Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Global Fiberglass Solutions, Inc. (“Global”) and other affiliated entities for illegally dumping thousands of wind turbine blades and materials at two disposal sites in Sweetwater, Texas. Image for illustration purposes
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Image: X
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Global Fiberglass Solutions, Inc. (“Global”) and other affiliated entities for illegally dumping thousands of wind turbine blades and materials at two disposal sites in Sweetwater, Texas.
Global was purportedly hired by numerous companies to break down, transport, and recycle turbine blades. The company failed to properly dispose of the waste and instead created a stockpile of over 3,000 wind turbine blades and parts, which has created unpermitted, illegal disposal sites. These sites damage beautiful Texas land and threaten surrounding communities. Global’s actions are in violation of Texas’s solid waste disposal laws and other administrative orders.
“Illegal disposal of wind turbines hurts our land and will never be permitted under my watch,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Just because the radical left calls something a ‘green industry’ does not give any company a free pass to harm Texas countryside, break our laws, and leave Texans to deal with the negative impacts.”
Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit is seeking significant civil penalties for ongoing violations, injunctive relief requiring the complete removal and lawful disposal of all unauthorized waste, and other costs paid to the state.
Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño joined city officials, youth athletes, and the Gomez family for the ceremonial ribbon cutting at the Juan Jose “JJ” Gomez Championship Field, celebrating the grand opening of the Buena Vista Sports Complex and a major investment in youth sports and economic growth in South Laredo. Image City of Laredo
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LAREDO, Texas — The City of Laredo officially opened the Buena Vista Sports Complex on January 28, 2026, marking a major milestone in the city’s long-term investment in youth sports, recreation, and economic development. City officials, community leaders, youth athletes, and residents gathered in South Laredo for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of Phase I of the multi-phase sports development.
Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño described the opening as one of the most significant community investments in Laredo’s history. “Today, as your mayor, I’m proud to officially announce the ribbon-cutting of the Buena Vista Sports Complex,” Treviño said. “This project represents an investment in our youth, our families, and the future of Laredo.” He explained that Phase I includes 10 all-turf baseball and softball fields, multi-purpose fields, concessions, and parking, all designed to serve local families while also attracting regional and statewide tournaments.
Buena Vista Sports Complex Master Plan. Image City of Laredo
Treviño emphasized the bigger impact of the $45 million project, particularly for South Laredo. “This investment marks a major turning point for South Laredo,” he said. “Buena Vista is already positioning our city as a sports tourism destination, creating opportunities to host large-scale tournaments that bring visitors from across Texas and beyond.” He noted that these events are expected to generate hotel stays, restaurant traffic, retail activity, and new business growth, especially along the Cuatro Vientos Road corridor.
The mayor also highlighted the project’s long history, explaining that the vision for Buena Vista began with community support through voter referendums and persisted through years of planning and challenges. “The community made it clear that this project mattered,” Treviño said. “With the support of the city council and our residents, that commitment is now being realized.” He added that the city is already planning future phases of the complex.
During the ceremony, city officials announced that the championship field would be named the Juan Jose “JJ” Gomez Championship Field, honoring the late Parks and Recreation Director, whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in advancing the project. Members of the Gomez family attended the ceremony as officials recognized Gomez’s lasting impact on parks, youth programs, and community recreation.
The event included an invocation, presentation of colors by local first responders, and remarks from city council members who described the complex as a symbol of opportunity for local youth and a driver of economic growth. The ceremony concluded with a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Mayor Treviño alongside members of the Gomez family, followed by the official ribbon cutting.
Youth baseball, softball, soccer, and flag football teams then took the fields, marking the first official use of the Buena Vista Sports Complex. City officials said the facility is intended to serve as both a community gathering place and a regional destination for competitive sports.
With Phase I now open, the City of Laredo plans to continue advancing additional phases of the Buena Vista Sports Complex, reinforcing its commitment to youth development, quality of life, and long-term economic growth in South Texas.
Laredo: Laredo is a U.S. border city with an estimated population of 255,000 and a territory of 107 square miles, with an average age of 28 years. Located at mile 1 of Interstate 35, the city is accessible by road, air, or bus, offering excellent connectivity. The city is home to the most important land port on the border, Port Laredo, which handles more than USD 339 billion in annual trade. The logistics industry, retail shopping, education, and health services constitute the foundation of its economy. For more information, visit: https://www.visitlaredo.com/ or download the Visit Laredo TX APP available for iOS and Android.
