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Civicsedoverhaul
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Recently,a GenXfriendofmineasked a youngerbrother hadhevoted in thecurrent election.Hehad.Astheconversationcontinued,myfriendmentionedJasmineCrockett. Andtomyhomegirl’sdismay, theyoung brothersaid,“JasmineCrockett?Who’sthat?” Whenshetoldmethisstory,myfirstthought was,“Howdoesany Blackpersoninthe U.S. notknowJasmineCrockett?”Imean,SoulSisterhasbeenintheheadlinesnon-stopforthe pastfewyearsastheonlyDemocratmatching Republicananti-Blacknessandanti-democracynonsensewith some“I’mnottheoneorthetwo”energy.Evenfolkswhoaren’t “into” politics know whogaveusthe bars “bleachblonde, bad built,butchbody.”OrsoIthought.Thefactthatanyvoting-age Blackpersonwhoisthatpoliticallyunpluggedisanindictment on us all. We’vegot to step up ourpolitical/civics education game bigtime. TheDefenderhas been consciouslyproviding weekly (darnneardaily)articleseducating readersabout the Nov. 2026 elections. But, truthbetold, we’vebeenproviding regular,consistentpoliticaleducationtoourreadersfor95years. We’recallingonfaithcommunities,barbershops,beautysalons, sportsbars,cornerstores,Black-ownedeateries,K-through-collegeschools,civic clubs, Greekorganizations, etc., to step up your civics/politicaleducation game—informalconversations or organized events surroundingpolitics. We must.Because it doesn’t matter whetheryou’re“into”politicsornot.Politics (the processofchoosingwho will distribute limited resources to whichcommunity)impacts thequality of your life (orlack thereof)fromtherottertothetooter
CaptainDurag
Bynow,you’veprobablyheardthatDisneyJr.’sshowHeyA.J. has acharacternamed CaptainDurag. Firstoff,I hadnoidea that d-u-r-a-g wasthe proper waytospell durag. Iassumed it was“doo-rag.” Butmoreimportantly,Blackfolk nationwide, rightlyso,aretakingoffensetothis.Andwhat’sworse,Captain Duragwascreatedbyasister(CamilleCorbett).Inresponseto theoverwhelmingbacklash,Corbettresponded,“Icreatedthe character…CaptainDurag…andI’mjustfindingoutpeopleare
findingitproblematic?Ijustwantedourculturetohaveasuperheroofitsown!”Thefact that oneofour owncould thinkour culture couldbestberepresented by aduragismore troublingthanamerecartoon.Hey Disney, here aresomebettersuperhero suggestions. MusicMan:Sincetheworldrevolvesaround themusic we created. Soul Sister:Because ouressence is thesoulofsomuchgreatness Origins: AteamofBlack superheroes, each representing some aspect of what ourancestors gave theworld (art,science,religion, etc.). Howabout thedynamic duo, Coco &Butter: twoBlack super-poweredbeingsonamissiontoendtheevilreignofAsh? ThereareamillionpositiveoptionsDisney/Corbettcouldhave usedforanewBlacksuperhero.CaptainDuragisnotone.
Project2275
ManyinBlackworldarescreamingfoulregardingformerNFL QB CamNewton’sassertion that awoman’s valuediminishes witheachchildshehas.TheyarecriticizingNewtonforequating thesumtotalofawoman’sworthtothenumberofchildrenshe doesordoesnotgivebirthto.ButBlackworldissleepingonthe HeritageFoundation’s(TheProject2025creators)newinsidious scheme that is even more demeaning to womenbecause they want to make second-class citizenship thelaw of theland. We sleptonProject2025.Now,we’relivinginitsgruesomedestruction.This“new” plan,“Saving AmericabySavingthe Family: AFoundationfor theNext250 Years,”isalready beingimplemented.TheSAVEAct,whichcouldremovenearly70million womenfromvoterrolls,isjustoneaspect.Theyliterallywrote downplanstoensurethatwomendon’tgotocollege,don’twork, anddon’tvote.HeritageFoundationmembersseektolowerthe “age of consent” to 13 or 14 yearsold (makingchild “brides” legal).ThisisTheHandmaid’sTaleonsteroids—andlegal.We sleptonProject2025.Let’snotsleeponthistoo Ontheweb
•Smartwaystobouncebackfinanciallyafterajobloss. •ThesoundtrackofBlackHistory:10songsthatcelebrateus •SuperNeighborhoodsprotect,improvequalityoflife.
U.S. Rep.JasmineCrockett, acandidatefor the U.S. Senate(TX), is justone of theindividuals all voting-age Black peopleshould and wouldknowifour civics/political education were up to par.
Credit:Tannistha Sinha.
AswadWalker
News DN
Residents protest proposed gas station in Third Ward
ByReShondaTate
Residents in Third Ward are organizing to opposeaproposedgasstationandconvenience store, arguing the project would increase crime,strainaginginfrastructureanddisrupt thecharacteroftheirhistoricneighborhood
The development is planned near the Riverside Terrace community Many residents say they only recently became aware of the proposal and are now mobilizing to prevent itfrommovingforward.
State Rep. Jolanda Jones said her office recently learned of the proposed project and beganreachingouttocityofficials.
