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August 7, 2026 Friday Forum Episode

Here’s what’s coming up on Friday Forum for the week of August 7, 2026. Check below for updated story links and audio.

Crews prepare for Valley Mills flyover demolition, disruptions expected on I-35 Friday night, Saturday

Portions of I-35 through Waco will be closed this weekend between New Road and 12th Street as crews work on the Valley Mills flyover.

How North Texas campaign stops reveal key differences in Talarico and Paxton bids for U.S. Senate

As November's midterm election creeps closer, the race to be Texas' next U.S. senator is heating up - and though Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton vie for the same seat, their campaigns fight different battles.

KERA's Emily DeMotte reports recent campaign stops in North Texas revealed key differences in strategy between the sitting state legislator and the Texas attorney general.

Concerned about declining rates, North Texas health leaders urge vaccines ahead of new school year

As students are preparing to return to school across the state, doctors and public health officials are urging parents and guardians to check that their children’s vaccinations are up to date.

KERA’s Abigail Ruhmen reports.

Texas governor's data center moratorium prompts calls for special legislative session

This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered a pause on new data centers — until more is known about how much power and water each of those projects need.

Data centers use lots of water and power, but Texas officials don't know exactly how much

Democrats in the Texas Senate, meanwhile, are calling for a complete moratorium on new data centers until the Legislature meets to pass new rules for them.

Water and electricity are two of the major factors in the opposition to data centers. But how much of those things do they actually use? And what does that mean for the rest of us?

In the second part of KUT's series — The Data Center Next Door — KUT’s Kailey Hunt, Katy McAfee and Leigh Walden tried to corral some answers.

Molly-Jo Tilton joined KWBU in 2024 as the station's Multimedia Reporter. She covers all things Waco and McLennan county for KWBU, from City Council to the local arts scene. Her work regularly appears on The Texas Standard and has appeared on NPR's All Things Considered and the Texas Tribune. She also co-hosts the weekly news show, Friday Forum with the Waco Bridge.