The Statesman

Pope Leo is taking on an increasingly visible statesman role, with appeals for peace as conflicts flare around the world. The Washington Post reports that the pontiff has leaned into diplomatic advocacy, positioning the papacy as a moral voice amid renewed warfare. The piece highlights how his early pontificate is being defined by calls for dialogue and de-escalation.

Luxury home sales in Austin, Texas are defying the broader housing market slowdown, continuing to attract buyers even as higher mortgage rates cool sales elsewhere. The Austin American-Statesman reports on why the high-end segment is holding up, pointing to continued demand from wealthy buyers less dependent on financing. The trend sets Austin apart from many other US metro areas.

An opinion column in the Austin American-Statesman argues that Texas should restore climate change to its core school curriculum. The piece calls for the state to require that climate science be taught as a central part of students' education rather than a peripheral topic. Texas, a major producer of oil and gas, has repeatedly been at the center of debates over how science standards address climate change, and the argument is likely to renew that fight among educators, parents and state education officials.

The Austin American-Statesman has published a list of 16 safety tips for people attending the ACL Fest music festival and the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. The guidance covers how attendees can protect themselves and their belongings while enjoying the city's major back-to-back events, which draw large crowds and heavy traffic to the area each autumn.