Jonessaidshecontactedthemayor’soffice, membersoftheHoustonCityCouncilandthe city’s planning committee to gather informationanddevelopastrategy
“Wehaveworkedhardtomakethisneighborhoodwherepeoplewanttobe,”Jonessaid She questioned whether a similar project would move forward in more affluent parts ofthecity.
“Take this ‘sto’ (store) and put it in River OaksandseehowthecityprotectsRiverOaks fromstufflikethis,”shesaid
Jones also raised concerns about the public notice process, saying a required sign announcing the proposed property change wasremoved.
“Theyhadtheirnoticeup Andwithindays, theyhadtakentheirlittlesigndown,”shesaid “Theyaresupposedtohaveitupcontinuously.”
Houston City Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who represents District D, said she has contacted the mayor about the development.
“Wehavesomeenvironmentalissuesthat we are very concerned about, and we also don’tseetheneedforagasstationwhenthere aretworightdownthestreet,”Evans-Shabazz said
Shesaidthemayortoldherhewouldconsult with the planning commission to better understand the proposal Evans-Shabazz added that she is concerned about potential crime and loitering near the site.
“Youhaveafuneralhomeacrossthestreet, you have a strip center but certainly my concernisattractingcrimeandhomelessand people who tend to come and stay around these establishments,” she said
Evans-Shabazz urged property owners
considering selling land in the area to work withherofficeandneighborstobetterunderstand who may be purchasing property.
Communityleaderssaytheproposalraises broaderconcernsaboutpreservingtheneighborhood’s legacy.
SharonEvansBrooks,presidentoftheRiverside Terrace Civic Club, which represents more than 1,000 households, said residents worry about long-term consequences.
“Developers who do not care about our legacy only seek to build businesses to erect make money, step away, leaving owners to hold the bag for vagrancy, drug sales, prostitution, noise, trash and God knows what,” Brookssaid “Thisisn’twhatI’veheard this
is what I’ve seen It’s what I’ve witnessed.”
Tomaro Bell, president of the MacGregor SuperNeighborhoodandformerchairofthe SuperNeighborhoodAlliance,citedconcerns about aging infrastructure and the installation of underground fuel tanks.
“The amount of depth that you have to put a tank in the ground with gas, with this agedinfrastructurethatishere,whoistosay youwon’ttakeoutthewholeneighborhood?” Bell said
Neighbors
Al Green removed from State of the Union after Trump protest
Defender News Service
In a moment that will be etched into this chapter of American politics, Houston’sownRep.AlGreenwasescortedoutof thechamberTuesdaynight justminutes intoPresidentDonaldTrump’sStateofthe Union address.
Green stood near the front, silent but unyielding, holding a sign that read: “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES!” The message was a direct rebuke of a racist video Trump shared earlier this month depictingformerPresidentBarackObama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes a post the president deleted, but never apologized for.
BeforeTrumpevenenteredthechamber, some Republican lawmakers demanded Green lower the sign. Others attempted to snatchitfromhishands.Hedidnotbudge.
Less than two minutes into Trump’s speech as the president proclaimed America was “bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before” Green was removed from the floor.
Other Democrats spoke out during the speechbutwerenotremoved.Meanwhile, dozens skipped the address altogether, attending a “People’s State of the Union” rally instead signaling what many describeasextraordinarytimesdemanding extraordinary responses.
AsHouston’sBlacknewspaperofrecord, weunderstandtheweightofprotestinthe face of disrespect Green’s act was not random. It was rooted in a long tradition of resistance of refusing to let dehumanization slide quietly into the record
The question now isn’t just about decorum.
U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX) protests as President Donald Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty
EricaLeeCarter,the daughter the late Congresswoman SheilaJackson Lee, named the next Harris CountyAdministrat
Residents in Houston’s Third Ward are pushing back against a proposed gas station and convenience store, saying the development would bring more crime, environmental risks and unwanted traffic to a historic neighborhood. Credit: Facebook
weigh in.
Feature DN Houston preserves historic Black churches, landmarks
By Tannistha Sinha
TwohistoricBlackchurchesthat haveanchoredtheirneighborhoods for generations are now officially Houston protected landmarks.
AsdevelopmentreshapesHouston’s neighborhoods, city leaders have stepped in to preserve parts of the city’s past
TheCityCounciladvancedthese designations that preservationists sayreflectbothHouston’schanging neighborhoodsandthecommunities that built them
Among the newly designated sites are two historically Black churches: The Greater Rose Hill MissionaryBaptistChurchinThird WardandtheGreaterPleasantHill Missionary Baptist Church in the Heights.
Others include historic homes, such as two early 20th-century houses on Alamo Street, a Tudor Revival home on Milford Street knownasWestEdgemont’sDream House, and the Alan and Hattie GreenHousenearRiceUniversity
Honoring communities of the past
For Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, whose district includes Greater Rose Hill, the vote was about honoring institutionsthathavelonganchoredBlack Houston.
“Thechurchhasbeentherefora longtime beforeIwasanadult,” Evans-Shabazzsaid “It’swarranted that we honor our historic buildings and institutions.”
Shenotedthatpreservinghistorically Black churches is also about protecting culture.
