General News

DPS Reminds Texans of Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes Next Month

Launches English and Spanish PSA Videos AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today launched a public safety announcement (PSA) video reminding Texans of the upcoming changes to the state’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program beginning on Jan. 1, 2025. These changes—which 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. The newly created PSA, […]

HOLIDAY LIGHT ATTRACTION, CLASSIC CHRISTMAS, SALUTES LOCAL MILITARY MEMBERS WITH APPRECIATION NIGHT AND HONOR GUARD CEREMONY DECMEBER 8 

WHO: Crafted by Enchant Christmas (the creators of the award-winning “World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze), Houston’s Classic Christmas experience is hosting a Military Appreciation Night to support Houston’s troops and veterans. WHAT: Holiday magic comes to life at Classic Christmas, the all-new immersive holiday light experience now open through December 29. Holiday revelers can stroll through a whimsical world of larger-than-life light sculptures, plus glide along the real ice skating rink, enjoy live musical performances, take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, […]

Celebrate the Holiday Season Outside at a Texas State Park

AUSTIN— The weather has cooled and the leaves are falling, which means the holidays have finally arrived in Texas.  In the spirit of the holidays, Texas State Parks are hosting a suite of different seasonal activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, including themed guided walks, crafting events and more. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) highly encourages anyone planning a trip to a Texas State Park to reserve their day pass in advance since […]

Excellence in Media Awards Nominations Open December 12

Be recognized for outstanding stories on veteran services and issues  AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Excellence in Media awards recognize exemplary research, coverage and production by news media of stories which bring attention to veteran topics and issues. Nominations will be accepted Dec. 12, 2024, through Jan. 9, 2025. To be eligible for nomination, stories must have been produced, broadcast, presented and/or published between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024. Members of […]

Houston Man Sentenced to 75 Years in Prison for Killing 16-Year-Old Girl

A Houston man who ambushed a teenage girl he knew, fatally shooting her outside her home in 2018, was sentenced this week to 75 years in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced. “No one should ever lose their life to domestic violence, and this case is especially tragic because this woman was so young and had so much to live for—we mourn her loss with her family,” Ogg said. Irbin Vargas, 29, was […]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER CALLS ON TEXANS TO BE VIGILANT OF UNLICENSED PESTICIDE OPERATIONS

Illegal pesticide applicators are costly and dangerous to Texas communities Austin — Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) call on Texans to be vigilant against unlicensed pesticide businesses operating in their communities. These unlicensed pest control operations not only break the law but may also pose severe risks to public health and safety. Protect yourself and your community by ensuring that any pest control services you use are properly […]

Nationwide Injunction Blocks Unconstitutional Law That Imposed Massive Costs on Small Businesses

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton applauded a major victory for Texas small businesses as a federal judge granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against an unconstitutional federal law that would have imposed major costs on tens of millions of small businesses through illegal and burdensome regulations. Attorney General Paxton filed an amicus brief in the case in support of Texas businesses. In 2021, the 21-page Corporate Transparency Act was tucked into a sweeping 1,482-page defense […]

DPS Announces Featured Fugitive for December

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Raymond Trejo is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is now increased to $3,000 during December if the tip is received this month. Raymond Lee Trejo, 35, of Abilene, has been wanted out of Taylor Co. since May 2024 for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. In 2009, Trejo was convicted of sexual assault of a child following an incident with […]

Attorney General Ken Paxton Defeats Biden-Harris Administration’s Attempt to Force Texas Health Entities to Illegally Provide Minors with Contraceptives Without Parental Consent

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a major victory against the Biden-Harris Administration after suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) for unlawfully adopting a rule to nullify state laws that secure parents’ rights to consent to their children’s medical care. In July 2024, Attorney General Paxton sued HHS for conditioning the receipt of federal funds under Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act on the requirement that health entities provide […]

DAZZLING HOLIDAY LIGHT ATTRACTION, CLASSIC CHRISTMAS, HOSTS OFFICIAL HOUSTON TEXANS NIGHT DECMEBER 10

WHO: Crafted by Enchant Christmas (the creators of the award-winning “World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze), Houston’s Classic Christmas experience is partnering with the professional football Houston Texans team in a spirted holiday evening. WHAT: Holiday magic comes to life at Classic Christmas, the all new immersive holiday light experience now open through December 29. Holiday revelers can stroll through a whimsical world of larger-than-life light sculptures, plus glide along the real ice skating rink, enjoy live musical performances, take photos with Santa […]