AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced that the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) Coastal Management Program (CMP), in partnership with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), completed the Restoring Colonial Waterbird Populations project to enhance 180+ rookery islands across eight bay systems ranging from the mid to lower Texas…

MONTHLY DATA UPDATE Texas is experiencing a notable demographic shift as its population ages, a trend reflected in the rising dependency ratio across the state. Between 2010 and 2024, the state’s dependency ratio increased significantly, reaching 51.6 in 2024. This means that for every 100 working-age individuals (ages 15–64), there were approximately 52 dependents—children under…

SHERMAN, Texas – A Pleasant Grove couple has received lengthy federal prison sentences for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Holly Candice Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced…

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man has been sentenced to over 33 years in federal prison for firearms and drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Leotis Cornelius McMahon, 48, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine…

WASHINGTON — V.Ships Norway A.S. (V.SHIPS) pleaded guilty today to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and was sentenced to pay a $2 million fine. V.Ships admitted that oily bilge water and oily waste was discharged from the Motor Tanker Swift Winchester (M/T Swift Winchester) and the discharges were omitted from the Oil…

PLANO, Texas – A Carrollton woman has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Jessica Marie Ruiz, 43, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in…

By Elena Bruess, Capital & Main Aug. 27, 2025 “Texas power plants and chemical companies benefit as Trump eases pollution rules, experts say” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for…

By Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune Aug. 26, 2025 “Bill giving attorney general authority to prosecute election crimes heads to Abbott’s desk” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The…