Daily Dispatch 2/22/24: Democratic Turnout Trails GOP On Primary Day 1, And More

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Republican turnout doubled that of Democrats in Texas on the first day of early primary voting: https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/march-2024-turnout-tracker/ ...While officials in Tarrant County end a years-long program providing free rides to the polls on Election Day: https://www.fox4news.com/news/tarrant-county-free-bus-rides-election-day Governor Abbott and AG Paxton's campaign against GOP incumbents continues inflaming vitriol within the party: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/glenn-rogers-texas-gop-primary/ ...Donald Trump continues meddling as well: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/trumps-join-paxtons-push-to-defeat-some-of-texas-top-conservative-judges/ A trial on the school suspension of Darryl George over his cultural hairstyle, seemingly in defiance of the CROWN Act, is scheduled for today: https://apnews.com/article/hair-discrimination-school-locs-texas-trial-4a1c3ec2ff85da27ffb2118f9fc55007 ...Protestors demonstrated in favor of George near the home of Barbers Hill ISD's superintendent in Baytown yesterday: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/protesters-gather-texas-superintendent-darryl-george-hair-trial-rcna139640 Another gun incident in a Texas school sees police fire off 19 rounds, but luckily no deaths: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2024/02/20/officers-fired-19-shots-at-student-who-brought-gun-to-mesquite-school-student-didnt-fire/?sailthru_id=62680c814f757f64bada988b&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BreakingAlert_02202024&utm_term=Breaking%20News Austin Congressman Greg Casar was in Austin yesterday touting his Connect The Grid Act: https://progresstexas.org/blog/power-people-connecting-texas-grid Bell County declares an emergency in advance of huge crowds expected for April's eclipse: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-county-issues-state-of-emergency-over-solar-eclipse/ We celebrate Black History Month throughout February! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: ⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month⁠⁠ Thanks for listening! Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: ⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org/donate