🏫 Gov. Greg Abbott told a crowd at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, that he’s setting Texas up to be No. 1 in education—that’ll be quite the leap from 41st. For context, Abbott has been in office for over a decade, and we’ve moved all of one spot since then.
🐯 If you need a break from it all, consider visiting one of Texas’ eight animal sanctuaries. You’ll get the ooh-and-aah factor—while supporting rehabilitation, conservation, and education efforts.
🏗 A 122-acre mixed-use development is coming to Pearland after City Council approval. The Orchard at Lower Kirby, near Highway 288 and Beltway 8, will feature housing, retail, restaurants, and a waterfront entertainment district—along with a hotel and conference center.
🤖 Texas lawmakers are preparing for a surge in AI data centers, with a legislative study ordered ahead of the next session. While the facilities are expected to drive economic growth—and could make Texas a global leader—residents are raising concerns about their environmental impact.
👨🎓 Applications for Texas’ $1 billion private school voucher program have closed, with more than 250,000 families applying—far more than the funding can cover. The state will now use a lottery system to award spots.
🦀 Houston’s ties to Louisiana run deeper than geography—from shared oil economies to a large Cajun population that now rivals New Orleans. We’ve got a roundup of Cajun and Creole staples all over the city. Here’s where locals say to find the best spots.