Buildings serve as community anchors
EmilyArdoin,preservationservicesdirectoratPreservationHouston, said the church’s designation comes at a critical moment
“These are both in neighborhoods that are seeing a lot of rapid change,” Ardoin said of Rose Hill and Pleasant Hill
Around Greater Rose Hill, she noted, vacant lots and older buildingsareincreasinglybeingreplaced by new development.
Historic institutions like churches, she said, help keep neighborhoods recognizable as they evolve.
These places have always served as really important community anchors. Now a lot of congregations are getting smaller, but this will ensure that the buildings at least will remain as reminders of the history of the neighborhood and the community.”
EMILY ARDOIN
Properties like Riverside Hospital in the area are significant to the history of both the Black and medical communities in Houston. Itwasthefirstnonprofithospitalfor Blackpatientsandprovidedaplace for Black physicians to work, who werenotallowedtoadmitpatients to the “Black Wards” of Houston’s other hospitals.
“Theseplaceshavealwaysserved as really important community anchors,” Ardoin said “Now a lot of congregations are getting smaller, but this will ensure that
the buildings at least will remain as reminders of the history of the neighborhoodandthecommunity.”
Pastors welcome the move
Valgene Holmes, pastor at the Greater Rose Hill Baptist Church, said the designation is deeply meaningful, especially at a time when he believes history is being erased in other ways
“They’re changing the books that we read They want to put that under a rug and say that’s not important,” Holmes said. “Yes, it is important…That’spartofwhowe are. That’s part of who the United States is And you can’t cover it up like that.”
Holmes sees the landmark status as one way to make sure the church’s legacy and the broader Black history it represents cannot be ignored.
AcrosstownatGreaterPleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, members are also celebrating.
Pastor James Hunter Jr said the designation gives the church “a sense of security.”
While new condos have risen nearby, he believes the century-old landmark plaque will draw
attention to the church’s history rather than overshadow it
He added that the congregation is focused on restoration.
A history steeped in culture
Beyond the churches, the designations also highlight the city’s immigrantandarchitecturalhistory.
Ardoin said the two houses on Alamo Street were built by Sicilian
immigrants, and one later housed a Greek immigrant when that area hadastrongGreekpresence
The Milford Street home stands outasaTudorRevivalexampleand is tied to an early neighborhood marketingcampaignrunthrougha namingcontestintheHoustonPost
Under Houston’s preservation ordinance, protected landmark statuscomeswithstrongsafeguards
Houston leaders approved new landmark protections for sites tied to Black history, including the Greater Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church (in photo) Credit: Nisha Harris
Church leaders view the designations as a stand against cultural erasure and a commitment to legacy Credit: PastorJames Hunter,Jr, Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Texas school takeovers spotlight
Poverty, race, accountability
By Gregory Stevenson
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) last year moved to take over four school districts after six campuses received failing gradesforfiveconsecutiveyears,triggering a state mandate that allows the education commissioner to close schools or replace locally elected leadership
Thesixcampusessharestrikingsimilarities.Between80%and97%ofstudentscome fromlow-incomehouseholds,farabovethe state average Black and Hispanic students make up nearly all enrolled children, and large portions of students are considered at high risk of dropping out.
District interventions
Under a 2015 accountability law, Education Commissioner Mike Morath must intervene when a school earnsfivestraight F ratings. Since taking office in 2016, Morath has ordered two campus closures and seven district takeovers, arguing that persistent failure reflects ineffective governance that denies students a
quality education.
Morath announced plans to replace school boards and appoint new leadership in Fort Worth, Beaumont, Connally, and LakeWorth.BeaumontandConnallyeach had two campuses that met the takeover threshold. Morath said the districts failed tomakeeffectivechangesandshowedwidespreadacademicunderperformancebeyond the trigger schools.
Critics cite poverty, inequality
Critics argue the accountability system disproportionately targets districts serving low-income Black and Hispanic students while overlooking deeper inequities tied to poverty,segregation,andlimitedresources. ConnallyISDSuperintendentJillBottelberghe said many students face housing instability, transportation barriers, or must care for themselves at home
“Not everybody gets a hot breakfast and mom taking them to school,” said Bottelberghe
Additionally,studentsofcolorfacedisciplinary attacks on their natural hairstyles Most have endured lessons that downplay orignoretheirhistory.Manyhavereported incidents of overt racism
“What good is it to have moderately improved reading levels that come from a state takeover when the children are being called the N-word every day and cannot haveapeacefulenvironmentinwhichthey learnandseektogrow?”saidAndrewHairston, director of Texas Appleseed’s Education Justice Project.
Differing
conclusions
TEA officials maintain that the A–F system fairly measures academic outcomes. An F rating means at least 65% of tested students scored below grade level. While social factors matter, agency leaders say chronic academic failure requires intervention
HoustonISD,takenoverin2023,iscited byTEAasproofthatstatecontrolcanraise test scores.
Critics counter that teacher turnover, community distrust, and sustainability concerns remain unresolved National research shows that takeovers most often affect high-poverty districts, with mixed academic results.
TEA is being called out for unduly targeting poorer school districts of color for takeover. Credit: Gemini AI.
Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles touts the takeover for improving HISD outcomes. Credit: Tannistha Sinha.
Mike Morath. Credit: OneStar Foundation.
