AP News reported that over 100,000 residents of El Paso, Texas, experienced a water outage following a major break in a 36-inch water main over the weekend. The break, described by officials as unprecedented, impacted approximately 38,000 customer connections and led to the draining of several water reservoirs. A boil water notice was issued, and water distribution centers were established while officials worked to restore water service, with a return to normal operations expected by midweek. Classes were canceled at numerous schools due to the outage, and the cause of the break is currently under investigation.
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The body of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who had been missing since Christmas Eve, was discovered in a field near her home in Texas. Authorities confirmed the identity through the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, who determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head and ruled the manner of death as suicide. Prior to the discovery, Olmos’s mother reported her missing after she did not return from her morning walk, and security footage showed her near her car and on a roadside. Sheriff Javier Salazar stated that Olmos had previously exhibited “suicidal ideations” and battled depression.
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Authorities in Texas discovered a body and a gun in a field near the home of missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos. The body was found during a renewed search of the area, approximately 100 yards from Olmos’ residence. While the medical examiner has yet to determine the cause of death, authorities do not suspect foul play, possibly indicating self-harm. The search for Olmos was initiated after she was last seen on Christmas Eve.
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A year after Texas implemented a policy blocking transgender residents from updating their state IDs, the state has compiled a list containing information on over 100 individuals who attempted to do so. The Texas Department of Public Safety gathered the names and license numbers of these individuals, sending them to a specific agency email account, though the exact purpose of this list remains undisclosed. Despite requests for clarification, state officials have not revealed the rationale behind collecting this data, nor if it is shared with other agencies. This action raises concerns among advocates, who fear the list might be used to further restrict the rights of transgender Texans, especially given recent legislation defining gender on state documents and limiting restroom access.
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In a surprising turn of events, the records in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case have been unsealed after a request from eight media organizations. Judge Robert Brotherton signed the order following an agreement between Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton. The released documents reveal the couple has entered mediation and that their blind trust provided funds for attorney fees. While the initial filings did not provide detailed financial information, the unsealing is considered a victory for transparency in light of Paxton’s run for U.S. Senate and past misconduct allegations.
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A 15-year-old girl was reported missing on Christmas Day after failing to return from a walk with her dog in Porter, Texas. Using parental controls on his phone, the girl’s father tracked her to a secluded area where he found her and her dog inside a pickup truck with a 23-year-old man. The father helped his daughter escape and contacted authorities, who arrested Giovanni Rosales Espinoza on charges of aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child, alleging he threatened the girl with a knife. Espinoza remains in jail without bond.
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The U.S. government is poised to withhold highway funds from Texas if the state continues to grant commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to undocumented immigrants. This issue has reportedly been a long-standing concern for Texas officials. Representatives from the Texas Trucking Association, like John Esparza, have stated their attempts to collaborate with the Biden Administration on a solution were unsuccessful. This situation now puts the state’s transportation funding at risk.
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Judge Dianne Hensley of Waco, Texas, is challenging the constitutionality of marriage equality in a federal lawsuit, claiming the Supreme Court’s decision “subordinated” state law. Hensley, who has refused to perform same-sex marriages citing religious beliefs, argues this position should be protected despite violating state judicial ethics rules. This legal battle follows years of proceedings, including a warning from the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct and support from the Texas Attorney General. Hensley’s current lawsuit seeks to prevent the commission from investigating or disciplining her for her discriminatory practices, claiming her rights as a Christian are being violated.
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Texas authorities have compiled a list of over 100 transgender individuals, raising concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the information. The state began collecting this data in August 2024, when the Attorney General changed the rules for updating gender markers on driver’s licenses, forwarding the information of those denied marker changes to an internal email address. Despite requests, officials have refused to explain the list’s purpose, but historical precedents suggest the collection of such data could be harmful. This action follows previous attempts to gather similar information and comes amid anti-transgender legislation in Texas.
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In a recent Supreme Court ruling, Texas’s gerrymandered maps were upheld, with the court citing the closeness to the election and the lack of illegal racial basis. The decision reflects the court’s trend of limiting anti-gerrymandering protections, raising questions about whether they will apply the same standards to California. The ruling potentially equalizes the actions of both states, which could lead to further challenges. Meanwhile, President Trump reversed his stance on affordability, dismissing it as a Democratic ploy despite previously embracing the issue and the increasing economic concerns. Lastly, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota, continuing his involvement in politics despite ongoing legal battles over his election conspiracy theories.
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John Q. Hosedrinker