Government News | Midland Times

The Midland City Council has given the green light to an $855,690 contract with Jordan Concrete of Midland. The agreement involves the provision of concrete and caliche for the city's transportation division.

Midland awardeds $622,177 traffic signal work bid to Willis Electric Co. of Abilene

The Midland City Council has granted a contract to Willis Electric Co., based in Abilene, Texas. The deal, worth $622,177, is for a two-intersection traffic signal project.

Operation Lone Star making progress against illegal border problems

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard have been cracking down on criminal activities related to the border crisis. The law enforcement agencies have been working together under Operation Lone Star, a program that began under Governor Greg Abbott in March 2021.

Governor Abbott Advocates For Adoption With His Family’s Story At CHOSEN Conference In Plano

Governor Abbott today participated in a fireside chat at the CHOSEN Conference in Plano, advocating for adoption and foster care resources in Texas. Sharing his personal experience, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of adoption, stating, "When I think about all of the decisions I have made as Governor, Attorney General, and in other roles I've had in my life, without a doubt, the best decision I have ever made was to adopt a child."Reflecting on his decision to adopt a child, Governor Abbott expressed his unwavering commitment to parenthood, saying, "To every...

Abbott, governors: 'we remain committed to protecting state flexibility in Medicaid financing'

By Midland Times | Apr 12, 2024

Governors Greg Abbott, Brian Kemp, Brad Little, Kim Reynolds, Jeff Landry, Mike Parson, Kevin Stitt, and Mark Gordon have appealed to President Joe Biden to safeguard the Medicaid safety net. They argue that proposed changes could adversely impact "elderly and disabled adults, pregnant women, and millions of children." The governors penned a letter to the president on April 11th urging him to reconsider and immediately disavow policies outlined in a final Informational Bulletin and a proposed rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Mayor Lori Blong: ‘We are not just making decisions for Midland today, we are making decisions for Midland tomorrow'

By DaLeesa Brown | Apr 12, 2024

Mayor Lori Blong served as the keynote speaker at the 2024 annual State of Midland Luncheon, which took place April 11 at the Bush Convention Center.

Midland City Council candidates to participate in upcoming forum

By DaLeesa Brown | Apr 12, 2024

A city council candidate forum and luncheon is scheduled for April 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1: p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Activity Room, located at 2300 Butternut Lane in Midland. Hosted by the Midland Liberty Leadership, the event aims to provide a platform for residents to hear directly from city council candidates and understand their visions and priorities for Midland's future.

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

By Midland Times | Apr 10, 2024

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.

Governor Abbott Announces Kilgore Hosts Music Friendly Texas Community Workshop

By Midland Times | Apr 9, 2024

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the Texas Music Office (TMO) and the City of Kilgore, Kilgore Main Street, and Visit Kilgore will be co-hosting a Music Friendly Texas Community workshop on Tuesday, April 16. In a statement, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of music to Texas, stating, "Music is key to the Texas brand and to our local economies."Chip Adams, TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist, will be present at the workshop to explain the Music Friendly Texas Community designation and its benefits. Governor Abbott expressed gratitude towards...

Mayor Lori Blong unveils Vision Zero Safety Action Plan

By DaLeesa Brown | Apr 8, 2024

Mayor Lori Blong announced a new initiative known as the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan. The plan aims at enhancing road safety and eliminating traffic fatalities by 2050. As a collaborative effort between the City and County, the plan will focus on analyzing high-accident corridors to implement improvements benefiting both drivers and pedestrians.

Texas Deploys More Than 100 Miles Of Razor Wire To Secure Border

By Midland Times | Apr 7, 2024

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas continues to lead efforts in securing the state's border with Mexico. Under Operation Lone Star, a multi-agency initiative, over 506,500 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 41,200 criminal arrests have been made. Governor Abbott highlighted the success of the Texas National Guard in installing over 100 miles of razor wire along the border, stating, "I have to applaud our National Guard for stepping up and laying down that more than 100 miles of razor wire." He emphasized Texas as the sole state taking significant action against...

