On December 23, 1913, the Federal Reserve Act was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, creating the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system.
1. The recent announcement of 888cre‘s plans to develop a massive 5,700-acre data center in the Dallas area further solidifies the region’s emergence as a major hub for artificial intelligence. This development, coupled with existing data centers from major players like Google (Midlothian and Red Oak), DataBank (Red Oak), and Crusoe Energy Systems (Abilene), is creating a critical mass of infrastructure that will attract AI companies, researchers, and innovators from around the world. This influx of investment and talent will not only drive economic growth but also position Dallas as a leading force in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
2. The SMU Mustangs saw their historic season come to an end on Saturday with a 38-10 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The Mustangs, making their first-ever appearance in the playoff, were unable to contain the high-powered Nittany Lions offense, who dominated the game from start to finish. Two interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Penn State defense early in the first half proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome. The Mustangs struggled to establish any offensive rhythm and were unable to contain the Nittany Lions’ potent rushing attack. Despite the disappointing loss, SMU’s historic season will be remembered as a turning point for the program.
3. Texas Southern University (TSU) today announced the launch of the “Tiger Promise,” a scholarship program designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable for Texas families. The Tiger Promise will cover tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other federal or state aid and scholarships for eligible students. “The Tiger Promise underscores our commitment to the transformative power of education,” said TSU President James W. Crawford III.
“By investing in our students through this promise, we foster opportunity for them, as we cultivate a skilled workforce poised to contribute to our state’s economic vitality.” To qualify for the Tiger Promise, students must be Texas residents with a family adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less. First-time freshmen are eligible for up to four years of coverage, while transfer students are eligible for up to two years.
4. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched a controversial new initiative that he says is meant to deter illegal immigration. The state has invested $100,000 in erecting billboards in Mexico and Central America, warning of the “dangers and consequences” of attempting to cross the border illegally. The billboards, which began appearing this week, feature stark messages about the risks associated with border crossings, including the dangers of sexual assault, rape, human trafficking and the possibility of detention and deportation.
Abbott has defended the campaign, stating that it is necessary to inform potential migrants about the realities of the border and discourage them from undertaking dangerous and illegal journeys. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from immigrant rights groups and human rights organizations, who argue that the messages are misleading, insensitive, and may even endanger migrants by deterring them from seeking help in emergencies.
5. Today, President Biden announced that he would commute the sentences of 37 inmates, all currently on federal death row, shifting their fates from execution to life without possibility of parole.
Of the 40 men currently on federal death row, President Biden refused to commute sentences for three, all of whom were involved in cases of terrorism or hate-fueled mass murder. The three are Robert Bowers, convicted for the 2018 mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue; Dylann Roof, convicted for the 2015 mass shooting at a Black church in Charleston, S.C.; and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted of the 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon.
