News from March 2024
Texas Attorney General Office comes out in opposition to Austin's light-rail funding request, says funding agreement was 'void at the time' and an 'unconstitutional debt'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 18, 2024
On Monday, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) will appear in the Travis County District Court to ask a judge to validate $150 million of a total $5 billion dollar bond package for Austin’s light rail project called Project Connect.
Charter school entrepreneur: ‘Charter schools are filling a gap for low-income communities’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 18, 2024
Starlee Coleman, CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association, emphasized the vital role charter schools play in addressing educational disparities, particularly for marginalized communities, highlighting their accountability in providing safe and effective learning environments for children. Coleman was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
TASA Member Services Center to Close Temporarily for New Launch
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 18, 2024
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.
State financial aid priority deadline extended to April 15
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 18, 2024
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).
TDHCA Resources for Wildfire Affected Texans
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 15, 2024
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...
Charter school entrepreneur: The Texas Public Charter Schools Association protects the ‘policy foundation that supports charter schools’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 15, 2024
Starlee Coleman, CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association, highlighted the organization's commitment to preserving the autonomy of charter schools, ensuring educators' freedom to innovate in creating dynamic learning environments. Coleman was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Sam Houston Re-Enactor to Visit Sam Houston Center in Liberty During Free Event on April 4
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 14, 2024
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...
Bryce: 'The energy transition to a grid mainly powered by wind and solar projects will not happen'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 13, 2024
A recent report by energy expert Robert Bryce reveals that the United States is not constructing enough high-voltage transmission capacity to facilitate the much-anticipated "energy transition" from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The successful execution of this transition relies heavily on a substantial expansion of the grid. However, Bryce highlights that the prohibitive costs and declining rate of capacity additions are rendering this transition increasingly unlikely.
TCEQ Announces 2024 Texas Environmental Excellence Award Winners
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 13, 2024
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...
Joint Financial Regulatory Agencies to Review Home Equity Lending Rules
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 13, 2024
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...
State Housing Agency Launches Reentry Assistance Pilot Program
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 13, 2024
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...
Former MLB player: The MLB 'is a business' that will 'try to get their player for the least amount of money as possible'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 12, 2024
Mark Teixeira, former professional baseball first baseman, discussed his draft experience, where he expected to be a top pick but ended up being selected in the ninth round, highlighting the business-driven nature of the sport. Teixeira was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
New Texas property tax abatement for corporations begins
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 7, 2024
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the state will commence accepting applications for the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program. This initiative was established by the Texas Legislature in 2023 as a newer version of its school property tax abatement scheme for large businesses.
Former athlete: Professional athleticism ‘starts with a god-given gift’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 7, 2024
Mark Teixeira, former professional baseball first baseman, emphasized the essential role of innate talent in becoming a professional athlete, highlighting that possessing the necessary physical attributes is crucial for success in sports. Teixeira was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
DPS Announces Featured Fugitive for March
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 6, 2024
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...
Empowering the Next Generation: The Story of TLEEM and Arjun Sharda
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 6, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH ARJUN SHARDA, FOUNDER OF TLEEM
Former athlete: In parenting ‘it's a little bit more difficult to check the scoreboard’
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 6, 2024
Mark Teixeira, former professional baseball first baseman, highlighted the challenge of assessing one's performance as a parent compared to that of an athlete, emphasizing the lack of a tangible scoreboard in parenting. Teixeira was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Health Officials Provide Guidance on Returning Home After Wildfires
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 5, 2024
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...
DPS Announces Results from Human Trafficking Operations
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 5, 2024
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...
New research suggests that increasing costs of large turbines may outweigh their benefits
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 4, 2024
A new study published in the Harvard Business Review posits that the costs of maintaining and decommissioning large turbines may eventually surpass the benefits derived from the energy they capture. The research was conducted by professors Sam Aflaki, Atalay Atasu, and Luk Van Wassenhove.
