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Space Channel Launches

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Space Channel Launches
A new partnership has landed at Texas Southmost College. Space Channel, a network dedicated to broadcast coverage on the world of space travel has selected TSC students to be the talent behind their programming in Brownsville. YouTube Image
A new partnership has landed at Texas Southmost College. Space Channel, a network dedicated to broadcast coverage on the world of space travel has selected TSC students to be the talent behind their programming in Brownsville. YouTube Image

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A new partnership has landed at Texas Southmost College. Space Channel, a network dedicated to broadcast coverage on the world of space travel has selected TSC students to be the talent behind their programming in Brownsville.

Space Channel CEO Chad Mallam, TSC Board Chair Adela Garza, and TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez stood in front of local media and community stakeholders to announce the exciting launch of the program which will use Texas Southmost College students as part of Space Channel’s production team.  

Chairwoman Adela Garza said she has seen so many faces come through TSC’s doors to become successful and is proud more opportunities continue for students.  

“This is an exciting opportunity for our students,” Mrs. Garza said. “All of our students are wonderful. Thank you, Space Channel, for choosing TSC.” 

President Rodriguez added that through its 95 years of rich history, TSC continues to serve and be the heartbeat of our communities.    

“It’s a testament to who we are….evolving and changing and having the courage to move forward to adapt to the times and continue to serve our communities,” Dr. Rodriguez said.  

Space Channel’s website lists Brownsville, Texas as its ‘Global News headquarters’ and the place where the network will provide engaging and informative coverage of notable space launches. TSC students will be a part of exciting moments in space history with the progress of SpaceX’s operations at Starbase, Boca Chica Beach. As well as reporting on the wave of space-related companies arriving in the Brownsville region. 

Mallam, who left his job in the traditional news industry to start Space Channel, explained his reasoning behind putting so much emphasis on Brownsville.  

“We wanted to put Space Channel at the apex of what’s happening in the industry,” Mallam said. “We met Dr. Rodriguez and were impressed with his compassion and how he talked about the students, the campus, and everything that is going on at TSC.” 

Following the press conference, Mallam and Bob Schefferine, COO of Space Channel, headed to the North/South Courtyard to take part in Welcome Week activities to recruit potential students for the network.  

Stephanie Hernandez was one of those students that stopped by the booth to put her name down.  

“I’ve always been interested in space, galaxies, and stars. When SpaceX came down here I thought it was pretty awesome for the community. So, when I saw the Space Channel booth I thought ‘Wow that’s a way for me to learn skills and get involved at the same time.’”

Both Mallam and Schefferine were pleased to see lines of eager students putting their names in the hat to be on-air, behind the camera, and editing talent. In day one of sign-ups, they reported 20 names of eager students.  

The network predicts news stories coming live from Texas Southmost College will occur in 30 days.  

If you missed Space Channel’s booth on-campus students can reach out to the network using crew@spacechannel.com  

CBP Seizes $2.4M in Meth at Progreso International Bridge

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CBP Seizes $2.4M in Meth at Progreso International Bridge
Buckets containing nearly 175 pounds of liquid methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Progreso International Bridge. USCBP Image
Buckets containing nearly 175 pounds of liquid methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Progreso International Bridge. USCBP Image

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PROGRESO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Progreso Port of Entry seized $2.4 million in methamphetamine hidden within a passenger vehicle.

“Our frontline CBP officers continue to remain dedicated to carrying out CBP’s border security mission and this significant seizure of liquid methamphetamine perfectly exemplifies that commitment,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.

On Aug. 17, 2022, a CBP officer assigned to the Progreso International Bridge encountered a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by a 37-year-old male U.S. citizen and referred them for secondary examination. After conducting a thorough secondary examination, which included utilization of non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment, CBP officers discovered a total of nearly 175 pounds (79.38 kg) of alleged liquid methamphetamine within the gas tank. The methamphetamine had an estimated street value of $2.4 million.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics, vehicle, arrested the driver and an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents remains ongoing.

