Dear {name},

This week, Texans continued to vote in record numbers. We are thrilled to see the enthusiastic voter turnout all over the state—and we are so proud of all the Texas faith communities that have worked to empower their members and those they serve to vote. Great job y’all!

Next week, Americans will be focused on the election, but globally attention will shift to COP31, the United Nations climate negotiations in Türkiye. 

Wondering what COP even is? Here's a little video explainer:

Texas Impact is an accredited observer to the negotiations, and we will have staff and partners there for both weeks of the event. As in years past, we also are taking a video crew with us through our media partnership with the Austin Chronicle.

Last year, we made a video-based small group discussion series on climate change using our COP footage, called Changing by Choice. Fans of Changing by Choice will be happy to hear that we are planning a follow-up series that will be ready in early 2027.

Read the whole post

The future of US climate policy—and the future of US participation in global climate negotiations—could change based on the outcomes of next week’s elections. The decision to leave the Paris Agreement was made unilaterally, despite Americans’ growing concerns about climate impacts, but Congress bears the responsibility for gutting the Inflation Reduction Act, and around the country, states and local governments are evaluating policy choices that could lock in carbon-intensive patterns or accelerate the shift to low-carbon energy generation.

Again, huge thanks to Texas faith communities for your heroic efforts to get Texans to the polls—and remember what I keep telling you: The election is not the end of the story. It’s just the end of the beginning of the next chapter.

Love,

Bee Moorhead

Texas Impact Executive Director

In 2025, Congress made changes to SNAP. They put new financial burdens on state budgets and made it harder for our neighbors to get the food they need.

Join with thousands of Texans and tell the Texas Legislature that funding for SNAP is not negotiable.

This week, Scott is joined by Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas and a member of Texas Impact’s Leadership Council. Dr. Thomas is a leading voice for LGBTQIA+ rights and a champion for communities that have been systemically marginalized. Scott and Neil discuss his faith (and geographic) journey, the upcoming election and Texas Impact’s new set of legislative priorities.

Watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Check out our full events calendar

Texas Impact is on Substack—look for new posts, notes, and bonus videos on our stack.

New this week:

• • Scott Atnip on equality
  • Becca Edwards on Exxon's new report
  • Rebecca McIlwain on election certification

NOTE: Texas Impact membership includes access to all our Substack content. If you are already a member of Texas Impact and need help accessing our Substack, please email members@texasimpact.org and we’ll get it sorted. Not a Substack reader? Find our posts on the Texas Impact website.

Texas Impact is member-supported! If you're already a member, thank you—if not, please consider chipping in to support our network.