Former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff dies at 89
During his time in the Texas Senate, the moderate Republican tackled major issues such as school finance and ethics reform.
Texas launches plan to open Turning Point USA chapters in every high school
Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida have also launched plans to expand the presence of the conservative youth organization founded by Charlie Kirk.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett enters Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
Crockett, a second-term congresswoman, has skyrocketed to fame through viral spats with Republicans, becoming one of her party’s most prolific fundraisers.
Llano County library book removals allowed after U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear challenge
Seven residents launched a challenge in 2022 to the removal of 17 books, which included topics on race and gender. They won a reinstatement of the titles, but lost on appeal.
Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey files for Tarrant County judge, forgoing eighth term in Congress
The Fort Worth congressman’s district was upended under the new GOP-friendly map approved this summer. He was expected to run for the district being vacated by Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Jasmine Crockett uses Trump’s ‘Low IQ’ insults to launch her Texas Senate campaign in debut ad
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas launched her Senate campaign Monday with an ironic ad using President Donald Trump’s past insults against her, prompting a flurry of reactions on social media. Her campaign was announced in a video posted on X on Monday afternoon. In the ad, Crockett was shown standing as Trump’s verbal jabs played in the background. “How about this new one they have? Their new star, Crockett. How about her? She’s the new star of the Democrat Party, Jasmine Crockett. They’re in big trouble,” Trump is heard saying in the video. “Somebody said the other day, she’s one of the leaders of the party. I said you gotta be kidding,” the audio of Trump continued. RISING DEMOCRAT STAR JAMES TALARICO JUMPS INTO KEY SENATE RACE IN TEXAS “Oh man, oh man. She’s a very low IQ person…now they’re gonna rely on Crockett. Crockett’s gonna bring them back.” The ad was well-received by liberal commentators on X, who described it as a strong debut. “Jasmine Crockett’s launch ad is brilliant,” Ed Krassenstein wrote. Jasmine Crockett is running for the United States Senate and Republicans should be terrified,” Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko said. “She’s smart, fearless, relentless, and she doesn’t back down from anybody. This is the matchup Texas deserves. Let’s go.” On the other side of the political aisle, conservatives and critics reacted to the ad with mockery. “I never thought I’d say this but I agree with every word of this Jasmine Crockett ad,” commentator Matt Walsh wrote. ‘DIVA’ CROCKETT SLAMMED IN SCATHING REPORT ALLEGING ‘TOXIC STAFF ENVIRONMENT’ WHERE STAFF IS BERATED TO TEARS “A few months ago it was reported that Jasmine Crockett’s phone lock screen is a photo of herself,” Republican operative Matt Wolking claimed. “Today, her launch ad continues the theme.” Speaking at a campaign event in Texas on Monday, Crockett said that “gloves have been off” and that she was “jumping into the ring.” “I’m asking for your support to be the next United States Senator from the greatest state of Texas,” she said. “They tell us that Texas is red. They are lying, we’re not. The reality is that most Texans don’t get out to vote.” Crockett also said that she made the decision to run after learning that “the numbers were strongest for my candidacy for United States Senate.” “I could have played it safe and continued serving in the United States House of Representatives for as long as my constituents would have me, but I didn’t choose to do that because Texas, this moment we’re in now, is life or death, and it’s all or nothing,” she said. “It’s now or never. We find ourselves at a crossroads.” Her campaign launch event had a lively atmosphere, including an impromptu performance by a musical artist named Cameron McCloud. McCloud performed a rap song with the verses, “They only trying to scare her out running because they think she’ll win / Listen, thought I told y’all we ain’t never scared / Now look who name on the docket / Got two words for every racist bigot, Jasmine Crockett.” “Amen, Amen… make some noise for Jasmine Crockett one time,” McCloud said to a cheering audience. Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Trump cabinet members do pull-ups at airport to launch $1B family travel program nationwide
Members of the Trump administration knocked out pull-ups at Reagan National Airport on Monday as they rolled out a $1 billion initiative aimed at making the holiday rush healthier and more kid-friendly. Video showed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doing 20 pull-ups with his shirt untucked as people counted each time he lifted his chin above the bar. After Kennedy dropped back to the ground, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stepped up to the bar and completed 10 pull-ups. The display kicked off the administration’s “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” campaign, a program aimed at easing some of the most common frustrations families face when flying. NEW TSA PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO ELIMINATE DOUBLE SCREENINGS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Duffy said the initiative is intended to make every part of the travel day more seamless, from navigating security with young children to finding places to exercise or nurse. The $1 billion announced Monday is designed to help airports build more play areas and exercise spaces for kids, add mothers’ rooms or nursing pods, create family screening lanes at security checkpoints, and install sensory rooms for children with special needs. Airports can also pitch their own projects if they focus on improving the family travel experience. NOEM TEASES ‘NEXT BIG ANNOUNCEMENT’ THAT MAY CHANGE AIRPORT SECURITY RULE Duffy said bringing about a “Golden Age” of travel required focusing on families. “Bringing about a Golden Age in travel has to involve making the family travel experience happier and healthier,” he said. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to enacting a Family First agenda and improving the lives of the American people.” Kennedy emphasized the health side of the effort, saying everyone who passes through a U.S. airport should have “access to fresh, whole foods.” DUFFY URGES SENATE TO PASS BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’S $12.5B AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEM FIX He pointed to Farmer’s Fridge and similar grab-and-go vendors as examples of how airports could make healthier meals as convenient as fast food. Alongside federal funding for terminal upgrades, the administration is encouraging airports and private partners to expand nutritional options in terminals nationwide. The goal, Kennedy said, is to set a standard where healthy eating is part of daily life even when people are rushing to catch a flight. “Everyone who passes through an airport in this country should have access to fresh, whole foods,” Kennedy said. “Secretary Duffy and I are working to ensure our airports set the standard for a future where healthy eating is part of daily life – travel days included.”
Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over water treaty violations affecting Texas farmers
President Donald Trump warned Monday that Mexico’s failure to deliver water owed under a decades-old treaty is harming Texas farmers and could trigger a new tariff if the country does not immediately release a critical share of its required supply. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Mexico must release 200,000 acre-feet of water through the 1944 Water Treaty before Dec. 31 or face a 5% tariff. “Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK,” the president wrote. “Mexico still owes the U.S over 800,000 acre-feet of water for failing to comply with our Treaty over the past five years.” “The U.S [sic] needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, and the rest must come soon after,” Trump continued. “As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. Farmers who deserve this much needed water. That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released, IMMEDIATELY.” AMERICA’S QUIETEST CROP IS SET TO TAKE CENTER STAGE IN TRUMP–XI TALKS “The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW,” he added. Texas farm groups warned last year of a disastrous season for citrus and sugar as Mexican and U.S. officials worked to resolve a dispute over the 1944 treaty that supplies U.S. farmers with critical irrigation. The two countries have clashed over the treaty before, but drought-driven shortages were the most severe in nearly 30 years. TRUMP TO UNLEASH $12B FARM RESCUE AS CHINA TRADE RESET HITS US GROWERS In April, the Trump administration and Mexican officials reached a deal to ensure Texas farmers get much-needed water from the Rio Grande, less than a month after Trump accused Mexico of withholding water promised under the treaty. Under that agreement, Mexico committed to send water from international reservoirs and increase U.S. flow from six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle. DEAL STRUCK BETWEEN US AND MEXICO TO ENSURE TEXAS FARMERS GET MUCH-NEEDED WATER U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called the measure a significant step forward and said the Trump administration welcomes Mexico’s continued cooperation in support of American agriculture. Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico agreed to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water over five years from the Rio Grande. In exchange, the U.S. agreed to deliver 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico from the Colorado River. But Mexico has fallen short at times, leading to severe water shortages in the Rio Grande Valley for farmers and ranchers. Those shortages have killed crops and jobs and threatened the region’s economy.
Top GOP senator says Crockett announcement exposes how ‘radical’ Dems are nationwide
EXCLUSIVE: The chair of the Senate Republican campaign arm says that Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s entry into the high-profile Senate race in Texas is a key sign of the Democrats’ shift to the left. “I think it says something about who the Democrats are nationally, not just in Texas. What it says is that they’ve been overrun by this radical left agenda that focuses on rhetoric, not reality,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chair Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., claimed in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Monday. Scott spoke soon after Crockett, the progressive firebrand and vocal critic of President Donald Trump and Republicans, filed paperwork and formally announced her 2026 campaign for the Senate. Crockett’s campaign announcement, which was expected, will likely further rock a high-profile and heavily contested Senate race in Texas, which, on the Republican side, includes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and GOP primary rivals state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. FIERCE TRUMP CRITIC CROCKETT SHAKES UP HIGH STAKES SENATE RACE The race is one of a handful across the country that may determine if the GOP holds its Senate majority in next year’s midterm elections. Scott — pointing to comments by Crockett comparing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Democratic-led cities to “slave patrols” in southern states prior to the Civil War — said they were “disgusting, repugnant, but consistent with the philosophy of this new Democrat Party that’s filled with socialism.” CROCKETT SPENDS EYE-POPPING AMOUNT OF CAMPAIGN CASH ON THIS The senator from South Carolina also highlighted Crockett’s comments last month to CNN praising New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and saying that the democratic socialist politician “could do a Masterclass for all Democrats on communication.” “I can’t think of a more clear depiction of what she believes is a path forward for Democrats,” Scott insisted. Republicans have repeatedly aimed to make Mamdani the new face of the Democratic Party as they attempt to portray Democrats as far-left radicals. The announcement by Crockett, a rising-star Democrat who has a large social media footprint thanks to her viral jabs at Republicans and her verbal sparing on social media with Trump, came hours after one of the two Democrats already running for the Senate in 2026 abandoned his bid. Former Rep. Colin Allred, who was making his second straight bid for the Senate in right-leaning Texas, on Monday morning ended his campaign and instead launched a congressional campaign as he seeks to return to the House. EX-NFL STAR ABANDONS SENATE BID AS JASMINE CROCKETT NEARS MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT But Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who is also seen as a rising Democratic Party star, remains in the Senate primary, setting up a face-off between two surging contenders with formidable fundraising. Crockett’s entry into the Senate race, and her showdown with Talarico, may shift the spotlight off of the GOP primary, where Cornyn, the longtime incumbent who hails from the party’s establishment wing, has cut into the one-time large lead by Paxton, a MAGA firebrand, with Hunt in third, according to public opinion polling. The concern among Republicans is that Paxton, who has been battered over the past decade by a slew of scandals and legal problems and who is now dealing with a messy divorce, would put the seat in play if he won the GOP nomination. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Scott, and the NRSC are backing Cornyn. But Crockett’s Senate candidacy may change the political equation. While her aggressive push-back against Trump and the GOP should play well with the left, it could deflate her chances of winning next November among Texas’ general election electorate. Asked if Crockett’s entry into the race improves the GOP’s odds of holding the seat next year, Scott said: “The truth of the matter is a simple formula. John Cornyn, our nominee, Texas remains red. Period. Full stop. End of discussion.” Scott said the NRSC is “focused on one thing and one thing only, and that’s keeping Texas red, and that means John Cornyn must be our nominee, and he wins, period. So it’s not who the Democrat is, it’s who we are. And John Cornyn is the best representative for Texas this cycle that we’ll ever see.” By dropping out of the race, Allred will likely allow Democrats to avoid a costly and messy primary runoff in the spring, giving the party more time to consolidate around their nominee and raise much-needed campaign cash. Meanwhile, with Cornyn, Paxton, and Hunt all taking aim at each other in a combustible primary, the GOP nomination appears headed towards a runoff, which would be triggered if no candidate tops 50% in the early March primary. Asked if he’s concerned about the GOP nomination battle extending to a primary runoff, Scott predicted that “Cornyn will win the primary and Cornyn will win the general election.”
