A Texas man, Katia Trevon Bougere, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Abdul Rahman Waziri, an Afghan man who fought alongside U.S. Green Berets. Despite the murder charge, Bougere was issued a summons to appear in court instead of being arrested, a move that has drawn criticism. Waziri, who was killed in a dispute over parking, had served for five years protecting Green Berets in Afghanistan. The case has prompted outrage and questions regarding why an arrest warrant was not issued.
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The United States is facing its highest measles case count in 33 years, with an ongoing outbreak in West Texas being a major contributor. This surge in cases, with the official tally potentially underestimating the true scope, comes as vaccination rates have fallen below critical thresholds in some communities. This decline is partially attributed to the pandemic disrupting routine medical visits and increased influence of anti-vaccine groups. The situation is further complicated by the spread of misinformation and the actions of those in positions of power who are anti-vaccine.
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The tragic death of a 9-year-old girl in a hot car in Texas while her mother was at work is, without a doubt, a heart-wrenching event. It’s a situation that instantly draws a flood of questions, emotions, and perspectives, and it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate shock and sadness. As the news unfolds and the authorities investigate, the details paint a complex picture, and it’s essential to address the various angles fairly.
One of the first things that comes to mind is the sheer vulnerability of a child in a hot car. The intense Texas heat, the long hours – it’s a dangerous combination.… Continue reading
A recent poll from the Texas Politics Project indicates that President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Texas has fallen into negative territory, marking a significant shift in the traditionally conservative state. The poll revealed that a majority of Texans disapprove of Trump for the first time in his second term, with 44% strongly disapproving. While he maintains strong support among Texas Republicans, his decline in approval mirrors a broader national trend. This trend is likely to be watched closely as Texas could become competitive.
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Facing potential House losses in 2026, Republicans in Ohio and Texas are considering aggressive congressional redistricting. Ohio Republicans aim to unseat two, possibly three, Democratic representatives, leveraging a legal loophole. In Texas, a special session might redraw maps to gain up to five seats, though this carries risks for incumbent Republicans. This strategy, while potentially beneficial for the GOP in the short term, is a gamble, especially if 2026 proves favorable for Democrats. Democrats strongly oppose these efforts, calling them partisan gerrymandering.
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Operation Soteria Shield, a Texas-wide FBI operation conducted in April, resulted in the arrest of 244 child exploitation offenders and the rescue of 109 children. The operation involved over 70 state and federal agencies, including local departments in Lubbock. Eight arrests were made in Lubbock alone, seven for child exploitation and one for animal cruelty. FBI Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock emphasized the collaborative effort to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable.
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Starbase, Texas, a SpaceX-controlled town, is proposing a new zoning ordinance impacting residents’ property usage. A memo reveals some residents may lose existing property rights under the proposed “Mixed Use District,” allowing for diverse commercial and residential development. A public hearing is scheduled for June 23rd to discuss the new zoning and citywide map. The town, recently incorporated, is largely populated by SpaceX employees and their families.
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Measles outbreaks in Texas, particularly within the unvaccinated Mennonite community, have resulted in three deaths, including 8-year-old Daisy Hildebrand. Her father, Pete Hildebrand, despite his daughter’s death, maintains his anti-vaccine stance, claiming vaccinated relatives experienced more severe symptoms. This assertion contradicts decades of scientific evidence supporting the MMR vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The ongoing outbreak underscores the critical need for widespread vaccination, especially in close-knit communities with low vaccination rates.
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A family, including a 10-year-old U.S. citizen battling brain cancer, was deported to Mexico after their undocumented parents were unable to provide legal immigration documentation at a Texas checkpoint. Despite having previously passed through the checkpoint without issue using medical documentation, the family was detained and subsequently deported, leaving the child without access to crucial ongoing cancer treatment. The Texas Civil Rights Project, representing the family, cites this as part of a pattern affecting mixed-status families and is calling for the family’s return to the U.S. for continued medical care. The family’s other U.S.-born children, also impacted by the deportation, face health and educational challenges in Mexico.
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Texas is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 223. The vast majority of these cases involve children and teenagers, a deeply concerning trend highlighting a critical public health failure. This preventable disease is impacting young lives in a way that evokes strong emotions, ranging from outrage at the parents’ choices to profound sympathy for the suffering children.
The sheer number of young people affected is alarming, especially considering that measles is entirely preventable through vaccination. This outbreak underscores the devastating consequences of vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood