SUMMARY: Rent prices for one-bedroom apartments are increasing across major U.S. cities, rising 2.5% nationally compared to last year, as reported by Zumper. New Haven, Connecticut, experienced the most significant increase at over 33%, while Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, saw jumps of 26% and 24%. New York City tops the list with an average rent of $4,280, a 5.9% increase, followed by San Francisco and Jersey City. Conversely, some cities like Durham, North Carolina, and Chicago reported substantial rent drops of 12.8% and 11.1%, respectively. Austin, TX, is noted as the most affordable city for renters, with a median rent of $1,394.

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SUMMARY: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation banning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Chinese-affiliated social media apps on state-issued devices to protect critical infrastructure from espionage by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This directive includes apps like RedNote, DeepSeek, and Lemon8. Abbott’s actions follow prior efforts, including a 2022 ban on TikTok and a 2023 law preventing its use on government devices. Abbott also ordered agencies to address security risks posed by Chinese technology and directed state officials to protect intellectual property and infrastructure from foreign threats. The ban extends to personal devices used for state work.

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The post Abbott bans AI and Chinese apps from government-issued devices | Texas appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

SUMMARY: The Weaver Powerplant at the University of Texas is the nation’s largest microgrid, relying on gas-powered turbines for campus energy. Director Xavier Rivera Marzán explains that high temperatures can reduce power output, necessitating cooling towers that consume substantial water. To mitigate domestic water use, UT is developing the UT Water Hub, a six-year project set for completion in 2027. This system will treat wastewater for cooling, reducing domestic water consumption by one million gallons and wastewater downstream by 70%. The hub will educate students on sustainability and help maintain power during extreme weather, crucial for ongoing research projects.

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