With America's power grid failing... billionaire tech CEOs Sam Altman and Elon Musk are pouring their money into a strange new technology that could hold answers, save the country from disaster, and send one small group of stocks soaring in the days ahead.    The Republican Party has felt like home to Rena Schroeder since her teenage years when she joined a high school club for conservative Latinos. She cast her first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. And she’s lost friends over her ardent posts on social media, some touting her anti-abortion views.    “I’ve always been committed,” said Schroeder, 62, of her allegiance to the GOP. That is, until she learned about a massive data center, part of OpenAI’s $500 billion Stargate project, going up south of her property.  The project has been championed by her party’s standard-bearers, President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. But the more Schroeder learned about data centers popping up across the state, the more she became convinced her party was corrupted by industry lobbyists, seemingly brushing off what she saw as an existential threat to rural Texans like her. view article

Texas is leading the way when it comes to data center development in the U.S., but local opposition and now official moratoriums may be threatening what developers see as the potential benefits from the state’s central role in the AI boom.  Data center expansion has emerged as a national flashpoint, with officials and companies themselves touting the economic value and strategic importance of securing America’s edge in the AI race, though surveys continue to chart widespread disapproval from voters across the country. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from June found that 57 percent would oppose a data center being built in their community, a figure that reached 71 percent in an earlier survey from Gallup. view article

The Texas General Land Office controls more land in Texas than the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined – 13 million acres - most of which is in West Texas and leased out for ranching, hunting and oil drilling to help fund the state's public schools.  The office doesn't typically get much attention, but that all changed last month when Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced she had sent a cease and desist letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for clearing ranch lands controlled by her office without their permission, as part of the Trump administration's controversial border security work in and around Big Bend National Park.   Buckingham is a longtime Trump booster who has praised his crackdown on border security. But her letter has drawn attention to the fact that any national border wall would likely traverse GLO land, potentially setting up a standoff with her and President Donald Trump as his immigration efforts extend into one of the most beloved desert expanses in Texas. view article

Long-term interest rates hit their highest level in almost 20 years to start the trading week, signaling investors’ growing concerns surrounding persistent inflation and the government’s fiscal health.   The 30-year Treasury yield climbed more than 4 basis points to around 5.31percent—its highest since June 2007—during the Aug. 17 trading session.   The benchmark 10-year yield also ticked up to above 4.72 percent. The two-year yield, which generally tracks Federal Reserve policy expectations, was little changed at 4.18 percent. view article

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is now awaiting a final decision on whether the president’s proposal to build a 250-foot triumphal arch in the nation’s capital will advance, after a federal agency granted preliminary approval in July.President Donald Trump proposed the monument to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.  Earlier reports suggested that the administration might have to revise the design to comply with the height restrictions of a century-old federal law. However, a source familiar with the administration’s proposal who spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity said there are no such plans. view article

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is now awaiting a final decision on whether the president’s proposal to build a 250-foot triumphal arch in the nation’s capital will advance, after a federal agency granted preliminary approval in July.President Donald Trump proposed the monument to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.  Earlier reports suggested that the administration might have to revise the design to comply with the height restrictions of a century-old federal law. However, a source familiar with the administration’s proposal who spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity said there are no such plans. view article

Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and who served for nearly three decades, has died view article

Nelli and Lincoln Charles brought their Bedichek Bobcat pride into the new school year, the mom and son each wore a shirt for the now-closed south Austin middle school. “I still stride with Bedichek, and I truly miss it,” explained Lincoln. On Tuesday, they stood outside Bailey Middle School, where Lincoln wrapped his first day. view article

A Chapel Hill ISD official encourages parents to stay patient and advocate for neurodivergent students as routines return. view article

A Northside ISD cross country coach was hospitalized after he was struck by a vehicle while running off campus Tuesday morning, according to a district spokesperson. The district identified the coach to KSAT as Steve Barlow. Barlow leads the cross country program at Holmes High School. view article

Last school year, Liberty Hill Independent School District made the unusual move of teaching students on campus just four days a week, most weeks. Those Mondays through Thursdays on campus were longer, as the district still needed to meet the 75,600 instructional minutes requirement set by the Texas Education Agency. However, students had most Fridays off. view article

Child advocates from Texas and across the country are voicing strong opposition against proposed changes to Head Start.  The nonprofit Children At Risk held a press conference Thursday with child advocates and early childhood stakeholders to discuss the proposed overhaul and its state-by-state impacts.  Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children from low-income families, from birth to age five.   Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families announced proposed sweeping changes to the program’s regulations. This includes removing significant federal regulations and shifting standards towards state and local requirements, decreasing allowable administrative costs from 15% to 5%, and emphasizing English-language instruction in most programs. view article

The leader of North Dakota’s public schools last week advised lawmakers to focus artificial intelligence regulations on companies providing AI and chatbots, but leave AI use in the classroom up to school boards and educators.  Levi Bachmeier, the state superintendent of schools, testifying in front of the Legislature’s artificial intelligence and data center committee, expressed concern about young students and their exposure to AI, especially chatbots, but recognized AI can be a valuable tool. His main concern stems from chatbots that act as companions and advisors to age groups that can be easily influenced.   “If I had to pick a villain, it would be companion chatbots,” Bachmeier said Thursday during a meeting held at Minot State University.  view article

