Texas
Despite tough talk from Abbott and Paxton, Texas penalties for data center violations are light
Texas officials are promising tougher enforcement on data centers, but the existing law may offer limited leverage over the industry that has largely failed to report its water use.
Texas agency sues to stop release of data center records that it says could aid terrorists
A lawsuit will test whether Texas officials can withhold data center location details under the state Homeland Security Act.
Texas city charges $2 million for Flock records as agencies make it harder to see how cameras are used
High invoices and challenges to accessing data on how departments use the surveillance cameras have hindered requests by privacy advocates and journalists.
The meaning of modernization continues to expand for CIOs
Beyond technology, state chief information officers are increasingly managing the modernization of their workforce, business models and service delivery.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas water agency to penalize data centers that don’t report their water usage
Last year, less than 30% of data centers responded to a state-mandated water usage survey conducted by the Texas Water Development Board.
Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
Without key details on the audits but the eagerness to support them, policy watchers question how impactful these audits will be in curbing data center growth.
Lack of broadband service, funding gives rise to telehealth services in rural clinics
Clinics with better internet connections are now offering telehealth services to patients who can’t do it from their homes.
Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
On Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.
Texas lawmakers call for audit of state’s broadband grant funding
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows are questioning how the state distributes funding for internet services.
Texas secretary of state raised concerns about the federal tool used to flag potential noncitizen voters
Secretary of State Jane Nelson wrote a letter to federal immigration officials in April after the SAVE program incorrectly flagged U.S. citizens.
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This permit, common for dry cleaners, is now being used to build AI power plants
Texas regulators are allowing AI data centers across the state to start up thousands of new pollution sources with no public notice or environmental reviews.
How Texas modernized a ‘train wreck’ customer service center
The licensing division of the state’s Department of Public Safety left people on hold, sometimes for hours, until it modernized its systems and broke down siloes.
Crypto kiosks were used to scam $56 million from Texans last year. Lawmakers are calling for regulation.
Fraudsters are increasingly using the ATM-like machines for fast access to money that’s difficult to trace.
U.S. Supreme Court declines request to block Texas’ app age verification law
A federal appeals court had allowed Texas to require app stores to verify users’ ages and seek parental consent before a minor can download apps while litigation continues.
Digital tools connect rural Texans to mental health care
In Bastrop County, Texas, the public health department is implementing a new digital platform to deliver mental health support to rural residents.
San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control
As Texas counties have faced hurdles to curb the rapid growth of data center developments, cities could have more success with banning them through their zoning laws, land experts say.
Texas investigates 2 major data breaches
Around 3 million hunting and fishing license customers in the state had their data exposed, according to a recent notification, while another 800,000 cruise line customers had their data breached.
A central Texas Library closing the digital divide
On the edges of a booming metro area, the Martindale Community Library brings mobile hotspots, new technology, and digital skills to an older community.
As data centers seek to tap Texas’ energy, grid regulators are close to approving a new way of vetting requests
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday will weigh and vote on ERCOT’s proposal to streamline the power approval process for data centers.
Texas county rescinds its data center moratorium after $100 million lawsuit from developer
Hill County, which appears to be the first Texas county to pass a moratorium, replaced it Thursday with a checklist of requirements for developers.
