Andrew Schneider
@andrewwrites71.bsky.social
Politics and government reporter for Houston Public Media, @NPR for Houston; author; historian
Pinned
"Whenever you write, whatever you write, never make the mistake of assuming the audience is any less intelligent than you are." – Rod Serling
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
More than 160 Texas faith leaders urge school boards to oppose setting aside time for prayer, Bible readings.
More than 160 Texas faith leaders urge school boards to oppose setting aside time for prayer, Bible readings
The letter, circulated by a coalition of religious freedom organizations, comes less than two months before a deadline for public school boards and charter school governing bodies to vote on whether to adopt such policies, as mandated by Senate Bill 11, passed last year.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:42 PM
More than 160 Texas faith leaders urge school boards to oppose setting aside time for prayer, Bible readings.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Former Harris County Judge Jon Lindsay, who held the position for a record 20 years, died on Wednesday morning. He was 90 years old.
Jon Lindsay, the longest-serving Harris County judge, dies at 90
Lindsay, a Republican, followed his 20 years in county office with a decade in the Texas Senate.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Former Harris County Judge Jon Lindsay, who held the position for a record 20 years, died on Wednesday morning. He was 90 years old.
Two major Democratic candidates remain in the fight for their party's nomination for the U.S. Senate, making it likely the party will choose its candidate on March 3, rather than having to go to a May runoff election. Both candidates visited Houston in mid-December. #TXpolitics
Crockett, Talarico duel for chance to break Democratic losing streak in Texas race for U.S. Senate | Houston Public Media
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Austin state Rep. James Talarico are the two leading candidates in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat held by Republican incumbent John Cornyn.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
January 5, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Two major Democratic candidates remain in the fight for their party's nomination for the U.S. Senate, making it likely the party will choose its candidate on March 3, rather than having to go to a May runoff election. Both candidates visited Houston in mid-December. #TXpolitics
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
A ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which held the federal government is liable for flood damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, applies directly to six test cases but opens the door to more claims for compensation.
Appeals court rules in favor of upstream homeowners in Hurricane Harvey flooding case
The ruling Monday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which held that the federal government is liable for flood damage caused by Harvey in 2017, applies directly to six test cases but opens the door to thousands of more claims for compensation.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM
A ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which held the federal government is liable for flood damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, applies directly to six test cases but opens the door to more claims for compensation.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
The two leading Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn -- U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Austin state Rep. James Talarico -- made campaign swings through Houston this week.
U.S. Senate hopefuls Crockett and Talarico swing through Houston in dueling campaigns for Democratic primary
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin are the leading Democratic candidates, while incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in the Republican primary.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The two leading Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn -- U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Austin state Rep. James Talarico -- made campaign swings through Houston this week.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
A new poll of likely Democratic voters shows Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa with a commanding lead over her rivals in the gubernatorial primary election in March. But most Democratic voters have yet to decide on a candidate.
As Texas Democrats try to end statewide drought, new poll finds voters are undecided on primary picks
Among likely voters who had made up their minds, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin held a sizable lead over all her Democratic rivals in their bid to challenge GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, according to a new Texas Southern University survey.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
A new poll of likely Democratic voters shows Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa with a commanding lead over her rivals in the gubernatorial primary election in March. But most Democratic voters have yet to decide on a candidate.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
More than 6,000 Texas smoke shops and related businesses could be forced to shut down if a nationwide THC ban goes into effect next November as scheduled. The industry is organizing a lobbying effort to get Congress to reconsider.
Federal THC ban presents steep challenges to Texas hemp industry
More than 6,000 Texas smoke shops and related businesses could be forced to shut down if the ban goes into effect next November as scheduled. The industry is organizing a lobbying effort to get Congress to rewrite the law from a blanket prohibition to a regulatory approach.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
More than 6,000 Texas smoke shops and related businesses could be forced to shut down if a nationwide THC ban goes into effect next November as scheduled. The industry is organizing a lobbying effort to get Congress to reconsider.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Texas continued a long-term downward trend in capital punishment in 2025, coming in a distant second-place tie behind Florida in the number of executions carried out by state. Harris County saw a spike in the number of new death sentences issued.
Texas, once the national leader in capital punishment, ranks far behind Florida in 2025 executions
Texas also saw counties set the fewest new execution dates in at least three decades, according to an annual report by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Harris County was an outlier in that trend.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Texas continued a long-term downward trend in capital punishment in 2025, coming in a distant second-place tie behind Florida in the number of executions carried out by state. Harris County saw a spike in the number of new death sentences issued.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
President Trump has frozen the processing of immigration requests for all Afghans. Many Afghan immigrants who came to the U.S. through the appropriate legal channels, including those in Houston, are growing increasingly worried.
Houston-area Afghans worried as Trump administration cracks down on their immigration to U.S.
In the wake of a Thanksgiving week attack that left one National Guard member dead, the administration has gone from halting the processing of immigration requests to seizing and arresting some Afghan immigrants in their homes.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
President Trump has frozen the processing of immigration requests for all Afghans. Many Afghan immigrants who came to the U.S. through the appropriate legal channels, including those in Houston, are growing increasingly worried.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
A Supreme Court decision allows Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting map to be used for the 2026 midterm elections. But it does not necessarily ensure the controversial Republican-backed map will remain in effect afterwards.
Texas’ new congressional map will be used in 2026. But what happens afterward?
An approaching primary election was a factor in Thursday’s Supreme Court decision to set aside a lower court’s ruling that had blocked the Republican-backed map from taking effect. A key question moving forward is whether the lines were redrawn based on race or partisan politics.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM
A Supreme Court decision allows Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting map to be used for the 2026 midterm elections. But it does not necessarily ensure the controversial Republican-backed map will remain in effect afterwards.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Texas' top Republicans and Democrats were swift to issue praise and condemnation after Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the state to use its controversial new congressional map in the 2026 midterm elections.
Texas Republicans claim victory in Supreme Court ruling allowing congressional map to go into effect
The state's top Republicans swiftly praised the Supreme Court's decision to allow Texas to use its controversial congressional map for the 2026 midterms. The map was designed to give Republicans as many as five new seats in the U.S. House.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Texas' top Republicans and Democrats were swift to issue praise and condemnation after Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the state to use its controversial new congressional map in the 2026 midterm elections.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
The Trump administration is halting its review of immigration requests for Afghan nationals, creating uncertainty for many immigrants settled in Texas.
Afghan nationals face setbacks to finding a permanent U.S. home in wake of D.C. shooting
The Trump administration recently declared that it would indefinitely halt the processing of immigration requests by Afghan nationals, pending the introduction of new security and vetting procedures, following a shooting attack on two National Guard members in the Washington, D.C. area, allegedly by an Afghan national who had previously worked for the CIA.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The Trump administration is halting its review of immigration requests for Afghan nationals, creating uncertainty for many immigrants settled in Texas.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards and acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee are vying to fill the seat left vacant since the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner in March. The runoff is scheduled for Jan. 31.
Edwards, Menefee make their cases to Houston’s 18th Congressional District voters ahead of runoff
Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards and acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee are vying to fill the seat left vacant since the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner in March. The runoff is scheduled for Jan. 31.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards and acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee are vying to fill the seat left vacant since the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner in March. The runoff is scheduled for Jan. 31.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has launched a campaign against CAIR, declaring the Muslim civil rights organization a foreign terrorist organization. What’s unclear is whether that will hold up under a legal challenge.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign against Muslim group faces challenges under Texas and federal law
Abbott declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations a foreign terrorist organization and a transnational criminal organization, invoking a 2023 Texas statute. CAIR is suing the governor, alleging violations of due process and freedom of speech.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has launched a campaign against CAIR, declaring the Muslim civil rights organization a foreign terrorist organization. What’s unclear is whether that will hold up under a legal challenge.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
A federal judge has issued a blistering dissent after two other judges on the same panel blocked Texas’ congressional redistricting map from taking effect next year.
U.S. circuit judge blasts ruling against Texas redistricting map, seeks Supreme Court review
Judge Jerry E. Smith accused his two colleagues who issued the injunction of acting in bad faith, issuing a decision rife with errors, falsehoods, and judicial activism.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
A federal judge has issued a blistering dissent after two other judges on the same panel blocked Texas’ congressional redistricting map from taking effect next year.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has scheduled the runoff date for the special election to complete the congressional term of late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner. It will be Saturday, Jan. 31, with early voting running from Jan. 21-27.
Texas governor sets Jan. 31 runoff date for Houston’s 18th Congressional District special election
Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards are competing for the congressional seat, which has been vacant since the March death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has scheduled the runoff date for the special election to complete the congressional term of late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner. It will be Saturday, Jan. 31, with early voting running from Jan. 21-27.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) ended months of speculation Friday night by declaring himself a candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District in 2026.
Longtime Houston Rep. Al Green switching to 18th Congressional District in run for reelection
Green, who represents TX-9, entered the TX-18 contest just three days after acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards advanced to the runoff in a special election to fill out the term of the late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:19 AM
U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) ended months of speculation Friday night by declaring himself a candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District in 2026.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
A former U.S. Senate candidate said he now wants to run as a Democrat for the Houston area’s redrawn 9th Congressional District.
Former astronaut Terry Virts switches from Senate race to Democratic primary for congressional seat
Virts withdrew from his longshot bid for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John Cornyn. Instead, he's running for Texas' 9th Congressional District.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
A former U.S. Senate candidate said he now wants to run as a Democrat for the Houston area’s redrawn 9th Congressional District.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 97% of its workforce remains on the job. But in the Houston area, which has the nation’s second-largest veterans population, they are reporting canceled appointments and difficulties getting rides.
Healthcare for Houston veterans suffers shortfalls during government shutdown, advocate says
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 97% of its workforce remains on the job. But in the Houston area, which has the nation’s second-largest veterans population, they are reporting canceled appointments and difficulties getting rides to the emergency room.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 97% of its workforce remains on the job. But in the Houston area, which has the nation’s second-largest veterans population, they are reporting canceled appointments and difficulties getting rides.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards lead the field in cash on hand as the clock ticks down toward the Nov. 4 special election in Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
The top candidates for Texas’ 18th Congressional District are neck and neck in fundraising
The latest campaign finance reports published by the Federal Election Commission show acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee having raised more than $1.5 million, former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards having raised more than $1.2 million and former congressional staffer Isaiah Martin having raised just over $1 million.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards lead the field in cash on hand as the clock ticks down toward the Nov. 4 special election in Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
One of the proposed amendments would grant the governor significant new powers when it comes to disciplining or even dismissing elected judges.
Proposition 12 would enhance governor’s powers over elected judges
The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the governor to appoint a majority of the members of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Gov. Greg Abbott previously removed two members of the commission when they sought to discipline a justice of the peace against Abbott’s wishes.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:34 PM
One of the proposed amendments would grant the governor significant new powers when it comes to disciplining or even dismissing elected judges.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
The government shutdown and Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs are raising the cost of doing business for companies that depend on the Port of Houston, potentially threatening millions of jobs that depend on its smooth operation.
Businesses that depend on the Port of Houston are threatened by Trump’s tariffs and the government shutdown
The Trump administration's on-again, off-again tariffs are raising the cost of doing business for companies that depend on the port, potentially threatening millions of jobs that depend on its smooth operation.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The government shutdown and Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs are raising the cost of doing business for companies that depend on the Port of Houston, potentially threatening millions of jobs that depend on its smooth operation.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Tax reform, along with bail practices, dementia research and the state's water supply, are on a ballot that includes 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Early voting starts today. Election Day is Nov. 4.
The November election could have a big impact on taxes in Texas
Tax reform, along with bail practices, dementia research and the state's water supply, are on a ballot that includes 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Early voting starts Monday. Election Day is Nov. 4.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
October 20, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Tax reform, along with bail practices, dementia research and the state's water supply, are on a ballot that includes 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Early voting starts today. Election Day is Nov. 4.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
The Trump administration has been restricting the use of a visa program designed to help Afghans who aided U.S. troops during nearly 20 years of war in Afghanistan. Now, some Afghans who have been denied entry to the U.S. are suing.
Former Afghan security workers sue State Department for denial of Special Immigrant Visa protection
The three Afghan plaintiffs previously worked for the National Public Protection Force, an agency of the U.S.-backed Afghan government that aided American troops during nearly 20 years of war in their home country.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The Trump administration has been restricting the use of a visa program designed to help Afghans who aided U.S. troops during nearly 20 years of war in Afghanistan. Now, some Afghans who have been denied entry to the U.S. are suing.
Reposted by Andrew Schneider
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a 5-term Texas House member from Austin, announced Wednesday that she's joining the field of Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in his 2026 reelection bid.
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa vows to ‘fight back,’ enters 2026 governor’s race
Hinojosa, a 5-term Texas House member from Austin, announced Wednesday that she's joining the field of Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in his 2026 reelection bid.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a 5-term Texas House member from Austin, announced Wednesday that she's joining the field of Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in his 2026 reelection bid.