AGP Executive Report

World Cup Spotlight: Cristiano Ronaldo is officially in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad for a record sixth appearance, with Houston set to host Portugal’s opener against DR Congo on June 17. Texas Politics: In Waco, Texas AG Ken Paxton faces fresh backlash over a plea deal in a child sex abuse case that would have meant just one day in jail. Legal Fight Over Apps: Texas is asking a federal appeals court to let it enforce a law requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and block minors from downloading apps or making purchases without parental consent. Weather Watch: Houston-area storm chances ramp up Tuesday, with a coastal storm early and another round tied to a cold front later in the day/evening. Sports & Local Interest: The CJ Cup Byron Nelson tees off in McKinney with Scottie Scheffler defending, while the SEC baseball tournament begins in Hoover with Ole Miss vs. Missouri first-round action.

Sports Injury Update: The Texas Rangers got a scare in Colorado—lefty MacKenzie Gore left after one inning with muscle tightness in his back, the same day shortstop Corey Seager went on the 10-day IL with lower back inflammation. College Sports Fallout: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, who entered residential treatment for a gambling addiction, sued the NCAA to restore his eligibility—but the school still declared him ineligible and says it will move quickly on reinstatement. Local Schools: Pasadena ISD is weighing possible closure or consolidation of two campuses, with families and staff bracing for staffing cuts ahead of a board meeting next Tuesday. Weather Watch: Houston-area storm chances ramp up late Tuesday into Wednesday, with heavy rain, hail, and strong winds possible. Tragedy on the Road: At least four people died in a crash involving a Hotard bus, a van, and an Audi near Sabine Pass on Highway 87. Community & Health: Texas Public Radio and the San Antonio Report announced they’ll combine operations starting July 1 to build a bigger nonprofit newsroom.

Texas Politics: Early voting is underway for the May 26 primary runoffs, with Texans choosing nominees in tight races including the GOP Senate runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. Public Health & Law: Texas Attorney General Paxton says Texas will create the nation’s first “detransition clinic” under a settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital, while the hospital’s earlier “gender-affirming care” fight continues to drive national attention. Weather: North Texas is under a First Alert Weather Day for Monday, with hot, breezy conditions and a conditional severe-storm risk. Sports (Austin-area): Austin’s Driskill Grill and Bar is reopening today with chef April Bloomfield at the helm, and Best Day Brewing named Bakery its agency of record. Business/Science: Houston-based ReEngage Therapeutics expanded its MD Anderson research deal to develop ACSS2 inhibitors for chemorefractory cancers.

Austin Violence Update: Austin police say four people were hurt in multiple “random” shootings across south Austin overnight, with 12 incidents reported; a shelter-in-place order was issued then lifted, and investigators say suspects used several stolen cars (including Hyundais and a Kia) while weapons may have been stolen—two suspects are in custody and one was still at large in the Manor area. Waco Traffic Disruption: A large fuel leak shut down southbound I-35 in Waco near University Parks Drive, with Waco Fire and Hazmat responding. Texas Politics: New polling shows Democrat Gina Hinojosa narrowing Gov. Greg Abbott’s lead in the governor’s race. Sports Spotlight: Ella Langley swept the ACM Awards with seven wins, while the Texas Tech softball team advanced after an epic comeback vs. Ole Miss; in pro baseball, the Rangers beat the Astros 8-0 as Jose Altuve went on the injured list with an oblique strain. Local Culture: The Texas Heritage Museum at Hill College is set to receive the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Heat + Storm Watch: Houston is baking under triple-digit “feels-like” temperatures, with a muggy weekend and only a small shot at an isolated shower Sunday. Weather Alerts: North Texas has a First Alert Weather Day active Monday and Tuesday as a dryline and shortwave could spark a few strong storms Monday, then a cold front brings more scattered severe potential Tuesday. Local Politics: In Houston’s District C runoff, progressive organizer Joe Panzarella is projected to win, beating Nick Hellyar with 64.7% of the vote. Sports (Houston/Texas): The Astros and Rangers close out their series Sunday at Daikin Park, with Houston aiming to keep momentum after Saturday’s win. Business/Legal: Buc-ee’s is suing a Georgia convenience store, Teddy’s Market, over alleged brand infringement. Space: SpaceX Dragon successfully docked with the ISS early Sunday, delivering 6,000+ pounds of supplies.