HHS Blocked from Forcing Healthcare Providers to Perform Abortions in Texas

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HHS Blocked from Forcing Healthcare Providers to Perform Abortions in Texas
Attorney General Paxton released the following statement after a federal judge sided with the Texas Attorney General and issued an injunction to stop the Biden Administration from using the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) to force Texas hospitals and doctors to perform abortions. Image for illustration purposes
Attorney General Paxton released the following statement after a federal judge sided with the Texas Attorney General and issued an injunction to stop the Biden Administration from using the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) to force Texas hospitals and doctors to perform abortions. Image for illustration purposes

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AUSTIN, Texas – Attorney General Paxton released the following statement after a federal judge sided with the Texas Attorney General and issued an injunction to stop the Biden Administration from using the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) to force Texas hospitals and doctors to perform abortions:

“The court’s decision to side with Texas is a crucial step in preventing Joe Biden and his radical pro-abortion Administration from breaking the law and threatening our entire healthcare industry by withholding federal funds. We’re not going to allow left-wing bureaucrats in Washington to transform our hospitals and emergency rooms into walk-in abortion clinics, and the decision last night proves what we knew all along: the law is on our side. No matter how many backdoors Joe Biden attempts to go through to illegally force abortions in Texas, I will fight back to defend our pro-life laws and Texas mothers and children.”

The judge’s decision’s comes after Paxton filed the initial lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services in mid-July and moved for an injunction in early August.

“The Court concludes that the Guidance extends beyond EMTALA’s authorizing text in three ways: it discards the requirement to consider the welfare of unborn children when determining how to stabilize a pregnant woman; it claims to preempt state laws notwithstanding explicit provisions to the contrary; and it impermissibly interferes with the practice of medicine in violation of the Medicare Act,” the court stated in its decision.

To read the full court decision, click here.

Biden Student Loan Debt Cancellation Announcement

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Biden Student Loan Debt Cancellation Announcement
“The Biden Administration’s election-year stunt to force working class folks to pay off the debt of wealthy graduates is both indefensible and nonsensical,” said Sen. Cornyn. Image for illustration purposes
“The Biden Administration’s election-year stunt to force working class folks to pay off the debt of wealthy graduates is both indefensible and nonsensical,” said Sen. Cornyn. Image for illustration purposes

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AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement to ‘cancel’ student loan debt, creating hundreds of billions of dollars in new federal debt:

“The Biden Administration’s election-year stunt to force working class folks to pay off the debt of wealthy graduates is both indefensible and nonsensical,” said Sen. Cornyn. “As inflation continues to drain the pockets of Americans, this disastrous policy would incentivize universities to raise tuition and unfairly punish those who sacrificed to pay off their own student loans.”  

Background:
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, President Biden’s plan to cancel at least $10,000 in debt per borrower would cost American taxpayers an additional $230 billion to foot the bill.  The Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates this cost to be even higher between $300 billion and $980 billion over the 10-year budget window.  

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.

Four Smuggling Attempts Foiled by RGV Border Patrol

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Four Smuggling Attempts Foiled by RGV Border Patrol
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted four human smuggling events resulting in the arrest of 43 individuals. USCBP Image
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted four human smuggling events resulting in the arrest of 43 individuals. USCBP Image

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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted four human smuggling events resulting in the arrest of 43 individuals.

On August 23, the Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station (RGC) received a call from a concerned citizen regarding non-citizens being held against their will at a residence in Rio Grande City. Agents and Starr County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies responded to the location and encountered 15 migrants from Mexico and Central America unlawfully present in the U.S. A Mexican national was identified as the caretaker and arrested by SCSO.  Additionally, SCSO seized two vehicles. The migrants were in good health and transported to the station.

