North Texas schools are beginning the semester with more per-student funding from the state and several new laws to enforce, including a ban on students' cellphone use during school hours.

Why it matters: The new academic year will not be a fresh start for many school districts amid staffing shortages, tight budgets and pressure to improve school performance ratings.

The latest: A new state law mandates that districts establish policies prohibiting students from using personal communication devices such as cellphones and smart watches during school hours, with some exceptions.

• Another law increases teacher pay and districts' per-student funding by $55, the first base funding change since 2019.

Zoom in: Fort Worth ISD is transitioning 15 of its campuses to an extended academic year that starts Monday and will end on June 30, with 25 more school days than the district's traditional year.

• Dallas ISD also returns to school on Monday but will end classes on May 27. The district is projecting a roughly $128 million budget shortfall for this year.
• The Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Plano school districts have consolidated students into fewer campuses this year after closing some schools in response to declining enrollment.

What we're watching: Gov. Greg Abbott has called a special session and asked state lawmakers to consider eliminating the STAAR test.

• The state's costly school voucher program is slated to launch at the start of the 2026–27 school year and could reduce enrollment at public schools.

What's next: Dallas County is hosting a back-to-school vaccine clinic 9am–12pm on Saturday. Appointments are recommended.

📬 Have any tips for crushing back-to-school this year? Hit reply and let more parents know.

About 189,000 Dallas students live in what is considered an extreme urban heat zone, per a Climate Central analysis.

The big picture: Almost 6.2 million students attend schools in extreme urban heat zones, per the analysis.

Threat level: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during heat waves.

• Urban heat islands are more common in lower-income and non-white neighborhoods, researchers have found.

Reality check: The data for Dallas does not include other North Texas cities, which may also experience the heat island effect.

What they're doing: Tens of thousands of public schools need new or upgraded HVAC systems to meet increased cooling needs, per a 2024 Center for American Progress report.

• Many North Texas schools have also shifted band and athletics practices to the evenings because of the heat.

Texas' diversity is on full display in this year's Big Tex Choice Awards. The finalists include a Colombian fruit cocktail, Vietnamese crunch dog and Dubai chocolate cheesecake.

Why it matters: Concessionaires are constantly trying to stand out at the State Fair of Texas with their whacky creations. The Big Tex Choice Awards had 76 entries this year.

The intrigue: The competition has a new category for drinks, rounding out the sweet and savory categories.

• Judges whittled this year's 30 semifinalists down to 15 finalists based on uniqueness, creativity, presentation and taste.

Zoom in: Isaac Rousso, whose Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick won last year, is back this year with Dubai chocolate funnel cake fries.

• Justin Martinez, whose Dominican Fritura Dog also won last year, is back with a Poppin' Boba Rita.
• And Heather J. Perkins, another 2024 winner with her Texas Sugar Rush Pickles, is again a finalist with her candy-dipped lemon.

What's next: The winners of each category, along with a fourth winner for most creative, will be chosen on Aug. 21.

🚨 Texas House Democrats trying to stall a redistricting vote were temporarily evacuated from their hotel in the Chicago area yesterday, after the hotel received a bomb threat. (NBC News)

🪪 The Texas Senate yesterday approved a bill that would require transgender people to use only government and school bathrooms that match their gender assigned at birth. (Texas Tribune)

❌ The Fort Worth and Dallas city councils voted to suspend their cities' diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, hoping to retain millions of dollars in federal grants. (DMN)

🤔 Coppell-based Smoothie King is teaming up with Heinz to sell a ketchup smoothie that the companies claim will be a "delicious and refreshing summer sip." (People)

🧵Keep it together. The Quilt Plano Show has over 300 quilts this year, along with an auction, raffle and workshops on how to create the patterned pieces.

• Friday and Saturday at the Plano Events Center. There's a preview tonight. Tickets start at $15.

🐽 Get piggy with it. Party with Peppa Pig and her family at their North Richland Hills theme park, designed for preschoolers. Evie's Wiggle & Giggle dance party will have music, bubbles and character appearances.

• Parties Friday through Sept. 1 at the Peppa Pig theme park. Included with admission.

🎒 Pack your backpack. The Shops at Park Lane is celebrating the end of summer break with music, crafts, a mural and freebies from Kona Ice.

• 11am-1pm Saturday and Sunday, between Starbucks and Cava. Free.

🇪🇸 Appreciate the culture. Attend panels, meet artists and watch lucha libre at Texas Latino Comic Con, which aims to preserve and promote Latin arts and culture. The writer of the comic strip Baldo will speak at 2pm.

• 11am-6pm Saturday at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas. Free entry.

🎭 Let go. "Life of Pi" is in Dallas this month. The Broadway production uses actors and puppetry to bring its animal scenes to life.

• Shows through Aug. 17 at Winspear Opera House. Tickets start at $41.