Daily Rundown - September 4, 2026

0:00Well howdy folks, today is Friday, September 4th and you're listening to the Texans daily rundown. I'm the Texans senior editor Rob Lauchess and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, the State Board of Education approved revised high school social studies standards known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or Teaks on Friday. The vote follows the board's passage of revised K-8 social studies teaks in June, after months of contentious debate and public attention. Roughly 150 people signed up for public testimony with the majority voicing opposition to the revised teaks. Many Muslim attendees voiced concern regarding the wording of specific standards related to Islam. On Friday, the board approved revised social studies standards for courses in US government, US history, world history and world geography with votes mainly across party lines of Republicans

1:04in favor and Democrats against. The revised social studies K-12 teaks will be implemented in school districts beginning in the 2030-2031 school year, starting with kindergarten and the early grades and adding grades in the following years. Next, an alleged member of the Venezuelan gang Trende Aragua, who was previously charged in Texas for human smuggling as well as kidnapping, resulting in homicide and Chile, was extra dited out of the US last week. TDA is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Texas and federal governments. Rafael Enrique Gamas-Salas, who is an illegal alien from Venezuela, was prosecuted and ultimately convicted on human smuggling charges by a Texas court after his reentry into the US following his removal in 2023. He had already been accused of directing multiple extortions and kidnappings while working as a member of Los Piratas, considered to be the Chilean branch of TDA according to

2:08the August 28th press release by the US Department of Justice. In other news, the Texas House select committee on health care affordability held a hearing on Tuesday, September 1st, to look for means of bringing down health care costs in the state. The chair, James Frank, said in his opening remarks that Texas overpays for health care and said the incentive structure was to blame. According to him, quote, prices lack transparency. Customers are given little agency in shopping. Several witnesses touted the direct primary care model in which patients pay a monthly membership fee to a doctor instead of using health insurance. Another witness said that independent practices were being squeezed by rising costs, paperwork, and regulations. John Hawkins, president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association, testified that hospitals are bearing the brunt of increased costs. According to him, quote, Even after the state's supplemental payments, Texas hospitals absorbed $9 billion in totally

3:11unreimbursed Medicaid and uninsured costs in 2025 alone. Billionaire Mark Cuban, co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs, also spoke at the hearing and offered his own five-point plan to bring down pharmaceutical costs. Last but not least, a federal judge in San Antonio extended the pause on border construction in Big Bend until September 30th, while the court evaluates its potential impacts on the region. The pause was originally set to end on September 15th, but will now continue until September 30th. The decision follows an emergency hearing last week requested by the people of La Junta Preservation, a non-profit organization associated with the La Pana Pachi tribe of Texas, and Far-Flong Outdoor Center, a Tarlingua-based outdoor recreation company, the court will reconvene after the party's meet. Those opposed argue that the formations of Big Bend create a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico that already deters illegal immigration through the area, and that construction

4:15of a wall would be an unnecessary scourge on the landscape. The delay marks the latest chapter in the Big Bend border security dispute, a state and federal issue that has elicited bipartisan pushback. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the Texan.News to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.