AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: A new Houston fire department analysis says rising calls are leaving the city short on stations, ambulances, and response times—recommending 10 new fire stations and 65 more ambulances. Livestock Health: Gov. Abbott launched a free online course to train more New World screwworm inspectors, aiming to keep cattle movement and commerce running as cases spread. Courts & Consumer Protection: Federal judge blocks Texas AG Ken Paxton from advancing a lawsuit targeting ActBlue, calling it political retaliation. State Politics: Texas GOP delegates meet in Houston as the party’s platform grows more hardline, and a convention stunt involving an elephant urinates on the floor, becoming a viral distraction. Economy & Cost Pressures: A Texas Restaurant Association report finds most owners still feel higher food and fuel costs. Sports & Eligibility: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby can play after a temporary injunction tied to a gambling case, keeping the NCAA fight alive. Energy Markets: Oil prices fall on hopes for a US-Iran deal. Health Research: UT Dallas researchers report brain health can improve into older age, challenging the idea that decline is automatic.

Texas GOP leadership: Delegates at the Texas Republican Party convention in Houston voted to replace chair Abraham George with D’Rinda Randall, with David Covey as vice-chair, as the party pushes for unity heading into November. College sports & gambling fallout: Texas Tech released a 21-minute public video defending quarterback Brendan Sorsby after a judge restored his eligibility in a gambling case, while Texas AG Ken Paxton warned the Big 12 against sanctions. SpaceX IPO boom: SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut valued the company at about $2.1 trillion and made Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire, with local Texas investors and business watchers weighing the hype against the long road ahead. Public safety: Midland police and Texas DPS identified the mass-shooting suspect as Victor Mata Villarreal; one person died and at least 10 were injured before he was found dead after a standoff. Health: The CDC recognized Chagas disease as endemic in the U.S., with Texas among states that have documented locally acquired cases. Local business: On The Border will close its company-owned Texas locations, while franchises in select states will remain open.

SpaceX IPO Boom: SpaceX began trading Friday after the biggest-ever IPO, opening at $150 and surging as high as $176, instantly valuing the company at about $2T and making Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. Texas Economy & Starbase: Texans near Starbase in the Rio Grande Valley are split on the rocket giant’s impact as the company plans to nearly double its workforce to about 8,000. Midland Shooting: A suspect barricaded himself in a Midland building and was later found dead after a standoff; 11 were injured and one person died. Food & Consumer: The Tex-Mex chain On The Border will close all company-owned locations Friday after bankruptcy and acquisition, while Texas AG Ken Paxton announced a glyphosate probe targeting Bayer and PepsiCo over alleged consumer-protection violations. Health & Research: UT Tyler won $241,779 from the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund for a rural opioid recovery initiative, and LyticGen filed a patent for a CRISPR-enhanced phage therapy aimed at MRSA. Courts & Business: A federal judge blocked Paxton’s lawsuit against ActBlue, citing First Amendment retaliation concerns. Local Tech: Texas A&M Forest Service launched Wood Flow South, a new interactive site tracking timber trade flows and trends.

Livestock Emergency: Texas and federal officials are stepping up the fight against the flesh-eating New World screwworm after a second South Texas case was confirmed, triggering expanded surveillance, sterile-fly releases, and disaster declarations—while Canada temporarily halted imports of certain Texas livestock as a precaution. Local Tax Fight: An El Paso appeals court upheld a ruling that the city’s environmental franchise fee is an illegal tax, potentially opening the door to refunds for residents. Houston Budget: Houston City Council approved a $7.5B FY2027 budget and adopted the city’s first residential trash collection fee, starting July via water bills. Water Politics: Corpus Christi’s worsening water shortage is heating up the governor’s race as officials delay desalination plans and Abbott signals state intervention. Tech + Money: SpaceX’s IPO is set to make thousands of current and former employees millionaires, with the listing also fueling broader market optimism. Energy Diplomacy: Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the U.S. launched an Eastern Mediterranean energy center in Houston and agreed on a cooperation roadmap. Health Research: UTMB researchers announced one-dose mRNA vaccine progress against Andes hantavirus in animal models.

