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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Michael Mooney, Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi and Tasha Tsiaperas.

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Texas had a record number of antisemitic incidents in 2022 and now ranks fifth in the country for this type of hate, according to an audit by the Anti-Defamation League. 

Why it matters: The spike in incidents comes as the FBI and human rights groups warn about rising numbers of hate crimes in the U.S. — and amid concerns that some public officials and social media influencers are fueling the problem by normalizing incendiary rhetoric, per Axios' Russell Contreras.

Context: The ADL has tracked reports of antisemitic incidents since 1979. Its latest audit includes criminal and noncriminal acts of antisemitism.

Researchers who track hate crimes say the actual number of incidents was probably higher than reported in 2022.

The big picture: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. jumped a record 36% in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the ADL audit.

Nationally, 3,697 antisemitic incidents were brought to the ADL's attention in 2022.

Antisemitic harassment rose by 29%, while antisemitic vandalism increased by 51%, the audit said.

The ADL also found a doubling in activity by organized white supremacist groups, which were linked to 852 incidents of distributing antisemitic propaganda.

Zoom in: States with the most incidents were New York (580), California (518), New Jersey (408), Florida (269) and Texas (211), accounting for 54% of the total incidents.

The majority of antisemitic incidents reported in Texas last year were either vandalism or harassment tied to "white supremacist propaganda," per the ADL.

Flashback: Last year, a British man seeking the release of a Pakistani woman from a Texas prison held a rabbi and three other people hostage at Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville. The standoff ended without any of the four hostages injured, but left the gunman dead.

"I never thought that some guy from Manchester would come across the ocean, come to Colleyville, Texas, and threaten us because he believed that Jews control the world, Jews control the media, Jews control the banks," Jeff Cohen, who was one of the hostages, told KERA a year later.

The ADL's tracker shows that was one of four antisemitic incidents reported in Colleyville last year.

State of play: The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and the nonprofit JewBelong have been campaigning to educate North Texas about the impact of antisemitism and challenge people to fight it.

"Can a billboard end antisemitism? No, but you're not a billboard," their billboard along I-35 says to drivers heading toward Carrollton.

What they're saying: "This report lays bare some data around why the Jewish community has been feeling so vulnerable," Oren Segal, vice president of the ADL's Center on Extremism, tells Axios.

Between the lines: Hate crimes overall have also been on the rise nationally.

Though Black Americans remained the most targeted group in most cities in 2021, anti-Asian American hate crimes increased 339% that year.

Antisemitism is on the rise in Texas

Photo: Andy Jacobsohn/AFP via Getty Images

Texas

Texas had a record number of antisemitic incidents in 2022 and now ranks fifth in the country for this type of hate, according to an audit by the Anti-Defamation League. Why it matters: The spike in incidents comes as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FBI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/13/fbi-hate-crimes-2021-increase" data-vars-content-id="8191bb31-2633-4dd2-b1bd-fb019cd36c68" data-vars-headline="Antisemitism is on the rise in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/13/fbi-hate-crimes-2021-increase" target="_self">FBI</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="human rights groups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/17/antisemitic-hate-crimes-rise-in-major-cities" data-vars-content-id="8191bb31-2633-4dd2-b1bd-fb019cd36c68" data-vars-headline="Antisemitism is on the rise in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/17/antisemitic-hate-crimes-rise-in-major-cities" target="_self">human rights groups</a> warn about rising numbers of hate crimes in the U.S. — and amid concerns that some public officials and social media influencers are fueling the problem by normalizing incendiary rhetoric, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Axios&#x27; Russell Contreras." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/antisemitism-cases-record-levels-2022-adl" data-vars-content-id="8191bb31-2633-4dd2-b1bd-fb019cd36c68" data-vars-headline="Antisemitism is on the rise in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/antisemitism-cases-record-levels-2022-adl" target="_self">per Axios&#x27; Russell Contreras.</a>

News

North Texas is a more desirable region than Silicon Valley for data centers in North America, according to a new CBRE ranking.