ONSOCIALTHEWEB
UH POLL
Primaryraces take shape
Undecided voters could decide March outcomes
ByTannisthaSinha
Withearly voting forthe March3 primaryalready underway, a massiveblock of undecidedvoters couldholdthekeystoHarrisCounty’spolitica future.New data from theUniversityofHouston’sHobbySchoolofPublicAffairsrevealsthat whilesomefrontrunnershaveemerged,awave of“unsure”ballots-ashighas82%insomeraces -couldtriggeraseriesofchaoticMayrunoffs.
Thesurveys,whichtargetedlikelyprimary votersbasedontheirparticipationinthe2022 and2024cycles,paintapictureofanelectorate thatisengagedbutdeeplydividedorstilldoing itshomework.
BrandonRottinghaus,associate professor of politicalscience at theUniversityofHouston,saidprimariestendtobringoutthe“most committed voters”ratherthana broadand representative sample of voters
“It’saverydifferenttypeofvoterwhovotes in aprimary than in ageneralelection,”Rottinghaussaid.“Ifyouhavemorepeoplevoting in primaries, then youwould certainly seea change in termsofwho gets nominated
Theundecidedsand non-voters have got asignificantsay in theprocessiftheychoose toparticipate.”
He addedthere couldberunoffs forthe Republicanraces,butnotfortheDemocratic ones,“giventhe nature of thekindofcandidatesrunning.”
CongressionalDistrict18: Menefeeholdssmalllead
In theDemocraticprimary forthe new Texas’ 18thCongressionalDistrict, CongressmanChristianMenefeeleadsCongressmanAlGreen by sevenpercentage points (43%to36%),withtheremainingvoterssplit betweenAmandaEdwards,GretchenBrown andundecided voters
TheUHsurveyfoundthatbothcandidates arewellknownandbroadlyviewedfavorably, with 80% likely Democraticprimary voters viewingMenefeefavorably,comparedto79% forGreen.
Question: Perthe poll,who arethe voters? (population of Democratic primarylikelyvoters)
Race
•Blacklikelyvoters:62%ofthepopulation of Democratic primarylikelyvoters
•White likely voters:22%
•Latinolikelyvoters: 10%
•Others: 4%
Gender:
•Women: 62%
•Men: 38%
Age:
•Age 55 andolder:65%
•Ages35-54: 25%
•Ages18-34: 10%
Education:
•Withafour-year collegedegree: 43%
•Withoutafour-yearcollegedegree:57%
Politicalleaning
•Democrats: 76%
•Republicans:3%
•Independents: 15%
•Others: 5%, unsure:1%
Wheretheylivenow (the districts createdbythe TexasLegislature in 2021)
•CD-9: 64%
•CD-18: 28%
•CD-29: 6%
•CD-22, CD-7: 1%
Thevotersare also dividedbetween two counties:HarrisCounty(74%)andFortBend County (26%).
CongressionalDistrict29:Garcia ahead,racialdividesevident
In theDemocraticprimary forCongressional District 29,U.S.Rep.SylviaGarcia leadsformerstate Rep. Jarvis Johnson46% to 27%, with 25% undecidedand Robert Slater at 2%.
Thepollshows starkdifferences by race Garcia leadsJohnson amongwhite and Latino voters.Johnson,however,leads Garciaamong Blackvoters.
Garciaisviewedfavorablyby70%oflikely voters,while 45%havea favorableopinion of Johnson.
However, four outof10voterssay they do notknowenoughabout Johnsontoform an opinion.
Wheretheylivenow (the districts createdbythe TexasLegislature in 2021)
•CD-2: 4%
•CD-18:74%
•CD-29:24%
•CD-38:<1%
AlllikelyvotersliveinHarrisCounty.
CongressionalDistrict9:
Mostvoters undecided
Question: Perthe poll,whoare the voters? (population of Democratic primarylikelyvoters)
Race
•Blacklikelyvoters:43%ofthepopulation of Democraticprimary likely voters
•White likely voters:30%
•Latinolikelyvoters: 24%
•Others: 3%
Gender:
•Women: 60%
•Men: 39%
Age:
•Age 55 andolder:64%
•Ages35-54: 26%
•Ages18-34: 10%
Education:
•Withafour-year collegedegree: 40%
•Withoutafour-yearcollegedegree:60%
Politicalleaning:
•Democrats: 71%
•Republicans:6%
•Independents:17%
•Others: 5%
•Unsure: 1%
TheDemocraticprimary forCongressionalDistrict9remains wide open.
Sixout of 10 likely voters saytheyare unsure whom they will support.
LeticiaGutierrezleadswith24%,followed by TerryVirts andEarnest Claytonat5% each,ToddIveyandMartyRochaat2%each andPeter Filler at 1%.
Name recognition remainslow acrossthe field.
Nearly two-thirds of voters saytheydo notknowenoughabout Gutierreztohave an opinion, andamajority(>80%) saythe same aboutthe othercandidates.
Harris County: Democratic CountyJudge race
IntheHarrisCountyDemocraticprimary forcountyjudge, former HoustonMayor Annise Parker leadsLetitia Plummer 46% to 25%, with Matt Salazarat5%and 24% undecided.