The project, an investment of approximately $350,000, delivers critical infrastructure improvements that strengthen emergency response capabilities across the region. Courtesy image
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EDINBURG, Texas – Local officials, first responders, and community members gathered this morning, to celebrate the completion of the Linn-San Manuel Fire Station Enhancements, located at 21661 TX-186 in Edinburg. The project, an investment of approximately $350,000, delivers critical infrastructure improvements that strengthen emergency response capabilities across the region.
City and Fire Ststin officials at eh Ribbon Cutting. Courtesy image
The Linn–San Manuel Fire Station serves as the home of the Linn–San Manuel Volunteer Fire Department and the Texas A&M Forest Service, agencies that play a vital role in responding to wildfires, brush fires, and natural disasters throughout the area.
Site upgrades include a newly expanded outdoor area designed to accommodate large firefighting and emergency response vehicles, equipment, and trailers. These improvements allow crews to organize resources more efficiently, access heavy-duty vehicles more quickly, and respond faster when emergencies occur.
Some of the enhancements at the Fire Station. Courtesy image
Additional space with the necessary utilities was added specifically to support a Texas A&M Forest Service portable office, addressing the continued growth and operational needs of the Forest Service. The station now includes additional bays and an extra-large canopy capable of housing heavy equipment, including the “Eagle 1” bulldozer, named in honor of Chief Snyder, as well as other essential fire fighting equipment.
“With our first responders taking on more responsibility and covering a wider area, it was important to make sure this station could support those demands,” said Commissioner Ellie Torres. “This project ensures that critical equipment is protected, accessible, and ready to deploy, strengthening our region’s emergency response and preparedness.”
With the Texas A&M Forest Service now operating from this location, secure and accessible storage for equipment became a top priority. The completed improvements enhance coordination between agencies and improve overall readiness to protect lives and property.
The ribbon cutting ceremony marked another milestone in the precinct’s ongoing commitment to supporting first responders and strengthening public safety infrastructure for residents throughout the region.
Winter Olympian and Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis, assigned to the World Class Athlete Program, trains in her sport of skeleton in Switzerland, Jan. 7, 2026. The WCAP allows elite airmen athletes to train and compete in national and international sports competitions, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games. Image: US Army via US Department of War
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By Katie Lange, Pentagon News / US Department of War
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy, are fast approaching. As always, there’s a contingent of U.S. military athletes who have qualified to represent their country on the biggest sports stage in the world.
While this Olympics will not feature any athletes from the Navy or Marine Corps, there are plenty of World Class Athlete Program participants from the Army and Air Force — including one who was named as a flagbearer for the opening ceremony.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is looking forward to speaking with several of these athletes during morale calls ahead of the games.
Army Sgt. Frank Del Duca, a soldier-athlete assigned to the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, leads from the front in the four-man bobsled race at the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Jan. 11, 2026 Image: US Army via US Department of War
Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis: Skeleton
Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis will represent Team USA and the Air Force at the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February. Image: US Army via US Department of War
Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis, 37, of Princeton, New Jersey, ranks 16th in the world in skeleton, a daring sliding sport in which athletes lie head-first and face-down on a small sled as they fly down a steep, icy track. Curtis happens to be the sport’s top-ranked U.S. athlete.
Being athletic is a bit of a Curtis family trait. Her father, John, was an All-American football player, while her two brothers also played college sports. At Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, Curtis competed in the heptathlon and won the event at the 2011 Penn Relays.
Soon after graduating in 2012, one of her coaches introduced her to bobsled, which she tried out for in 2013. But during her training, she saw skeleton athletes practicing and decided to switch to that sport
When she’s not racing, Curtis serves her country and trains at Aviano Air Base, Italy, where she works in information management. She joined the Air Force and its World Class Athlete Program in August 2020 to support her career as an athlete, which seems to have paid off. Her talents took her to the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games, where she became the first Black athlete to represent Team USA in skeleton.
