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Around Texas
1. Use of AI in Texas political campaign ads sparks debate
The closing shot for Dallas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s latest campaign ad for U.S. Senate is raising eyebrows for its possible use of artificial intelligence to show her surrounded by a large crowd.
On the Republican side, incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has altered images in his own campaign ad against challenger Houston U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. A video of Cornyn dancing with Crockett is a more obvious use of AI in political advertising.
During last year’s regular session, state Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, pushed for a bill to require candidates and political committees to disclose the use of altered media in ads.
2. Judson ISD in San Antonio will close 4 schools next year
In a nearly unanimous vote, trustees for Judson ISD in northeast San Antonio decided to close three elementary schools and one middle school next year.
The 6-1 vote on Monday came without naming the to-be-shuttered schools, according to the San Antonio Express-News. District officials and volunteers will make those selections over the next week.
3. Austin company develops alternative to large, energy-consuming data centers
Texas’ data center building boom has come with critical blowback that these campuses suck up vital resources.
One Austin company has developed a private AI platform that can run from a phone rather than relying on large data centers.
Around The Nation
1. Bondi defends handling of Epstein files release during fiery House hearing
2. James Van Der Beek, the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star who later mocked his own hunky persona, has died at 48
3. House could soon face votes on Trump’s tariffs after GOP effort to block them fails
Deep in the Heart of Texas
In this Sept. 27, 2012, file photo, students walk through the University of Texas at Austin campus near the school’s iconic tower in Austin, Texas. A ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education has led to more than 100 job cuts across university campuses in Texas, a hit echoed or anticipated in numerous other states where lawmakers are rolling out similar policies during an important election year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
2 Texas schools make Time’s top world universities of 2026 list
Time Magazine has published their list of the best universities in the world for 2026, and two Texas universities have made the list.
The list includes 100 universities from all over the world, with Rice University at No. 24 and the University of Texas at No. 37.