Austin, TX
New Texas law will require Ten Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas will require all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments under a new law that will make the state the nation’s largest to attempt to impose such a mandate.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Saturday that he signed the bill, which is expected to draw a legal challenge from critics who consider it an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state.
A similar law in Louisiana was blocked when a federal appeals court ruled Friday that it was unconstitutional. Arkansas also has a similar law that has been challenged in federal court.
The Texas measure easily passed in the Republican-controlled state House and Senate in the legislative session that ended June 2.
“The focus of this bill is to look at what is historically important to our nation educationally and judicially,” Republican state representative Candy Noble, a co-sponsor of the bill, said when it passed the House.
Abbott also signed a bill that allows school districts to provide students and staff a daily voluntary period of prayer or time to read a religious text during school hours.
The Ten Commandments laws are among efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools.
Texas’ law requires public schools to post in classrooms a 16-by-20-inch (41-by-51-centimeter) poster or framed copy of a specific English version of the commandments, even though translations and interpretations vary across denominations, faiths and languages and may differ in homes and houses of worship.
Supporters say the Ten Commandments are part of the foundation of the United States’ judicial and educational systems and should be displayed.
Opponents, including some Christian and other faith leaders, say the Ten Commandments and prayer measures infringe on others’ religious freedom.
A letter signed this year by dozens of Christian and Jewish faith leaders opposing the bill noted that Texas has thousands of students of other faiths who might have no connection to the Ten Commandments. Texas has nearly 6 million students in about 9,100 public schools.
In 2005, Abbott, who was state attorney general at the time, successfully argued before the Supreme Court that Texas could keep a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of its Capitol.
Louisiana’s law has twice been ruled unconstitutional by federal courts, first by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles and then again by a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which also considers cases from Texas.
State Attorney General Liz Murrell said she would appeal and pledged to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
Austin, TX
Two IT Employees Allegedly Working for Dallas and Austin Simultaneously
Austin, TX
Titanic: The Human Story Now Open in Austin, Texas
Austin, TX
2026 Pro Swim Series Kicks Off in Austin – Austin Today
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The 2026 Pro Swim Series, the first leg of the prestigious swimming competition, is set to begin tomorrow in Austin, Texas. This four-day event will showcase some of the fastest swimmers in the world as they compete in a variety of events, including new semifinal structures and updated prize money. Fans can look forward to comprehensive previews, live results, and multiple ways to watch the action unfold.
Why it matters
The Pro Swim Series is a critical stop on the road to the 2026 Olympics, with swimmers looking to qualify for national teams and secure valuable ranking points. The Austin event will also feature new event formats and prize money structures that could impact the competitive landscape and strategies of the top athletes.
The details
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin will run from January 14-17, with preliminary sessions starting at 9:00 a.m. local time and finals kicking off at 6:00 p.m. local time. All sessions will be streamed live on the USA Swimming Network, and the finals on January 15 and 16 will also be aired on Peacock. The event schedule includes a variety of individual events, with the women’s and men’s 1500m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 400m individual medley being the highlight distance races.
- The competition will begin on Wednesday, January 14 and run through Saturday, January 17.
- Preliminary sessions will start at 9:00 a.m. local time (CT) each day, with finals beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time.
The players
USA Swimming
The national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, responsible for organizing the Pro Swim Series.
Peacock
The streaming platform that will air the finals sessions on January 15 and 16.
SwimSwam
A leading swimming news and media outlet that has provided comprehensive previews and analysis of the 2026 Pro Swim Series event in Austin.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What’s next
Fans can look forward to additional previews and analysis from leading swimming media outlets in the days leading up to the event, as well as live results and coverage throughout the four-day competition.
The takeaway
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin promises to be an exciting showcase of the sport’s top talent, with new event formats and prize money structures adding an extra layer of intrigue. Swimming fans won’t want to miss this must-watch competition as athletes vie for Olympic qualification and national team spots.
-
Atlanta, GA6 days ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Toy Testing with a Discerning Bodega Cat
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoVaazha 2 first half review: Hashir anchors a lively, chaos-filled teen tale
-
Georgia4 days agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Pennsylvania5 days agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Arkansas21 hours agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Milwaukee, WI5 days agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Entertainment1 week agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium