North Texas Daily

The Texas Education Agency’s negligence is going to cost $8.4 million in taxpayer funds because of 4,200 errors found in new lesson plans, ranging from actual errors such as typos to copyright violations. The Texas State Legislature approved the curriculum in 2024 and drew immediate criticism for its more extreme aspects, such as teaching stories from the Bible and downplaying both racism and slavery.

The fifth studio album from Atlanta-based rapper Ken Carson, “xperiment,” aims to have something for everyone and, by doing so, fails to achieve anything substantial. Labeling the album as an “xperiment” generated an inherent expectation Carson, also known as Kenyatta Lee Frazier, would be introducing several different sounds unheard from the rapper thus far in his career. The first half of the 22-song album is meant to live up to this idea.

Originally opened in March 2015, Harvest House has offered a space in Downtown Denton for music, handmade drinks and community. Now, two new owners plan to build on that foundation, hoping to bring Harvest House to new heights. In January, it was announced then-owner John Lenz would put Harvest House, located at 331 E. Hickory St., up for sale.

American singer and cultural juggernaut Madonna begins her new project, “CONFESSIONS II,” with one distinct message: “Come on, meet me on the dancefloor.” Through a distinct blend of all dance music has to offer, she achieves just that. Released July 3, Madonna’s 15th full-length studio album, “CONFESSIONS II,” transports listeners to an EDM paradise only Madonna has the power to evoke.

When Denton-based musician and producer Charles W. Knowles, or Char-X, sat down to record his new album, he wanted to be completely honest with listeners. “New Man (Album of the Year Edition)” is Char-X's newest 22-track project. The album, half of which is slowed-down “remixed” versions of the tracks, delves into a series of topics and a level of seriousness new for the artist. “Most of my previous work has more humor attached to it,” Char-X said.

The university’s College of Music hosted its 30th annual Conductors Collegium workshop from June 21 through July 2, offering participants from all over the world the opportunity to learn and improve their conducting skills. The approximately 50 workshop participants, ranging from university undergraduate students to public school educators from five continents, received instruction from the university’s top conducting professionals and educators.

Texas needs to address the growing problem of healthcare deserts in rural communities, especially in the field of maternity care, because rural women are facing growing risks. The closing of rural hospitals is a large enough problem as it is, but for women in these communities, it could mean having to drive an , or sometimes more, to receive basic maternity services. This is putting women who have high-risk pregnancies at an even higher risk of losing their own lives or their babies.

For the past few years, Los Angeles-based DJ and visual artist XKYLAR has made a name for herself in the music industry. XKYLAR has worked behind the scenes with a wide range of artists, from indie darlings like Remi Wolf and MUNA to dance mainstays like ADÉLA and Kim Petras. Now, with the release of her debut EP, “WHY IS NOBODY DANCING?,” XKYLAR is emerging from the shadows and into the spotlight she has long seemed destined for.

The City of Denton created an inclement weather alert system for people without housing. Denton created the text message notification system to alert people without housing when heat levels rise to yellow. Residents who use this system will receive texts indicating the day’s National Weather Service heat risk level and cool places to stay. The city then opens inclement weather stations when the HeatRisk becomes orange.

The University of Texas at Austin fired KUT Public Radio General Manager Debbie Hiott because it does not want faculty to call out false statements and possibly shift the blame away from its incompetence. School leadership sights Hiott's mishandling of the KUT festival, but this seems to be an attack on journalists who hold differing views from state leaders rather than a lack of performance.