SUMMARY: Texas House lawmakers approved House Bill 8 to eliminate the STAAR test, replacing it with three shorter, adaptive exams administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year starting in 2027-2028. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will create the tests, which provide results within 48 hours and measure student progress more frequently. The bill bans additional benchmark testing and establishes an Accountability Advisory Committee to advise TEA. Passed 79-47 along party lines, Republicans argue the new system reduces stress and improves assessment, while Democrats worry about increased testing burden. The bill now awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s approval.

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SUMMARY: Victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex crimes gathered in Washington, D.C., demanding the full release of Justice Department files on Epstein and his associates. Ten survivors, some sharing their stories publicly for the first time, called for transparency and justice, supported by bipartisan lawmakers. They vowed to create their own list of abusers and refused to stay silent. While Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie pushed for a vote requiring all lawmakers to state their stance on file release, GOP leaders argued the House Oversight Committee’s subpoenaed investigations were sufficient. The committee recently released some files, though much is already public, and further DOJ disclosures remain uncertain.

10 of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims coming together Wednesday to demand the release of all of the justice department’s Epstein files. Some of them even speaking out about their abuse for the first time.

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SUMMARY: Student groups from UT Austin and UT Dallas, supported by FIRE, sued university leaders over Texas Senate Bill 2972, which bans First Amendment-protected speech on public university campuses between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and restricts amplified sound, percussion, and invited speakers during finals. The law, linked to recent campus protests, is criticized for infringing constitutional rights and potentially punishing activities like prayer, journalism, music, and political expression. Plaintiffs include Christian, journalistic, musical, and conservative groups, who argue the law threatens free speech and campus support systems. The UT System has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

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