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ODESSA, TEXAS/JUNE 30, 2021-ON JUNE 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:12PM FOUR SUBJECTS WENT TOGETHER INTO TEXAS ROADHOUSE LOCATED AT 4221 NORTH GRANDVIEW. THE FOUR SUBJECTS ORDERED $126.88 WORTH OF FOOD AND ALCHOHOL ITEMS BEFORE LEAVING WITHOUT PAYING. THEY WERE SEEN LEAVING IN A GOLD COLORED SEDAN. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION REGARDING THESE SUBJECTS, CONTACT THE ODESSA POLICE DEPARTMENT.
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Austin, TX – December 31, 2024 – The weekend of December 20-22, women’s sports won big with two very important actions by the state and federal government. On December 20, the Biden administration withdrew its erroneous, proposed rule that would have allowed men to compete in women’s sports. The rule being withdrawn was proposed in April 2023 after thousands of Americans spoke out with public comments after Biden’s initial rule to rewrite Title IX to have “sex” include gender identity. The rule would have placed the burden on the female athlete to prove that a man was in her sport and prove why that was unfair. The Biden administration withdrew this rule because they continue to receive ongoing litigation regarding their treatment of female athletes.
Sunday night of December 22, Texas delivered another win for female athletes when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for allowing men to compete in women’s sports. AG Paxton is suing the NCAA under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act for engaging in false and deceptive practices for marketing women’s sporting events that ultimately allowed men to compete in those women’s sporting events.
Director of Government Relations, Mary Elizabeth Castle for Texas Values said,
“The bad decisions of the federal government and the NCAA are coming back home to roost. It was always a bad policy to deny women and girls their rights to fair play, guaranteed by Title IX; and safety in private, vulnerable spaces. Now that the Biden administration has backed down, the NCAA should follow suit. Women deserve an opportunity to win and feel safe in their sports – it’s their civil right!”
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds Texans that changes to the state’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program are now in effect. These changes—which took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and eliminate many vehicle safety inspections—are due to House Bill 3297. The bill was passed by the 88th Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, abolishing the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles.
As a reminder, as of Jan. 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration. All non-commercial vehicles in the state are still subject to a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee per HB 3297. The inspection program replacement fee will be paid when you register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
New vehicles (those of the current or preceding model year on the date of purchase) purchased in Texas that have not been previously registered in Texas or another state are required to pay an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 to cover two years.
Please note the inspection program replacement fee is not an increase in the cost of your vehicle registration. As its name suggests, this fee simply replaces the revenue source for state programs and operations—like the construction and expansion of state highways—once supported by vehicle safety inspections.
Vehicles Registered in Emissions Counties
It is important to note that emissions tests are different than vehicle safety inspections. While comprehensive vehicle safety inspections are eliminated for all non-commercial vehicles, Texans whose vehicles are registered in emissions counties are still required to have emissions tests. The price of vehicle emissions tests varies by vehicle and county. Vehicles exempt from emissions inspections, including electric-only vehicles, continue to be exempt.
Emissions tests are required in major metropolitan areas, including Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties; Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant counties; Travis and Williamson counties; and El Paso County. Bexar County will be added to the list of counties requiring emissions tests in 2026.
Commercial Vehicles
All commercial vehicles in all counties are still required to obtain a passing vehicle safety inspection. Because they still need to pay for a safety inspection, commercial vehicles are exempt from the inspection program replacement fee.
Remember, all vehicles still need to be registered; the registration process continues to be managed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Even though vehicle safety inspections have been eliminated for most vehicles, the department reminds Texans to regularly service their vehicles to keep themselves and other motorists safe on the road. Regular maintenance ensures the proper operation of your vehicle’s headlights, taillights, horn, mirrors, windshield wipers, tires and other critical functions. Driving a vehicle without many of these properly working safety features is against the law and puts everyone at risk.
Last month, DPS launched a public safety announcement (PSA) video reviewing changes to vehicle inspections.
AUSTIN – As many parts of the state prepare to deal with wintry weather, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds Texans that extreme cold, freezing rain, ice and snow can pose major hazards to drivers and pedestrians and urges residents to be prepared and exercise caution in those types of conditions.
“Winter weather can be unpredictable, but by making safety a top priority you can help take control,” said Colonel Freeman Martin. “Plan ahead, check road conditions and adjust your driving for the type of roads you’re traveling on. These are all simple things that can make a big impact in making this winter season safer for everyone on the road.”
DPS encourages everyone to take the appropriate safety precautions during winter weather. This includes checking your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure, tire treads and fluid levels, as well as ensuring door and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing. Having a well-stocked emergency kit with warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items is also a good idea.
Here are some other tips to help you stay ahead of winter weather:
Winter Weather Road Safety Tips:
Winter Weather Home Safety Tips:
Texans are encouraged to stay vigilant, practice caution and remain prepared as winter weather conditions develop.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statement on President Biden’s decision to ban new offshore drilling projects in the United States:
“In a last-ditch effort to shut down the American energy industry, President Biden banned almost all new U.S. offshore drilling projects. This decision will eliminate good paying jobs for energy workers, move production overseas, and threatens funding of coastal revitalization projects. As the world grows hungry for more energy, we cannot produce less of it. Republicans in Congress will work with President Trump on Day 1 to unleash American energy production.”
January 9, 2024 – Today, a federal district court in Kentucky issued a decision in the anticipated State of Tennessee v Cardona case that blocks Biden’s re-write of Title IX in all 50 states. As you recall, currently 26 states enjoined Biden’s Title IX – that redefines “sex” to include gender identity – this summer before the start of the fall semester. Texas had two notable court rulings to stop the Title IX rewrite from being imposed on Carroll ISD and a statewide injunction as well.
Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations, said:
“After the continuous defeat and the recent waving of the white flag of surrender, the Biden administration’s war on women is finally over. More than half of the United States were not going to stand for the eradication of Title IX, that allowed for women’s sports and education. Now, women in all states will be protected from the bad policy that would have denied them their rights. We will be looking to the next administration to correct this policy and further protect women and girls”.
This news comes after the Biden administration previously withdrew their separate rule on sports under their plan to re-write Title IX. However, there were still many issues in the remaining parts of the Title IX rule including forcing men in women’s locker rooms, forcing pronoun usage, and even support of abortion in schools. Recently, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the NCAA under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act for allowing men to compete in women’s sports.
To learn more about the Save Women’s Sports movement in Texas, please visit https://savewomenssportstexas.com/
TXDPS/January 9, 2025/Midland County, Texas-On January 9, 2025 at approximately 6:35AM, a fatal crash occurred at SH 349 and SH 158 overpass in Midland County.
A 2020 Kenworth with trailer operated by Sheniel Nicholas Samuels, a 27 year-of-age male of Columbus, OH was traveling westbound on SH 349. A 2024 Chevrolet Silverado operated by Richard Allen Howell, a 57 year-of age male of Odessa and a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 operated by Adrian Mathew Armendariz were traveling eastbound on SH 349. The operator of the 2020 Kenworth with trailer was traveling at an unsafe speed for the icy road conditions and veered into the eastbound lane, then colliding with the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and the 2022 Dodge Ram on the overpass bridge. Richard Allen Howell the driver of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado was pronounced deceased at the scene. This crash remains under investigation.
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