Team USA bobsledders Kaysha Love and Army Spc. Azaria Hill, right, pose for a photo during an International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation World Cup event in January 2025. Image: Viesturs Lacis, International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation via US Department of War
Just last month, Curtis earned silver at an International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation World Cup event in St. Moritz-Celerina, Switzerland, climbing her way to the podium after initially being in ninth place. In the same competition in December 2022, she came in third. She’s also raced in multiple world cup and international competitions, consistently ranking among the top competitors.
Curtis has a master’s degree from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, and is married with one daughter.
Army Sgt. Frank Del Duca: Bobsled
Sgt. Frank Del Duca will compete in the two-man and four-man bobsled in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Army Sgt. Frank Del Duca, 34, of Bethel, Maine, will compete in the two-man and four-man bobsled events in Milan Cortina. This will be his second Olympics, having competed in the 2022 Beijing Games, where his four-man team placed 13th. His experience as an Olympian may be why he was named as one of the two U.S. flagbearers for the opening ceremony alongside veteran speed skater Erin Jackson.
Del Duca grew up as a world-class athlete, earning accolades as a high school state champion in alpine skiing before becoming a sprinter and long jumper at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine.
According to the Team USA website, Del Duca joined the U.S. Bobsled Team as a brakeman after college in 2016, but after failing to make the 2018 Olympics, he switched to pilot. That’s also what brought him into the Army World Class Athlete Program, which he joined shortly after enlisting in 2019 as an infantryman. Del Duca said he witnessed the unit’s discipline and leadership and thought it would upgrade his training. It turns out, he was right.
“I’ve learned so much about leadership, team building, accountability, setting standards, scheduling, punctuality — big things and small things that matter when you’re part of a group working toward a common goal,” Del Duca told Army writer Steve Warns.
At the March 2025 International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation World Championships in Lake Placid, New York, where Del Duca happens to train, he piloted his team to a fourth-place finish in two-man and four-man bobsled events. He told Warns he’s excited for what’s to come in Italy.
“When the cameras and lights are on, I find another gear,” he said. “I push better and focus harder because the competition demands it. There are so many great teams, and everyone has to have their best day.”
Del Duca is married with two sons
Army Spc. Sean Doherty: Biathlon
Army Spc. Sean Doherty will compete in the biathlon at the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February. Image: US Army via US Department of War
Army Spc. Sean Doherty, of Center Conway, New Hampshire, might be the most experienced military athlete this year, as he will compete on his fourth Olympic team in as many as six events.
Doherty began competing in biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, at age 12. By the time he was 18, he was competing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, becoming the first teenager and the youngest U.S. athlete to compete in the sport.
In 2018, Doherty enlisted in the Army as a carpentry and masonry specialist and is now a member of the Vermont National Guard. However, he didn’t join the WCAP until after he competed in the 2022 Beijing Games. Now 30, Doherty said the experiences he’s had with the WCAP continue to shape him.
“WCAP supports you not just as an athlete, but as a person and a soldier,” he told Warns. “They care about my athletic performance, but they also care about my development as a whole person, and I’m grateful for that.”
Doherty trains at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vermont, which is home to the Army Mountain Warfare School. Outside of biathlon, he’s an avid hunter, archer, fisherman and woodworker.
Army Spc. Azaria Hill: Bobsled
Army Spc. Azaria Hill will compete in the two-woman bobsled at the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February. Image: US Army via US Department of War
Army Spc. Azaria Hill, 27, of Santa Clarita, California, comes from a family of Olympians. She’s the daughter of track and field star Denean Howard-Hill, a three-time Olympian who won gold and two silver medals; and Virgil Hill Sr., who earned the silver medal for boxing in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Hill’s aunt, Sherri Howard, is also a three-time Olympic medalist in track and field relay competitions.
“I just knew ever since I was a little girl … I wanted to be like my mom and aunt,” she said in her Team USA biography.
Hill was a sprinter on the track and field team at California State University, Long Beach, California, before finishing her college athletic career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While there, she met U.S. bobsled pilot Kaysha Love, who competed in the 2022 Beijing Games. Love talked Hill into trying out for the bobsled brakewoman position after graduation.
