Wednesday, February 5, 2025

The Roundup

Article Icon 1National Guard Can Make Immigration Arrests

Texas National Guard troops have been authorized to make immigration arrests under a new agreement between Gov. Greg Abbott and the Trump administration. This further cements the state-federal partnership that has formed in recent weeks to secure the border and enforce federal immigration laws.

National Guard personnel must maintain communication with Border Patrol officials while making arrests. Previously, they have been restricted to erecting barriers and providing logistical support to federal border officials.

In a Monday interview, Abbott said he immediately agreed to the Trump administration’s proposal to enlist up to 3,000 Texas National Guard members in enforcing immigration law. The partnership will “boost manpower for border security,” he said, arguing that Border Patrol agents are short-handed.

Although National Guard troops are under the authority of their respective state governors unless federalized by the president, the deal is likely to face legal challenges because the military is prohibited from engaging in law enforcement activities.

Article Icon 1Space Commission Awards First Grants

The newly established Texas Space Commission has awarded $21.5 million to four projects in its first-ever grants from the $150 million Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund.

The bulk of the funding—nearly $20 million—went to an El Paso economic development organization to build a U.S. Space Force facility. The remaining amounts were awarded to El Paso County and two West Texas local government associations to study the feasibility of establishing a spaceflight corridor and launch site in the region.

By the Jan. 21 deadline, the commission had received applications from 140 entities requesting a total of $3.46 billion. Commission Chair Gwen Griffin called the awarding of the first grants “a milestone day.”

The commission is set to consider additional grant requests during meetings on Feb. 10 and Feb. 28.

Article Icon 1Majority of Texans Back Casinos

A recent poll conducted by the University of Houston found that 73% of Texans favor allowing destination resort casinos in the state. 

The support for casinos crosses party lines, with backing from 72% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats. Online sports betting is also favored among both groups, with 59% support from Republicans and 64% from Democrats.

Either proposal would require amending the state constitution through a two-thirds vote of the Texas House and Senate and a majority vote in a popular election.

The poll results were published after the Dallas Mavericks’ head-scratching trade of their star player to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Some fans have suggested the trade was a move by the majority owner—Las Vegas Sands Corp., which has tried for years to get casinos legalized in Texas—to sabotage the franchise in the hopes of eventually moving the team to Las Vegas. A company representative dismissed the rumor.

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Around Texas

➤ Grand Prairie ISD: Superintendent Dr. Jorge Arredondo has resigned after reaching a settlement with the district over allegations he had violated its discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policy. (More)

➤ Wichita Falls: Spudder Park, the one-time home of the Spudders minor league baseball team, is set to get a marker from the Texas Historical Commission next week. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jerome “Dizzy” Dean all played there. (See Photo)

➤ Dallas: The owner of a nightclub that was destroyed in a fire over the weekend said he saw someone pouring gasoline inside the building before the blaze started. (See Photos)

➤ Bryan: The management company for the Canyon Village Apartments complex said it has paid an overdue $18,000 water bill, avoiding disconnection by the city. The company blamed the situation on a banking error. (More)

➤ Houston: A 44-year-old father was killed last Friday when an 18-wheeler crashed into his and four other vehicles stopped at a red light. The driver of the 18-wheeler fled the scene without rendering aid. (More)

➤ Del Rio: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem toured the southern border on horseback earlier this week. (See Photos)

➤ Rockport: Up to 1,000 mullet fish are reported to have died in the Key Allegro canals during last month’s cold weather. (More)

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Texas Sports

➤ Houston Rockets star Amen Thompson added to his season highlights on Monday night with this dunk over a defender while getting fouled. (See Dunk)

The Dallas Cowboys have signed contracts with two more assistant coaches for their offensive staff as new head coach Brian Schottenheimer continues to finalize the team’s 2025 coaching roster. (More)

➤ Houston and Texas A&M both appeared in the top 10 of this week’s men’s basketball AP Top 25 Poll. Texas Tech was the biggest riser of the week, moving up nine spots to No. 13. (More)

 Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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The Business Of Texas
Arizona-based Discovery Land Co. is developing a 1,100-acre community in west Fort Worth that will include nearly 500 homes and three golf courses designed by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio. (More)

Dell Technologies will require all employees who live within an hour of one of its locations to be in the office five days a week beginning March 3, ending the “flexible hybrid working culture” it has touted for more than a decade. (More)

Irving-based pharmaceuticals distributor McKesson has agreed to purchase an 80% stake in PRISM Vision Holdings for $850 million, adding 91 office sites and 180 doctors to its network of services. (More)

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Et Cetera

Meals on Wheels and crew members from the USS Fort Worth visited World War II veteran Elsie “Kitty” Rippin on Friday to celebrate her 101st birthday. (See Photos)

Pieces of the SpaceX Starship rocket that exploded over Turks and Caicos last month are popping up for sale online. A heat tile recently sold for nearly $4,500 on eBay. (More)

Meanwhile, fish aggregating devices—used to attract tuna by fishermen as far away as West Africa—regularly wash up on Texas beaches, according to Corpus Christi marine biologist Jace Tunnell. (See Photos)

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The Polling Station

Would you want to live next to a casino?

  1. Yes
  2. No
 

Yesterday’s Results:

How many Texas state parks (including historic sites and natural areas) have you visited?

  1. Fewer than 10: 49%
  2. 10-25: 27%
  3. 25-50: 11%
  4. 50-88: 7%
  5. All 89: 6%
Texas Trivia

What prolific writer of short stories was convicted of embezzling money from an Austin bank?

Show me the answer

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