Daily Dispatch 9/21/23: Migrant Wave At Eagle Pass Makes National News, and More

An unusually large wave of migrants has crossed into and is now crowding Eagle Pass: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/20/us/texas-border-eagle-pass-migrants.html

...While escalated inspections of incoming cars and trucks have again caused major backups of international shipping traffic: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2023/09/20/texasbordereagle-passimmigrationgreg-abbott/

Several GOP Senators were primed to vote to convict Ken Paxton in his recent impeachment, but were spooked into switching their votes over worries of backlash from the right: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/20/ken-paxton-senators-dan-patrick-vote-impeachment/

...And the phrase "there are no coincidences in Austin" has an interesting history: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/are-there-coincidences-in-austin/

Barbers Hill ISD officials seek a court's insight into whether they have violated the CROWN Act in suspending a student over his cultural hairstyle: https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/20/us/darryl-george-barbers-hill-court-lawsuit/index.html

...While an East Texas high school principal is arrested after paddling a female student: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/19/texas-principal-corporal-punishment/

...And Katy ISD adds "nudity" as a book banning criterion, adding 14 titles to its blacklist: https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/09/20/katy-isd-bans-books-texas

U.S. News and World Report adjusts its college ranking methodology, resulting in upgrades for several Texas universities: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article279527189.html

...While "McCarthyism Rides Again" on Texas campuses: https://www.texasobserver.org/mccarthyism-texas-am-journalism-freedom/

A "brain drain" is gaining momentum in Texas over excessive conservative policies: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/09/20/brain-drain-in-texas-is-real-and-it-can-endanger-our-prosperity/

...While Dr. Peter Hotez releases a new book on the dangers of the anti-science movement: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/peter-hotez-book-antiscience-deadly/

...And new COVID vaccines drop: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/20/free-covid-19-tests-updated-vaccine/

New studies show the continued rise of extremist groups in Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/21/texas-hate-crimes-extremists/

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