Hill first competed with Love for Team USA in bobsled at the North American Cup in Lake Placid, New York, November 2023, finishing in first place. The pair went on to finish fourth at the 2024 IBSF World Championships.
Hearing the WCAP could provide benefits to support her athletic and professional career, Hill enlisted in 2024 as a motor transport operator and joined the unit.
“It provides resources, such as going back to school to obtain my master’s and helping to become an officer,” Hill said. “We work on all aspects of ourselves, not just athletics. They make sure we stay on top of classes and training, even overseas. They push us to grow professionally and athletically.”
Army Pvt. Spencer Howe skates with his partner, Emily Chan, during a pairs figure skating competition. The pair will compete at the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February. Image: Team USA via US Department of War
Army Pvt. Spencer Howe: Pairs Figure Skating
Army Pvt. Spencer Howe, 29, of Los Angeles, followed his sister into the sport of figure skating starting at age 9. By the time he was 18, he’d transitioned from a solo skater to pairs and was making a name for himself.
Unfortunately, in the spring of 2023, Howe needed surgery to repair a torn labrum, and it took a lot of time for him to recover before he could make a serious return to the sport.
During that downtime, Howe learned about the WCAP program. So, he enlisted in February 2025 as a motor transport operator and joined the unit shortly thereafter. He’s the first figure skater to be a part of the program.
Last month, during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Howe and his skating partner of seven years, Emily Chan, qualified for the Olympic team for the first time. Howe told Warns that they finished eighth in the short program but secured their spot on the team by placing third in the free skate.
“We’re grateful and honored,” he said afterward. “Being able to serve my country and participate in my sport at the same time is an unbelievable opportunity that I am incredibly grateful to have.”
Howe said his initial military training helped shape him into a better athlete.
“I started looking at skating from a soldier’s perspective and not just an athlete,” Howe said. “Taking on the responsibility to compete at the highest level — not just for Team USA but also for the Army — is a different level of commitment.”
After continuing his education, Howe eventually wants to join the Chaplain Corps.
In his spare time, Howe coaches figure skating and hockey at The Skating Club of Boston, near where he and Chan train.
Army Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin: Biathlon
Army Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin will compete in the women’s biathlon at the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February.
In her first Olympics in 2022, Army Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin placed seventh in the women’s 15-kilometer individual biathlon — the highest finish for an American in biathlon history. Irwin is now the top female athlete for the U.S. Biathlon Team, and she could compete in six events in Milan.
Irwin, 33, of Pulaski, Wisconsin, is a human resource specialist with the Vermont National Guard. She enlisted in the Army in 2019 and competed for the National Guard Biathlon Team in the 2022 Games. In 2023, she joined the WCAP for its consistent support, which she said has made all the difference in both careers.
“With WCAP, I have full-time orders, full-time benefits and direct access to resources,” Irwin said. “Being both a platoon sergeant and an athlete have pushed me to learn a lot.
Growing up, Irwin wanted to be a track and field athlete. She picked up cross-country skiing in the winter during high school to stay in shape between the fall cross-country and spring track and field seasons. Irwin then went to Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, where she competed in all three sports.
After college, Irwin tried her hand at a professional skiing career. She didn’t get started in biathlon until she was 25, when a fellow cross-country skier talked her into attending a talent camp. She told Team USA she instantly fell in love with the sport.
“It has been an honor to be able to represent my country as both a U.S. Olympian and a U.S. Army soldier,” she said. “I hope to inspire the next generation to serve and represent our country, too.”
Outside of biathlon, Irwin enjoys knitting, baking, puzzles and music.
Air Force Senior Airman Jasmine Jones: Bobsled
Air Force Senior Airman Jasmine Jones will compete for the U.S. in the two-woman bobsled at the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February. Image: Abby Slenker, Team USA
Air Force Senior Airman Jasmine Jones, 29, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is a brakewoman in the two-woman bobsled event. After competition this January in the St. Moritz World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland, the first-time Olympian can now say she’s a gold-medal champion.
In high school, Jones was a standout basketball player and a two-time state champion in the 4×100-meter relay. She went on to become a sprinter for Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where she was a five-time individual conference champion.
Jones’ success led five-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor to reach out, encouraging her to try out for the U.S. bobsled team. Jones took that advice. In the years since, she’s competed in world championships and made the National World Cup team.
