G20 Energy: The White House confirmed a Russian official will attend next week’s G20 energy meeting in Houston, a move that’s already drawn European criticism over normalization while Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Data Centers & Power: Texas remains at the center of the data-center boom—and the backlash—after reports say Anthropic is discussing a Bastrop County project that could pair a large gas-fired generation site with new AI data capacity, raising questions about who pays for grid upgrades. Inflation & Rates: A new U.S. inflation read shows August prices up 3.4% year over year, with energy and housing driving the rise—keeping pressure on the Fed and on borrowing costs for Texans. Housing Costs: Mortgage rates near 7% are squeezing Houston homebuyers, but lenders and local programs may offer down-payment help and rate buy-down options. Consumer Tech Policy: A Texas judge ruled TikTok liable for misleading parents about child safety features, adding momentum to state-level scrutiny of platform practices. Energy Markets: Oil slipped Friday but stayed on track for a weekly gain as Hormuz-shipping risk headlines kept volatility high. Local Business & Finance: Texas Comptroller Huffines announced state revenue for fiscal 2026, while Texas banking regulators resolved unlicensed money transmission allegations.