Texas’ Department of Public Safety has ceased issuing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner permits (CLPs) to DACA recipients, refugees, and individuals granted asylum, effective immediately. This decision follows a new federal rule tightening CDL eligibility for non-citizens and stems from audits revealing ineligible CDL issuance nationwide. Applicants in these categories will be unable to proceed with testing until services are reinstated. The state’s action goes further than the federal rule, which only limits eligibility to non-citizens with employment-based visas.
Read More
An ICE detention facility in Texas is under scrutiny for allegedly inhumane conditions, according to a recent court filing. The filing details accounts of children experiencing shortages of clean water, sleep deprivation, inadequate medical care, and a lack of hygiene products, mirroring a “prison-like environment.” Legal groups monitoring child detention assert that the facility’s conditions violate basic detention standards. The facility is run by CoreCivic on behalf of ICE, and the filing comes as part of a court-ordered compliance report under the Flores settlement agreement.
Read More
A 42-year-old Texas man, Joshua Cole, has been arrested and charged with threatening to shoot up the Abilene Pride Parade. According to the FBI, Cole made specific threats on Facebook, motivated by the recent assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Cole was arrested a day later and admitted to operating the Facebook account but claimed he did not intend to carry out the threats. He is currently being held before trial and faces a potential five-year prison sentence if found guilty.
Read More
Multiple people shot at the Dallas ICE field office, according to a law enforcement source, and the details are starting to come into sharper focus. It appears this is a tragic event with a very specific target: detainees held at the facility. Initial reports indicated at least three people were injured, and sadly, one has been confirmed dead. The shooter, described as a white male, appears to have used a rifle and positioned himself as a sniper, raising concerns about the premeditated nature of this attack. The reports suggest that the suspect, after carrying out the shooting, took his own life as law enforcement closed in.… Continue reading
A new survey by the American Association of Professors reveals that a significant number of professors in Southern states like Texas and Florida are contemplating leaving their positions due to the current political climate’s impact on education. Roughly a quarter of respondents have applied for higher education jobs in other states since 2023. Professors cite the “broad political climate” as the primary motivator, surpassing salary as the top concern. The recent legislation, like Texas’s SB17 banning DEI initiatives, has led to resource cancellations and staff changes, prompting professors to seek alternative employment.
Read More
Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed individuals mocking Charlie Kirk’s death, sharing a video of a student’s arrest for celebrating the news. Abbott, along with other Texas lawmakers, condemned the student’s actions and thanked Texas Tech University for their response. The student involved in the incident is no longer enrolled at the university. This comes after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.
Read More
Saturday’s Powerball jackpot, the second-largest in U.S. lottery history at nearly $1.8 billion, was won by tickets sold in Missouri and Texas. The Multi-State Lottery Association announced that the winning ticket holders can choose between an annuitized prize of $893.5 million or a lump sum payment of $410.3 million before taxes. Other significant prizes include two $2 million winners in Kansas and Texas, and 18 $1 million winners across 13 states. Following the win, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million for the next drawing, after a 42-drawing streak without a winner, with odds of winning at 1 in 292.2 million.
Read More
Following the tragic flash floods at Camp Mystic, which resulted in the death of at least 26 campers and counselors, Texas has implemented new camp safety laws. These laws, including Senate Bill 1 (also known as the “Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act”) and House Bill 1, aim to improve emergency preparedness and safety standards at youth camps. The legislation mandates measures such as youth camp safety teams, minimum camper-to-counselor ratios, state inspections, outdoor warning systems, emergency alert systems, and enhanced evacuation procedures. While these laws are welcomed by many, some camp owners express concerns over the financial implications of implementing these new safety protocols.
Read More
Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn announced he would no longer participate in briefings about jail deaths called by County Commissioner Alisa Simmons, citing the commissioner’s “hostile and unprofessional” treatment of county staff. Waybourn’s decision came after multiple missed briefings and followed public criticism of his handling of over 70 in-custody deaths since 2017, including cases that have led to lawsuits and criminal charges. The sheriff’s office maintains it already releases information via press releases and public records requests, while Commissioner Simmons argued the briefings are for the public and that the sheriff should be present to answer questions. Recent events such as the starvation and dehydration death of Kimberly Phillips and the suicide of Charles Stephen Johnson, have fueled the call for more action.
Read More
A man in Houston has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy who was participating in a “ding dong ditch” prank, according to authorities. The suspect, Gonzalo Leon Jr., was apprehended by a SWAT team and is currently in custody. This incident follows a similar case in Frisco, Texas, where a man fired at teenagers engaged in the same prank, resulting in aggravated assault charges. Tragically, these events highlight a pattern of escalating violence related to the “ding dong ditch” prank, with past instances including deadly outcomes in Southern California and Virginia.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood