Trump administration boosts funding for HBCUs and Tribal Schools
The President Donald Trump administration’s resolution to reallocate practically $500 million towards traditionally Black schools and universities (HBCUs) and tribal campuses marks a major enhance for establishments which have lengthy confronted continual underfunding.
The funding pushes whole federal help for HBCUs to greater than $1.34 billion this 12 months and raises funding for tribal schools to greater than $108 million. For faculties that usually function anchors of their communities, these {dollars} characterize important assets for college kids and college alike.
These establishments will obtain this funding along with the 2025 federal funds allocation, totaling a rise of 48.4% for HBCUs and 109.3% for Tribal Schools and Universities (TCUs).
The Division of Schooling framed the reallocation as a shift away from applications it views as much less efficient, directing cash as an alternative to initiatives it believes will ship stronger outcomes.
Alongside the HBCU and tribal faculty funding, the administration introduced $500 million in constitution faculty grants and greater than $160 million for civics and American historical past training.
The administration says that is to concentrate on benefit, effectiveness and long-term pupil success. Schooling Secretary Linda McMahon mentioned the modifications will redirect cash away from “ineffective and discriminatory applications towards these which help pupil success.”
New fee to look at HISD state takeover
A brand new Fee on the HISD Takeover, led by State Sen. Molly Prepare dinner, State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons and religion chief Collin Bossen, was created to review the consequences of the state’s intervention in Texas’ largest faculty district.
The fee will maintain periods to “tackle the rising lack of belief within the state takeover and [Superintendent] Mike Miles by completely investigating the present circumstances inside HISD.”
The primary session highlighted each considerations and aspirations. Group members voiced unease over instructor turnover, library closures and modifications to specialised applications. Others emphasised the necessity to shield instructor collaboration and guarantee public faculties stay rooted in group priorities.
On the identical time, Miles has pointed to substantial positive factors underneath the college district’s New Schooling System. In a latest press convention, he famous that HISD recorded its largest year-to-year enchancment in check scores, and he set a purpose for all campuses to achieve an A or B score by 2027.
The fee’s function shall be to steadiness these views, gathering information and testimony earlier than issuing experiences on the takeover’s influence. Its work underscores a vital query: How can pupil achievement be sustained whereas additionally honoring group belief and native democratic management?
It expects to publish experiences on the impacts of the takeover, elevate consciousness about “hostile takeovers” and reply questions on returning HISD to native management and new types of training following the transition to an elected board of trustees.
Houston housing market sees surge in gross sales
Houston’s housing market continues to defy expectations, and August’s numbers show the purpose. Single-family residence gross sales surged practically 12% year-over-year, marking the strongest progress of 2025 thus far. On the identical time, costs held regular, with the median unchanged at $335,000, per an evaluation by the Houston Affiliation of Realtors.
This uncommon mixture of rising gross sales and secure costs offers each patrons and sellers a motive to be optimistic.
For patrons, the expanded stock, now greater than 30% increased than final 12 months, means extra negotiating energy than town has seen in a decade.
A 5.4-month provide of properties locations Houston above the nationwide common, providing alternatives at practically each value level. For sellers, demand stays robust, particularly within the $150,000 to $249,999 and $500,000 to $999,999 ranges, which noticed double-digit gross sales will increase.
Not each section is benefiting. Townhome and rental gross sales fell greater than 13%, with costs sliding as effectively. That decline suggests increased stock is weighing extra closely on hooked up housing than on single-family properties.
Nonetheless, the broader image is encouraging. As mortgage charges ease, Houston finds itself in a uncommon candy spot: Sturdy demand, secure costs and considerable alternative. The problem now shall be sustaining this steadiness in a metropolis with a rising inhabitants.