That same day, RGC camera operators observed several subjects load into a vehicle near the Rio Grande in Roma. Roma Police Department officers located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. The vehicle failed to yield and led officers and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers on a vehicle pursuit. Agents and a CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter responded. The vehicle came to a stop in Escobares where the occupants bailed out of the vehicle. Five migrants determined to be illegally present in the U.S. and the U.S. citizen driver were arrested. DPS took custody of the driver to face state charges.

Shortly after, RGV agents encountered five subjects being harbored at a hotel in Pharr. Agents identified all subjects to be illegally present in the United States and were placed under arrest.

RGV agents received information of a residence in Mission suspected of harboring migrants. Agents, along with DPS, apprehended 17 subjects illegally present in the United States. The subjects were citizens of Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador.  

All subjects were processed accordingly.   

Incorporating New Equipment

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Incorporating New Equipment
Francisco Garcia, a TSTC Precision Machining Technology instructor in Harlingen, introduces the program’s new Haas UMC-500 computer numerical control (CNC) 5-axis machine that will be available for the fall 2022 semester. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
Francisco Garcia, a TSTC Precision Machining Technology instructor in Harlingen, introduces the program’s new Haas UMC-500 computer numerical control (CNC) 5-axis machine that will be available for the fall 2022 semester. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)

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HARLINGEN, Texas – Great things are happening at Texas State Technical College, and the Precision Machining Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus will incorporate some of the latest equipment into its curriculum for the fall 2022 semester.

A new Haas UMC-500 computer numerical control (CNC) 5-axis machine, and two new lathe mechanisms, will be utilized to educate students through hands-on training.

“The sophisticated equipment was purchased from Haas Automation Inc. and will be used to make more intricate parts,” said Francisco Garcia, a TSTC Precision Machining Technology instructor. “It will better prepare the students through efficiency with one setup instead of multiple.”

The new machines will provide a boost to student success, especially for those who are nearing the program’s completion.

Garcia added that the program will also have an advanced computer-aided manufacturing course available this fall semester.

“The advanced class will have a Mastercam software to design and generate codes that will be used to manufacture a part,” he said. “It will align with the agenda that pertains to the UMC-500 equipment.”

Isaac Gonzalez, TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology statewide department chair, said the new equipment has established a new direction for the program’s future.

“The new equipment will meet industry demands and stay ahead of the technology curve,” he said. “TSTC Precision Machining Technology students must be elite and marketable for tomorrow’s employers. (The equipment) will provide a new credential as they enter the workforce and lead to high-paying careers.”

In Texas, CNC tool programmers can earn $59,680 per year, according to onetonline.org.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Precision Machining Technology, as well as a certificate of completion in Machining, at its East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses. A Basic Machining occupational skills achievement award is available at the Fort Bend County, Marshall and Waco campuses.

TSTC is so confident that the training its students receive during this program will culminate in a job that Precision Machining Technology is part of the college’s Money-Back Guarantee. If graduates do not get hired in their field within six months after earning their degree, TSTC will refund their tuition.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Lone Star Literacy

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Lone Star Literacy
The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) defines five levels of proficiency. Image for illustration purposes
The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) defines five levels of proficiency. Image for illustration purposes

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Dr. M. Ray Perryman
President and Chief Executive Officer
of The Perryman Group

Literacy is essential to many daily activities, and its importance to individual wellbeing can hardly be overstated. In an era of workforce shortages, it is rapidly becoming an economic imperative. The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) defines five levels of proficiency. Adults who are “Below Level 1” can, at best, read brief texts on familiar topics and locate a piece of specific information, with only basic vocabulary knowledge required. Levels 3 and above allow greater comprehension and application and are generally consistent with being able to perform some type of technical or professional labor. 

Currently, 28% of Texans have very limited skills (at or below Level 1) compared to 22% for the United States. Rates are substantially higher in parts of the state, with some counties having as much as 70% of the adult population at or below Level 1. For these individuals, it can be difficult to navigate daily life, much less obtain a well-paying job. 

