Good morning,
Yesterday, we asked readers about the proliferation of technology in the classroom. You will find those results below.
This is the Texas Minute for Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Texas Republicans Set to Take Center Stage
- Brandon Waltens reports that Texas Republicans will be heavily represented at the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas this week. Ten Texans are among the 109 speakers and programming items announced for the two-day event, headlined by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
- The Texas delegation of speakers includes Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Reps. Monica De La Cruz and Brandon Gill, and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.
It’s not just politicians who will be taking the stage, however. Texas Children’s Hospital whistleblowers Vanessa Sivadge and Dr. Eithan Haim will also address the convention. The two drew national attention after coming forward about the Houston hospital’s gender mutilation procedures on minors.
The RNC says the convention will focus heavily on the issues Republicans are campaigning on ahead of November, including taxes, border security, public safety, health care, energy, and the economy. The event is designed to highlight the Trump administration’s record and Republican candidates running in November.
Trump Orders USDA To Explore Restoring Beef-Origin Labeling
- President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to review ways to restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and expand support for American cattle producers. Addie Hovland has the details.
- The order does not immediately reinstate country-of-origin labeling. Instead, it directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in consultation with U.S. trade representatives, to review available regulatory and legislative options for requiring clearer beef-origin disclosures.
- Federal country-of-origin labeling was mandated in 2002 and fully implemented in 2013, but Congress repealed it in 2016.
- Since then, several states have passed legislation requiring country-of-origin labeling, including Wyoming, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. State Rep. Wes Virdell (R–Brady) filed legislation last year to require labeling on beef and beef products, but the measure did not receive a hearing.
Islamic Center Responds to Congressman's Request for Federal Investigation
- The Northside Islamic Center of San Antonio is defending its planned Bexar County expansion after U.S. Rep. Chip Roy called for a federal investigation into the project. As Hunter Burney reports, Roy raised concerns about the organization’s funding, leadership, and the planned center’s proximity to a military installation.
- While claiming to oppose "terrorism, extremism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, hatred and violence in all forms," the organization did not directly address several specific accusations outlined in Roy’s August letter.
- Roy had specifically referenced past statements from NICSA’s resident scholar and imam, AbdulRahman Kattab, who described the October 7 Hamas attacks as “a day of remembrance,” as well as alleged ties between NICSA and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood has been designated a foreign terrorist organization under Texas law.
- In a comment to Texas Scorecard, Roy said that "if NICSA has nothing nefarious to hide, it should welcome transparency into its finances, affiliations, and disavow Sharia before completing its development near a national security facility."
Texas Education News
- Erin Anderson reports on the case of a husband and wife who taught in the Killeen Independent School District and resigned after admitting to sexual misconduct involving their own child. They both currently remain free to teach in Texas.
Illegal Alien Smuggler Faces 30 Years in Prison
- A McAllen man was sentenced last week to 30 years in federal prison for his role in an illegal alien smuggling ring that recruited juvenile drivers, prompted high-speed pursuits, and resulted in the deaths of a minor driver and two passengers. Amanda Lindberg has the story.
- Jose Manuel Silva-Lopez had pleaded guilty late last year to conspiracy to transport aliens and conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in death.
- According to Border Patrol’s investigation, Silva-Lopez began a 15-month operation in June 2023 to hide illegal aliens. He is believed to have conducted at least 21 smuggling events, using Facebook to hire teenage drivers. Some of the drivers were as young as 14.
- Court documents show that Silva-Lopez instructed the drivers to avoid the police and participate in high-speed pursuits. Two pursuits ended with the minors’ vehicles catching on fire, and a third chase reached speeds of 120 mph.
Last Laugh
by Gary Varvel
Number of the Day
56
The number of days remaining until the Nov. 3 General Election.
Source: Secretary of State, calendar
Today in History
On Sept. 8, 1900, a hurricane slammed into Galveston that destroyed a third of the city and killed as many as 8,000 people. More than a century later, it is still considered the worst natural disaster to strike North America.
Quote-Unquote
"Right is right, even if nobody does it. Wrong is wrong even if everybody is wrong about it.” – G.K. Chesterton
Y'All Answered
Public schools have spent millions of dollars on laptops, tablets, and online curricula, but growing research finds little evidence that more screen time actually benefits students. And because the tech is often bought with tax-financed 20-year debt, Texans are paying for the devices long after they have been sent to the landfill.
Yesterday, we asked readers what they considered to be the appropriate role for technology in the classroom.
Here's a sampling of comments from folks who participated in the survey.
- “More screen time is not beneficial to young bodies or minds.” – Jennifer Rawson
- “Technology, although necessary in life, is not necessary for the advancement of critical thinking. Research shows that traditional reading, math, social studies, and writing (and learning cursive) develop young brains more so than screen time.” – Kenneth Gardner
- “We weren't even allowed to use calculators on tests when I was in school. If you don't train the mind young, those neural pathways may never develop.” – Cindy Armstrong
- “I say increase it. Business models are showing an upward trend to more and more use of tech in all their processes, including robots in manufacturing. Apps are springing up all over for everything from starting a car to checking into a medical appt. Kids need to feel comfortable in maneuvering through the forest of applications and Q-codes.” – Richard Bratton
- “Students need to be exposed to technology, its proper and beneficial uses, but they also should be taught the negatives of technology, such as overuse and exploitation.” – Rick Mayforth
- “As a teacher for over 25 years, it is my opinion that there should be no computers or calculators in grades K-8. And limited use in high school. No online courses until 11th and 12th grade.” – Marta Hollowell
- “Children entering school are generally more knowledgeable than the teachers in technology, and the teachers are more interested in grooming and/or transitioning the students rather than teaching.” – Roy Leatherberry
- “High School students should be taught the proper, ethical use of technology, including the dangers to be avoided.” – Kathryn Martin
- “Technology in schools should be limited to computer science classes. Look at the reading and math scores to see the results of not enough actual teaching.” – Steve Sullivan
- “Considering the decline of basic math, history and language skills, it seems too much emphasis is placed on technology.” – Nancy West
- “I can see a valid use for computers in a computer science class, but anything else should be limited to an e-reader with limited functionality beyond displaying textbooks. Anything else is a distraction or encouragement to use technology as a crutch.” – Charles Drinkwater
- “We pay teachers to TEACH, not rely on electronic devices programmed by who-knows-who.” – Charlene Roberson
- “As a former teacher, I've seen how they are a distraction in the classroom. Kids can barely read, so actual books are important to reinforce reading.” – B.D. Marshall
- “Technology, like a firearm, a car, or a hammer, is just an inanimate tool. It's the person that determines how it's used. And most districts are adding technology without adding the infrastructure (servers, wifi, training, etc) to support it. In the end, school districts need competent management and teacher support far more than the shiny new toys.” – Jason Kerr
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