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Texas Education Agency Promotes AI Learning Tool Despite State Board Concerns and Poor Test Results

Texas Education Agency Promotes AI Learning Tool Despite State Board Concerns and Poor Test Results

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), under Commissioner Mike Morath, has actively promoted an artificial intelligence (AI) learning tool developed by Alpha School for use in public schools, despite earlier rejection of Alpha's charter school application by the Texas State Board of Education. The Board cited concerns about the AI's effectiveness, student screen time, and questionable test improvement claims. Morath and his staff engaged in extensive communication with Alpha and related companies, facilitating pilot programs in at least three school districts: Houston, Fort Davis, and Aldine. This promotion occurred even after ProPublica and The Texas Tribune reported that Alpha's AI-driven model had led to significantly worse state exam performance in its Arizona charter school and another Texas school, with one receiving an 'F' rating from the TEA itself. The full extent of the TEA's involvement and the number of schools using the program remain unclear, as the agency has been slow to release information.

Cowboys at Texans: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 4 game

Cowboys at Texans: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 4 game

The Houston Texans host the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium on Oct. 4 and USA TODAY's NFL experts have locked in their picks for the action.

Where is the best Halloween street in the US? Nationwide search is on

Where is the best Halloween street in the US? Nationwide search is on

Where is the trick-or-treatiest street in the country? Reese's is hosting a contest to find out. See which streets made the short list of 150.

Will you be able to vote? Texas deadline is days away, so check now

Will you be able to vote? Texas deadline is days away, so check now

Texas voters have until Oct. 5 to register or update their information. Here's how to check your status and make sure you're ready to vote.

NFL picks and predictions: Broncos vs. 49ers and the rest of Week 4

NFL picks and predictions: Broncos vs. 49ers and the rest of Week 4

Mile High Report’s Christopher Hart predicts the straight-up winners for every Week 4 matchup of the 2026 season.

U.S. House Representative Lizzie Fletcher Attends Montrose Pride Banner Celebration Following Crosswalk Cover-Up

U.S. House Representative Lizzie Fletcher Attends Montrose Pride Banner Celebration Following Crosswalk Cover-Up

U.S. House District 7 Representative Lizzie Fletcher was present at a celebration on September 29, marking the installation of Pride flag banners along Lower Westheimer in Houston’s Montrose Cultural District. This event occurred approximately a year after the neighborhood's rainbow crosswalk, a symbol of Montrose, was painted over. The original crosswalk was installed in 2017 following a fatal accident involving Alex Hill. Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin noted that while the crosswalk focused on safety, the new banners emphasize visibility. The banners, costing around $10,000, were personally funded by Mayor John Whitmire, who highlighted his long-standing support for the LGBTQ+ community. The installation of these banners follows a controversial order from Governor Greg Abbott in October 2025, which mandated the removal of all 'political ideologies' from public streets, leading to the covering of the rainbow crosswalk and sparking debate among city leaders and Montrose residents.

James Talarico courts Black voters in new Texas US Senate race ads

James Talarico courts Black voters in new Texas US Senate race ads

Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico launched new ads targeting Black voters statewide as he ramps up outreach in the Texas U.S. Senate race.

From best to worst, all 31 first-year college football coaches ranked

From best to worst, all 31 first-year college football coaches ranked

There are 31 first-year coaches in college football's Bowl Subdivision. How are the faring? We ranked them all from best to worst.

ICE agent who allegedly shot Houston man identified. Here’s what we know

ICE agent who allegedly shot Houston man identified. Here’s what we know

ICE identified the agent accused of killing Houston construction worker Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Here’s what we know about the shooting and investigation.

Democrats are running against data centers in key Senate races

Democrats are running against data centers in key Senate races

Bipartisan opposition to rapid data center expansion has presented Democrats who need to woo Republican voters with an opportunity.

Daulton Varsho Undergoes Wrist Surgery

Daulton Varsho Undergoes Wrist Surgery

Today, the Houston Astros announced that CF Daulton Varsho underwent left arthroscopic wrist surgery yesterday. This procedure will sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season. Varsho is a free agent at the end of the season. Varsho’s time with the Astros was unremarkable. He batted only .172 in 41 games for Houston, spanning […]

Houston Faces Increased Flood Risk as Widespread Rain and Tropical Moisture Expected Through Weekend

Houston Faces Increased Flood Risk as Widespread Rain and Tropical Moisture Expected Through Weekend

Houston is currently experiencing high humidity and scattered storms, with a significant increase in rainfall anticipated from Thursday through the weekend. This weather pattern is due to tropical moisture interacting with a slow-moving front, leading to widespread downpours. Temperatures are expected to remain warm, with highs in the low 90s and heat index values exceeding 100 degrees today. The forecast indicates that multiple rounds of heavy rain could produce localized totals of 3 to 6 inches across much of Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Austin, and San Antonio. Some areas might see even higher accumulations if storms repeatedly track over the same locations. This persistent rainfall raises growing concerns about potential flooding.