News from September 2024
Texas DPS emphasizes child passenger safety during awareness week
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 17, 2024
In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 15 to 20, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging drivers to familiarize themselves with the best child safety seat practices to ensure the safety of young passengers on the road.
THRAB offers free preservation assessments for El Paso archives
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 17, 2024
The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB), supported by the National Historical Publication and Records Commission (NHPRC), will fund up to four professional preservation assessments in the El Paso area and Far West Texas region during December 2024. This initiative aims to provide education and support to archival repositories in the state.
Texas Public Policy Foundation supports Gov. Abbott's designation of Tren de Aragua as terrorist group
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 17, 2024
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has expressed support for Governor Greg Abbott's recent initiative to designate Tren de Aragua (TdA) as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation aims to allocate law enforcement resources to address the threat posed by TdA. According to Governor Abbott, "Texas law enforcement will now be creating a database from scratch," due to the lack of a shared criminal database between Venezuela and the United States.
Governor Abbott appoints Eck to advisory committee
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 17, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Stephen “Steve” Eck to the Firefighters’ Star of Texas Award Advisory Committee for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. The Committee advises the Governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Firefighters' Star of Texas Award. This award is given to firefighters who were seriously injured in the line of duty and the surviving next of kin of each firefighter who was killed or sustained a fatal injury in the line of duty.
Affordable housing industry advocates see Texas housing affordability issues impacting renters as well as homeowners
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 17, 2024
Last month, the Texas Comptroller office, led by Glenn Hegar, released a study on housing affordability in Texas which looked into the key factors contributing to housing costs and how that compares with other states in the country.
Texas State Library announces 2025 Family Place Libraries Project grants
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 15, 2024
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has announced that applications for the fiscal year 2025 Family Place Libraries™ Project grants are now open. TSLAC is seeking qualified libraries to attend a Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute at the new Cedar Park Public Library in Cedar Park, Texas, and implement the program in their facilities.
Texas launches "Peace of Mind" campaign to support farmer's mental health
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 15, 2024
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) have announced the launch of the "Texas Peace of Mind" campaign. This initiative is dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of the state's farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers through TDA’s AgriStress Helpline.
Governor Abbott celebrates new Catholic school groundbreaking in Boerne
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 15, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated the groundbreaking of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School in Boerne, applauding the school’s commitment to providing Texas families with educational choices.
TASA/TASB award stars of distinction to 2024-25 school architecture projects
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 15, 2024
TASA and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) have announced that 41 projects will be included in the 2024-25 Exhibit of School Architecture. This exhibit, featuring new and renovated Texas school facilities, includes projects from 30 school districts, two college systems, and one state school submitted by 21 architectural firms. Eligible projects are newly constructed or renovated public education facilities completed in the past five years and not previously submitted in this annual exhibit.
TPWD reports decline in fatalities, rise in boating accidents during recent Labor Day Weekend
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 14, 2024
The recent Labor Day holiday weekend yielded a reduction in fatalities but a rise in boating accidents across Texas compared to the same time last year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reported.
TCEQ seeks entries for annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 14, 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued a call for entries for its annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest. The contest is open to high school and middle school students, regardless of whether they attend public or private schools or are homeschooled.
DPS seizes over 16 lbs of cocaine, two lbs of fentanyl in NW Texas traffic stop
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 14, 2024
A September 6 evening traffic stop in northwest Texas resulted in a drug seizure executed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The incident occurred near Conway in Carson County shortly after 5 p.m.
Texas Water Development Board approves funds for East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 14, 2024
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved financial assistance totaling $14,012,500 to the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation in Cameron County. The funding includes $4,265,000 in financing and $9,747,500 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). This support will be used for planning, designing, and constructing improvements to the water system.
TxDOT to eliminate SH 288 Comprehensive Development Agreement
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 13, 2024
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) seeks to end the SH 288 Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA), an act that will give motorists more free lanes on which to drive.
Texas Public Policy Foundation files lawsuit challenging Corporate Transparency Act
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 13, 2024
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has filed a lawsuit against the United States government, challenging the constitutionality of the recently adopted Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The CTA requires nearly anyone forming a state corporate entity to disclose private information to federal law enforcement, regardless of whether they are engaged in interstate activity or suspected of any crime.
Governor Abbott appoints Coates, Trippon to Texas State Board Of Public Accountancy
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 13, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Grant Coates and James “Jim” Trippon to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for terms set to expire on January 31, 2025. The Board ensures that individuals issued certificates as certified public accountants possess the necessary education, skills, and capabilities to perform competently in the profession of public accountancy.
Restoring dignity and building community: How the Other Ones Foundation addresses homelessness
By Lone Star Standard reports | Sep 12, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Chris Baker, executive director of the Other Ones Foundation, an Austin-based non-profit serving the homeless.
Texas Water Development Board approves nearly $99 million in funding for infrastructure projects
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 12, 2024
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved financial assistance totaling $98,724,653 for various water and wastewater projects across the state. The funding allocations are as follows:
Texas Agriculture Commissioner warns of online scams targeting residents
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 11, 2024
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a statement on September 10, 2024, urging Texans to remain vigilant against online scams and fraudulent activities.
Texas Department of Public Safety highlights crime lab achievements during National Forensic Science Week
By Lone Star Standard | Sep 11, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is recognizing the contributions of its Crime Laboratory Division during National Forensic Science Week, which runs from September 15 to 21.
