Religion

The State Board of Education on Friday approved a new reading list that includes numerous Bible passages, and a social studies curriculum that emphasizes U.S. and Texas history over world cultures. Approved changes start taking effect in 2030.

The State Board of Education will vote on incorporating more Christian stories into public classrooms as well as on deemphasizing race and cultural diversity in history lessons.

The Better Business Bureau is reporting a spike in scam phone calls offering loans. Houston Public Media’s Rob Salinas spoke with the Lubbock regional director of the Better Business Bureau who says not to take the bait. Hundreds of people testified yesterday before the Texas State Board of Education as members prepare to vote on controversial new reading and social studies curriculum, including Bible stories.

The Republican-majority State Board of Education is scheduled to vote this week on adopting curriculum changes statewide. Critics say the new social studies lessons and reading lists over-emphasize Christianity.

A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public-school classroom in the state. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports the ruling has significant implications for long-established ideas of the separation of church and state. Meanwhile a federal grand jury in Lubbock has indicted 14 people from Texas and Eastern New Mexico under allegations of conspiracy to sell stolen crude oil across state lines.

The movement, which stresses an overt role for a specific evangelical strain of Christianity in government, has been gaining strength nationwide in no small part because of Texas’ influence.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state can enforce its 2025 law requiring public schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments.

Texas State Representative Brent Money has formed the Sharia Free Texas Caucus, aligning with previous efforts by Texas Republicans targeting the Muslim community.

School boards had until March 1 to decide whether to establish a daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts.

Senate Bill 11, passed last year, requires Texas public school boards and charter school governing bodies to vote by March 1 on whether to implement periods for group religious activity.