Hill County data-center pause: A Hill County judge says legal challenges are expected after the commissioners court approved a one-year stop on new data center development, citing how projects often move fast before local officials even hear about them. Astros-Rangers: Yordan Alvarez went deep as Houston beat Texas 4-1, while Jose Altuve left with left-side soreness and is set for an MRI. Local impact: Hundreds packed a Waco-area library for a benefit supporting two Central Texas teens—one battling leukemia, the other recovering after a hit-and-run. Austin sports: Sporting KC rallied late to beat Austin FC 2-1 at Q2 Stadium. Big NCAA moments: Baylor stayed alive in the Austin Regional, and Texas Tech pulled off an 8-run, two-out comeback to stun Ole Miss in Lubbock. Health alert: First West Nile-positive mosquito samples were confirmed in Tarrant County.

Front Office Shake-Up: Bob Myers has started the search for a new day-to-day lead basketball operations executive for the 76ers, aiming to hire before late-June draft/free agency while keeping the setup “them, plus me.” Texas Politics: Attorney General Ken Paxton blocked proposed property tax hikes in 132 Texas cities and towns, escalating his fight over local spending and tax-rate limits. Local Health & Law: Texas Children’s Hospital is set to open the first U.S. “detransition clinic” as part of a DOJ/state settlement, including firing five doctors and paying $10M-plus. Houston Weather & Weekend Plans: Expect a hot, humid Houston weekend with triple-digit “feels-like” temperatures, plus traffic slowdowns for Rangers-Astros and a “Jeep Week” vibe. Sports Health: Texas Rangers 2B Josh Smith is hospitalized in Dallas-area care after being diagnosed with viral meningitis.

Texas Children’s Hospital Settlement: Texas Children’s Hospital has agreed to create the country’s first “detransition clinic” after a $10 million settlement with the state and the DOJ, with the hospital also set to end “sex-rejecting” procedures for minors and terminate five doctors tied to the care. Local Politics: As early voting ramps up, Texas runoff campaigns are gearing for a final push, with the GOP Senate fight framed as a high-spend, high-attack sprint. Weather Watch: A muggy weekend is ahead, with only spotty rain chances Sunday, then a more active storm pattern returning next week. Sports & Culture: The UFL made history by playing its first pro game on an active military base at Fort Hood, while Houston’s World Cup hotel bookings are reportedly coming in slower than expected. Everyday Weirdness: Dozens of plastic piggy banks have washed up on Texas beaches, offering a strange new clue about how far ocean trash travels.

MLB Injury Update: Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain after leaving Thursday’s game vs. the Astros, snapping a rough stretch that included an 0-for-38 slump. Sports Spotlight: In the MLB debate spotlight, Brewers second baseman Brice Turang is being pitched as the league’s top defender-hitting combo, with his elite on-base pace and power surge driving the conversation. Texas Politics: A federal court blocked Texas’ anti-immigration SB 4 just before it could take effect, pausing parts of the law that would have let state/local officers arrest suspected illegal entry. Health Policy: Texas AG Ken Paxton secured a settlement forcing Texas Children’s Hospital to create the nation’s first “detransition clinic” and pay $10 million to the state. Weather: North Texas stays hot and breezy today, with storm chances building late weekend into Monday and Tuesday. Local Life: Stonebriar Centre is keeping its Saturday minor curfew policy after saying the first weekend went smoothly.

Sports Injury Update: Seattle put catcher Cal Raleigh on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain after he left Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to Houston, his first IL stint of his career; the Mariners recalled Jhonny Pereda. MLB Results: Luke Raley hit a three-run homer as Seattle beat the Astros 8-3, while the Braves kept rolling to become the first team to 30 wins. WNBA: Natasha Howard scored 26 as the Minnesota Lynx rallied to beat the Dallas Wings 90-86. High School/Local Schools: Ganado ISD closed all campuses Friday after a stomach bug spread through the elementary school. Wildfire/Weather: Evacuations are underway in Canyon, Texas, after lightning sparked a fast-moving grassfire. Politics/Legal: Florida’s newly approved congressional map heads to its first court challenge Friday over alleged partisan gerrymandering. Houston Sports/Pro Football: The Texans’ 2026 schedule is out, featuring multiple primetime games and a London trip.

World Cup Heat Watch: Academics warn England fans heading to the June 17 opener at AT&T Stadium could face serious heat risk on the way to games and at outdoor fan zones, with Dallas facing a roughly one-in-three chance of dangerous “wet bulb” conditions. Houston Crime Update: Houston police say a homeowner shot and killed a suspected intruder in a northeast backyard, and separately arrested 46-year-old Perry Green in connection with a stabbing and robbery of a Houston Methodist employee in a Texas Medical Center garage. EV Charging Buildout: Texas is moving ahead with NEVI Phase II, adding about $250 million for public fast chargers—588 charging ports expected, with more possible depending on site design. Education Pressure: A new report says Texas public schools lost more than 76,000 students in 2025–26, the biggest decline outside the pandemic years. Sports Texas Flavor: The Braves hit 30 wins for the first time in MLB this season, while North Texas stays in the heat—ozone alerts and humidity are back.

