TIFA executive director: Changes in visitation hugs and hand-holding ‘because that’s how the drugs are being passed’
By Lone Star Standard | May 16, 2024
Sharon McKinney, executive director of the Texas Inmate Families Association, said that visitation policies have changed significantly, restricting physical contact due to concerns about drug smuggling. McKinney was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
TIFA executive director: The ‘biggest part of our mission is education’
By Lone Star Standard | May 15, 2024
Sharon McKinney, executive director of the Texas Inmate Families Association, said their main focus is education, conducting statewide support meetings for families affected by incarceration, despite Covid challenges, stressing the meetings' vital role in providing support and addressing stigma. McKinney was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Agricultural Pesticide Waste Collection Event Held in Erath County
By Lone Star Standard | May 15, 2024
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Miller, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and hazardous waste recycler Clean Earth collaborated to host an Agricultural Pesticide Waste Collection event in Stephenville, Texas, located in Erath County. This free public event was designed to enable agriculture producers to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides and pesticide containers.
TXDOT: $301 Million Irving Interchange Project Nears Completion
By Lone Star Standard | May 15, 2024
The transformation of a once-congested triangle of highway interchanges in Irving is nearing completion, marking the end of a significant overhaul of the corridors. The Irving Interchange, which encompasses the old Texas Stadium site in the Dallas District and is the intersection point for SH 183, SH 114, Loop 12 and Spur 482, had been plagued by outdated cloverleaf designs, narrow highways and increasing traffic demands. These issues resulted in substantial delays for commuters and travelers and placed this location on the Texas Clear Lanes Congestion Relief planning list.
Governor Abbott makes key appointments to Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs
By Lone Star Standard | May 15, 2024
Governor Abbott has reappointed Major General Juan G. Ayala and Adriana Cruz, while also appointing Joe Esparza and Michael Poku, M.D., to the Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs. These appointments are for terms set to expire on February 1, 2027. In addition, Stewart McGregor has been appointed by the Governor for a term set to expire on February 1, 2025. The Governor named Esparza as chair and Cruz will continue as vice chair. The Council's mandate is to advise the Office of the Governor on issues resulting from changes in demographics in the state.
TIFA Executive Director: Two brothers with an incarcerated brother created TIFA to support families with loved ones in prison
By Lone Star Standard | May 14, 2024
Sharon McKinney, executive director of the Texas Incarcerated Families Association, said that TIFA was founded 30 years ago by two brothers who were not familiar with navigating the prison system in Texas. They established a support group after meeting with Brad Livingston, then executive director of TDCJ. McKinney was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Patterson asks A.G. Paxton to appeal READER Act ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court
By Lone Star Standard | May 14, 2024
During the 88th legislative session, the legislature passed HB 900, the READER Act (Restricting Explicit and Adult Designated Educational Resources).
Advocating for Homeschool Freedom: A Conversation with Anita Scott
By Lone Star Standard | May 13, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Anita Scott, Director of Public Policy at the Texas Homeschool Coalition.
Texas pushes back against Biden's border policies with Operation Lone Star
By Lone Star Standard | May 13, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard have been collaborating to secure the border, halt the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and counteract transnational criminal activity between ports of entry. This joint effort, known as Operation Lone Star, has resulted in over 510,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 42,500 criminal arrests, including over 37,700 felony charges.
Texas businesses save $4.5 billion through Senator's SB 2 & 3
By Lone Star Standard | May 13, 2024
In the second Special Session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, Senator Bettencourt (R-Houston) successfully passed SB 2 and SB 3, which have resulted in significant savings for Texas business and property owners. SB 2 provided historic property tax reductions, while SB 3 doubled the franchise tax exemption. This legislative change removed approximately 67,000 Texas small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) from the franchise tax roll and eliminated the need to file a 'No Tax Due' form.
Texas Commission approves environmental fines totaling $175,171
By Lone Star Standard | May 13, 2024
State Representative Ray Lopez of Bexar County has been appointed to the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations. He joins six other members on this newly established committee, which was created to evaluate threats from hostile foreign organizations that could potentially harm the state’s economy, security, and values.
Lopez appointed to the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations
By Lone Star Standard | May 11, 2024
State Representative Ray Lopez of Bexar County has been appointed to the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations. He joins six other members on this newly established committee, which was created to evaluate threats from hostile foreign organizations that could potentially harm the state’s economy, security, and values.
Bumgarner invites Denton County students to apply for Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program
By Lone Star Standard | May 11, 2024
Texas State Representative Ben Bumgarner (R-House District 63) has extended an invitation to students in Denton County to apply for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP). The program offers eligible students the opportunity to receive up to $15,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Texas Oil and Gas Association President: ‘This decision hamstrings our ability to meet the world’s ever-growing energy demands’
By Lone Star Standard | May 10, 2024
Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA), has expressed concern over the Biden Administration's decision to halt approvals for liquified natural gas export permits. He stated that this move could have negative repercussions on the state's economy. Staples voiced these concerns during his testimony at a hearing of the Texas House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports in Port Arthur on May 2.
Speaker Dade Phelan releases House interim charges
By Lone Star Standard | May 10, 2024
On Thursday, Texas Speaker Dade Phelan released interim charges for the 88th legislative session.
TXOGA safety group receives $3.84M in dividends from Texas Mutual
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
Members of the Texas Oil & Gas Association’s (TXOGA) Workers’ Compensation Safety Group have received $3.84 million in dividends from the Texas Mutual Insurance Company. The policyholder-owned company, Texas Mutual, distributes dividends to policyholders who maintain successful safety records.
Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham opposes federal offshore wind turbine auction
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has expressed her opposition to the proposed federal auction of offshore lands for wind turbine construction in a letter addressed to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The letter, dated April 29, highlighted several recent failures of offshore wind projects in U.S. waters.
Texas House investigation on the Panhandle Wildfires issues its findings, recommendations
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
An investigation into Texas’s largest wildfire in history has released its final findings and recommendations into the causes of the fires and what should be done to prevent and respond to future incidents.
Weekend Interview: Tim Dunn on Faith, Governance, and Political Labels
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
Tim Dunn is a business owner in Midland, Texas, and serves on the boards of non-profit organizations. He and his wife of 46 years have six children and 20 grandchildren. He responded to questions from Lone Star Standard to discuss political labels, his views on Texas politics, and his faith.
Governor Abbott appoints Kent Chambers to Ninth Court of Appeals
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Kent Chambers to the Ninth Court of Appeals, Place 4, effective July 1, 2024, for a term set to expire on December 31, 2024, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