New World screwworm: Texas confirmed more cases of the flesh-eating parasite in South Texas, pushing emergency response efforts and raising alarms for livestock producers; Canada temporarily restricted entry of certain Texas cattle, horses and other livestock while officials work to contain the outbreak. Public safety & weather: Gov. Greg Abbott activated state emergency resources ahead of severe weather and flash-flood threats, urging Texans to monitor forecasts and plan. Clean water crackdown: Three Texas residents pleaded guilty to falsifying wastewater test results under the Clean Water Act, undermining permit compliance. College sports legal fight: The Big 12 said it’s reviewing concerns from Texas AG Ken Paxton about possible sanctions tied to Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, setting up more legal pressure. Houston Pride: Houston’s Montrose rainbow crosswalk was paved over after state funding threats, but residents say the colors still show through and new murals are popping up. Business & jobs: Meta and Associated Builders and Contractors launched a $115M workforce academy to train data-center construction workers, including in Texas.

New World screwworm: Texas confirmed a second flesh-eating screwworm case in South Texas, prompting tighter containment efforts and leading Canada to temporarily restrict livestock imports from Texas. Energy & markets: As U.S.-Iran tensions flare, oil prices jumped and the Strait of Hormuz dispute is again driving global supply fears. Texas data centers: Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing sweeping new rules for data centers—requiring them to cover more grid and infrastructure costs, reduce water impacts, and report electricity and water use. Texas law & food safety: AG Ken Paxton opened a glyphosate residue investigation into Bayer and PepsiCo via civil investigative demands tied to alleged consumer-protection violations. Houston & World Cup: FIFA World Cup 2026 security guidance for Houston Stadium highlights strict clear-bag rules and screening. Local governance: Austin ISD is moving ahead with major staffing cuts tied to a projected budget deficit, including 558 position reductions.

New World Screwworm: A second flesh-eating screwworm case was confirmed in South Texas, prompting Canada to temporarily restrict livestock imports from Texas while officials push containment and urge vigilance for wounds in pets and animals. State Health & Agriculture: Texas DSHS says the outbreak likely traces back to Panama and warns livestock producers and pet owners to watch for larvae-stage damage as the state ramps up response. Data Centers vs. Texans’ Bills: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered PUC and ERCOT to stop data-center expansion costs from landing on residential ratepayers, including requiring data centers to fully fund needed electric infrastructure and pushing for water-efficient cooling rules. Houston Budget Fight: Houston City Council approved Mayor John Whitmire’s $7.5B budget, including a new $5 monthly trash fee, as protesters erupted at City Hall. Energy & Markets: Wall Street swung on inflation and AI-stock jitters, while oil prices rose amid renewed U.S.-Iran strikes and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve keeps sliding toward Reagan-era lows. Texas Business: Austin-based NinjaOne raised $400M at a $12.3B valuation; Houston REIT Silver Star filed Chapter 11 again.

New World screwworm in South Texas: A second confirmed flesh-eating New World screwworm case was detected in South Texas, prompting Texas officials to expand emergency response efforts and raising alarms for ranchers and pet owners. Cross-border livestock rules: Canada’s food inspection agency temporarily halted imports of certain Texas livestock (cattle, horses and others) tied to the state within the prior 21 days, saying it’s precautionary while officials work to contain the outbreak. Local disaster coordination: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration covered Zavala and neighboring Uvalde counties, and local leaders moved to coordinate preparedness as the parasite spreads. Texas military infrastructure warning: A new report highlights how aging, underfunded military facilities left barracks vulnerable after Winter Storm Uri, with major deferred maintenance and repair backlogs. Healthcare cost transparency push: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide to post clearer pricing or face steep penalties, including scrutiny of hospitals in the region.

New World screwworm: Texas officials confirmed a second South Texas case, prompting Canada to temporarily block certain livestock imports from Texas while containment ramps up. Livestock & prices: The outbreak is raising alarms across ranching and beef supply chains as federal and state teams push expanded response and quarantine steps. AG Ken Paxton: Paxton opened an investigation into FIFA over alleged misleading 2026 World Cup ticket seat information, just as matches begin in Texas. Texas politics: A new poll shows Democratic Rep. James Talarico leading Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race, while another poll puts Greg Abbott ahead of Gina Hinojosa in the governor’s race. Business & jobs: Meta is launching a paid skilled-trades training program in Texas to feed data-center workforce needs. Local courts: A Collin County jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of murder in a Frisco track-meet stabbing case. Tech/AI: Houston’s EPC Group says it topped SEMrush’s AI sentiment ranking for Microsoft consulting. Sports culture: Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby eligibility ruling is triggering scheduling boycotts from other schools.

Livestock Emergency: Texas confirmed more New World screwworm cases, including a dog later reclassified to New Mexico, as USDA and state officials ramp up containment and sterile-fly efforts; Canada temporarily halted certain Texas livestock imports while it investigates. Energy & Growth Pressure: ERCOT warns Texas could hit record electricity demand this summer as heat and evening load strain the grid, while a data-center boom keeps driving new power-connection requests and raises reliability and water concerns. Politics & Power Maps: Republican redistricting is tightening the math for Democrats to win the House, with analysts saying the GOP’s structural advantage has grown. Schools & Funding: Spring Branch ISD says a TEA formula change cut expected state funding by $9.6 million, adding pressure ahead of budget decisions. Health & Consumer Safety: Texas AG Ken Paxton launched a glyphosate residue investigation into Bayer and PepsiCo, while a Houston biotech update announced progress in Coya Therapeutics’ ALSTARS trial. Local Business: The Pampered Peach opened a new Katy location, and First Citizens Bank named new leaders in equipment finance.

Screwworm Emergency: USDA confirmed two more New World screwworm cases in Texas—one calf in La Salle County and one dog in Andrews County—bringing detections to four as Gov. Abbott escalates the state response to Level II and warns of potential livestock and beef-price ripple effects. Cross-Border Fallout: Canada moved to block Texas livestock imports tied to the outbreak, tightening pressure on ranchers and animal movement. Public Health Watch: Federal regulators and addiction experts are flagging a new opioid threat tied to concentrated 7-OH kratom products, with rising reports of severe reactions and deaths. Texas Politics & Courts: A federal judge granted a temporary injunction allowing Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby to play after NCAA gambling ineligibility. Local Business: Houston’s $7.5B budget faces backlash over proposed trash fees, while Abilene prepares a new Firehouse Subs location. Crime & Justice: A Texarkana business owner was arrested on indecent assault charges after an investigation.

Texas Food Policy: Food truck owners can now apply for a new statewide license that replaces many local permits starting July 1, cutting duplicate inspections while cities still control zoning, fire, and traffic rules. Livestock & Agriculture: Texas confirmed a New World screwworm case in cattle, prompting emergency disaster steps and quarantine actions as Canada restricts Texas livestock imports and ranchers brace for supply-chain fallout. Water Security: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared a Rio Grande deal that limits groundwater pumping in southern New Mexico to protect downstream flows into Texas, with new tracking rules and big reductions required. Energy & Markets: Oil jumped as Iran-Israel tensions flared, with WTI surging above $94 a barrel and broader markets reacting to supply-shock fears. STEM Funding: Community colleges are pushing to protect NSF’s Advanced Technological Education program amid agency upheaval, warning that technical workforce training could be hit. Houston/Tech & Business: Data-center growth and power demand keep driving debate, while Houston-area World Cup prep and local business activity gear up for major crowds.