Jones enlisted in the Air Force in April 2023 as a material management specialist. She joined the WCAP to help bring stability to her busy life filled with work, training and raising her daughter, Jade.
“They allowed me to … have the support from the military as far as pay and benefits so I can truly focus on my sport. Then, on the back end of my contract, I give my time back, which is fine with me because I want a career in the military,” she told the Amsterdam News out of New York City.
Just last month, Jones and her teammate, Kaillie Armbruster-Humphries, earned gold at the aforementioned IBSF World Cup two-woman bobsled race in St. Moritz, Switzerland. A few weeks later, they took silver at another IBSF World Cup race in Germany.
“[The] Olympics has always been a dream I’ve had. Now I can achieve those dreams by representing my country while being an airman,” she said in her Air Force biography.
Jones trains in Lake Placid, New York.
Army Sgt. Ben Loomis: Nordic Combined
Army Sgt. Ben Loomis, assigned to the Utah National Guard, leads the pack during a patrol race at the Goms Nordic Center in Geschinen, Switzerland, March 28, 2025. Loomis will compete in the 2026 Milan and Cortina Winter Olympic Games in the Nordic combined event, which consists of ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Image: Army Sgt. Denis Nunez, Vermont National Guard via US Department of War
Army Sgt. Ben Loomis, 27, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will compete in his third Olympics in the Nordic Combined event, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Loomis competed in the 2022 Beijing Games and the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in South Korea.
According to Nordic Combined USA, Loomis started ski jumping at age 5. His talents grew so quickly that, at 15, he moved to Park City, Utah, to find higher-caliber training and competition.
In 2019, after high school, Loomis enlisted in the Utah National Guard as a motor transport operator to join the WCAP for its opportunities. He told the Army that training for his sport requires power, endurance and strength — physical traits that are also required to carry out his military duties.
“Being an athlete and a soldier go hand in hand,” Loomis said. “What I’ve learned in the military has helped my athletic career, and my athletic background has helped me as a soldier.”
He said his experience in the military has been incredibly positive.
“I want to stay in after my athletic career, maybe even for a full career,” Loomis said. “My reasons for joining and my reasons for staying are completely different now.”
After earning silver in the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, Loomis was named the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Nordic combined athlete of the year. He’s been a member of four world championship teams, and his brother, Adam, is also a former world champion in the sport.
When Loomis isn’t on the snow, he enjoys hiking, fishing, biking and water skiing.
“In Texas, we celebrate all the roles that women play,” said First Lady Cecilia Abbott. “As over-comers, can-doers, and change-makers, I hope you discover at this conference how to nourish your deep roots with new knowledge, skills, friendships, and a renewed passion. As always, may God bless you and your families, and may God bless Texas women!” Photo: Office of the Governor
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AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks alongside First Lady Cecilia Abbott at the Inaugural Texas Women’s Leadership Conference (TWLC) in Austin. The conference, hosted by the First Lady and the Governor’s Commission for Women, connects women leaders across the state, providing them with expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and insightful discussions.
Governor Abbott speaking 4th the Texas Women’s Leadership Conference (TWLC) in Austin. Photo: Office of The Governor
“There is no doubt who powers Texas. That is Texas women,” said Governor Abbott. “There is something that is important to all of us. And that is character. In times of doubt and adversity, you show true character and keep the heart and soul of Texas alive. Today’s women leaders, you, the trailblazers, are the women that will train and motivate the leaders of tomorrow.”
Governor Abbott and First Lady Cecelia Boot share an embrace at Texas Women’s Leadership Conference (TWLC) in Austin. Photo: Office of The Governor.
“In Texas, we celebrate all the roles that women play,” said First Lady Cecilia Abbott. “As over-comers, can-doers, and change-makers, I hope you discover at this conference how to nourish your deep roots with new knowledge, skills, friendships, and a renewed passion. As always, may God bless you and your families, and may God bless Texas women!”
The TWLC included keynote speakers Allison Ellsworth, Camila Alves McConaughey, Angela Garcia, and Sarah Catherine Perot.