The proportion with literacy skills at or above Level 3 is 40% in Texas, significantly below the national rate of 48%. Such skillsets are virtually nonexistent in some counties, while others have over 60% of residents with Level 3 or higher literacy. Simply stated, 60% of Texas adults lack the basic capacity to be part of the state’s skilled workforce. Literacy rates in Texas are also well below those in many of the most competitive states for quality corporate locations and expansions. With the increasing need for skilled workers, this deficit will become increasingly detrimental in the years to come.

Insufficient workers with Level 3 literacy can slow economic growth; overall earnings and related business activity are also reduced. We estimate that, when multiplier effects are considered, the total economic cost to Texas of the shortfall in adults with Level 3 literacy in 2020 includes -$16.4 billion in annual gross product and over -186,000 jobs. Without intervention, these losses are projected to rise to -$67.5 billion in annual gross product and about -766,000 jobs by 2050. 

If Texas achieved a Level 3 concentration equivalent to that of the nation as a whole by 2040, the economic benefits would include $15.3 billion in annual gross product and 174,000 jobs. If outcomes on par with those of the five best-performing states were attained, gains rise to $41.1 billion in yearly output and 465,800 jobs. These enhancements escalate over time.

Improving literacy would enhance the quality of life and opportunities for those directly affected while simultaneously increasing productivity and economic activity. Many jobs require proficiency, strong demand is expected in the future, and improving skills in this area will better position Texas to meet expanding workforce needs. Let’s do it! Stay safe! 

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Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 2,500 clients over the past four decades.

The Red Cross Emergency App

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The Red Cross Emergency App
The American Red Cross wants to make sure people know where they can get safety information as well as know where Red Cross Emergency shelters are located. The Red Cross emergency app gives the user instant access to safety and preparedness resources and alerts for 13 different types of emergencies in a single mobile app – free, and very easy to use. Image Source: Redcross.org
The American Red Cross wants to make sure people know where they can get safety information as well as know where Red Cross Emergency shelters are located. The Red Cross emergency app gives the user instant access to safety and preparedness resources and alerts for 13 different types of emergencies in a single mobile app – free, and very easy to use. Image Source: Redcross.org

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AMERICAN RED CROSS – The American Red Cross wants to make sure people know where they can get safety information as well as know where Red Cross Emergency shelters are located. The Red Cross emergency app gives the user instant access to safety and preparedness resources and alerts for 13 different types of emergencies in a single mobile app – free, and very easy to use.

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The Red Cross app provides comprehensive information on what to do in case of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, residential and forest fires among other emergencies. With the key word ‘American Red Cross’, users can download the emergency application for free at RedCross.org/Apps or in the virtual stores of Apple App and Google Play.

“This app gives families tips for being safe and connected in an emergency,” said Brittney Rochell, Regional Communications Director for the Texas Gulf Coast Red Cross. “Because the app covers a variety of situations, the user will know what to do in the event of an emergency or disaster, regardless of where they are or type of emergency.”

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In the toolkit under the Prepare section is a feature called “I’m Safe”.  The “I’m Safe” feature allows the user to connect with their loved ones and instantly see if they’re okay – even if that family member hasn’t downloaded the emergency app on their device. If the family member or friend does not have the Red Cross emergency app, they will receive a text message asking if they are safe or not.

Here are some of the many features the app includes:

  1. According to the user’s preferences, the application offers more than 35 alerts based on geographic location (GPS) and pre-programmed locations – usually where family and friends live.
  2. The user can activate or deactivate alerts according to their needs.
  3. By means of a map, in the application, the user can locate Red Cross shelters and obtain weather reports specific to their area. 
  4. Users can easily change the preferences of the application and receive information in English or Spanish! 
  5. The Red Cross emergency app is also a source of information for incidents affecting large areas, such as landslides or snowstorms
  6. Its content puts the Red Cross expert guidance in your hands, anytime, anywhere – even without mobile connectivity. 
  7. With the touch of a button the user has access to the “make a plan” function, which allows him to elaborate, share and practice his disaster plan.