Top Mamdani appointee faces heat amid promise to make NYC more affordable: ‘Embodiment of inflation’
FIRST ON FOX: Four-term chairperson of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Ronna McDaniel, is calling out mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for hypocritically running a campaign focused on making New York City more affordable, arguing that his selection of a former Biden administration official, Lina Khan, as a top advisor will serve to undermine that. McDaniel, tapped last week to lead the Competitiveness Coalition, a right-leaning nonprofit focused on advancing free market principles, penned a letter to Mamdani in one of her first major national moves since leaving the RNC. McDaniel called on the mayor-elect to fire Khan, President Joe Biden’s former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair, who Mamdani appointed as co-chair of his transition team. McDaniel said that if the NYC mayor-elect is really going to be true to his word about lowering costs for New Yorkers, he cannot have someone like Khan in his administration who “is not only a flashback to the dreaded Biden days that 77 million Americans rejected by re-electing President Trump,” but also holds a history of “policy prescriptions [that] have failed before and will again.” MAMDANI ECONOMIC ADVISOR IS REPARATIONS ACTIVIST WHO SAYS ‘DEVALUATION OF BLACK LIVES’ INGRAINED IN US SYSTEM “He’s saying one thing and doing another by putting her as the co-chair of his transition team,” McDaniel told Fox News Digital. “Lina Khan, for us, represents the embodiment of inflation in this country, and Bidenomics. I think she’s the best example of somebody who raised prices across this country by fighting entrepreneurship, and innovation, and big business, and capitalism.” During Khan’s tenure as Biden’s FTC chair, she garnered a reputation as a fierce crusader against big business. McDaniel’s letter said that “early reports” from the business community in New York have indicated they are prepared for a “rehash” of the playbook Khan ran at the FTC under Biden. One example cited in the letter was Khan’s alleged opposition to a proposed merger between Amazon and the Massachusetts-based company iRobot, designer of the popular self-cleaning vacuum called Roomba. According to McDaniel’s letter, Khan’s opposition contributed to the company’s subsequent bankruptcy, and resulted in 350 iRobot employees losing their jobs amid a 31% cut to the company’s workforce. McDaniel also said in her letter that Khan sent taxpayer resources to regulators overseas in Europe “in their quest to apply more red tape” to American companies operating in the European Union. TOP MAMDANI TRANSITION LEADER WAS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY SOROS NETWORK DURING BIDEN ADMIN “Later in her term, reports even surfaced that Khan was communicating with Temu, a Chinese-owned company linked to the Chinese Communist Party, in an attempt to gather damaging information on American retailers,” McDaniel wrote to Mamdani. “Surely we can agree that handicapping American innovators to benefit their CCP-linked rivals harms our geopolitical standing.” Mamdani’s appointment of Khan serves to illustrate that the mayor-elect doesn’t care about inflation or “what Bidenomics did to the people of New York and across the country,” McDaniel added in an interview with Fox News Digital, noting that over-regulation by Mamdani is a real concern for her. Businesses will flee New York City for places with better tax rates and less regulation that allow them to grow, do better and thrive, McDaniel argued. “When you look at what Mamdani ran on, these things that sound good but in practice won’t be good – rent control, government-run grocery stores, free bussing, raising the corporate tax rate … it sounds good, but it’s not tenable and what it means is that businesses will say, ‘Guess where I’m not going to do business in? New York City. I’m going to go to states that have better tax rates, that have less regulation, that will allow me to pay my employees and grow,” McDaniel contended. “That’s why socialism is sometimes confusing, especially for young voters,” the former RNC chair added. “All it means is an inefficient, loaded government that will cost more taxpayer money and will cost you more and leave less jobs in the long run.” Fox News Digital reached out to Khan and Mamdani’s staff for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.