Austin, TX
Texas singer gets first platinum ticket in new ‘American Idol’ season. Here’s what it means
‘American Idol’ stars dish on friendship: ‘We’re not thin-skinned’
Ryan Seacrest, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan chat with USA TODAY’s KiMi Robinson ahead of the “American Idol” season premiere.
Odell Bunton Jr. grew up singing in the church. To his pastoral parents, singing was about religious praise. Now Bunton Jr. is receiving praise of his own after his “American Idol” audition earned him a platinum ticket.
The 28-year-old Texan impressed judges with his rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me.”
What is a platinum ticket on “American Idol”?
The platinum ticket was introduced to “American Idol” two years ago in celebration of the talent competition’s 20th anniversary, according to Parade Magazine. Unlike the golden ticket that’s given to those who are granted, it is an exclusive ticket only given to three performers each season.
Also, with platinum tickets, artists like Bunton Jr. get to skip the first round of performances during Hollywood Week and watch from the audience to scope out their competition.
Who is Odell Bunton Jr.?
Bunton Jr. was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Dallas, working as a security guard at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, he said during his audition. Growing up, Bunton Jr. and his siblings sang in the choir every Sunday. He credits his mother for his vocal skills.
Bunton Jr. has a wife and five children. Prior to his “American Idol” audition, Bunton Jr. has played singing gigs as a side hustle. He’s been a cook, he’s sold windows to homeowners and has been a janitor in the airport.
“Singing saved my life,” he said. “I kinda started to grow content that maybe this isn’t going to work.”
When is Hollywood Week on “American Idol”?
The full “American Idol” schedule has not been released yet. But according to Screen Rant, the show could follow last season’s schedule, “Season 21 had a total of 20 episodes. There were six audition episodes, four Hollywood Week episodes, and two Hawaii Round episodes. There were then six live episodes, followed by a special ‘Journey to the Finale’ recap episode.”
“American Idol” airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Watch Odell Bunton Jr.’s American Idol audition that earned him a platinum ticket
Austin, TX
Antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island fell by half in 2025, ADL says
There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
Austin, TX
Live blog: Severe thunderstorms possible in Central Texas
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
Austin, TX
Letter to the editor from Texas emeritus professor on Dell donation
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
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