Governor Abbott Announces Over $1.2 Million In Career Training Grants To North Central Texas Schools

By Midland Times | Apr 7, 2024

Governor Greg Abbott has announced the awarding of over $1.2 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants to four schools in North Central Texas by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The grants aim to support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by providing equipment for over 1,500 students to be trained for high-demand occupations such as architectural and engineering managers, registered nurses, medical assistants, and welders.Abbott emphasized the importance of investing in the future of Texas through equipping students with the necessary...

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Texas

By Midland Times | Apr 5, 2024

April has been declared Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, as per a proclamation by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas. The initiative aims to enhance awareness about the signs of sexual assault victims, implement measures to prevent such incidents, and acknowledge survivors who have suffered abuse.

Sen. Cruz Urges Enhanced Investment and Job Growth in North Texas

By Midland Times | Apr 5, 2024

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz recently spoke at a press conference at Southern Methodist University’s Tech Hub in Dallas, Texas, addressing the urgent need to enhance investment, jobs, and opportunity in North Texas. The Tech Hub designation aims to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the United States, with SMU leading the federally funded economic development initiative.During the press conference, Sen. Cruz emphasized the importance of bolstering semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., stating, “America has fallen behind where we need to be when it comes to advanced...

Governor Abbott Appoints Four To Board Of Pilot Commissioners For Galveston County Ports

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jason Keeling and reappointed Arden “Trey” Hill, III to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports for terms set to expire on February 1, 2028. Additionally, the Governor has appointed Elizabeth Cross and reappointed Terrilyn Tarlton-Shannon for terms set to expire on February 1, 2027. The Board has exclusive jurisdiction over the piloting of vessels on navigable streams wholly or partially located in the board’s jurisdiction.Jason Keeling, an entrepreneur and real estate broker, is a committee member of the Galveston...

Governor Abbott Reappoints Three To Specialty Courts Advisory Council

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Jarvis Anderson, Elizabeth Rainey, and Angela Tucker to the Specialty Courts Advisory Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2029. The Council evaluates applications for grant funding for specialty courts from the Governor’s Office and makes funding recommendations to the criminal justice division regarding best practices.Jarvis Anderson, the chief adult probation officer of Bexar County, expressed his dedication to the council, stating, "I am honored to continue serving on the Specialty Courts Advisory Council and contributing...

The Totally Epic Total Eclipse in Texas

April 4, 2024In the vast expanse and starry skies of the Lone Star State, there’s something special on the horizon.Mark your calendars for April 8, 2024, when parts of Texas are set to experience a total solar eclipse. This rare celestial phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. For just a few minutes, folks who are in the “path of totality” will experience darkness as the moon casts its shadow on the Earth."This year’s eclipse is set to be the biggest one yet in North America with about 40 million...

Sen. Cruz Celebrates Completion of Packery Channel Restoration Project

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed his satisfaction during a press conference held yesterday to commemorate the successful conclusion of the Packery Channel restoration project. The Packery Channel, which faced significant damage from Hurricane Harvey in 2017, has now been revitalized thanks to collaborative efforts between Sen. Cruz, the City of Corpus Christi, and federal agencies FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers.Sen. Cruz highlighted the unity and dedication of the various levels of government involved in the restoration project,...

Governor Abbott Celebrates Groundbreaking Of Advanced Manufacturing Training Center In Brownsville

By Midland Times | Apr 3, 2024

Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated the groundbreaking of Texas A&M University’s South Texas Workforce Development Project advanced manufacturing training facility near the Port of Brownsville and lauded the state’s efforts to bring high-quality training programs to hardworking Texans.“This new state-of-the-art facility here at the Port of Brownsville will train Texans to lead the workforce of tomorrow,” said Governor Abbott. “Students here will be prepared for in-demand jobs and receive hands-on instruction on real-world projects that are often encountered by workers...