Midland Times

News from April 2024


Midland influencer: A local lake will get a ‘flood study to minimize flooding impact in the neighborhood’

Kevin Dawson, the influencer behind the Maybe in Midland-Odessa Facebook group, said the local lake area development plans prioritize a thorough flood study to minimize the potential impact on surrounding properties and to make new developments. Dawson was a guest on a recent episode of the Best of Midland Podcast.


Sen. Cruz Praises Japanese PM Kishida’s Speech Highlighting Importance of U.S.-Japan Alliance

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) commended Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's recent address to a joint session of Congress where he emphasized the strategic significance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Sen. Cruz highlighted the importance of the alliance, stating, “The U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of U.S. security interests in the Indo-Pacific." He further emphasized the critical role of Japan's friendship and alliance in advancing global interests, countering threats from China and North Korea, and maintaining peace and security in the Pacific region and beyond....


City of Midland Awarded 'Clean Audit' for Finance Work

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- The City of Midland has been recognized for its exceptional financial work, receiving a 'clean audit' for its 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. According to Christy Weakland, the Director of Finance for the City of Midland, "The City was issued an ‘unqualified’ opinion, which means a ‘clean’ audit." Weakland also noted, "In addition, there were no written findings. This is the first time in 20 years this has been accomplished."The Finance Department of the City of Midland has been making strides in financial reporting, as evidenced by receiving...


Changing Life Trends Will Affect Future Entrepreneurs. Five Things You Need To Know

Steve Jobs, a visionary in the tech industry, once described the process of analyzing various information sources as "collecting dots." According to Jobs, this method involves delving into historical and future trends simultaneously. He emphasized the importance of synthesizing diverse data points to gain insights into the future, stating, "Well, you gather all this ‘information’ and collate it into dots to see where the dots of information intersect, where they lineup and where they might point into the future."Highlighting the significance of understanding future...


Pfluger: The President should be promoting energy independence to lower costs and strengthen our national security

U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) has voiced concerns that the Biden administration's efforts to increase regulation of oil and gas producers will exacerbate the financial strain on Americans already grappling with record-breaking inflation. The Republican legislator from the Permian Basin, along with his colleagues Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock) and Tracey Mann (R-KS), have introduced a bill aimed at overturning the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) methane regulations that target American energy producers.


Midland College student working toward substance abuse counseling degree after traumatic childhood

Audrey Licon's upbringing was far from ordinary. After her parents divorced when she was two years old, she spent the next decade on the road with her alcoholic father, an aspiring musician. She learned to drive at a young age due to her father's frequent inebriation. Now, as a student at Midland College, Licon is sharing her story of resilience.


Entertainment events this weekend in Midland County: Friday Apr. 12 - Sunday Apr. 14

Don't miss out on these entertainment events happening in Midland County this weekend.


Cornyn Urges Mexico to Fulfill Water Treaty Obligations in Call with Secretary Blinken

U.S. Senator John Cornyn from Texas expressed his concerns about Mexico's delayed water deliveries during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Senator Cornyn emphasized the importance of Mexico fulfilling its obligations under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.Senator Cornyn stated, “Now in the fourth year of a five-year cycle, Mexico continues to fall further and further behind in fulfilling its obligations and releasing the water it owes to the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs, and...


Midland Police Seal Downtown Building to Prevent Crime

Midland, Texas - The Midland Police Department worked to clear out and seal the Vaughn Building in downtown Midland on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The effort was part of an on-going initiative by the City of Midland to address safety concerns related to dilapidated buildings.According to the Midland Police Department, the operation was conducted to prevent unlawful activities in such structures. As stated by the department, "MPD’s effort is part of an on-going effort by the City of Midland to keep people from entering and residing in dangerous and dilapidated buildings...


Keep Midland Beautiful announces City-County Trash Off

Keep Midland Beautiful (KMB) announced the first ever City-County Trash Off and are partnering with Midland County and the City of Midland. KMB announced the event in a press release from April 3.


Midland influencer: Diversifying Midland-Odessa to ‘75% oil and gas, 25% other’ can lead to a ‘more robust economy’

Kevin Dawson, the influencer behind the Maybe in Midland-Odessa Facebook group, said that a diversified economy could lead to a more resilient future, albeit requiring strategic alignment of skill sets and competitiveness in wages. Dawson was a guest on a recent episode of the Best of Midland Podcast.


Cornyn, GOP Colleagues Demand Schumer Hold Mayorkas Impeachment Trial

April 11, 2024WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and 42 of his Senate GOP colleagues have called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to hold a trial to consider the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.Senator Cornyn, along with his colleagues, expressed their concerns about the situation at the southern border, stating, "Our brave men and women at Customs and Border Protection have worked tirelessly to make our nation safer, yet with 7.5 million encounters since President Biden took office, our southern border...


Midland College joins national education reform network

Midland College has announced its membership in Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national network focused on higher education reform. This addition places Midland College among eight institutions joining the 2024 cohort. The college will participate in ATD’s Foundations of Transformation, a three-year program aimed at enhancing student success through collaboration with expert coaches.


Pfluger introduces legislation to overturn EPA’s methane regulations targeting American energy producers

Four members of Congress from Texas introduced a bill to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) methane regulations that the members of Congress say would harm U.S. energy producers.


Andrew Sanchez balances TikTok fame with academic achievements

On May 10, Andrew Sanchez will become the first in his family to graduate from college. He will receive an associate degree in Business and plans to continue his education at Midland College toward a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Organizational Management. Sanchez aims to eventually start his own business.


Cruz writes op-ed calling Senate Democrats to respect impeachment process for Mayorkas

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal penned by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), along with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has expressed criticism towards Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The piece suggests that Senate Democrats are attempting to halt impeachment proceedings for Mayorkas without a trial, an action they argue contravenes Senate rules.


Howard: ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the students, staff and family of this Ector County ISD student’

Dr. Stephanie Howard, Superintendent of Midland ISD, has expressed her condolences to the family of a 4-year-old student from Lamar Early Education Center in Ector County ISD. The student tragically passed away following a medical emergency at school, as reported in a post made by Howard on social media.


Texas Chapter of Space Force Association to join meet and greet event

The Texas Chapter of the Space Force Association (SFA) is set to make its debut in Midland on April 11, with an event aimed at promoting and developing the aerospace industry in the region. The event, hosted at Second Story Coworking, located at 223 W. Wall Suite 200, is scheduled to commence at 5 p.m. and is open to the public, free of charge.


The Preserve is set to redefine Midland’s landscape

A project is underway in the heart of Midland to create a green space unlike anything the city has seen. Developers of The Preserve say the new 178-acre development will be transformative, and describe it as a blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and retail experiences.


Boys and Girls Club of Midland partners with Code Ninjas to expand coding education

The Boys and Girls Club of Midland (BGCPB) has announced a new partnership with Midland's Code Ninja, a kid’s coding franchise.