In a Thanksgiving tradition, the Dallas Cowboys featured a show-stopping halftime performance by 77-year-old country music legend Dolly Parton during their game against the Washington Commanders. Parton, dressed in the iconic Cowboys cheerleader outfit, charmed the crowd with renditions of her hits. This marked her second appearance on the football field within a week, having joined Peyton Manning for Tennessee’s game against Georgia. After leading the crowd in singing “Rocky Top,” Parton expressed her gratitude, despite some hearing challenges, and acknowledged the song’s origin, making for a memorable Thanksgiving spectacle.
Houston Secures $28.7 Million Federal Grant to Transform Deadly Bissonnet Street
In a groundbreaking move, Houston unveils plans to enhance safety measures along a perilous seven-mile stretch of Bissonnet Street, receiving a substantial $28.7 million boost from the federal government. Identified as one of the deadliest roads in Houston, this segment, spanning from S. Dairy Ashford Road to Hillcroft Avenue, will undergo transformative changes aimed at curbing fatal accidents.
The city clinched this funding through the competitive Safe Streets and Roads for All federal grant program. Houston joins a select group of 510 communities benefiting from a total grant pool of $800 million, marking the largest grant awarded in Texas. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the grant awards, emphasizing the program’s commitment to nationwide safety enhancements.
Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed enthusiasm, stating, “It’s a competitive grant from the Department of Transportation.” The initiative targets the notorious Bissonnet corridor, where data from the city of Houston highlights a disturbingly high number of fatalities compared to other streets. The project’s significance is underscored by its impact on underserved communities such as Alief-Westwood, Gulfton, and Braeburn, primarily affecting people of color and low-income families.
Described as a crucial step toward reducing traffic deaths and injuries, the project garnered praise from advocacy group LINK Houston. Gabe Cazares emphasized the long-overdue nature of the improvements, especially at intersections deemed among the city’s most dangerous.
With upgrades scheduled to commence in 2025 and completion anticipated by 2028, this initiative signals a pivotal moment in Houston’s commitment to road safety and community well-being.
Texans are not only steadfast in staying put but are also making a mark in the Golden State, challenging the narrative of a one-way migration. Census Bureau data reveals that California gained 42,279 residents from Texas in 2022, surpassing other states in attracting newcomers. Despite Washington and New York losing over 31,000 residents each to California, the Lone Star State remains a significant source.
Interestingly, the Texan influx into California seems to come with fewer challenges compared to the reverse migration. Californians choosing neighborhoods in Texas have been blamed for inflating the cost of living, leading to resentment and pricing some out. On the flip side, Texans often seek high-wage jobs to sustain themselves in California.
Abby Raisz, a senior research manager, pointed out that California’s net loss in residents is tied to a severe affordability crisis, especially affecting those earning less than $100,000. The struggle is reflected in Texas’ lower average salary compared to the national average, making a move to the high-cost California a financial challenge for many.
Despite the allure of Silicon Valley, not all Texans can easily navigate the West Coast dream. Insider’s August report highlighted tech workers’ discontent in Texas, favoring the career opportunities perceived in Silicon Valley. However, census data indicates a reciprocal migration flow, with over 102,000 Californians moving to Texas during the same period, revealing a dynamic exchange between these two populous states.
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What: Earlier this year, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez created the jail-based Criminal Investigations and Security Division in response to a major increase in drug overdoses in the jail. After a lengthy investigation, the Division arrested a Harris County defense attorney suspected of being a major supplier of dangerous narcotics into the jail.
Who: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Detentions Command Assistant Chief Philip Bosquez, and Lt. Jay Wheeler When: Monday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m.
Where: HCSO Media Room, 1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002
A few weeks following the passage of a contentious immigration bill by the Texas legislature, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is urging President Joe Biden to prevent Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), a law enabling officers to arrest and deport individuals suspected of crossing the border unlawfully, from taking effect.
In a letter issued on Monday, November 20, Hidalgo, along with Travis County Judge Andy Brown and El Paso County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego, asserted that the legislation violates the U.S. Constitution and is a “direct violation of the federal government’s jurisdiction over immigration law.”
According to the county judges, SB 4 would grant judges across Texas the authority to deport individuals, including those in the process of seeking asylum. They expressed concerns that police officers, who rely on close community ties for their effectiveness, would now be tasked with detaining immigrants for deportation.
The bill, which received majority Republican support in the Texas House and Senate earlier this month, is awaiting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. The county officials argue that SB 4 will damage the U.S.’s relationship with Mexico and is comparable to Texas attempting to declare its own wars. The Mexican government issued a letter rejecting the law and emphasizing its commitment to collaborating with the U.S. federal government on immigration matters.
