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TDHCA Resources for Wildfire Affected Texans
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced resources available for Texans affected by wildfires. In coordination with Panhandle Community Services (PCS), TDHCA is making up to $1.2 million of federal Community Services Block Grant funds in assistance available to income-eligible households. According to TDHCA's website, eligible households must have an annual income at or below $62,400 for a family of four to qualify for the assistance.Households looking to move to affordable housing developments in TDHCA's portfolio will need to sign a...
Agencies
Sam Houston Re-Enactor to Visit Sam Houston Center in Liberty During Free Event on April 4
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty is gearing up for a special event featuring a re-enactor portraying the legendary Texan, Sam Houston. Derrick Birdsall, director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, will be bringing Houston to life on Thursday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. Birdsall will share insights into Houston's life and career, including his time as a U.S. Senator, and shed light on the story behind the Center's name."We are thrilled to offer this program for our community to have a little fun and learn something fascinating about a person from...
Agencies
TCEQ Announces 2024 Texas Environmental Excellence Award Winners
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality revealed the recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Among the winners are organizations, educators, and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation.In the realm of civic and community initiatives, Keep San Angelo Beautiful's Tires-To-Go project was recognized for its contributions. Similarly, Keep Irving Beautiful's KIB Environmental Education program stood out in the education category. Venessa Wallace from Peet Junior High in Conroe...
Agencies
Joint Financial Regulatory Agencies to Review Home Equity Lending Rules
The Joint Financial Regulatory Agencies have announced their intention to review home equity lending rules. According to a report released on March 4, 2024, the agencies will be accepting informal comments on the rule review until March 28 at 5:00 p.m.The rule review notice can be found on the official website of the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) in Texas. The document outlines the purpose of the review and provides details on how interested parties can participate in the process.In a statement, the agencies stated, "The Joint Financial Regulatory...
Agencies
State Housing Agency Launches Reentry Assistance Pilot Program
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced the launch of the Reentry Assistance Pilot Program aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals secure housing. The program involves four awards of $100,000 each to assist in obtaining rental housing, paying security deposits, and other reentry activities related to housing.According to TDHCA executive director Bobby Wilkinson, "TDHCA serves as an essential resource for all individuals and families seeking affordable housing." The Reentry Assistance Pilot Program will provide funding to...
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DPS Announces Featured Fugitive for March
Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Mack Kizzee III has been identified as this month's Featured Fugitive, with the reward for his arrest increased to $6,000 for tips received in March. According to reports, Mack Arthur Kizzee III, 29, hailing from Houston, has been on the run since January 2023 due to a parole violation warrant issued by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Additionally, a warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon was also issued in Montgomery County during the same month.In a previous criminal case, Kizzee was convicted of aggravated robbery...
Agencies
Health Officials Provide Guidance on Returning Home After Wildfires
Health officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services are emphasizing the importance of safety and caution for individuals returning to their homes and businesses in areas affected by the recent wildfires in the state. According to the department, people should not return home until local authorities confirm it is safe to do so.One of the primary risks after a fire is exposure to hazardous smoke and ash, which can contain toxic substances like asbestos, arsenic, and lead. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of inhaling smoke and ash and should...
Agencies
DPS Announces Results from Human Trafficking Operations
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently disclosed the outcomes of multiple human trafficking mitigation and rescue operations conducted throughout January 2024, in observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. According to DPS Director Steven McCraw, "Human trafficking continues to pose a major threat to the safety of our communities." He emphasized the importance of vigilance among Texans to combat this heinous crime.During the operations, 52 trafficking victims, including nine children, were rescued in various cities across the state, such as...
Agencies
Texas Water Development Board Seeks Public Input for Texas Water Fund
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is seeking public input to aid in the implementation of the Texas Water Fund, as reported on February 28, 2024. The Texas Water Fund was approved by Texas voters through Proposition 6 in November 2023, allocating $1 billion for water infrastructure upgrades, innovative water supply projects, and a statewide water public awareness program.In a statement, the TWDB announced, "Of the $1 billion appropriated to the Texas Water Fund, the TWDB must allocate at least $250 million to the New Water Supply for Texas Fund to implement...
Agencies
Family History Day Workshop Scheduled at Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
The upcoming Family History Day workshop at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center aims to assist individuals in preserving their family's historical treasures. According to Tonia Wood, the TSLAC Information Services Supervisor, the event will provide attendees with the opportunity to discover and preserve their family's history.Wood will be leading sessions on finding ancestors' stories within the SHC and TSLAC collections, as well as providing guidance on the basic preservation of paper-based materials. In preparation for the workshop, participants are...
