Texas
Texas universities' graduation ceremonies will go on as planned
DALLAS – While some major universities are canceling graduation commencements or scaling them back, Texas universities plan to go on with graduation as planned.
UT Austin also updated its security policy for this weekend’s commencement. Hecklers will be removed, and any kind of protest on the campus will be blocked.
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Ut Austin President Jay Hartzell referenced that the 2024 graduates had their high school graduation canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Many reached out for assurance that graduation will go on as planned. Hartzell confirmed it will happen while adding the university will be ready to ensure everyone will be protected.
Wednesday, Hartzell sent out a video message to the nearly 11,000 graduates and anyone attending this week’s graduation.
“Graduates we will have no tolerance for any disruption for your special and hard-earned achievement,” he said.
The university-wide commencement takes place at the football stadium on Saturday evening after all the college-specific convocations.
Hartzell confirms all ceremonies will go on as planned while referencing the recent protests, encampments and arrests on campus.
“There are devastating world events that continue to dominate our attention and energy. People continue to express themselves in different and personal and heartfelt ways,” he said. “We support them and have supported them each and every time when the intent is to use our campus as a platform to lawfully protest and have their expressions heard.”
More than 100 people have been arrested on the Austin campus in the past two weeks.
On April 29, protesters created a surprise encampment, causing police and DPS troopers to step in.
According to UT Austin’s commencement conduct guidelines, heckling speakers who cause any disruption will be removed.
Also, attendees, graduates and outside demonstrations cannot block entrances, exits or pathways in and around campus.
In North Texas, UT Arlington confirms to FOX 4 that its Friday commencement is also on. It says its ceremonies are ticketed and secure events held at Globe Life Field.
A week ago, a small group of protesters complied with university guidelines by calling their demonstration an informal encampment.
Graduation will also continue at UNT, where a peaceful protest was held on the Denton campus for a few hours.
FOX 4 reached out to UT Dallas multiple times for commencement specifics, but we did not hear back. But online, their commencement schedule is still posted as planned.
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with more expectations than any team has had to deal with in recent memory.
Many among the media were ready to crown the team and quarterback Arch Manning before they even played one game. Of course, those unrealistic expectations were never met, even though the team finished with a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
2026 is heading in the same direction for the Longhorns. Many believe head coach Steve Sarkisian has the most talented team in the country. But in order to fix the issues from this past season, the Longhorns needed to fix one issue that has cost them in the past.
Changing The Narrative
One of the biggest issues the Longhorns had last season was the play of the offensive line. It was apparent in the first game of the season against the Ohio State Buckeyes that Manning didn’t have the pocket time needed to make big plays.
This offseason, Coach Sarkisian went out and found two massive transfer portal additions that should completely change the narrative on this offensive line.
It starts with potential starting right tackle Melvin Siani. Siani has spent time with the Temple Owls and last season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Longhorns are set at left tackle with Trevor Goosby, who could play himself into being a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If the team can get competent play from Siani, the offense will be able to open up the playbook, and the world may finally see Manning at his college peak.
The Longhorns also went out and found a potential fix at left guard for the 2026 season. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers transfer Laurence Seymore could be another strong patch for the holes in the offensive line.
After spending the first two seasons of his college career with the Miami Hurricanes, Seymore made stops with the Akron Zips and the Hilltoppers.
Of course, the one concern with Seymore is wondering if he can compete at the SEC level coming from the C-USA.
This season for the Longhorns starts and stops with the play of Manning. Coach Sarkisian and the rest of this coaching staff understood that protecting their quarterback was the most important goal when building the 2026 roster.
The Longhorns are going to be leaning on veteran talent to protect their quarterback, and it may very well be the best decision they made this offseason.
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U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico promise to serve all in El Paso
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico discusses key public issues in Texas during the first stop of his Frontera Tour July 11, 2026 in El Paso.
The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.
Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.
The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.
Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.
Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’
Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.
The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.
Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.
“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.
Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:
Monday, July 13:
- 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
- 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass
Tuesday, July 14:
- 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
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