SUMMARY: The Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting approved House Bill 4, proposing to redraw 37 of 38 congressional districts, mainly creating five new Republican-leaning seats as urged by former President Trump. The bill’s map, presented by Rep. Todd Hunter, uses “political performance” as a criterion, openly acknowledging partisan intent. The plan targets major areas including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley, establishing new majority-Hispanic districts but raising concerns about potential political retaliation against Black Democratic members. The committee vote passed 12-6 on party lines, with the full Texas House expected to debate the bill next week.

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SUMMARY: President Donald Trump fired Erika McEntarfer, director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), after revised job reports showed hiring slowed sharply in May, June, and July. Trump accused the agency of manipulating data for political reasons without evidence and promised a more “competent” replacement. Economists and former BLS commissioners condemned the firing, emphasizing the importance of trust in economic data. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer supported Trump’s decision. The latest report showed only 73,000 jobs added in July, with previous months’ figures revised down significantly, signaling economic weakening amid inflation and trade tensions. The move raised concerns about politicizing economic statistics.

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SUMMARY: Texas Governor Greg Abbott will visit Amarillo to ceremonially sign House Bill 1481, authored by local State Representative Caroline Fairly, which restricts phone use in public and charter schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The law mandates schools to implement policies that either store students’ phones and devices during the day or ban them on campus, aiming to improve focus, mental health, and social engagement. Abbott’s signing event will include officials like Representatives Fairly, Dustin Burrows, Jared Patterson, Amarillo ISD Superintendent Dr. Deidre Parish, and teacher Mellessa Denny. The law mirrors similar bans in other states but faces opposition from parents concerned about emergency communication. Fairly also championed the App Store Accountability Act requiring age verification and parental consent for app downloads by minors.

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