Texas Turns Up the Heat on “Dirty Books” in School Libraries
Texas’s fight over school library content escalated Wednesday when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called a surprise press conference — one that many news outlets say they received no advance notice about — to announce a new push against what he calls obscene material on campus shelves.
Patrick claimed there are “over 2,000 titles of filthy, dirty, vulgar books” in Texas school libraries and vowed to make removing them his top priority. He held up Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, a 2021 sex-education graphic novel by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan, as his lead example, and said the books on display were so explicit he refused to open them out of respect for the women present.
Still, he insisted this isn’t a ban: “There are no books banned in America… but we do not take taxpayer money and buy these books for our schools.”
His enforcement threat is tied to school accountability grades. Patrick said he’ll push legislation next session requiring the Texas Education Agency to drop a district’s letter grade — an A to a B, or lower — if even one prohibited book remains on a library shelf.
The legal foundation is Senate Bill 13, passed in 2025, which requires districts to review and remove library books after receiving a public complaint, and mandates parental notice when a child checks one out.
Patrick claimed roughly 80% of Texas districts aren’t complying.
Not everyone agrees.
Texas Library Association Executive Director Shirley Robinson pushed back, noting librarians already select materials under board-approved policies that follow SB 13, and that districts have review processes in place when concerns are raised. She added that “a parent or group should not make those decisions for every family.”
Conservative activist Bonnie Wallace, who has attended 164 school board meetings challenging books and supplied lawmakers a list of over 2,000 titles, joined Patrick at the podium, framing the effort in explicitly religious terms.
The standoff sets up a fight over local control versus state mandates heading into the next legislative session.
Rep. Vikki Goodwin is running against Patrick for the Lt. Governor’s race in November.
A poll of 619 likely Texas voters conducted July 27–30 found that Democrats accounted for 29% of respondents, Republicans for 36%, and Independents for 33%.
The poll showed Rep. Goodwin leading Lt. Govorner Patrick 48% to 46% among likely voters, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.7%. That marks a reversal from June, when the same poll had Patrick ahead of Goodwin 49% to 44%.
Despite the shift, 56% of likely voters said they still don’t know enough about Goodwin to have formed an opinion of her.
Sources:
- KXAN Austin, “We’re coming for the books”
- Chron, Dan Patrick calls for books to be removed
- Yahoo/Texas Senate coverage, Dan Patrick wants ‘dirty, filthy and vulgar’ books out
- FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, Dan Patrick says he’s coming after books
- KSAT, Patrick proposes penalties for schools
- San Antonio Current, Texas is ‘coming for the books’
Austin FC’s Supporters Groups have issued a strong condemnation after a discriminatory chant targeting opposing goalkeepers was repeatedly heard from the stands during the club’s Leagues Cup first-round match against Club América at Q2 Stadium last week— continuing even after the stadium displayed official warnings to fans.
Major League Soccer and its Clubs reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who has engaged in harassment of match officials, opposing team members, club or venue staff or other fans for violating its Code of Conduct.
Out of respect for the passing of senior offensive lineman Odin Hensley, Lake Travis will not participate in its Week 1 football matchup against Dripping Springs, head coach Hank Carter confirmed Wednesday.
Hensley suffered a cardiac arrest during football practice. He was airlifted by Travis County STAR Flight to Dell Children’s Medical Center, where he remained in intensive care before passing away.
The Williamson County and Cities Health District announced Wednesday that a southern Williamson County resident in their 80s tested positive for West Nile virus on August 13, marking the county’s first reported mosquito-borne transmission of the season. To maintain patient confidentiality, no additional personal information will be disclosed.
Williamson County’s first mosquito‑trap detection fits into a broader pattern across Central Texas this summer. Several nearby counties and cities have reported recent West Nile–positive mosquito pools or human cases:
🦟 Recent Central Texas detections
- Hays County — Multiple positive mosquito pools this season, including in San Marcos, Buda, and Kyle, with at least nine positive samples reported.
- Travis County — Active mosquito season with mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus.
- McLennan County — No human cases reported, but part of the broader Central Texas surveillance region tracking increased statewide activity.
- Bastrop County — No West Nile activity recorded this season, but monitored alongside neighboring counties.
Amazon is bringing a multi-billion dollar advanced robotics manufacturing facility to East Austin, the company announced Wednesday. The project will be an anchor development in the newly annexed Dog’s Head, and was first detailed by city officials during recent planning and financing reviews for that district. (Community Impact)
Austin automaker Tesla is planning to upgrade a parking lot near its service center in the St. Elmo neighborhood south of downtown where it will operate a car wash and electric vehicle charging site, according to a filing with the city of Austin. (Austin American-Statesman)
More than 20 candidates are running for five Austin City Council seats this November. Here’s how much they’ve raised and spent so far. (Austin Current)
The group Austin For Everyone has “created a website to share the real facts about what is happening in Austin, not the lies the powerful and their purchased politicians spread about our city.”
The site states, “A wave of social media posts is distorting crime statistics to attack the District Attorney. Here’s what the actual numbers say — and why the raw data tells a very different story.”
