Higher Education

Abbott's comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination.

State law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.

The Legislature banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities but the prohibition was not supposed to affect academics. Now, Republicans are suggesting DEI-related content in classrooms is hindering efforts to prepare students for the workforce.

According to the Texas Water Development Board, last month was the driest October since 1952 and the hottest on record since 1895. Texas Public Radio’s Marian Navarro has more on Gov. Abbott saying he will not support tuition increases in public higher education through 2027. The city of Odessa has banned transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.

The governor’s directive extends a tuition freeze for Texas’ public universities that was approved in the last legislative session.

Trump tried to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program before. Since then, it’s been caught up in legal challenges and is likely headed for the Supreme Court.

The glitch kept the students from submitting the form on time, which put them last in line to receive aid this year.

Texas Public Radio’s Camille Phillips reports that in the wake of glitches and delays, significantly fewer high school grads filled out FAFSA this year compared to last year. Today also marks the beginning of Texas' Tax Free Weekend, when school supplies will be exempt from sales taxes.

Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has the details on this weekend's Christmas in July Sip & Shop at the YWCA meant to benefit a local non-profit collecting school supplies before the fall semester. And KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports the University of North Texas at Dallas is launching the region’s first teacher residency program that will pay residents up to $30,000 a year.