Livestock Emergency: Texas confirmed a second New World screwworm case in Zavala County, prompting Gov. Abbott to expand a statewide disaster declaration and speed up sterile-fly efforts to protect the cattle industry. Food Prices Pressure: With beef supply already tight, the screwworm scare is adding to concerns about higher costs for Texas barbecue and other meat-heavy staples. State Politics & Schools: Texas education leaders are set to vote on proposals that would expand Christianity’s presence in classrooms, including revised social studies standards and a required reading list with biblical passages. National Security Watch: Reuters reports U.S. lawmakers are warning that President Trump’s choice of Bill Pulte as acting national intelligence director could complicate renewal of the foreign surveillance law (Section 702). Local Government: Karnes County commissioners will consider funding for the Karnes County Humane Organization, which says it may have to close without help. Public Safety: Fort Worth police are investigating a park shooting that injured four people, including an officer and a child. Tech & Space: Google agreed to pay SpaceX about $920 million a month for computing power through mid-2029.

New World screwworm: USDA confirmed a flesh-eating parasite in a South Texas calf in Zavala County, and a second case followed nearby—prompting quarantine zones and emergency livestock movement controls as Canada temporarily restricts Texas livestock imports. Food and farm pressure: Texas researchers warn a warm winter with fewer “chill hours” could cut yields for peaches and berries, while the screwworm fallout is already reshaping beef supply chains. Houston World Cup economy: Downtown businesses are gearing up for massive crowds, with hotel bookings up and staffing ramping for FIFA Fan Fest and related events. Texas data centers and water: Google is pitching a new water fund for Texas data center builds as residents raise concerns about water use. Business and growth: Hut 8 secured $4.25B in notes to fund a 352 MW AI data center campus in Nueces County, and Texas Roadhouse’s internal gift rule is drawing attention. Higher ed and research: Ouachita Baptist University researchers and students earned recognition for biomedical work, while UT and UNT students staged mock funerals protesting academic freedom and LGBTQ/DEI course crackdowns.

Livestock Emergency: USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County, about 5.6 miles from the first detection, keeping both infections inside a federal control zone while nearby suspect cattle tests come back negative so far. Cross-Border Fallout: Canada moved fast with a temporary ban on Texas-origin livestock entering the country, as Texas ramps up quarantine and inspections after Gov. Abbott signed a statewide disaster declaration. Market Pressure: With beef already pricey and cattle herds at low levels, analysts warn the outbreak could disrupt supply if it spreads. Politics & Campaign Trail: In the Texas governor race, Democrat Gina Hinojosa hit Plano with James Talarico, attacking Abbott’s record on costs, schools, and health care while Abbott courted veterans with new grant funding. Elections Leadership: Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced she’ll step down July 17 after overseeing major election work. Houston World Cup Security: Houston’s stadium lockdown is underway with heightened screening and fencing, but officials warn a dispute over immigration-related cooperation could threaten tens of millions in public safety grants.

Livestock Emergency: Gov. Greg Abbott signed a statewide disaster declaration after the USDA confirmed the New World screwworm in Texas, and officials say the response is focused on containment, education, and sterile fly releases—now with a second confirmed case in Zavala County in a one-month-old calf, detected just 5.6 miles from the first spot. Public Safety & Consumer Rules: Texas reminds residents that security camera installation is regulated—installers must hold a valid Texas Private Security License, and homeowners should verify credentials before hiring. Tech + Power Growth: Google and Intersect announced the Meitner Energy Center in the Texas Panhandle, pairing new energy generation with a data center in Gray and Roberts counties. Local Economy: In Hubbard, a nearby data center and construction are boosting business for Polo’s Pizza, with more staff and busier lunch crowds. Politics & Culture War: A Texas Senate race fight is heating up as Republicans target Democratic candidate James Talarico with attacks on masculinity and identity. Sports: The Knicks took a 2-0 lead over the Spurs in the NBA Finals after a 105-104 Game 2 win.