WNBA/NBA Move: The Connecticut Sun’s long-rumored jump to Houston is now official: the WNBA and NBA boards unanimously approved the sale to Tilman J. Fertitta, with the team playing out the 2026 season in Connecticut before relocating for 2027 and likely rebranding as the Houston Comets. Houston Weather: Hotter days are back across the Houston area, with temperatures near 90° Thursday and humidity rising this weekend; an air-quality alert remains in effect through Thursday evening. Inflation Pressure: Central Texans are feeling April’s inflation spike—prices up 3.8%—with food and energy costs squeezing household budgets. Legal/Immigration: A Houston man was sentenced to 54 months for illegal reentry after being previously removed, part of DOJ’s Operation Take Back America. Sports & Local Wins: Texas Tech’s “On & On” drive topped $1 billion; Bryan and Rudder seniors signed college sports letters of intent; and Houston’s World Cup plans include expectations that all seven home matches will sell out.

NFL & Sports: The 2026 NBA draft combine is underway in Chicago, with top prospects already locked in on measurements and the big separation coming during the 5-on-5 scrimmages. MLB: Seattle’s Cal Raleigh snapped a 0-for-38 skid with a key single in the Mariners’ 10-2 win over Houston, while Houston’s Tatsuya Imai struggled again in his return, getting tagged for six runs in four innings. Labor Watch: MLB and the MLB Players Association opened collective bargaining in New York with no proposals yet, but the looming Dec. 1 labor-deal deadline is back in focus. Local Texas Angle: Houston-area air quality is under an ozone alert Wednesday, with hotter, sunnier conditions raising health risks—especially for sensitive residents. Business/Tech: Houston’s LP Energy Services says its Fury Flush process is cutting data-center pre-commissioning timelines and removing water reclamation requirements. Community & Schools: Yorktown Elementary held a Bike Rodeo to teach safety skills for kids heading into summer.

NBA & Sports Loss: Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay active player and a trailblazing ambassador, died Tuesday at 47 after a battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. Local Crime & Safety: Houston investigators are probing a woman found dead inside a northern Harris County apartment after family couldn’t reach her for days; there was no forced entry, and an autopsy is planned. Housing & Homelessness: Houston City Council member Joaquin Martinez suggested the controversial 419 Emancipation homeless hub could open before month’s end, but his office later said no official date is set. Politics: Frisco is seeing rising backlash toward Indian Americans, with “Indian takeover” rhetoric showing up at city council as Republicans court the community. Texas Courts/AG: Ken Paxton sued a North Texas company tied to a Chinese national, alleging fake childcare businesses were used to fraudulently obtain H-1B visas. Sports Spotlight: Frisco RoughRiders outfielder Dylan Dreiling was named Texas League Player of the Week after a big power surge.

School Bus Safety Deadline: Texas districts got their first real deadline under a new law requiring three-point seat belts on buses—by May 29 they must report retrofit/replacement costs to the TEA, even though full compliance is set for 2029. Public Safety—Crash Case: Stephenville-area crash suspect Gracie Lane Yates was re-arrested and now faces intoxication manslaughter and injury-to-a-child charges tied to the March home crash that killed a North Texas mom and her 7-year-old son. Local Growth: New Braunfels is moving toward the June 20 grand opening of the 150-acre Zipp Family Sports Park. Health & Crime: A Harris County mother, Laura Nicholson, was charged after tests found cocaine in both daughters’ systems before they drowned in a backyard pool. Tech/Policy: Texas AG Ken Paxton sued Netflix, alleging spying on kids and addictive design. Sports: Cal Raleigh is in a brutal hitting slump—hitless in his last 36 at-bats—as Texas high school baseball and track stories roll on.

World Cup Readiness: Houston officials laid out final-phase plans for FIFA World Cup 2026, including new METRO “Metro 500” airport-to-downtown service, tighter transit headways, and a security strategy built for everything from lost children at Fan Fest to worst-case scenarios. Public Safety & Crime: A Laredo teen was detained after a social media threat tied to Alexander High School; police say students helped spot it and officials stressed there’s no active threat. Border Tragedy: Federal investigators are looking into the deaths of six people found inside a Union Pacific cargo train boxcar near Laredo, with heatstroke suspected. Traffic Disruption: A tank fell off an 18-wheeler after striking the Houston Avenue bridge on the Katy Freeway, shutting lanes for hours and leaving drivers facing delays. Sports: Cedar Creek baseball advanced to the LHSAA semifinals for the first time in 12 years; Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson is in the NBA Draft Combine, while Indiana’s football team celebrated a White House visit after a perfect season.