Data center developers can use nondisclosure agreements and shell companies to shield the details of their deals from the public. Even state officials also say they need more transparency from the industry.
August 2026
Posted in
Public Education
Black-majority schools in Texas receive more Fs than A ratings, leaving parents with tough choices
Black Texas families weigh whether to send their children to schools with more academic resources — but potentially fewer of their values.
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Congress
Ted Cruz’s college sports bill left in limbo as U.S. Senate takes August recess
The Protect College Sports Act gained a burst of momentum with last week’s support from the SEC and Big Ten, but the clocking is ticking as the Senate prepares to leave town.
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Politics
Trump calls Texas’ data center opposition a “mistake”
The president’s comments to Punchbowl News come just days after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide pause of approval for data centers trying to connect to the power grid.
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Health care
Houston area toddler at center of fight over brain death testing has died
In May, the family of 2-year-old Annelise Camp sued Texas Children’s Hospital to prevent brain death testing after she drowned in a hotel pool.
Posted in
Immigration
Democrats in Congress, able to visit ICE lockups in Texas, describe grim conditions
Immigration officials denied the allegations, but Reps. Joaquin Castro and Veronica Escobar said they’ve come across numerous problematic examples.
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State Government
Appeals court rejects Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to overturn Texas State Fair gun ban
The fair banned firearms in 2024 after a shooting at Fair Park. Paxton’s lawsuit has faced multiple setbacks, the latest from a court appointed entirely by Gov. Greg Abbott.
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Houston ICE Shooting
Harris County DA says independent investigation into fatal ICE shooting will cost $2.5 million
District Attorney Sean Teare said his office may need to sue to see evidence in the July shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo because federal agencies aren’t cooperating.
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Data Centers in Texas
Sid Miller says Republicans will lose statewide elections due to rapid data center development, backlash
The Texas agriculture commissioner has openly criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for not taking a stronger stand against data center development. The governor has ignored him.
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Health care
Lack of broadband service, funding gives rise to telehealth services in rural clinics
Clinics with better internet connections are now offering telehealth services to patients who can’t do it from their homes.