Apps can help you prepare for disasters, it’s important to remember that downloading our apps is not a substitute for training. For information on how to register and take a First Aid, CPR and AED class, visit RedCross.org and click “Take a Class”

Fugitives Added to Texas Most Wanted List

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Fugitives Added to Texas Most Wanted List
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added two men to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists. Erick Martinez, of Dallas, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. William Eugene Bird, of Austin, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Texas DPS Image
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added two men to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists. Erick Martinez, of Dallas, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. William Eugene Bird, of Austin, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Texas DPS Image

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AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added two men to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists. Erick Martinez, of Dallas, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. William Eugene Bird, of Austin, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to Martinez’s arrest and up to $3,000 for information leading to Bird’s arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

Erick Martinez, 34, has been wanted since September 2021, after the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office issued warrants for his arrest for four counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements.

In 2011, Martinez was convicted of 17 counts of sexual assault of a child, 17 counts of indecency with a child by contact, two counts of sexual assault, one count of indecency with a child by exposure and one count of evading arrest with a vehicle. The convictions stemmed from incidents involving a 16-year-old girl, a 20-year-old woman, and another victim (age unknown). Martinez was given 37 five-year sentences and one 6-month sentence. In June 2020, he was arrested by the Dallas Police Department for four counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of failure to comply with sex offender’s registration requirements. He subsequently bonded out of jail.

Martinez is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He has tattoos on his right arm and scars on his head, both arms and right hand. In addition to Dallas, he also has ties to El Paso. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, view Martinez’s wanted bulletin.

William Eugene Bird, 54, has been wanted since October 2021, when the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for probation violation.

In 2012, Bird was convicted of indecency with a child by exposure after an incident involving a 10-year-old girl. He subsequently was sentenced to six years of confinement. In 2014, Bird was convicted of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and sentenced to another four years. In 2021, he was convicted of injury of a child and was sentenced to one year of confinement. During the same year, Bird was also convicted of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements with a previous conviction and received six years’ probation.

Bird is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He has tattoos on his chest, back and both arms. He occasionally wear glasses. In addition to Austin, he also has ties to Bastrop and Kempner. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, view Bird’s wanted bulletin.

Texas Crime Stoppers, which is funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. So far in 2022, DPS and other agencies have arrested 45 people off the lists, including 18 gang members and 24 sex offenders. In addition, $72,000 in rewards has been paid for tips that yielded arrests.

To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods:

  • Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
  • Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture.
  • Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).

All tips are anonymous — regardless of how they are submitted — and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.

DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive and Sex Offender Lists. You can find the current lists — with photos — on the DPS website.

Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.

Three Smuggling Interdictions Lead to the Arrest of 15 Subjects

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Three Smuggling Interdictions Lead to the Arrest of 15 Subjects
 Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents were led on two vehicle pursuits and discovered a hotel room being used to harbor migrants. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
 Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents were led on two vehicle pursuits and discovered a hotel room being used to harbor migrants. USCBP Image for illustration purposes

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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents were led on two vehicle pursuits and discovered a hotel room being used to harbor migrants.

On August 17, RGV agents were led on a vehicle pursuit by the driver of a Dodge Ram near San Manuel. The pursuit came to a stop when the vehicle drove through a ranch fence and all its occupants fled into the brush. A search of the area lead to the apprehension of two migrants.  The driver was not located. 

The following morning, Weslaco Border Patrol Station agents working surveillance duties observed multiple subjects entering a Ford F150 near the Rio Grande. Responding agents and local law enforcement agencies attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, however, the vehicle refused to stop. The driver veered off the road and multiple subjects, including the driver, absconded from the vehicle. Agents were able to apprehend seven people in the immediate area. All individuals were illegally present in the country.

That same day, the McAllen Border Patrol Station received information of possible noncitizens being harbored at a hotel in Mission.  Agents and law enforcement authorities responded to the hotel and encountered six people determined to be in the U.S. illegally. No principal was identified at the location. 

All subjects were processed accordingly.    

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