A federal jury declared a mistrial after deadlocking in the prosecution of five current and former Stanford students charged in connection with pro‑Palestinian protests; the judge declared the case unresolved as campus organizers and civil‑liberties groups watched closely. The deadlock highlights legal and political challenges universities face adjudicating protest‑related conduct. Elsewhere in Texas, students staged walkouts opposing immigration enforcement and ICE policies despite threats from state officials. Administrators are balancing free‑speech protections, safety concerns, and state political pressure as protests spread across campuses, signaling continued volatility for campus climate and governance into the academic year.