Area News

(Longview, Texas)—LeTourneau University’s 2026 Spring Masterworks Concert will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church at 906 Padon St. in Longview on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.  Dr. Jim Taylor, Director of Fine Arts at LeTourneau, will direct the LeTourneau Singers and the Longview Civic Chorus and orchestra, with guest soloists soprano Leigh Latchford, tenor Jon Starling, and baritone…

Decision positions facility for expanded impact in research, teaching and extension The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved an expanded $133.36 million investment in a new Meat Sciences & Technology Center, keeping the facility on the main campus and positioning it as the anchor of a future agriculture district. The investment adds $18.76…

Beautify Texas – March 2026 This month, we’re celebrating the many ways Texans are turning care for their communities into action—from one student’s idea gaining national recognition to growing efforts that are shaping how we understand and prevent litter across the state. Youth Leadership in Action Young Texan Ambassador Daniel Jackson Recognized Nationally We’re proud…

MONTHLY DATA UPDATE Mapping Population Change Across Texas Numeric Population Change in Texas Counties, 2024 – 2025 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 Population Estimates. New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Texas continues to grow, but at a slower pace than in recent years—a trend that reflects a broader national slowdown in population…

EPA Removes DEF Sensor Requirements Saving Americans Billions Annually and Countless Hours of Lost Time and Productivity WASHINGTON – Today, at the White House Great American Agriculture Celebration, President Trump announced another decisive action U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has taken to address nationwide concerns from farmers, truckers, motor coach operators, and other diesel equipment…

Austin — Former Pflugerville ISD Trustee Vernagene Mott, a longtime champion of public education, has been named the 2026 recipient of TASB’s James B. Crow Innovation in Governance Award. The award was established in 2022 in honor of James B. Crow, who retired as TASB executive director in August 2021 after 40 years of service to the Association and its members. Crow was known…

BRYAN, COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Preparing students for leadership has always been central to The Texas A&M University System’s mission. This spring, the A&M System is taking that work in a new direction — one shaped by a simple reality: too many conversations today turn into unruly arguments, and too few people take the time to…

AUSTIN — Several Texas State Parks Police Officers received awards from the Park Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) and were recognized at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting on Thursday.  Lifetime Achievement Award – Chief Wes Masur  Chief Wes Masur was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from PLEA, being recognized for a career of…

Texas ranks as the most anxious state in the country when it comes to energy bills, according to a new Energy Bill Anxiety Index from Compare the Market The index analysed energy awareness searches, financial strain searches and anxiety-related queries per 100,000 residents across all 50 states. Key findings for Texas: Rank: 1st 302.9 energy…