They list six bullet points:
CAPITAL AREA CRIME STOPPERS
Pflugerville police took a third suspect into custody Wednesday in the robbery of GT Distributors last week. Investigators recovered multiple firearms, including several equipped with illegal machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “Glock switches.”
TRAVIS COUNTY’S TEN MOST WANTED
The city of Bastrop is currently reviewing its policies regarding the use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras following growing privacy concerns from residents.
A new school police department is facing questions about hiring, staffing and internal operations – but what’s happening in Leander ISD could be a preview of challenges facing school districts across Texas.
Officials in Pflugerville say the Main Street extension to FM 685 is coming along.
In Bastrop, progress remains steady on the SH 71 at Tucker Hill Lane project.
Blanco authorities are currently working an active fire at RR 1623 and Sanctuary Lane.
A second wildfire, in Somervell County, broke out overnight.
WEATHER
WEDNESDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
The historical daily high temperature records for Austin, Texas (Mabry/City climate data) for August 19 through August 24:
| Date | Record High (°F) | Year(s) Set / Tied |
| August 19 | 109°F | 1923 |
| August 20 | 107°F | 2023 |
| August 21 | 108°F | 2024 |
| August 22 | 107°F | 1925 |
| August 23 | 105°F | 1925, 2010 |
| August 24 | 107°F | 2010 |
Note: The official historical climate normal high for Austin during late August is typically around 97°F to 98°F.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Austin Public Health reports more than 700 heat-related ER visits since May. City officials are connecting residents with information to prevent heat illness.
A 5-year-old girl has died after she was found unresponsive inside a vehicle Tuesday evening in Garland, according to police.
A special hearing Wednesday hosted by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce to discuss the state grid and a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line network tied to the Permian Basin Reliability Plan.
Country music legend Tanya Tucker spoke at the hearing.
Nearly one hundred people signed up to speak at Wednesday’s public hearing of The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and the vast majority wanted to talk about border barriers, including a large contingency from the Big Bend region. (Big Bend Sentinel)
With students heading back to school across Texas, public education is emerging as a central issue in the race for governor. Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa are both pitching competing plans for the state’s classrooms.
A closer look at the 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public schools and districts across the state, as issued by the Texas Education Agency.
Polling shows President Donald Trump is unpopular with independent voters — and the midterm elections could be a blue wave. But could Trump try to interfere with the election? He’s used executive orders to attack voter eligibility, mail voting, voter databases and redistricting. How vulnerable are the midterms? How can we protect democracy?
(Episode from August 18, 2026)
Texas Lottery officials are warning of a ticket scam.
A goat in Southwest Texas has tested positive for anthrax, marking the second confirmed case in the state this year and third in the U.S., prompting animal health officials to quarantine the affected property. (Newsweek)
The San Antonio City Council will vote this morning on whether to change César E. Chávez Boulevard back to its former name, Durango Boulevard. (Texas Public Radio)
AAA GAS PRICES
SPORTS
MLS: Second half strikes from Facundo Torres and Guilherme Biro spurred Austin FC to a 2-1 away victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday night at Lumen Field, the team’s third win in its last five matches in all competitions. (Austin FC)
ON THE SCHEDULE
MLB: Does either team want to make it to the postseason?
The Houston Astros edged the Angels 3-2 Wednesday night while the Rangers were blanked 6-0 by the Nationals, a split that did little to change the picture atop the AL West or in the crowded Wild Card chase — Houston sits at 64-63 and Texas 62-65, both hovering around .500 and looking more like teams treading water than ones ready to make a September move.
Ethan Pecko struck out four in his major-league debut, five Houston relievers pitched shutout ball for five-plus innings and Christian Vázquez homered as the Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Wednesday night. (Associated Press via MSN)
Cade Cavalli struck out 11 over six innings for his second double-digit strikeout game in a row and retired the final 11 batters he faced as the Washington Nationals beat Texas 6-0 on Wednesday night. (Associated Press via MSN)
ON THE SCHEDULE
What’s going on with the American League West?
NFL: The Texans host the Las Vegas Raiders tonight at NRG Stadium in their second preseason tune-up, looking to clean up an offense that managed just seven points in last week’s loss to the Chargers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM CDT, with Houston aiming to get more extended snaps for players competing for depth-chart spots as the roster cuts toward final 53 approach.
Expect a heavier dose of starters than Week 1, as head coach DeMeco Ryans looks for cleaner execution up front and more rhythm in the passing game before the preseason finale next week against Carolina.
16 DAYS UNTIL TEXAS FOOTBALL
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Texas Longhorns face a critical test as All-American left tackle Trevor Goosby suffers a knee injury during fall camp, sparking concerns about offensive line depth and protection for Arch Manning. Can Steve Sarkisian’s squad adjust in time to keep the line secure against Texas State and top-ranked Ohio State?
Frank Beard, the Texas-born drummer who spent 56 years anchoring the blues-rock trio ZZ Top — and whose clean-shaven face made him the punchline of the band’s own name — died Monday at his ranch in Richmond, southwest of Houston, according to a statement from the band’s publicist. He was 77.
ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons talks about Frank Beard and how it’s ironic that he was the only member of the band without a beard. He then talks about why the core members of ZZ Top managed to stay together for so long.
