Members of the State Board of Education called for an investigation. view article

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging a temporary halt on new hyperscale data centers, warning they are straining Texas’ power grid, water supplies, and rural communities.   Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called for a pause on data center construction.  “It is time for a temporary moratorium on new hyperscale data center development in Texas until we fully assess the long-term impacts on our infrastructure, agricultural economy, and communities,” he stated.  Miller added that while Texans “champion growth, private enterprise, and innovation,” Texans also need to have “an honest conversation about the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers.”Miller cited usage of electricity, water, and land as primary concerns: “Many consume enough electricity to power entire towns. They draw massive volumes of water … Rural communities … now compete with corporate giants that can transform entire regions overnight.” view article

What began as a rainy protest outside Lufkin City Hall turned into a tense council meeting Tuesday evening as frustrated residents repeatedly attempted to confront officials over proposed AI data center developments, only to be shut down due to rules restricting public comment to agenda items.  For weeks, concerns over possible AI-related projects at the former Southland Paper Mill and the long-idled Aspen Power plant have steadily spread across social media, public meetings and conversations. By Tuesday night, that frustration had finally reached council chambers.  What began as a protest outside city hall quickly escalated once residents entered the meeting, hoping to directly question city leaders about water usage, electrical strain, environmental impacts and whether discussions involving potential AI developments were already happening behind closed doors. view article

Former Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer has defeated former Houston Mayor Annise Parker in the runoff race for Harris County Judge. Plummer, a Houston dentist and Democratic politician who served on Houston City Council representing At-Large Position 4 from 2020 through 2025, made history as the first Muslim woman elected to the council.  Early results showed Plummer and Parker neck and neck, but Plummer ultimately won with 51.13% of the votes, over Parker's 48.87%, according to Harris County election results.   Plummer's victory positions her as Democrats' nominee to replace outgoing Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in November and signals that Harris County Democratic voters may be shifting toward a newer generation of leadership. view article

The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization, is dedicated to helping Texans vote. Every major state and federal election, we produce comprehensive voter guides and reporting. We’ve collected our voting resources on this page for you to easily find and share them with others. view article

The Pasadena ISD Board of Education could take up a vote on a possible school closure and restructuring plans Tuesday night. The agenda includes action involving McMasters Elementary school, including the possibility of closure, consolidation, or attendance zoning changes. view article

Arlington ISD officials say the district is at an inflection point. Declining enrollment has impacted the school system for years — and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping in the next five. During a special meeting Thursday, Superintendent Matt Smith said the district will have to evaluate all options to attract students and keep them enrolled. Doing so will require big choices in the near future, including new programs and the consolidation or closure of schools, he added. view article

A Marshall woman and former Marshall ISD educational aide is back behind bars after her bond was revoked. Harrison County jail records show 37-year-old Rachel Ann Kirspel was booked into the Harrison County jail May 22. That is two days after she was released on bond in a case involving injury to a child, elderly, or disabled person with intent to cause bodily injury. view article

A teenager drowned after attempting to free a fishing line in a canal located at Mile 1 West and Mile 10 in rural North Mercedes, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Samuel Hernandez, 17. view article

Plano ISD will use artificial intelligence to announce student names at all high school graduation ceremonies this spring, a move the district says will improve accuracy and create a more seamless experience. In an email to parents, the district wrote: "Names matter, and we want your big moment to feel personal and accurate." view article

ABILENE, Texas — Members of the One AISD staff spent Thursday morning preparing for a weekend of graduation ceremonies honoring the Class of 2026.   Led by Mrs. Alison Camp, staff members worked together setting up chairs and making final preparations to ensure each ceremony is ready for students, families and community members gathering to celebrate graduating seniors.   The district’s graduation schedule begins Friday evening with the ceremony for Abilene High School, followed by two ceremonies Saturday morning. view article

The Austin City Council, acting as the board of Austin Energy, is set to vote Thursday on a controversial proposal to add new natural gas plants that could be turned on when demand for power spikes during extreme weather or other grid emergencies.  The proposal calls for adding 400 megawatts of power from natural gas “peaker” plants.  view article

Detained Austin high school senior Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria, whose family, friends and community rallied for his release from ICE custody for weeks, will be released Wednesday, in time to attend his graduation from Northeast Early College High School. view article

Twenty Cotulla High School seniors will not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies after district officials said students entered school property without authorization and caused damage, according to a statement from Cotulla Independent School District. The district said the incident happened overnight and involved “conduct that resulted in disruption and damage to school premises.” After reviewing the circumstances, district officials determined the students violated expectations for student conduct and would not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. view article

KWTX has confirmed Sean Roberts, 18, a special needs student, will be able to walk the the stage during his graduation ceremony. Roberts is nonverbal and walks with the assistance of devices and those around him. His school initially told his mother he would not be allowed to walk the stage because it would take too long for him to walk across the stage. view article

Two schools in Alvin ISD will be closed for the rest of the school year, due to damage from Tuesday night’s storms. AISD superintendent Carol Nelson said that there was damage at Mary Marek Elementary School and Wilder Elementary School. Both schools were closed on Wednesday. view article

