7am Newscast September, 4, 2026

0:00From News 88, 7 in Houston, I'm Matt Harab. The State Board of Education today is expected to approve an updated social studies curriculum that many called discriminatory against Muslims. The proposed new lessons tie Islam to violence, war, and slavery and remove references to its contributions to astrology and algebra. The 15-member board heard hours of public comment in Austin this week. Speaker Chuck Alman praised the board's changes. This is a godly nation, the United States. We don't need or want Islam teaching to indoctrinate our Texas school students. Muslims accused the board of indoctrination and unconstitutional discrimination if approved the changes would go into effect for the 2030 school year. A big windfall, the city of Houston is getting from the Woodlands Township will nearly wipe out the city's budget deficit. The township is paying the city $50 million in exchange for promising to not annex the community of more than 110,000 people. But as News 88, 7's Dominic Anthony Walsh reports, financial challenges remain.

1:04Houston has struggled with gaps between revenue and spending, facing the largest two deficits in city history over the past two years. Mayor John Whitmeier implemented reforms in the funding structure for solid waste and the water utility this year, cutting the projected deficit down to about $26 million. The first of four annual payments from the Woodlands, about 23 million, will nearly erase that. But costs are still ballooning because of lucrative multi-year contracts with the police and fire departments. Our vision is a city that has a reliable revenue stream and we're getting there, but it's a good challenge. Whitmeier has ruled out a property tax hike for now, but has signaled it may come later if he secures a second term next year. I'm Gavin Anthony Walsh, News 88, 7. Two employees at an apartment complex were found shot to death inside of a management office in West Houston yesterday. A maintenance worker found both the man and woman.

2:05There are no known witnesses to the shooting and police say at least one suspect remains at large. The HPD homicide teams are working the scene and police have not released any descriptive information about who they're looking for. The Texas A&M System Board of Regents approved the removal of over 200 courses from its core curriculum to comply with new state law. Archive Maclennigan reports that includes LGBTQ studies race and gender on slated for removal. The move comes as Texas A&M aims to comply with Senate Bill 37, mandating state-funded universities conduct audits of their core classes. Leonard Bright is the president of the American Association of University Professors Chapter at Texas A&M's College Station Campus. This is political interference in education. Texas A&M should no more produce conservative students than liberal students. Our job is not to manufacture a political worldview. Last month, the University of Houston removed over 45% of its core curriculum. I'm Kyle Maclennigan, News 88, 7.