Before we get into today’s newsletter, I want to invite our wonderful newsletter subscribers to a special event: Courier Texas Live!

Join us Tuesday, Sept. 22 at POST Houston for a live conversation with the Brownsville native vying to become Texas’ first Latina governor.

Gina Hinojosa and journalist Don Lemon will dig into what’s on the ballot in Texas this November.

There’ll be giveaways, food, a DJ, and hopefully—you! Doors open at 3 p.m.; chat starts at 4 p.m. Admission is FREE, but space is limited. Register here today.

HISD AI told students that turtles grow up in bird nests. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX) 

Last week, we talked about the confusing, garbled AI-created homework questions HISD students are bringing home.

I asked you if AI should be used in schools, and here’s what you said:

“I actually teach about AI in my college classes. It should be included because it is in our lives. But its inclusion needs to be limited and controlled. As noted in the article, AI can often be wrong. It can remove analytical skills. It must be taught with the emphasis on how to properly analyze it for correctness. Blindly using it for educational materials should never be the case.” — Francis

“AI should not be used in schools because of the false narrative that can be blinding and misleading. When the artificial intelligence world decides to thwart and dispel the facts our children become confused. Self will run riot, this puts our world in a state of confusion. AI can become a crutch to those who lack accountability.” — Eileen

Whether you agree with Eileen or Francis, I think we can all sympathize with the parents who are stuck in the middle of this fight (after all, turtles and birds don’t usually share homes).

Your news roundup—a quick stop for stories happening across the state that deserve a little more attention.

A new grocery store is on its way to Houston. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX)

💰 Houston’s favorite burger joint has started charging a service fee to offset rising food costs. Find out which restaurant is getting more expensive to eat at. (ABC 13)

🍗 Remember the Houston Chicken Wing Festival I listed in the event roundup in a recent newsletter? Well, it turns out the event didn’t go exactly as planned. Now, the festival organizers are issuing refunds to angry customers. (Chron) 

💸 A more budget-friendly spin-off of HEB is set to open in Humble, giving Texans a new grocery store to obsess over. Find out when this concept is coming to the Houston area. (Chron) 

🇺🇸 Third Ward hosted James Talarico for a Democratic midterm event, emphasizing the importance of the Black vote. Here are the other candidates who showed up. (The Texan)

A story worth sharing with your neighbor.

Banned Books Week is coming to Houston this October. (Katie Serrano/Courier Texas)

Texas has become a leader in book censorship and library challenges, and has banned more books than any other state.

But organizations across Texas are fighting back in different ways and are ready to celebrate Banned Books Week. Established by a coalition of nonprofits, including the American Library Association, the week celebrates the “freedom to read” amid rising censorship.

This year, Banned Books Week will take place from Oct. 4-10 and focus on the theme “Let Books Be—Protect the Freedom to Read.”

Support local journalism today.

We’re so glad you’re here. Through Sept. 30, we’re raising funds to help Courier Texas keep bringing you the local stories that matter most to our neighbors.

If you enjoy this newsletter and value the work we do, consider chipping in today. Any amount helps—and we’re grateful for every bit of support.

Thanks, as always, for reading and being part of the Courier Texas community.

Low-cost & free resources to elevate your day-to-day.

🐶 The SNAP Pup-kin Patch Festival is a free day of family fun with ice cream, local vendors, and tours of the animal clinic. This pet-friendly event will feature Pumpkin patch photo ops and a pet parade where you can find your next fur-ever friend.

⚒️ Attend Community Connect Day to access employment and job opportunities, education and training, and health and wellness resources.

🍋 Lemon University is a chance for your kids to learn what it takes to be entrepreneurs. This University of Houston event will teach children how to start, own, and operate their own businesses through the model of a lemonade stand.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Anna Raj. It was edited by Joi Louviere and Paula Solis.

Courier HTX is free to read for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.