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Sam Houston Center Quarterly Book Club Meets in May
Liberty, TX - The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty (SHC) is set to host its 2024 quarterly book club meeting on Tuesday, May 28, featuring "The Giver of Stars" by Jojo Moyes. The novel tells the story of the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, who delivered library books by packhorse during the Great Depression.The Sam Houston Center book club, which focuses on fictional works related to museums, archives, and libraries, welcomes all participants to join the discussion from 6 - 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of May, August, and November 2024 at the...
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COMMISSIONER MILLER AWARDS $23 MILLION TO RURAL HOSPITALS
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture’s State Office of Rural Health (SORH) announced a substantial investment of $23,885,000 in funding for broadband infrastructure improvement grants through the Broadband Development Office at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. This initiative is specifically tailored to fortify connectivity in rural Texas hospitals, enhance healthcare accessibility, and elevate the quality of life within rural communities across the state. Rural communities often face challenges in...
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DPS Urges Texans, Visitors to Follow Safety Guidelines Ahead of Historic Solar Eclipse
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging Texans and visitors to follow safety guidelines ahead of the historic total solar eclipse expected to impact dozens of communities. The eclipse, which is predicted to impact communities in 83 counties, is expected to be visible from roughly 1:30 PM to 1:50 PM on Monday, April 8.
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Texas Department of Agriculture Leads Celebrations of Inaugural Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day
Today, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) spearheaded the celebrations of the first-ever Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day, with staff members joining Lake Travis Independent School District (ISD) students for a special lunch event. The day aimed to recognize and honor the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables into daily meals while emphasizing the nutritional benefits of locally grown produce.Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed his pride in the event, stating, "Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day is an opportunity to showcase the remarkable...
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Texas Railroad Commission releases oil and gas production statistics for January 2024
The Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) has disclosed statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for January 2024, drawing from data compiled from 161,408 oil wells and 84,725 gas wells. The agency clarified that the crude oil production it reports pertains solely to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the TRC.
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The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 709 original drilling permits in March 2024
On April 2, the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) released its drilling and completion statistics for March 2024. A press release from the agency stated that a total of 709 original drilling permits were issued in March.
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DPS Arrests More Than 200 Illegal Immigrants for State Crimes in El Paso
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has confirmed the arrests of 214 illegal immigrants on state rioting charges in connection with the March 21, 2024, incident near Gate 36 in El Paso. According to DPS, "The illegal immigrants attempted to breach the concertina wire and make illegal entry into the United States."The group, consisting of adult males and females from Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, had previously been in federal custody for improper entry. They have now been rebooked on state rioting...
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DSHS Reports First Human Case of Avian Influenza in Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Texas, with the individual having direct exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with the virus. The patient, whose only symptom was inflammation of their eyes, underwent testing late last week. The tests were conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the weekend.
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DPS Arrests Six in Multi-Agency Lone Star Card Fraud Investigation
EL PASO – Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested six suspects in connection with a Lone Star Card fraud investigation in the El Paso area. Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Lone Star Cards are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help payments. From 2016 to the current date, 30 individuals have been arrested for Lone Star Card fraud.The multi-agency...
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Fugitive Sex Offenders from Houston, Odessa Added to Texas 10 Most Wanted List
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Braylon Lee Smart and Christopher Michael Anderson to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to each of their arrests. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.Braylon Lee Smart, 27, of Houston, has been wanted out of Harris County since February 2023 for evading arrest/detention with a previous conviction. Additionally, in October 2023, multiple warrants were issued out of Harris and Fort Bend counties for Smart’s arrest...
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TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $207,958
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has announced fines totaling $207,958 for violations of state environmental regulations. The penalties were approved during a recent meeting, as reported on Mar 28, 2024.According to the official statement, the fines include penalties of $191,118 against 12 regulated entities. The violations covered a range of categories, with agreed orders issued for various enforcement categories such as multi-media, municipal wastewater discharges, petroleum storage tanks, and public water systems. Default orders were also issued for...
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Public Hearing Scheduled for 2026-2027 Biennium Health Program Funding
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has announced a public hearing to gather input on public health program funding for the 2026-2027 biennium Legislative Appropriations Request. The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Robert D. Moreton Building Public Hearing Room M-100 in Austin, Texas.According to the DSHS agenda, the public hearing will include a welcome and call to order, an agency overview, a budget overview for the 2026-2027 Biennium, public comment session, closing remarks, and adjournment.Stakeholder...
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TDHCA Adds Freddie Mac HFA Advantage® to Mortgage Options for Qualified Repeat Texas Homebuyers
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has introduced the Freddie Mac HFA Advantage mortgage product to its Texas Homebuyer Program, catering to qualified first-time or repeat Texas homebuyers."TDHCA’s Texas Homebuyer Program provides a critical financial component to advancing homeownership in the state," expressed Bobby Wilkinson, TDHCA’s executive director, emphasizing the importance of the program.Wilkinson further stated, "We’re excited to now offer the Freddie Mac HFA Advantage product and give future homebuyers another favorable mortgage...
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THECB Awarded $250,000 Grant for Direct Admissions Pathway
Austin, Texas – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has been awarded a $250,000 grant as one of the winners of The Great Admissions Redesign competition, sponsored by Lumina Foundation. The grant is aimed at supporting the design and development of the Direct Admissions Pathway.The Pathway, which will be integrated into My Texas Future, a comprehensive advising tool for Texans looking to pursue higher education, will notify students when they receive direct admission to participating institutions. Students can input their class rank and...
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Governor Abbott Reappoints Three To Texas Medical Board District Three Review Committee
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Ogechika “Oge” Alozie, M.D., Taylor Gillig, and Gabrielle Rich, D.O. to the Texas Medical Board District Three for terms set to expire on January 15, 2030.Ogechika “Oge” Alozie, M.D., CEO of Sunset West Health in El Paso, expressed his commitment to serving on the board, showcasing his extensive experience in infectious disease care and membership in various medical associations. Alozie's background includes a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from...
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TPPF Launches National Center for Energy Analytics
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has inaugurated the National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA), a national energy think tank spearheaded by TPPF fellow Mark P. Mills.
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TASA Partners with N2 Learning to Offer Leadership Series for New Principals
TASA is pleased to announce a new collaboration with N2 Learning to launch the New 2 Principalship Collaborative Coaching Series. This initiative aims to support the development of new school leaders and equip them with the necessary skills to create student-centered schools and foster future-ready students.According to TASA, the series will provide new principals with a platform to engage in discussions about leadership strategies, innovative solutions to current challenges, and networking opportunities with peers from different districts. Participants will...
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TPPF Announces Border Security and Immigration Priorities for the 89th Legislative Session
The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Secure and Sovereign Texas campaign revealed its border security and immigration policy focuses for the upcoming 2025 89th Texas Legislative Session. Selene Rodriguez, the SST Campaign Director, emphasized the urgency of the situation by stating, "Texas is ground zero for the immigration and border security crisis caused by President Biden’s refusal to enforce the law."Rodriguez further asserted, "Texas has every right to protect its people and property, and it will be aggressive in asserting its constitutional authority to combat the...
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TASA Member Services Center to Close Temporarily for New Launch
TASA has announced the temporary shutdown of its Member Services Center (MSC) in preparation for the upcoming launch of a brand-new MSC in April 2024.
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State financial aid priority deadline extended to April 15
Austin, Texas – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has extended the state financial aid application priority deadline to April 15 due to continued technical challenges related to completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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