Convenience Big Store: Texas A&M's firing of professor is a 'dangerous turning point', advocates say

September 13, 2025

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People are shown on the campus of Texas A&M University Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in College Station.

Photo by: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photographer

Texas A&M professor's firing endangers academic freedom, speech advocates say.

Texas A&M University's firing of lecturer Melissa McCoul after a viral classroom video has sparked backlash from free speech advocates who say it threatens academic freedom.

The video, posted by state Rep. Brian Harrison, shows McCoul asking a student to leave after they objected to a gender identity lesson in a children's literature class. Within a week, A&M fired McCoul, removed two administrators, and ordered a system-wide audit of courses.

Groups like PEN America and FIRE say the move undermines constitutional protections. A&M claims the course didn't align with its approved description, but McCoul's attorney says she was never told to change the content.

Legal experts say the lesson did not violate state or federal law, including Senate Bill 17. Critics argue the firing reflects political pressure and sends a chilling message to faculty.

Dan Patrick creates Senate committees on free speech after Charlie Kirk's death.

The Lt. Gov. announced the creation of the House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education in honor of Kirk.

Plus: Klein ISD fired a football coach over "senseless" social media remarks about Kirk and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is calling for Congress to investigate progressive groups for "anti-American" activities in the wake of Kirk's murder.

Dallas beheading suspect has criminal history in Houston.

Yordanis Cobos-Martinez is facing a capital murder charge after allegedly stabbing and beheading Chandra Nagamallaiah with a machete at a motel in east Dallas.

A look at Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz's first year on the job.

The HPD Chief's first year leading the police force has seen a department in transition, big pay raises and more calls to ICE.

Fire departments with the highest starting pay.

Here's a look at the starting salaries for firefighters in cities surrounding Houston.

State Board of Education backs plan to deemphasize world history, cultures.

The plan, favored by conservative activists, greatly reduces the amount of time spent on world history and boosts that spent on Texas history.

Popular Thai spot sues former co-owner.

Kin Dee claims that two new restaurants, Krua Thai & Sushi and MA Kitchen, break the non-compete agreement that one-time co-owner Miranda Loetkhamfu signed when she left in 2023.

⚾ Sports

Astros: Zach Cole drove in four runs, including a two-run homer on the first pitch he saw in the majors, to star in his debut and spark Houston past the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Plus: Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the injured list for the fourth time this season. 📬 Sign up for Inside Pitch with Matt Kawahara.
Cougars: Ethan Sanchez made five field goals to tie a school record and UH defeated Colorado for its first 3-0 start since 2016. 📬 Sign up for Cougar Confidential with Joseph Duarte.
Texans: After catching only three passes against the Rams, Nico Collins knows the season-opening loss is just one game. He is confident progress will come.
Dash: Houston swapped defenders with the North Carolina Courage, trading Natalie Jacobs for Malia Berkely.

🗣️ Opinion

There is no magic solution to violent extremism and political conflict, but we are committed to deliberative processes where we come together despite our disagreements, Houston City Council Members Julian Ramirez and Sallie Alcorn, and Leah Wolfthal, write in the latest letters to the editor.
The lesson from Houston's Japan Festival shouldn't be: Houston can't have nice things, columnist Regina Lankenau writes. If anything, what went wrong proves just how desperate Houstonians are for them.
Reality TV, self-care at Commissioners Court and Houston's real-life fairy godmother are included in this edition of Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down.
The latest count of homelessness in the Houston region shows a small uptick in people living on the streets. It's a warning sign of a broader crisis, writes the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders made his first appearance at TDECU Stadium last night as the Buffaloes took on UH.

But it certainly wasn't his first stop in Houston.

In fact, he's visited the city in several roles — and in multiple sports.

This story from Joseph Duarte looks back at Sanders' trips to Houston as a baseball player with the Braves and Reds, an NFL star with the Falcons, and a college football coach with both Jackson State and Colorado.

Coach Prime is truly one of a kind.