Meth, Gun Bust Nets 14 Arrests

A joint federal-state investigation into methamphetamine and firearms trafficking in and around Palestine, Texas, has led to 14 arrests and dozens of felony charges, police said Friday.

The Palestine Police Department worked the case alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Charges range from conspiracy to distribute meth to felon-in-possession and carrying firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, with several suspects facing multiple counts.

Waymo Dominates Texas Robotaxi Race

New Texas data shows Waymo’s dominance: 577 authorized driverless vehicles statewide, while Tesla has just 42.

The figures come from a state registration law that took effect May 28, requiring automated vehicle companies to self-certify their vehicles as Level 4 autonomous. Tesla also trails Avride (317 vehicles) and Nuro (47).

The 42-vehicle total badly undercuts Elon Musk’s earlier promise of 500 Austin robotaxis by the end of 2025. Texas is now one of the country’s most active AV markets, with 10 companies authorized statewide.

8 Students Rescued from Texas Coaster

Eight HISD students were stranded 100 feet up on Galveston’s Iron Shark roller coaster Thursday after the ride malfunctioned mid-ascent, leaving them tilted skyward in the sun.

Galveston firefighters used a tower truck ladder to harness and lower the students one at a time, the rescue stretching four hours before all eight reached the ground.

Fire Chief Mike Varela said the students were checked for dehydration but uninjured. HISD, whose Energized for STEM Academy organized the trip, said it was “grateful that all students, staff, and chaperones are safe.”

➤ Austin: TxDOT closed the William Cannon Drive bridge over I-35 for two weekends starting Friday night as crews install beams for Austin’s Capital Express South expansion project. (More)

➤ Also Austin: The Texas Education Agency rejected Austin ISD’s request for more time to improve three failing middle schools, leaving the district at risk of a state takeover if another F grade follows. (More)

➤ Dallas: H-E-B plans to build its first store in Dallas proper, a 131,420-square-foot location near I-635 and Hillcrest Road that could anchor further development when it opens in 2028. (More)

➤ San Antonio: A local towing company agreed to pay $280,000 after the DOJ alleged it illegally sold or scrapped nearly 100 vehicles owned by military servicemembers without required court approval. (More)

➤ Fort Worth: Fort Worth Housing Solutions will break ground on the next phase of its Stop Six redevelopment, adding 302 mixed-income housing units as part of a broader $345 million neighborhood transformation. (More)

➤ El Paso: Entrepreneur Betty Landin, who overcame homelessness and poverty, hopes her Wander Pillow invention will earn her a spot on ABC’s Shark Tank. (More)

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➤ The Spurs and Thunder play a winner-take-all Game 7 tonight in Oklahoma City after San Antonio evened the Western Conference Finals at 3-3. The winner hosts the Knicks in the NBA Finals. (More)

➤ Texas Tech’s regents chair offered to personally pay the $2.4 million in buyouts needed for a Week 1 showdown with Texas, after Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian implied his backups could go undefeated against any team in the state. (More)

➤ Texas Tech softball plays at the Women’s College World Series today in Oklahoma City. (See Schedule)

➤ Texas Rangers second baseman Josh Smith returned to the clubhouse this week for the first time since being hospitalized with viral meningitis in mid-May. He said he’s feeling good, but has no timeline for getting on the field. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NHL | MLB | Soccer | NCAASB | NCAAB | WNBA | Golf

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China’s 60% Grip on Lithium Is Breaking

A domestic lithium producer backed by General Motors just announced plans for its second U.S. facility. This Utah project will sit atop approximately 2.4 million tons of lithium. Now, investors can claim an early-stage stake. 

Here’s the bigger picture.

China controls 60% of the world’s lithium. But as demand for high-tech innovations like AI and EVs continues to grow, America needs its own reliable supply fast. The window to profit from what comes next is open.

America holds the world’s 5th-largest lithium reserves, and they’ve barely been touched. EnergyX is changing that with patented technology that recovers up to 3X more lithium than conventional methods.

In a world reliant on lithium for batteries, electric vehicles, and grid storage, a domestic lithium supply is critical. Invest in EnergyX today.

➤ The West Texas Jazz Party will celebrate its 60th anniversary next week, bringing musicians from across the country to Midland for the nation’s longest-running jazz party. (More)

➤ Houston’s new Photo Booth Museum will open on June 5 with seven vintage-inspired booths, giving visitors a hands-on analog photography experience at the largest photo booth museum in Texas. (More)

➤ The Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 39th annual Mex-Tex Family Fiesta returns today with live music, cooking competitions, a car show, and food vendors at the Midland County Horseshoe. (More)

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Would you trust a driverless taxi?

1. Yes, I’d try it
2. Maybe, after it’s proven safe
3. No, I prefer driving myself
4. Absolutely not

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s the most named pets you have ever had at one time?

1. 2-3: 39%
2. 4-6: 22%
3. One: 14%
4. 7-9: 10%
5. More!: 10%
6. None: 5%

What rare blind catfish lives only in Texas?

Show me the answer