Texas House approves penal code rewrite
The Texas House gave final approval to a penal code rewrite that would raise penalties for repeat state jail offenders and remove automatic probation. The bill, awaiting Senate final approval, retains a 180 day to two year range but adds a third degree felony on a third state jail conviction and requires upfront jail time for repeat offenders. It also tightens hate crime language and bans probation for sexual assault of a child and second DWI increases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Texas House
Senate
George W. Bush
Allen Place
D-Gatesville
Bush
Ann Richards
Place
House
Fred Hill
R-Richardson
Hill
Endangered Elephant at Brownsville Zoo Faces Hard Times
Macho the African elephant at Gladys Porter Zoo draws interest from multiple zoos for breeding but funds are scarce. Officials cite peso declines and reduced donations as main causes of budget strain, planning to build new pens and hire handlers only if about 575000 more dollars can be raised. The zoo, opened in 1971, also trims costs by downsizing its animal collection from 1800 to 1550 while continuing acclaimed breeding programs and hosting events like Envenomators.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brownsville
Macho
North America
South Texas
Gladys Porter Zoo
Zoo
Karen Hunke
Presi
Dent of the Valley Zoological Society
Don D. Farst
Farst
Gerry Stones
Huwke
Earl C. Sams
New York
James Cash Penney
Gladys C. Porter
Texas
Rio Grande
AIM High graduation highlights Odessa program impact
AIM High School in Odessa celebrated a graduation of about 100 students, the largest ceremony yet, underscoring the program’s open entry exit system and focus on flexible, work‑related adult learners. Principal Evelyn Garcia called it emotionally rewarding as students return grateful for education. Case worker Viola Melendez said she helps remove barriers to keep students in school and aim for further education.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
AIM
Evelyn Garcia
Viola Melendez
Bill to pay whistleblower appears dead in Texas
A Texas bill would have paid George Green, a former Department of Human Services employee fired after he reported wrongdoing. Negotiations failed between House and Senate over the amount, with the House at 8.5 million and the Senate at 19 million. Green's payout and dozens of others are stalled for now.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Department of Human Services
George Green
House
Senate
Rep
Rob
Green
Junell
Holiday closings and class schedules across local authorities
City Hall and most banks closed today. County offices and courts shut. ECISD classes held except Cameron and Gale Pond Alamo. UTPB closed. administration office shut. Police and Fire business office closed. reopen Tuesday. Regular mail and deliveries continue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cameron
Gale
Odessa College
City of
The Doves Crown a Child as Pope in a Fable
In a village tale a boy is chosen as pope after doves perch on his shoulders and whisper the divine words. The scene ends with his long, wise leadership, while noting Amy Friedman and Jillian Hulme Gilliland as the author and illustrator from Kingston Ontario.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amy Friedman
Kingston
Ontario
Canada
Jillian Hulme Gilliland
School Event Calendar Highlights and Activities
A dense public notice list details daily school events across multiple districts. Highlights include field days at Goliad and Reagan elements, Just Say No programs, awards assemblies, graduations, library programs, and student activities at TL Booth, Ireland, Mendez, Noel, Reagan, Sam Houston, San Jacinto, Travis, Zavala, and Odessa High. No-shows and schedule notes appear alongside birthday items and a few fund-raising events.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
TL Booth
CIT
Golden Corral
SPAC
Fly
Gale Pond-Alamo
EPIC
Goliad
Ireland
Williamsburg
Washington
Mouser
Noel
Permian Mall
Rising Star
Mendez
Hus
Jordan
Reagan
Black Magic
YMCA
Sherwood Park
Garten
Reagan Blue
Sam Houston
San Jacinto
Also Mentioned on This Page
U.S
Mexico
The
Valey
Porter Sisters
Rio Grande Valley
Africa
Madagascar
Eubank
AIM High
U.S. Mail
City Hall
Police and Fire Dept
U.S. Post Office
Debra Simpson
ARDS
Cavazos
P.m
Travis
Dennis
Sarabia
Confederate Air Force Museum
Utpb Park
Zavala
TAAS
LRC
Brownie Troop
Tion
Odessa High School
Josh Beard
Ector County Coliseum
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