The state's power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott's directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.

Texas public schools saw modest improvement in the state’s latest accountability ratings. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports about 85 percent of Texas public school campuses earned a passing grade this year. Nominations are now being accepted statewide for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Program. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports educators and their schools can receive awards up to $1 million. Nominations can be made at HEBLovesTeachers.com through Sept. 30. Meanwhile child advocates are pushing back against proposed changes to the federal Head Start program.