Why it matters: The demand for data centers has increased significantly in recent years as more businesses look to store their data in secure, off-site facilities.

State of play: CBRE says power restraints in places like Silicon Valley and Northern Virginia have led operators to set up data centers in other markets with more capacity.

Between the lines: The capacity of Texas' energy grid has been a great concern since the freeze in February 2021.

Zoom in: Dallas-Fort Worth's data center inventory, now ranked second among primary markets, has grown by 247% percent since 2015.

Our region was offering 390 megawatts of data center inventory in the second half of 2022, up 23 megawatts since 2021, per CBRE. Rental rates were $120-$160 per month for 250 kilowatts.

In comparison, Silicon Valley had 380 megawatts of inventory, with rental rates from $155-$250.

Of note: Regions with data centers are designated as primary or secondary markets, depending on their inventory and net absorption.

Zoom out: Austin, San Antonio and Houston are among the top secondary markets for data centers.

Yes, but: Northern Virginia remains the world's top market for data centers, despite power and land restraints, CBRE says.

Reality check: There are differing viewpoints on emissions generated by data centers.

A 2020 study said the centers use less energy than expected.

But the U.S. Department of Energy has said data centers are among the most energy-intensive building types and consume 10-50 times more energy per floor space than a typical commercial office building.

North Texas tops Silicon Valley among top data center hubs

The demand for data centers has increased significantly in recent years.

This is pod two of IBM's SoftLayer data center in Dallas. Photo: Ben Torres/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Data

North Texas is a more desirable region than Silicon Valley for data centers in North America, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new CBRE ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/north-america-data-center-trends-h2-2022" data-vars-content-id="a0dcc6c3-b5ba-4c54-82dc-09293b460bc8" data-vars-headline="North Texas tops Silicon Valley among top data center hubs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/north-america-data-center-trends-h2-2022" target="_blank">new CBRE ranking</a>.Why it matters: The demand for data centers has increased significantly in recent years as more businesses look to store their data in secure, off-site facilities.

Business

Data: Texas Higher Education Consulting Board; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Eighth graders in Texas have fallen so far behind their peers in other states that they could lose roughly $104 billion in future earnings, according to an analysis by Texas 2036 and the Dallas-based George W. Bush Institute.

Why it matters: Education spending tends to be the biggest line item in the Texas budget, but the learning outcomes don't seem to be keeping up with other states.

The big picture: Conversations about Texas' public education system have become highly politicized in recent years.

There have been fights over diverting public funding toward private schools and homeschooling, the kinds of books that libraries can carry, the rights of transgender students, and how public schools treat their administrators of color — all while teacher and staff burnout remains high.

What they found: Once a student falls behind in the early years of their education, it's difficult for them to catch up, according to the new report.

60% of Texas students in grades 3-12 can't do math for their grade level, and 48% don't read at their grade level.

Only 22% of Texas eighth graders get a degree or credential within six years of their high school graduation.

Nearly a fifth of eighth graders don't graduate from a Texas public high school.

Low-income students are affected the most by these challenges.

Meanwhile: People moving to the state hold double the number of bachelor's degrees than Texas natives, making it more difficult for Texas natives to navigate the workforce.

The disparities are likely to worsen by the time Texas' current eighth graders grow up, the report warns.

Flashback: Texas' advocacy for public education dates back to the state's founding.

Texas' declaration of independence from Mexico, issued in 1836, listed Mexico's failure to establish a public education system as a reason for the split.

A version of George W. Bush's contentious No Child Left Behind Act was first implemented in Texas, while he was the governor, before becoming a national law during his presidency.

Former Gov. Rick Perry touted Texas' graduation rates during his 2016 presidential campaign.

What they're saying: "Failing to complete high school leaves too many young Texans facing an uncertain and risky economic reality unprepared to attain a post-secondary degree or credential and cut off from good-paying jobs as a result," the report says.

"It's clear the state needs to be doing more to equip our children for their futures. We need to double down on data-driven reforms to invest in our students and their success," Margaret Spellings, Texas 2036's president and a former U.S. secretary of education, said in a statement.