Therace showsclear racial divides. Parker leadsamong whiteand Latino voters,while Plummer leadsamong Black voters
Thesurveyalsofound that Parker is viewed favorablyby61% of likely voters compared to 42%for Plummer.
OntheRepublicanside,morethanhalfthe likelyGOPprimaryvotersremainundecided in thecountyjudge race
OrlandoSanchezleadswith21%,followed by MartyLancton at 10% andAlizaDuttat 7%
Harris County: CountyAttorney andotherraces
TheDemocraticprimary forHarris County attorney remainsunsettled Sixout of 10 likely voters areunsure, per theUHsurvey.
AbbieKamin receives 26% support, and Audrie Lawton Evans13% Largemajorities saytheydonot know enough abouteithercandidatetoforman opinion.
Uncertainty also dominates theDemocraticprimariesfortheHarrisCountyDemocraticParty Chairand District Clerk. Nearly eightout of 10 voters areunsure whom to vote forinthese races
TheRepublicanprimaryforCountyClerk shows asimilar pattern. Two-thirds of likely votersareundecided.MikeWolfeleadswith 20%, whileLynda Sanchezreceives14%, indicatingthatthe raceremains fluid with significantroomfor movement In theraces forHarrisCountyTreasurer andHarrisCountyRepublicanParty Chair, uncertainty loomslarge,withamajorityof Republican primaryvotersunsure.
U.S.Senate:Close contestin Harris County
In theDemocraticprimary forU.S.Senateamong Harris County voters,Jasmine Crockett leadsJames Talarico 45% to 43%, with1%supportingAhmadHassanand11% undecided.
Supportsplitssharply by race Talarico leadsamong whiteand Latino voters,while Crockett holdsasubstantial lead amongBlack voters At thestatewide level, HarrisCountyvoterswillplayaroleinthe TexasU.S. Senate Republican primary.
AmonglikelyHarrisCountyGOPprimary voters,U.S.Sen.JohnCornynleadswith32% aheadofKenPaxtonat27%andWesleyHunt at 25%.
TheSenaterace features clearerfrontrunnersthancounty-levelcontests, though supportvaries acrossdemographic groups.
Menefee Green
MARCH 3 PRIMARY
Jasmine Crockett fights for Texas Senate
By Tannistha Sinha
As the March 3 Democratic primary comes down to the wire, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, is going full-throttle to urge Texanstofocusoncandidatequalificationsand turnout.
She is running against State Rep. James TalaricoandAhmadHassanfromtheDemocraticParty,andJohnCornyn(seekinghis fifthterm),TexasAttorneyGeneralKenPaxton, Anna Bender, U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, Virgil John Bierschwale, John O. Adefope, Sara Canady, and Gulrez “Gus” Khan from the Republican Party.
Crockett emphasized that Texas is a “majority minority state” and argued that heridentityshouldnotbeseenassomeone whose clips go viral, but one who works behind the scenes
“When we got into this race, I knew that I couldn’t just be a Black woman who was qualified; in fact, the most qualified for the position,” Crockett said “I knew that was never gonna be enough…I haven’t asked foranybodytovoteformejustbecauseI’m Black or a woman. ”
Meanwhile, her Democratic opponent, StateRep.JamesTalarico,hasbeenrunning onbridgingthedividebetweenthecountry’s rich and poor
“Thebiggestdivideinourcountryisno left versus right. It’s top versus bottom,” said on his campaign “The people at th top work so hard to keep us angry an dividedbecauseourunityisathreattoth wealthandtheirpower…Butwewillnot conquered.”
The race
Crockett,whohasbeenbattlingnegati adsandcampaignspending,urgedHousto voters to turn out.
“First of all, Houstonians just need vote,” she told the Defender Crockettcontrastedthenamerecognitio built through work against Talarico Shealsotookashotatherprimaryoppo nent, Talarico, over a donor’s connectio to Jeffrey Epstein. Filings with the Fede Elections Commission (FEC) show th billionaire AI investor Reid Hoffman has contributed to Talarico’s Super PAC. “It’sonethingifyourfriendsshowupan theyshowuptoupliftyou,”Crockettadde “But frankly, it’s clear that they don’t thin thatthat’senoughinordertowin.Youha toaskyourselfwhy…Ifpeoplestarttofoll themoney,theywillrealizethevariousleve of threats that I present.”
News outlets reported that Crockett also pledged not to have taken corporate PAC money,buttransferredsuchfundsfromher HousecampaigntoherSenaterun,reported The Intercept.
Meanwhile,Talaricopositionshimselfas aprogressiveChristianDemocrat,usinghis faith and experience as a former teacher to oppose Christian nationalism and fight for working-class Texans against “billionaire donors”.
“Love thy neighbor regardless of race or genderorsexualorientationorimmigration statusorreligiousaffiliation,”hesaidonReal Time With Bill Maher. “In Texas, I’m constantlybattlingChristiannationalism…And I always speak up on behalf of my Jewish, Muslim,Buddhist,Sikh,agnostic,andatheist neighbors. Because we as Christians are calledtolovethemasourselves,andforcing my religion down their throats is not love.”
concerns about jobs, health care, housing, andeducationcosts,whilecriticizingfederal health care cuts and economic policies she says hurt working families
“I have the resume,” she said “I’ve been a small business owner, a state lawmaker The job is to write laws.”
