Alamo Trust CEO Ousted, Replaced

The nonprofit that manages the Alamo appointed former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade as its next CEO on Friday. Kate Rogers, the Alamo Trust’s former CEO, resigned amid criticism over “troubling writings” and a Columbus Day social media post that recognized Indigenous Peoples Day.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham denounced the since-deleted post, calling it “misaligned with the culture of The Alamo” and “frankly unacceptable.”

Last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for Rogers to resign over views she expressed in a 2023 dissertation, including her vision for the Alamo “to become a beacon of historical reconciliation.”

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai lamented her resignation, calling it “a huge loss for our state” and “gross political interference.”

Paxton Investigating Celina ISD

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday that his office is investigating Celina ISD over its handling of allegations that former middle school coach Caleb Elliott recorded students in the boys’ locker room.

“Any individual who broke the law or was involved in the heinous actions that have been reported will be brought to justice,” Paxton said. His announcement follows a call by State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) for an investigation into the matter.

In response, Moore Middle School Principal Allison Ginn was placed on nondisciplinary leave, as was Bill Elliott, the alleged perpetrator’s father, who also serves as the district’s athletic director and high school football coach.

The families of three alleged victims sued the district last week, accusing administrators of ignoring or covering up previous instances of criminal predation by Elliott. The lawsuit suggests that the school may have been trying to protect the reputation of its high school football program.

Lawmakers Ask DOJ to Investigate Smithsonian

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, along with U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Friendswood), are asking the Department of Justice to look into whether the Smithsonian Institution has violated federal law by using public funds to obstruct the relocation of the space shuttle Discovery to Houston, as mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The lawmakers accuse the organization of expressing disapproval of the relocation to Capitol Hill staffers, coordinating with the press to generate negative publicity, and disseminating inaccurate information about the logistics and costs associated with it.

Smithsonian officials have stated that relocating the shuttle would cost up to $150 million—far more than the $85 million allocated for the move—and would require disassembling it. The lawmakers’ letter disputes those assertions as well as claims that the Smithsonian legally owns the Discovery.

The Anti-Lobbying Act “prohibits the use of appropriated funds for communications intended to influence members of the public to pressure Congress regarding legislation or appropriations matters,” the letter reads. The Smithsonian has not commented on the letter due to the ongoing government shutdown.

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➤ Corpus Christi: TxDOT began dismantling the old Harbor Bridge on Saturday. The ship channel is closed as the center span is cut and lowered onto a barge that will transport it to a dock between Portland and Ingleside for recycling. (More)

➤ Mexico failed to deliver 925,000 of the 1.75 million acre-feet of water owed to the U.S. over the past five years by Friday, causing significant hardship for ranchers and farmers in South Texas. (More)

➤ Nacogdoches: Police are looking for 17-year-old Hector Cuarenta, who is accused of fatally shooting three teenagers on Friday. He is considered armed and dangerous. (More)

➤ Laredo: A father and son were arrested by federal agents on Thursday at one of the city’s ports of entry for allegedly smuggling over 400 firearms from the U.S. to Mexico. The father, Emilio Ramirez-Cortez, is a lawful permanent resident, and his son, Edgar Ramirez-Diaz, is a U.S. citizen. (More)

➤ Mission: More than 100 U.S. Coast Guard boats are patrolling 260 miles of the Rio Grande as part of Operation River Wall, an initiative announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last week. (See Photos)

➤ Fort Worth: Several police officers and witnesses saved a baby girl pinned under a vehicle during a Thursday rollover crash on I-30. The infant and her mother are hospitalized and expected to make full recoveries. (Watch Video)

➤ Austin: Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating a local nonprofit and political action committee for “a potentially illegal fundraising scheme” in support of Proposition Q, which would increase the average homeowner’s annual property tax bill by $302.14 to address a $33 million budget deficit. (See Details)

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➤ The Texans defeated the 49ers 26-15 as C.J. Stroud threw for a season-high 318 yards and recorded two touchdowns. (More)

➤ The Cowboys gave up 179 rushing yards en route to a 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. Dak Prescott was intercepted twice. (More)

➤ Undefeated Texas A&M remained at No. 3 in yesterday’s AP Top 25 college football rankings, while Texas Tech moved up one spot to No. 13 and Texas moved up two to No. 20. (See Rankings)

➤ University of Houston strength and performance coach Kurt Hester died Saturday at age 61. Diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma in February, Hester was praised for his “unbreakable spirit” and “tremendously positive influence.” (See Story)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | Soccer | PGA | LPGA | Tennis | F1 | NASCAR

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➤ Austin-based autonomous vehicle startup Avride received a $375 million investment from Uber and parent company Nebius Group. The company has partnered with Uber Eats to provide robot-powered food delivery service in Austin, Dallas, and Jersey City. (More)

➤ H-E-B was ranked the nation’s No. 1 retailer based on customer experience, according to a survey of 6,000 consumers by consulting agency ChangeUp. (More)

➤ Precious metals firm Dillon Gage has opened a silver refining mint in the Dallas area as demand for its bullion surges. (See Details)

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➤ Sir Paul McCartney performed for thousands of fans at the Alamodome on Saturday, including songs from every era of his career during a three-hour show. (More)

➤ Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q, which has expanded to more than 50 restaurants across five states since it was founded in Leon Springs in 1989, was recognized by “Eat This Not That” as the chain with the best brisket in the country. Franklin Barbecue in Austin earned the No. 3 spot. (More)

➤ Over a dozen hot-air balloons took to the skies from Palo Duro Canyon on Friday for the first Pirates of the Canyon Invitational Balloon Rally since 2012. (See Photos)

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Would you like to take a ride in a hot-air balloon?

1. Absolutely
2. No way
3. Maybe

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever attended a professional soccer game?

1. Yes: 24%
2. No: 76%

Which Texas town is home to a collection of water lilies cultivated by “the Indiana Jones of the water lily world?”

Show me the answer