Agencies
TPPF Commends Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dade Phelan on Their Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Appointments
Governor Greg Abbott appointed members to Texas’ Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, a move commended by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF). The council, established through Rep. Giovanni Capriglione’s House Bill 2060, aims to oversee the use of AI in state agencies and consider the implementation of a code of ethics for AI systems in government.Among the appointed members are John Bash, Mark Stone, Ph.D., Dean Teffer, Ph.D., and Angela Wilkins, Ph.D. Speaker Dade Phelan selected Representative Giovanni Capriglione as co-chair, while Lieutenant Governor Dan...
Agencies
Go Behind the Headlines with Latest Exhibit from State Archives
The latest exhibit at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) titled "Extra! Extra! Eyes of the World on Texas" has opened in Austin. The exhibit, which focuses on significant events that captured national and international attention, is now on display at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in downtown Austin and online.According to the announcement, the exhibit showcases moments in history when Texas was in the spotlight for various reasons, both tragic and triumphant. As stated in the release, "Such events were often terrible and...
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Texas State Library and Archives Commission Loans Iconic “Travis Letter” to Alamo Through March 24
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has loaned the famous letter written by William Barret Travis on Feb. 24, 1836, signed “Victory or Death,” to the Alamo Trust. The public is invited to view this iconic Texas Treasure from Feb. 23 through March 24, 2024, at the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collection Center, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX.Gloria Meraz, TSLAC Librarian and Director, expressed, “The Commission’s loan of the Travis letter for this exhibit presents a special opportunity for Texans to view what is perhaps the most famous document...
Agencies
Supreme Court of Texas to Hear Case on Public Sector Unions' "Release Time" Scheme
The Supreme Court of Texas is set to hear oral arguments on public sector labor unions' "release time" scheme, which forces taxpayers to pay union organizers' salaries and finance their activities. The Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Goldwater Institute are representing taxpayers in the case."The City of Austin is in a public safety crisis that this release time policy only makes worse," said lead attorney Robert Henneke, executive director and general counsel at TPPF. "City of Austin firefighters should be doing their jobs, not being assigned to AFA union...
Agencies
DPS Announces Leadership Promotions
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced significant leadership changes following the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Mathis after over 35 years of service. DPS Director Steven McCraw expressed gratitude for Mathis' dedication, stating, "For more than three decades, Lt. Col. Mathis has committed his life to the people of Texas. It has been an honor to work alongside him, and I thank him for all he has done to make this department a better place for all."The vacancies created by Mathis' retirement have been filled through promotions approved by the...
Agencies
Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Jeff Walker to retire
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) announced today that Jeff Walker, the Executive Administrator, will retire on March 5, 2024, after nearly eight years at the helm of the agency and over three decades with the TWDB.As one of the longest-serving TWDB Executive Administrators, Walker's tenure was marked by innovative vision and a commitment to transparency and results-driven achievements. TWDB Chairwoman Brooke Paup expressed her gratitude, saying, “Jeff’s steadfast leadership and unwavering dedication to Texas water these many years helped transform our agency and...
Agencies
TCEQ announces Take Care of Texas program video contest winners
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has revealed the winners of the 2024 Take Care of Texas video contest. According to the agency, the competition aims to showcase ways to preserve Texas' environment and resources.Among the standout entries this year was a video from Emmanuel Vaughan, an 11th-grade student at George Bush High School in Richmond, TX. Vaughan's submission earned him the first-place spot in the high school category, along with a $2,500 scholarship.In the middle school division, Bianca Shipley, a 6th-grade student from Omar Bradley Middle School in...
Agencies
Wind generation in Texas continues its decline from last year
In January, production from Texas wind farms declined by 22% compared to the same month last year, as per data recently released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the state's grid. This decrease continues a year-long slump for wind energy.
Agencies
Applications open for the Texas Clean School Bus Program
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Texas Clean School Bus (TCSB) Program. The program aims to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust by providing grant funding for the replacement or retrofitting of school buses.With an estimated $13.5 million in grant funding available, school districts in Texas have the opportunity to replace or retrofit their school buses. The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can reimburse up to 100 percent of the cost to retrofit buses or...
Agencies
DIR Posts a Pre-Solicitation for Public Cloud Manager (PCM)
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) has announced its intention to release a Request for Offer (RFO) for a Public Cloud Manager (PCM) to provide implementation, management, and support of the Public Cloud Services offering for DIR customers. This announcement was made through a Pre-solicitation Notice, which serves as a preliminary notification to the vendor community.In the notice, DIR encourages vendors to keep an eye on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) and the Schedule of Solicitation Opportunities on the Selling Through DIR page for future updates...
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