As students return to school this week, Dallas ISD is hoping to fill more preschool classrooms. For the first time, every 3- and 4-year-old who lives within the district can attend pre-K for free, regardless of family income.  The expansion is part of the district's effort to attract more families while giving children an earlier start before kindergarten.  Up until this school year, free pre-K in Dallas ISD was only available for military households, low-income families, non-English-speaking learners, and children of Dallas ISD teachers. Of the more than 10,000 preschool students in the district, only, 267 families were paying for preschool last year because they did not meet the eligibility requirements, according to district. view article

Former Harmony ISD head football coach Jeremy Jenkins and his wife Brandy were killed in a car crash Saturday night. The pair’s deaths were confirmed in a statement by Courtney Hudgins, the superintendent of East Bernard ISD, where Jenkins worked as head football coach and athletic director. view article

East Bernard ISD is mourning the deaths of Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jeremy Jenkins and his wife, Brandy Jenkins, a teacher at East Bernard Junior High School. According to a message from Superintendent Courtney Hudgins, the couple died in a car crash Saturday evening, view article

It is with profound sorrow that we learned of the passing of Tom Luce, Texas 2036’s founder and chairman emeritus. Tom was a visionary leader whose dedication to public service transformed the lives and opportunities of millions of people across our state. He firmly believed in the power of Texans coming together to address the big challenges vital for future generations to thrive, inspiring significant action and driving meaningful change across his lifetime. view article

Dallas ISD welcomed students back to school on Tuesday – but fewer than last year.  The state’s 2nd largest school district started the fall semester with about 132,000 students, down from about 134,300 last year.  Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, visiting blue ribbon Hexter Elementary School in East Dallas, said federal policies are partly to blame.  “Certainly, some policies regarding immigration have had an impact,” she said. “We think this year we're probably going to level off. We won't know until a few days from now.” view article

Buena Vista ISD is mourning the death of a student, according to a statement released by the district. The district announced the student’s passing Thursday, saying its thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers and others affected by the loss. view article

Students in Aldine ISD can get some realistic experience working at a hospital while still in high school. That’s what HEAL High School provides for high school students in the district as the school started its third school year on Wednesday. Aldine ISD staff and Memorial Hermann mentors welcomed the students for the first day of school. view article

The biological parents won a temporary restraining order against the surrogate, who tried to claim parental rights, and are with their baby, their attorneys say.  The baby boy at the center of an out-of-state surrogacy battle that is pitting the Texas attorney general against the California biological parents was born in Dallas on Wednesday, lawyers for the birth parents and the surrogate confirmed.  view article

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As Bryan ISD welcomes students back for the first day of school, Superintendent Ginger Carrabine sat down with KBTX to discuss the district’s momentum, upcoming changes, and key challenges for the new year. view article

Sixteen school districts across the Greater Houston area are welcoming students back to class Wednesday, with more districts set to begin the school year Thursday. In Spring Branch ISD, district police are using the final hours before the first bell to make sure campuses are secure, and officers are prepared for the return of students. view article

A dozen San Antonio-area school districts are set to welcome students back Wednesday for the new year. Those districts include Fort Sam Houston ISD, Harlandale ISD, Ingram ISD, Judson ISD, Lackland ISD, Medina Valley ISD, Natalia ISD, Pleasanton ISD, San Antonio ISD, School of Science and Technology, Somerset Academies, and Southside ISD. view article

As the bulk of Central Texas school districts head back to school Wednesday, leaders with Del Valle ISD said they’re prepared to welcome thousands of students back into their schools. Some classrooms may end up slightly more crowded than originally expected at the district’s only comprehensive high school, Del Valle High School. That’s because construction on the district’s second campus, North Del Valle High School, has been pushed back a year due to road infrastructure delays. view article

North Texas districts are opening their doors to students from neighboring communities as declining enrollment and growing school choice turn recruitment into a financial survival strategy. view article

Ingram ISD students returned to class Wednesday after floods in the Hill Country damaged 12 district buildings, forcing crews to work quickly to make classrooms safe before the first day. Superintendent Justin Turner said students can return to classrooms, though some are still in the work phase and may not be completed until winter break. view article

Chris Clark stepped into the role as Leander ISD navigates growth in some areas of the district while enrollment stabilizes in others. view article

Flour Bluff ISD leaders look ahead to a new school year as students return to class. Here’s what the district is focused on this year. view article

An affidavit obtained by WFAA identifies the suspect accused of shooting a Dallas ISD officer with the officer’s own gun in a Sam’s Club parking lot. The suspected shooter has been identified as 27-year-old Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales. He admitted to taking Officer Justin Jones' firearm and shooting him in the leg, according to the affidavit. view article

Students returning to Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD this week will notice a major change inside their school libraries. Beginning this school year, certified librarians have been reassigned to other positions within the district, and paraprofessionals will now manage the district's 15 campus libraries. view article

Amazon is planning to build a massive data center in Pecos County, Texas. But the company says the plant would generate its own gas power. view article

State lawmakers created the TEFA program in 2025, and accepted students will receive some funding for education opportunities that include: private school tuition and fees; tutoring and therapy; homeschooling; and other services. Funding is capped at $1 billion for the first year of the program, and about 122,000 students of the over 274,000 who applied have been accepted, including 85,344 participants who have received funding. view article

Texas’ candidates in this year’s U.S. Senate race are neck and neck, according to recent polling. Since the runoff election on May 26, state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, has performed slightly better than his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton. view article