* CNN…

The blue and pink pamphlets began arriving in mailboxes across Texas around Saturday, October 17, just two days before early voting began on October 19. They were addressed to the student at each household.
“TEXAS TRANS & LGBTQ+ STUDENT RESOURCE GUIDE” was in bold on the front with intertwined hands underneath. […]

But the Transgender Education Network of Texas, the nonprofit whose name is plastered throughout the brochure, forcefully denied it created or mailed the pamphlets. […]

Critics have argued it was a move to trigger conservative voters and drive them to the polls in a tight election. In historically red Texas, a state President Donald Trump won three times by double digits, Republican turnout is critical due to unusually competitive races at the top of the ticket.

Inside were photographs from the TENT’s events and merchandise, including the nonprofit’s logo and “Trans Texas” branding. The return address was a Houston address nearly identical to TENT’s own address. Just one digit was removed.

* CBS…

The Transgender Education Network of Texas, or TENT, has filed a petition asking a Travis County judge to allow them to take oral depositions or written questions before a lawsuit is officially filed. According to the petition, the author of the mailer “co-opted TENT’s name, materials (including photographs), branding and website without TENT’s knowledge or consent, violating state law.” […]

According to the USPS, the permit is held by Three Z Printing, located in Teutopolis, Illinois, whose website proclaims, “We help you look good on paper.” The I-Team contacted the company; as of late Friday afternoon, we had not heard back.

It is not clear what role, if any, Three Z Printing had beyond the use of its permit; owning the permit does not mean the company printed the flyers, just that it allowed the use of its permit so the sender could qualify for discounted postage.

* More from ABC Austin…

Joaquin Gonzalez, an attorney for TENT, said the organization has sought records from Three Z Printing to determine who hired the company to handle the mailers and may bring the company into the legal proceedings.

Matt Zerrusen has supported President Trump and conservative causes over the years, social media posts show. A 2019 X.com post by Doug Deason, a prominent GOP donor from Dallas, shows him and Matt Zerrusen headed to an event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. […]

The petition asks the judge to authorize depositions of representatives of both companies as early as Thursday and Friday.

TENT says the information is needed to determine whether it can pursue claims involving impersonation, defamation or other alleged wrongdoing.

The Zerrusens aren’t major Illinois GOP donors. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Matt has never contributed to a state campaign, and his father, William, has just one contribution on record: $150 to then-Rep. Chuck Hartke (D-Teutopolis) in 1996.

* Texas Observer reporter Steven Monacelli…