The letter to President Biden also highlighted the emotional impact of legislation like SB 4, citing a viral clip of Houston Rep. Armando Walle expressing frustration on the House floor. Walle asserted that such legislation harms families with mixed immigration status and fails to address immigration issues effectively.
In their letter, Hidalgo and her counterparts underscored the need for constructive solutions rather than exploiting immigration fears for political gain, emphasizing that legislation like SB 4 is not the answer to the complex challenges posed by immigration.
On July 20, Oklahoma made a sizable entrance into the theme park arena, challenging the Lone Star State’s claim to grandeur. In response to the buzz surrounding a potential North Texas theme park that could rival entertainment giants like Disney or Six Flags, Oklahoma unveiled its own project, the American Heartland Theme Park and Resort.
This colossal entertainment destination, envisioned as a $2 billion undertaking, is set to unfold in phases from 2025 to 2026. Nestled in northeast Oklahoma, specifically in the quaint town of Vinita, the park is strategically located just west of Grand Lake on Route 66, approximately 220 miles north of the Texas border and less than 600 miles from San Antonio, making it a nine-hour drive.
Spanning across a sprawling 1,000-acre development, the American Heartland will not only house a 125-acre theme park but also feature an expansive RV park and campground. Drawing parallels in size to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the theme park promises an “Americana-themed” experience, offering a spectrum of exhilarating rides, live shows, family attractions, and waterways. Notable attractions include the Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village, and Electropolis.
For those skeptical about the Disney-esque quality, reassurance comes in the form of the project’s design team, comprised of over 20 former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers—deemed the “world’s best theme park designers.”
The resort’s accommodations are equally impressive, featuring a 300-room hotel and a contemporary indoor water park. As an alternative lodging option, the Three Ponies RV Park and Campground will be the central U.S.’s largest campsite, offering 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins with additional amenities. Scheduled to open in 2025, the RV park and campground will precede the adjacent theme park and resort, slated for a 2026 debut.
For the current year, H-E-B secures the fifth spot on Forbes’ list of the largest private companies in America, showcasing notable growth with $43.6 billion in revenue and a workforce of 145,000 employees. This marks an advancement from the previous year when the Texas-based grocer held the sixth position with $38.9 billion in revenue.
Trailing behind Publix, another prominent supermarket, H-E-B’s standing underscores its significance in the retail landscape. Despite being a phenomenon in Texas with around 420 stores in Texas and Mexico, it faces competition from Publix, which dominates the Southeast with 1,358 locations, particularly 861 stores in Florida alone.
While Publix’s extensive presence has garnered praise for its grocery offerings, including the famed “Pub subs,” akin to Texans’ appreciation for H-E-B tortillas, the latter remains influential, with plans to expand in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro in 2024.
Earlier this year, H-E-B secured a spot on Forbes’ list as one of the best employers in Texas, and its chairman, Charles Butt, featured in a roundup of the country’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $7.6 billion.
On this Forbes list, H-E-B is the top-ranking Texas company, with the Republic National Distributing Company at No. 32 being the next Texan entry. Houston-based firms, including Calpine, an energy company at 34, and the Friedkin Group, a consortium spanning automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports, and adventure, also made appearances.
Among the 20 Texas companies on the list, Fertitta Entertainment, led by Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta and encompassing gaming, dining, hospitality, and entertainment, also secured a notable position.
For inclusion on the Forbes list, companies must generate a minimum of $2 billion in revenue. This year’s list comprises 258 companies, a rise from 246 in the previous year, with newcomers like SpaceX, headquartered in California but with a Texas presence due to its Starship rocket base in Boca Chica.
A University of Houston student is receiving treatment for active tuberculosis, as confirmed by school officials in a statement on Tuesday. The infected individual, currently undergoing medical care off-campus, is no longer considered a health risk to others.
According to the Houston Health Department (HHD), the infected student’s case was initially reported on November 6. HHD officials mentioned that this is an isolated incident at this stage, with early contact tracing efforts underway. Public Information Officer Fabian Gutierrez from HHD confirmed that the student has been in isolation away from campus since the diagnosis in early November.
The university is collaborating closely with the Houston Health Department to identify individuals, including students, faculty, and staff, who may need testing for TB infection, stated MD Interim Executive Director Jon Rusciano. Individuals identified for testing will receive separate notification detailing the date, time, and location for testing.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease primarily transmitted through prolonged contact with an infected person. The CDC notes that it is caused by a bacterium, typically affecting the lungs but capable of attacking other organs such as the kidneys, spine, or brain. Symptoms include a persistent cough lasting three weeks or more, chest pain, and coughing up blood or phlegm.
Houston Health Department officials are set to be on campus next week in the University’s Student Center South Space City Room on Tuesday, November 28, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Wednesday, November 29, from 12 to 1 p.m. to provide information on tuberculosis. UH students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend if they have any concerns or questions about the airborne illness.