Crockett also pointedly asked, “My opponent has been an official longer than I have. What exactly had you been fighting forbecauseyou’vebeenelectedlongerthan I have?”
Talaricoisrunningonaddressingcorruption, taxes and cost of living, public education, and health care, among others
“Right now, we have politicians in Congress with ‘Christ follower’ in their Twitter bios, but they are kicking the sick off their healthcare,”hesaidonCNN.“Itisestimated that 51,000 Americans will die needlessly because of Republicans’ health care cuts.
EL PASO-FEBUURARY 21: James Talarico speaks to supporters at the Fire Fighters Hall Feb. 21, 2026 in El Paso, Texas. Democratic Senatorial candidate Talarico faces Dallas Congreswoman Jasmine Crockett in the March 3 primary. Credit: Alberto Silva Fernandez/Getty Images
FECreports,Talaricohasraisedmore than Crockett in this race rico raised more than $2.5 million campaign within 24 hours after his iewwithStephenColbert,whichwas onYouTube.Theepisodedidnotair his television broadcast.
ockett said it provided him with an age in his fundraising endeavours
I’ve been a small business owner, a state lawmaker I also practice law, both in Texas, Arkansas state and in federal courts. The job is to write laws. The job is to deal with any of these people who think that they are entitled to an appointment, especially the judges.”
JASMINE CROCKETT
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett frames the race as a choice between record and fundraising power as early voting continues ahead of the March 3 primary Credit: Getty Images
Profile DN
Acynthia Villery
Breaks barriers, preserves rodeo’s history
By Laura Onyeneho
Acynthia Villery stands as the first African American female professional rodeo announcerwiththeBillPickettInvitational Rodeo.
Butlongbeforeshemadehistorybehind the mic, she was a little girl in Beaumont riding from backyard rodeos to trail rides acrossSoutheastTexas,absorbingaculture that shaped her identity
Athird-generationrodeowoman,Villery grew up watching her grandfather and two uncles compete and organize Two of them helped establish one of the first all-Black rodeo associations Another uncle worked as a rodeo secretary and announcer, roles she would later hold herself.“I was going to rodeos in my mother’s womb,” she said “This is in my blood.”
Her earliest memories are of informal rodeosheldonfamilyland,wherespectators satontruckbedsiftherewerenobleachers. ThosegatheringswereproofofaBlackWesterntraditionoftenerasedfrommainstream history.
VillerybegantravelingwiththeBillPickett Invitational Rodeo in the late 1980s. Nearly 39 years later, she remains one of its most recognizable voices But her path to the announcer’s stand was not immediate. Foralmost30years,sheworkedbehindthe scenesasarodeosecretary,managingprize money, standings, and competitor records.
Those years built the foundation for the voice audiences now hear
“To be a great announcer, you have to know the stats. You have to know the contestants,”shesaid “Youneedtounderstand their stories.”
Valeria Howard-Cunningham, CEO of theBillPickettInvitationalRodeo,saidVillery’s leadership was evident early on Her latehusband,rodeofounderLuVason,first brought Villery into the fold
“He loved her spirit and her passion,” Howard-Cunningham said “She wanted to learn. She wanted to get involved And she wasn’t a person to take no.”
Villery served as Vason’s personal secretary,officemanager,andcoordinator.Howard-Cunninghamdescribedherasatrusted problem solver, someone who stepped up when sponsorship presentations and public-facing opportunities arose.
Whentheideaofherattendingannouncer school surfaced, Howard-Cunningham encouraged it
“Shewouldbeverygoodatit,”sherecalled
telling Villery.
Howard-Cunningham was right.
Now co-announcing alongside veteran MarcusFriday,Villeryhassteadilyexpanded her role Last year, she solo-announced a youthrodeo,amomentHoward-Cunningham said signaled the next chapter.
“Beingfirstissomethingnobodycantake awayfromyou,”Howard-Cunninghamsaid “She has made history.”
Professional rodeo announcing remains white male-dominated While women may commentate on specific events, few announcefullprofessionalrodeos Villery’s goal is to change that
“Mygoalistobreaktheglassceiling,”she said “Somebody has to step out and say it can be done.”
She is currently pursuing her card with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, widely regarded as the highest credential in the sport. The rigorous process includesrecommendations,liveevaluations, and multiple approved rodeos before full membership is granted. Only two African American men currently hold that distinction No Black women do
“One in four cowboys were Black,” she said “ButwhenyoulookatHollywood,they didn’t write us into the scripts.”
We were Black cowboys before it became trendy. I don’t want people to just come. I need them to pay attention.”
ACYNTHIA VILLERY
She frequently references figures such as BassReeves,theformerlyenslavedlawman believed to have inspired the Lone Ranger Educating audiences about those legacies is just as important as calling the next bull ride
In addition to announcing, Villery manages the rodeo’s social media platforms, highlighting past champions and sharing BlackWesternhistory.Sheisalsodeveloping apodcastandbooktodocumentstoriesshe believes must be preserved.
“WewereBlackcowboysbeforeitbecame trendy,”shesaid “Idon’twantpeopletojust come I need them to pay attention.”
Acynthia Villery has been a prominent voice of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo since she started traveling with it in the late 1980s. Credit: Acynthia Villery
Sports DN
JORDYN MARSHALL
Thrives close to home at Texas Southern
ByTerrance Harris
After spending three years playing basketballattheUniversityofCalifornia-Riverside, Jordyn Marshall couldn’t help but feel like she needed more
The Manvel product wanted more playing time, more freedom on the court, and more time with her family She found the opportunity this past offseason with Vernette Skeete and the Texas Southern University women’s basketball program.
Marshall smiles broadly as she thinks about how much life has changed for the better
“I was looking for somewhere close to home I live like 30 minutes down the street,” said the senior from Pearland “My family,mydogisoutthere.Mysiblings,my mom and dad and now my grandma lives out here, too.
“So, somewhere close to home, and this was the perfect spot.”
In many ways, Marshall and the Tigers have been exactly what both needed. Marshallhadastrongdesiretobeclosetohome and family The Tigers needed a shooter who could hit from long range.
It’s been the perfect union.
“It’s pretty fun,” Marshall said “I appreciate it because I wasn’t really confident in myself at my previous school But when I got here, everybody allowed me to be me It’s different.”
Marshall was a last-minute signee of UCRiversidewhentheHighlanders’point guard transferred. She was committed to Trinity Valley Community College when UCRiversideassistantcoachSeanLeBeauf called with a Division I offer
Butafterthreeseasonsoflimitedplaying opportunities and little ability to be herself on the court, Marshall realized it was time to move on LeBeauf was also on his way to Rutgers.
Marshall,however,saysitwasaroughgo forherreallyfromthestartuntiltheendof lastseason,whensheappearedin30games but averaged just 12 minutes per game.
TSU has provided me resources to further my career outside of basketball, which is what I didn’t have at my old school.”
JORDYN MARSHALL
“It was kind of hard for me to adjust to the college playing style and the pace, and thenIbrokemyhand So,theseasonended formekindofearly,”shesaid “Ididn’tplay fromJanuarythroughtherestoftheseason, sothatkindofstintedmyconfidence.Itwas myshootinghand,soIwasjustinmyhead My confidence was really low, and I never really got it back up.”
ThingsareverydifferentatTSU.Notonly is she playing a lot and contributing to the Tigers’ success, but Marshall has found a coachingstaffthatbelievesinherandallows herfreedomtomakemistakesandgrowher game
It’s been a refreshing reset.
“I was looking for growth I felt like at my last school, I wasn’t getting anywhere,”
said Marshall, a 5-foot-5 point guard. “I definitely improved on the court and off the court. TSU has provided me resources to further my career outside of basketball, which is what I didn’t have at my old school.”
Marshall has rewarded Skeete and her coachingstaffbybeinganeffectiveballhandler,reliabledefenderandsomeonewhocan knockdownshotsfrombeyondthearc.She is second on the team in 3-point shooting, averaging nearly 32% for the season Marshallalsoleadstheteamwithan80%average from the free-throw line
Marshall gave the Tigers the outside shooting spark they needed in a recent win overArkansas-PineBluff Sheconvertedfive 3-pointersandledtheTigerswith29points. Marshall was recognized as the SWAC’s ImpactPlayeroftheWeekafterleadingthe league in scoring during wins over UAPB and Mississippi Valley State during that home swing. For the two games, Marshall averaged 22 points and shot 50% from the field
“NoneofusaresurprisedatwhatJordyn does,”saidSkeete,whoseteamis9-18overall
and 5-10 in SWAC play “She does it day in and day out.”
Marshallcreditsthecoachingstaffforthe confidence it has given her in the months they have been together
“Sinceeveryonehasgottenhere,theyhave given us a blueprint of what we need to do X, Y, and Z,” she said “They will get in the gymwithusanytimeandhelpgetusbetter.”
The same enthusiasm is extended to her newteammates,manyofwhomarealsonew to the program. It took them a while to get used to each other during the gauntlet of a non-conferenceschedule Butnowtheyare meshing well
“It’sbeengood Ilovemyteam,”Marshall said “I thought it was going to be hard to adjusttoanewteambecauseIwaswithmy oldteamforthreeyears,andwewereclose. But it was really easy to come here.”
Asaresult,Marshall’sbeliefinherselfand hergamehasgrownimmensely.Thoseclosest to her see it, as well
“I feel more confident,” Marshall said “My family sees that I’m more confident They feel like I have a little more umph to me They see it, and I feel it, as well.”
Senior point guard Jordyn Marshall has been the offensive spark the Texas Southern Tigers have needed this season, whether coming off the bench or in the starting lineup. Credit: TSU Athletics
Sports DN
MARICHATISDELL
Relishesher break-out season at Hastings
By Jimmie Aggison
MarichaTisdell’s handsweresupposed to help buildher game,not tear it down Butbythetimeshefinishedherfreshman yearofhighschool,shehadalreadysuffered twofinger injuries on opposite hands, setbacksthatcosther valuable development timeand lefther fightingto regain more than just hershot. Now, fullyhealthy for thefirsttimeinyears,the Hastings junior isn’tjustbackonthe court;she’s breaking out,leadingtheteaminfivestatisticalcategories andproving that resilience canbeas powerfulastalent.