Texas 8th graders are falling behind

Conversations about Texas' public education system have become highly politicized.

Eighth graders in Texas have fallen so far behind their peers in other states that they could lose roughly $104 billion in future earnings, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-State-of-Readiness-Report-March-2023.pdf" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-State-of-Readiness-Report-March-2023.pdf" target="_blank">analysis</a> by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas 2036" data-vars-click-url="http://www.texas2036.org/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.texas2036.org/" target="_blank">Texas 2036</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dallas-based George W. Bush Institute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bushcenter.org/series/2021-policy-recommendations" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bushcenter.org/series/2021-policy-recommendations" target="_blank">Dallas-based George W. Bush Institute</a>.Why it matters: Education spending tends to be the biggest line item in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lbb.texas.gov/Documents/Appropriations_Bills/87/Conference_Bills/87R-SB1.pdf" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lbb.texas.gov/Documents/Appropriations_Bills/87/Conference_Bills/87R-SB1.pdf" target="_blank">Texas budget</a>, but the learning outcomes don&#x27;t seem to be keeping up with other states.

Texas lawmakers are trying — again — to pass legislation that would help parents pay for private school or homeschooling using public funds.

Driving the news: Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a school choice rally at the state Capitol this week.

The Senate Committee on Education listened to public testimony and discussed Senate Bill 8 on Wednesday.

Context: Texas has toyed for a long time with the idea of issuing vouchers to help families pay for private schooling, but past legislation on the topic hasn't gotten anywhere.

Rural school leaders have argued that the legislation would take away students and essential funding from their resource-strapped campuses.

Public school advocates have said the program would worsen the disparities among different demographics of students, and pit public schools against private schools.

Details: The proposed bill would provide $8,000 through an educational savings account per student per year for those who leave public school to enroll in a private school or go into homeschooling. The funding could be used on tuition and textbooks.

It would also apply to children entering pre-K or kindergarten at a private school or through homeschooling.

Students already enrolled in private school or homeschool would not be eligible. 

Of note: Republican state Sen. Brandon Creighton from Conroe, who authored SB 8, has said money for the accounts won't come out of funding for public schools, but public schools are still likely to feel the impact. 

Texas provides funding to public schools based on attendance, so any students switching to private schools would mean reduced funding for public schools.

Between the lines: School districts with fewer than 20,000 students would get $10,000 per year per student for two years if any of their students leave. Larger districts would get no such compensation.

That provision is likely meant to get more buy-in from lawmakers representing rural districts who have historically opposed such legislation.

What they're saying: Creighton said during Wednesday's hearing that the legislation is about "educational freedom and decision-making."

"There's no offense meant toward our public schools. We're talking about our Texas parents, our moms and dads and their kids, and the expectations for them for the best education, the best life, the best opportunities they can achieve," Creighton said.

The intrigue: The 53-page bill also lumps the hotly debated savings accounts with other provisions, including limiting school lessons about gender identity or sexual orientation and updating how parents can file grievances against public schools. It would also create a process for parents to review instructional materials used by their child's educators.

Reality check: The legislation could cost the state $1 billion in its first five years, per the state's legislative budget board.

And the $8,000 benefit would cover only a portion of the costs for most private education in North Texas, where annual tuition and fees typically exceed $25,000.

Critics say that would limit the appeal of the vouchers to wealthier families.

Zoom out: Other conservative states with school voucher programs or educational saving accounts, such as Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida, set household income limits for eligibility or other qualifying factors such as limiting participation to children with special needs or those in foster care.

State of play: The education committee members disagreed about the impact that the bill would have on students and their families.

Sen. Angela Paxton, a Republican from Collin County who's married to Attorney General Ken Paxton, expressed support for the bill.

But Sens. José Menéndez from the San Antonio area and Royce West from Dallas County — both Democrats — questioned how equitable it will be for Texas families and whether it can boost student achievements.

Meanwhile: The Texas Association of School Administrators has also strongly opposed any efforts, including SB 8, to send public money toward private schools.