Students in Midway ISD’s Tango Flight program are celebrating the completion of a project years in the making — building a real airplane from the ground up. The nationally recognized aviation program gives high school students hands-on experience in aircraft construction, engineering and aviation technology while working alongside teachers, mentors and industry professionals. view article

For more than five decades, Rockport resident Tim Chapman has watched the Rockport-Fulton Pirates play baseball on grass. Now, thanks to a nearly $2 million donation from Chapman and his wife Debbie, future generations of Pirates will take the field on turf. view article

After community support and meetings with Killeen ISD, senior Sean Roberts will walk the stage using his personal mobility device. view article

Midway High School students are celebrating after spending two years building an airplane through the Tango Flight aviation program. view article

Due to weather conditions and flooding, schools across Mathis Independent School District will have a delayed start Thursday. Students will report at 10 a.m. Staff will report at 9:30 a.m. Buses will begin their routes at 8 a.m. view article

The celebration: The parking lot at Panther Stadium will open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening, May 22, while the stadium will be open at 7 p.m. Guests do not need tickets to attend. The Liberty Hill High School YouTube channel will livestream the ceremony through a link that will go live May 22.  Of note: Panther Stadium has a clear bag policy in place to help maintain a safe environment. Guests may bring clear bags up to 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, one-gallon clear plastic bags, and small hand-sized clutches with or without a strap. All bags are subject to inspection.  May 22: 8 p.m., Liberty Hill High School Stadium, 16500 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill view article

Manor ISD announced several safety-related changes for Monday, May 18, as law enforcement continues searching for a third suspect connected to a series of shootings across Austin this weekend. In a letter sent to families, the district said classes at Presidential Meadows Elementary School will be canceled Monday because of the ongoing search in the area. view article

Families in Pflugerville ISD said they are still searching for answers after trustees voted last week to close four elementary schools beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. District leaders say the closures at Dessau, Parmer Lane, Pflugerville, and Windermere elementary schools are part of efforts to address ongoing budget challenges. Superintendent Dr. Quintin Shepherd told CBS Austin the district has been discussing possible changes for months as it works through a $20 million deficit. view article

Katie Denton, a Southeastern Oklahoma State University alumna, was recently named New Teacher of the Year by the Sherman Independent School District. Denton graduated from Southeastern in 2024 earning a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She was in her first year as a fifth-grade teacher at Sory Elementary School. view article

The Amarillo Independent School District responded to questions about a fireworks display at its graduation ceremony Monday night. According to AISD, necessary permit requirements were met by the city, county, and state. Officials said the district was well within the safety regulations to hold the display. view article

Aldine ISD continues to elevate family leadership through its District Parent Ambassador Program, a Family and Community Engagement (FACE) initiative designed to ensure parent perspectives help shape conversations affecting students, schools, and the broader community. view article

Manor ISD is making several schedule changes Monday after three people were arrested Sunday following a series of "random" weekend shootings in Austin. According to the school district, classes and bus routes will be cancelled Monday at Presidential Meadows Elementary School, located at 13252 George Bush St. view article

U.S. Congressman Greg Casar, D- Austin, on Monday met with several Texans detained inside Karnes County Immigration Processing Center, including an Austin Independent School District high school senior detained weeks before his high school graduation and an Austin elementary school teacher who has been detained for nearly a year. Rep. Casar said Northeast Early College High School senior Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria, 18, is taking his final exam from the detention center today in order to stay on track for graduation. Austin ISD officials told KXAN it’s been coordinating with Cabrera Chavarria’s legal team and relevant officials to ensure he has access to his coursework. view article

Alvin Independent School District announced that Wilder Elementary School will be closed on Wednesday, May 20, due to significant water damage as rounds of heavy rain and storms continue moving through the Houston area. District officials said classes are expected to resume on Thursday, May 21. view article

Due to current weather conditions, Flour Bluff ISD will operate on a three-hour delayed start Wednesday, May 20. Breakfast will not be served, and buses will operate three hours later than students' normal report times. All morning extracurricular activities, including athletics, are canceled. view article

Fort Worth ISD board of trustees voted to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary School at Tuesday night's meeting. As WFAA previously reported, cities across North Texas began reconsidering honors to Cesar Chavez after an investigation from the New York Times alleged sexual abuse at the hands of the activist. view article

The mother of a Killeen ISD student with special needs received a letter from his school saying he would not be able to walk across the stage to receive his diploma at graduation because it would take too long. A social media post appears to have changed that decision. Eighteen-year-old Sean Roberts wants to walk across the stage at his high school graduation. For Sean, it’s a short walk he has had to train for his whole life. view article

Classes are canceled at two different Alvin ISD schools Wednesday due to storm damage. We first told you on KHOU 11 Morning News that Wilder Elementary School was damaged by the storm system that moved through overnight. The district later confirmed that Marek Elementary would also be closed. Alvin ISD posted that they expect both schools to reopen on Thursday view article

The Killeen ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved an architect contract to renovate Palo Alto Middle School. Palo Alto Middle School, which opened in 1995, is scheduled to close at the end of the current school year as part of the district’s optimization plan. Students will be rezoned to other KISD middle schools. The renovated Palo Alto campus will become the future home of the district’s Gateway Middle School and Gateway High School Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). Students are expected to begin attending the Palo Alto facility for Gateway programs in August 2026. view article