with 13% undecided. Texas Courts: The Texas Supreme Court blocked Abbott and Paxton’s push to remove Rep. Gene Wu, rejecting efforts to punish Democrats who fled during the redistricting fight. Transgender Care Fight: Paxton announced Texas Children’s Hospital will open a “detransition clinic” and pay $10M in a settlement tied to youth gender-care investigations. Federal Immigration/Privacy: DOJ subpoenaed NYU Langone for broad youth gender-care records, demanding “documents sufficient to identify” patients. Public Safety/Crime: A Tren de Aragua leader accused of terrorism and drug conspiracy was extradited to Houston for court. Local Politics & Growth: Houston’s Ritz-Carlton Residences are selling fast, while data-center expansion in Central Texas is triggering local backlash. Elections: Early voting for the May 26 runoffs starts Monday, with key statewide races topping the ballot.

Death Penalty: Texas executed Edward Lee Busby Jr. Thursday night, the state’s 600th modern-era execution, after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay tied to claims of intellectual disability. Courts & Criminal Justice: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals also reversed a DWI ruling that had suppressed evidence, saying a lower court mixed up legal grounds. Immigration Enforcement: A federal judge blocked key parts of Texas’s SB 4-style arrest-and-deport approach, ruling it conflicts with federal immigration control. Schools: Houston ISD parents and students packed the board meeting to fight a proposed special education plan that would move some students to specialty campuses; the district is under federal investigation. Consumer Finance: Senate Republicans blocked Democratic moves to roll back Trump-era CFPB changes. Texas Politics: Gov. Abbott renewed his push for a statewide prosecutor role and election-integrity hearings kept noncitizen voting on the agenda. Global/Markets: Trump wrapped up talks with Xi, touting progress while differences remain—oil prices jumped as China signaled interest in buying U.S. crude. Sports/Local Life: The NFL released the 2026 Texans schedule, including a London game.