“I realized this season wasgoing to be differentonceIwas able to make amistake andstayinthe game,” said Tisdell.
Thismarginfor errorenabled Tisdellto play with greaterfreedom.It boosted her confidence to attemptnew movesonthe court, movesthatpreviouslyfeltintimidatingduetothefearofmakingerrorsand beingbenched as aconsequence HastingsgirlsvarsitycoachCoreyBrothertonnoticed Tisdell’sconfidence grow
“Theveryfirstgameofthe season,” said Brotherton.“Shestepped up immediately andpostedadouble-doublethatledustoa win. Herpoise andthe wayshe competed withthatlevelofconfidencerightoutofthe gate told me shewas readyand next in line to become aHastingsLadyBeargreat.”
Butthe player Hastings sees todaywas builtthrough injuries that could’ve easily takenher love of thegameaway.
In eighth grade, Tisdellbroke thering fingeronherlefthandduringagame,an injury that sidelined herfor twomonths.
“Whenithappened,Iknewitwasbroken, butIcould still bend it,soI kept playing thefollowing game.Later that night, Ifelt somethingwasn’tright,soItoldmymom, andwewenttotheER.That’swhenIfound outitwas broken,” said Tisdell.
Despitethe injury,Tisdell stilltried to practice
Afterreturningtothecourtherfreshman year,she sufferedanother setback, breakingthepinkyfingeronherrighthand.This time,the injury required acast.
“It’shardtosit outofthe game youlove, watchingeveryoneelseplay, knowingit shouldbeyou in thegameaswell,”said Tisdell. “Not beingabletohelpthe team wastough.”
When thecastcameoff,she expected everything to go back to normal.Instead, shesteppedintothehardestpartofrecovery,
learning to trustherself again. After time away from thegame, hershootingmotion andthe feel of theballinher handsdidn’t feel thesame.
Missingtwo yearsofdevelopment affected hermentallyand physically.
that’s when Idecided nottolet injuries definemeanymore,” said Tisdell.
“This season,she finally trustedherself again, anditshows,” said Brotherton Duringtheoffseason,Tisdellfocusedon improvingherpostmovesandballhandling.
“Myconfidencewasn’tthere,”saidTisdell “IfeltlikeIwasn’tthesameplayerandthat lh ld ff l”
Iwasplayinghesitantlyinsteadoffreely.”
“When she came back as a sophomore, you could see flashes of how good she could be, but she wasn’t playing as freely,” said Brotherton “Injuries can make players hesitant, especially young ones I’ve always told her that ifsheplayedwithconfidenceanddidn’t worry about mistakes, she could be an All-DistrictorevenAll-Statecaliberplayer”
The stats didn’t show it yet, but behind the scenes, Tisdell was laying the groundwork for the season that would change everything
“When I realized my fingers could still get hurt, but I just needed to play through it because things happen,
Hastings’ forward Maricha Tisdell is all smiles after a dominant effort against Fort Bend Austin. Tisdell leads her team in five statistical categories this season Credit: Jimmie Aggison/ Defender
“I trained, andwhenitfeltlikeIwas still catchingup, the hh k
thing that ept me going was God,” said Tisdell “I prayed and trusted in his journey My familyalso reminded me of the player I am ”
“She came into herjuniorseasonwith confidenceearned, notgiven,” said Brotherton. “Our team hastomeetmile-time standardsinthe preseasonbeforethey receivepracticegear, andshe wasthe first tomeethertimes.ThattoldmeeverythingI neededtoknow.Sheputintheworkduring theoffseason, andwhenIsaw that levelof rly, Iknewshe wasready
commitment ea for a big year ” Andonceshee the results didn’t “With her lea rebounds, and bl onbothendsoft
“We depend on h in big games ” Tisdell’s abilit protect the rim g confidence.This averages 8 4 rebo game, and shoot 52% from the fre “When she’s l andproductionh Brotherton
“Aside from proud of not injuries we the sport
Bute themo ga b
enteredtheseasonhealthy, ttakelongtoshow. adingour team in points, locks, it showsher impact thefloor,”saidBrotherton. hertoplaywell, especially ty to score, rebound, and givesHastings’sunitmore season,shehas30blocks, oundsand 13.4 points per ts 47%fromthe floor and ee-throw line locked in,her leadership helpcarryustowins,”said mthe numbers, I’mmost quitting when it felt like ereall Iwas gettingfrom t,”saidTisdell. evenasthestatsstackedup, ostimportantthingTisdell ined wasn’t on thescoreoard;itwas resilience, patience,and maturity
“Going throughthe upsand downshelped me keep goinginlife andbroughtmecloser to God,”saidTisdell.
put my mind to s Now, instead lost,Tisdellisfoc time to become “Maricha’s ce Brotherton
Two broken fi Buttheplayersh might be the stro “I’m not tryin anyone but to m want to remem breakout season the way I knew goal is to stay h be confident wh the playoffs”
“I learnedthatwhenI something, Ican do it.” of dwelling on what she cusedonwhatshestillhas eiling is very high,” said fingers slowed herdown. ebecamebecauseofthem ongest part of hergame. ng to proveanythingto myself,” said Tisdell. “I mber this season as my n, when Ifinally played howtoplay. My biggest humble,trust God, and hile leadingmyteamto py