What's next: The education committee would need to approve the bill and send it to the full Senate for a vote. If it passed the Senate, it would head to the House for deliberation. The legislative session ends in May.

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Voucher-like program for Texas students gets another chance

The bill would provide $8,000 per student per year for private school expenses.

Illustration of a chalkboard with three digital-style dollar signs on it.

Schools

Texas lawmakers are trying — again — to pass legislation that would help parents pay for private school or homeschooling using public funds.Driving the news: Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school choice rally" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/GovAbbott/status/1638566884185391104" data-vars-content-id="bcc21a93-dfb9-4c42-8473-fd77c91b9fc2" data-vars-headline="Voucher-like program for Texas students gets another chance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/GovAbbott/status/1638566884185391104" target="_blank">school choice rally</a> at the state Capitol this week.

Major League Cricket's Texas team finally has a name, coach and roster ahead of the league's launch this summer.

The team's name is … the Texas Super Kings!

Driving the news: Coaches and investors in the Texas team, which will be based in Grand Prairie, drafted players over the weekend.

League executives and the Texas players arrived in Dallas on Monday to introduce the coach, share their new name and announce a partnership with a popular team in India.

Why it matters: While cricket has been played in the U.S. for centuries, Major League Cricket is the latest and largest attempt to popularize the sport in the U.S.

MLC's epicenter will be in Grand Prairie, where a former minor league baseball ballpark is being converted into a cricket ground and training academy.

The intrigue: The Grand Prairie team will partner with the Chennai Super Kings, an Indian franchise that's won four championships since the immensely popular Indian Premier League started play in 2008.

The partnership means they'll share coaches and support staff while playing in two different leagues in two countries.

Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand national team captain, will coach both the Chennai Super Kings and the Texas Super Kings.

State of play: Major League Cricket will start with six franchises representing Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas.

Investors are funding the teams and their players right now, but the goal is to eventually sustain the teams through sponsorships and revenue from cricket matches.

"There's been a lot of talk about international cricket coming to America. It's coming together at the right time," Fleming said at the Texas team's introductory event Monday.

Zoom in: The Texas Super Kings drafted nine U.S.-based players whose home countries include India, South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.

"Our coach overperformed. We got almost everybody we wanted and, I think we have a fantastic team set up for a good season," said Anurag Jain, one of the team's owners.

Calvin Savage, who moved to Chicago from South Africa 18 months ago to pursue a cricket career, said his wife called him in tears after hearing that the Super Kings had drafted him.

"She gave up her job and her family in South Africa to move here with me with this exact goal in mind. For everything to work out as well as it did, I'm so thankful," Savage tells Axios.

A man in a cowboy hat slaps hands with a surprised man in a white shirt.

There were references to Ted Lasso. Photo: Courtesy of MLC

Of note: Corey Anderson of the Dallas Mustangs was drafted to the San Francisco Unicorns.

Between the lines: Investors acknowledge that it will take time and patience to expand cricket's U.S. fan base, but they say other sports like ice hockey and soccer have shown that it can work.

"When I look at the last 25-30 years of Texas sports history, nobody thought ice hockey would work in Texas. If ice hockey can work in Texas, cricket can work in Texas, too," said Hill Perot, Ross Perot's grandson, one of the investors in the Texas Super Kings.

What's next: The Texas Super Kings are in the process of signing international players to complete their roster.

Team merch will go on sale by June, and the MLC season starts July 13.

Texas' Major League Cricket team announces name, coach

Major League Cricket's inaugural season starts July 13.

Men in nice suits sit around a table, looking thoughtful. Some have computers, some have papers.

The destiny of American cricket, decided last weekend in Houston. Photo: Courtesy of MLC

Major League Cricket&#x27;s Texas team finally has a name, coach and roster ahead of the league&#x27;s launch this summer.<ul><li>The team&#x27;s name is … the Texas Super Kings!</li></ul>

Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi

Featured stories

Antisemitism is on the rise in Texas

Texas 8th graders are falling behind

Voucher-like program for Texas students gets another chance

North Texas tops Silicon Valley among top data center hubs

Texas' Major League Cricket team announces name, coach