TOP STORY
Understanding Texas Students’ Required Standardized Tests
Texas students from third grade through high school take STAAR tests in core subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies. Some districts also use optional exams like MAP Growth to track academic progress over time. A few schools participate in the national NAEP test, comparing Texas students to peers across the country.
If you have school-age kids, knowing which tests they must take helps you prepare and understand their academic journey. These exams affect school ratings and can influence classroom resources. Optional tests like MAP Growth provide early signs of where your child might need extra support, while language learners take the TELPAS test annually until they master English. This testing landscape shapes your child's school experience and the support they receive each year.
Source: Austin American-statesman
Read more
Markets
Oil (WTI) | 63.8300 | ▼ 0.06% |
Gas (Nat.) | 3.1930 | ▲ 0.38% |
Cotton | 0.6129 / lb | ▼ 3.08% |
Cattle | 2.3775 / lb | ▼ 0.01% |
S&P 500 | 6930.27 | ▲ 0.15% |
Dow Jones | 50101.11 | ▲ 0.15% |
Nasdaq | 23028.59 | ▲ 0.19% |
Texas Grid & Weather Snapshot
Statewide Outage Count — today (from start of day to now): None.
City | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
Dallas | 82.9 | 52.7 |
Houston | 79.5 | 59.0 |
Austin | 85.5 | 54.3 |
San Antonio | 83.8 | 54.0 |
Alerts
Dallas: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts are currently in effect.
Houston: A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 9:00 AM CST February 9, issued by NWS Houston/Galveston.
Austin: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts are currently in effect.
San Antonio: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts are currently in effect.
Politics and Economy
Children Share Harrowing Letters from ICE’s Dilley Center
Children detained at ICE’s Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas have written letters revealing their struggles with long-term confinement, missed education, and emotional distress. Many have been held far beyond legally advised time limits, describing fears, boredom, and inadequate medical care amid a surge in family detentions since the Trump administration.
If you have children or know families navigating immigration challenges, these letters show how extended detention disrupts schooling and wellbeing for kids who just want safety and normalcy. The stories highlight delays in legal processes that freeze their lives, stealing time they could spend learning or healing. Understanding these experiences could influence public dialogue on immigration policies and the treatment of vulnerable families in Texas.
Source: Propublica
Read more
What else is happening:
Readers respond to immigration, student protests, and naming-rights controversies in a wide-ranging Dallas News letters roundup that reflects community tensions across Texas cities.
A Texas federal lawsuit alleges an 18-month-old detained child was returned to ICE custody and denied medication after hospitalization, raising renewed concerns about detainee medical care for migrant families.
Analysts warn Republicans face significant obstacles in this year's midterms, highlighting shifting voter attitudes that could reshape Texas' congressional map and party strategy.
Tech and Business
Inoculation Helps Spot Political Deepfakes Effectively
A study finds that both text-based warnings and interactive games can train people to recognize AI-generated deepfake videos of politicians, reducing their credibility and increasing public awareness. These approaches aim to prepare viewers before they encounter misleading content, addressing the growing challenge of deepfakes in politics.
Deepfakes can distort what politicians say, shaking your trust in news and election integrity. Learning how these fakes are made through games or clear warnings not only sharpens your ability to spot false videos but also encourages you to question misleading information. This means you're less likely to share or believe harmful fakes that might influence your voting decisions or discussions with friends and family.
Source: Fast Company
Read more
BP Fines Funds Stalled for Gulf Coast Oil Spill Recovery
Millions in fines from BP's Deepwater Horizon spill are stuck with the U.S. Treasury, delaying vital Gulf Coast counties' access to Restore Act funds since 2016. Bureaucratic hurdles have blocked $414 million meant for projects like habitat restoration and infrastructure, prompting a congressional push to streamline the allocation process.
If you live in Gulf Coast areas impacted by the spill, this means crucial environmental and infrastructure projects—like wastewater treatment or road improvements—are still waiting on their funding. The delay slows local recovery efforts and could increase costs over time. Streamlining the process would accelerate investments that improve your community’s environment and quality of life.
Source: Yahoo! News
Read more
What else is happening:
A Los Angeles court will hear a landmark social media addiction trial that could shape platform liability and youth-protection policies nationwide.
OpenClaw creator makes a case for specialized intelligence, arguing focused AI systems may be safer, more useful, and easier to regulate than AGI.
Sports
Houston hosts Lakers after Leonard's 41-point game
The Houston Rockets face the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday night following Kawhi Leonard's 41-point lead in the Clippers' 115-96 victory over the Timberwolves. Both teams are competitive within the Western Conference, making this their third season matchup.
If you follow Texas basketball, tonight's game is a must-watch. The Rockets' stiff defense versus Leonard's scoring prowess could shift the playoff landscape. Whether you're at a local sports bar or catching highlights later, these matchups shape your conversations and weekend plans. Plus, keeping an eye on injured players helps set expectations for the season's second half.
Source: AP News
Read more
Sports Spotlight:
TCU looks to build on Xavier Edmonds' 26-point effort as they host No. 7 Iowa State in a Big 12 game with postseason implications for the Horned Frogs.
No. 18 Texas Tech aims to maintain momentum when they host Kansas after Bailey Maupin's 25-point night, a contest that could affect conference seeding.
Rice seeks to protect its unbeaten AAC record at home when they host North Texas following Dominique Ennis' 22 points in a recent victory.
Texas Heritage Insight
The first drive-in theater in the United States opened in Grand Prairie, Texas on June 6, 1931. Inventor Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. created it so families could watch movies from the comfort of their cars — a revolutionary idea that sparked a nationwide cultural phenomenon.