UT Board Issues “Controversial Topics” Policy

The University of Texas Board of Regents has unanimously approved a new policy for teaching “controversial topics” in the classroom, asking professors to avoid controversies “not germane to the course.”

When “unsettled issues” are addressed, the direction calls for a “broad and balanced” approach where various viewpoints are outlined and discussed.

University faculty spoke against the new policy in a hearing prior to the vote, with critics noting that “controversial topics” and “broad and balanced” are not defined. The Board asserted that “Vagueness can be our friend” in a charged political climate.

The policy differs from Texas A&M’s recent rules, which directly names controversial topics to avoid in the classroom, including “race and gender ideology.”

Texas: World’s Largest Data Center Market?

A new report from real estate firm JLL suggests that Texas is poised to be the world’s largest data center market by 2030, overtaking Northern Virginia for the top spot.

Texas has 6.5 gigawatts of data center capacity currently under construction, which accounts for a fifth of the capacity under construction in the U.S.

The report points to business-friendly regulations, as well as the availability of land and natural resources, as drivers for Texas’ data center growth, while noting that over half of the data center construction is in “frontier markets” with similar appeal.

The report comes amid some Texas residents pushing back against data center expansion in the state, with San Marcos and El Paso recently shutting down projects or voicing concern over the strain on water resources and the state’s power grid.

Austin Beer Gardens Make U.S. Must-Visit List

Austin serves up two of the nation’s must-visit beer gardens, according to foodie publication Tasting Table.

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden and Jester King Brewery scored spots on the 15-garden list and made Texas the only state with multiple representation.

Banger’s opened in 2012 with over 100 beers on tap while Jester King offers a  large variety of ales to go along with 74 Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Tasting Table assessed beer gardens on their breadth of drink selection, as well as food offerings and cultural importance to their communities. You can see the full list of must-visit beer gardens here.

➤ Statewide: New data from the Texas Restaurant Association shows that restaurant profits are considerably less than in previous years, with high beef prices cutting into restaurant industry profits. (See Details)

➤ Alvin: Texan Abigail Shry, convicted of violent threats against opponents of President Trump, did not arrive this week for the start of her 27-month federal prison sentence in Florida, resulting in a federal bench warrant for her arrest. (More)

➤ San Antonio: The city council will discuss a potential public reprimand for Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones in a special meeting on Monday. Jones would become the first San Antonio mayor in modern history to receive a censure. (More)

➤ East Texas: Four pedestrian crashes—three fatal—were reported in East Texas last week, prompting officials to urge safety and slower speeds when in a pedestrian traffic areas. (See Details)

➤ Collin County: Benjamin Shroats, the former coach of U.S. Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn, was charged with sex crimes against two of his former students this week. (More)

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➤ No. 2 Houston men’s basketball faces off against No. 4 Arizona this afternoon, where the Cougars’ top-ranked defense will clash with the Wildcats’ top-ranked offense. The game tips off at 2 p.m. CT from the Fertitta Center. (More)

➤ Texas Tech softball’s NiJaree Canady partnered with Adidas to release her own custom cleat this week. She’s the first softball player in the country to release a signature cleat, and the first Red Raider in any sport to have a personalized shoe with Adidas. (More)

➤ Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was added to the NFL’s competition committee, a group of coaches and front-office figures that review player safety initiatives and rule changes for the NFL. (More)

➤ Texas A&M women’s basketball beat No. 21 Tennessee 82-74 in Knoxville—their first ranked win on the road since January 10, 2021. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Six Flags Over Texas kicks off its 65th season next Saturday, the 28th, showcasing a multimillion-dollar reinvestment in new and updated attractions. (More)

➤ Austin ranked as the nation’s best state capital in a recent WalletHub study, a position it won last year as well. (More)

➤ Texas nonprofit Cattle Mafia is sending loads of hay to areas of the Panhandle affected by wildfires, with owner Natalie Meeks saying, “I always say, ‘If we don’t, who will?’ This is what Texas does.” (See Details)  

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Have you ever sleepwalked?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t know
4. Is that real?

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you have any dental fillings?

1. Nope: 41%
2. A few: 49%
3. I’ve lost count: 10%

What Texas airport’s main terminal is named after Barbara Jordan?

Show me the answer