A packed house at Inaugural Texas Women’s Leadership Conference (TWLC) in Austin. Photo: Office f the Governor
The Governor’s Commission for Women develops strategies and implements plans to help make Texas the number one state for women-owned businesses. Housed within the Office of the Governor, the Governor’s Commission for Women specializes in outreach, education, research, and referral services.
The City of Brownsville and Planning & Redevelopment Department will celebrate the City’s 173rd anniversary during a special edition of Brownsville’s First Friday at Market Square on Feb. 6. Image courtesy of The City of Brownsville
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BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville and Planning & Redevelopment Department will celebrate the City’s 173rd anniversary during a special edition of Brownsville’s First Friday at Market Square, in downtown Brownsville.
Come party with the Spazmatics. Image courtesy of The city of Brownsville
The event will feature multiple band stages with live music, food, vendors, art, and family-friendly entertainment. The celebration will culminate with a cake party at 12 midnight at Market Square’s First Friday main stage. The event is free and open to the public.
In a 72-hour period, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at three separate ports of entry; Laredo, Eagle Pass and Hidalgo, apprehended three men wanted on outstanding felony warrants for sex-related offenses. Image for illustration purposes
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LAREDO, Texas – In a 72-hour period, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at three separate ports of entry; Laredo, Eagle Pass and Hidalgo, apprehended three men wanted on outstanding felony warrants for sex-related offenses.
“In less than three days, our frontline CBP officers at three separate ports of entry within the Laredo Field Office area of responsibility apprehended three men, all wanted on outstanding felony warrants for sex-related offenses, which are among the most heinous scenarios we encounter,” said Director, Field Operations Donald R. Kusser, Laredo Field Office. “These continued apprehensions of those wanted for alleged sex offenses perfectly illustrate our ongoing efforts to ensure that justice is served and to keep our communities safe.”
On Jan. 23, CBP officers at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo referred vehicle driver Ezekiel John Glick, a 26-year-old male U.S. citizen, for a secondary examination. A CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering he was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, CBP officers utilizing biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant out of Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in Medford, Wisconsin. Glick has been wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for 1st degree child sexual assault. CBP officers transported Glick to Webb County jail for adjudication of the warrant.
On Jan. 24, CBP officers at Eagle Pass International Bridge I referred vehicle driver Adrian C. Moreno, a 33-year-old male U.S. citizen, for a secondary examination. A CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering he was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, CBP officers utilizing biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant from Weslaco Police Department in Weslaco, Texas for indecency with a child by exposure and indecency with a child by sexual contact. CBP officers turned Moreno over to Maverick County Sheriff’s Office deputies for adjudication of the warrant.
Finally on Jan. 25, CBP officers at Anzalduas International Bridge referred vehicle passenger Victor Manuel Pena, a 52-year-old male U.S. citizen, for a secondary examination. A CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering he was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Once in secondary, CBP officers utilizing biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active arrest warrant from Cass County Sheriff’s Office in Logansport, Indiana. Pena has been wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged sexual assault. CBP officers turned Pena over to Mission Police Department officers for adjudication of the warrant.
The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Brownsville Port of Entry officers apprehended a man wanted in the Hidalgo County area on a felony warrant for a sex-related offense involving a child. Image for illustration purposes
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BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Brownsville Port of Entry officers apprehended a man wanted in the Hidalgo County area on a felony warrant for a sex-related offense involving a child.
“Our frontline CBP officers remain ever vigilant and apprehended a man wanted on an outstanding warrant for an alleged sex-related offense involving a child,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “These kinds of apprehensions perfectly exemplify our border security mission and our efforts to help keep our communities safe.”
The fugitive apprehension occurred on Jan. 30, when CBP officers at the Gateway Bridge referred pedestrian Luis Alberto Zarate Pegueros, a 41-year-old male Mexican citizen, for secondary inspection. After escorting Zarate Pegueros to secondary inspection, subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the traveler had outstanding felony warrant for indecency with a child by contact issued by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Zarate Pegueros was turned over to U.S. Marshals and Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputies for adjudication of the warrant.
The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion. Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The guidance, required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to be updated periodically, makes clear that parents and children have a constitutional right to take part in public school in ways that align with their sincerely held religious beliefs. Image for illustration purposes
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The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) issued guidance on constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public elementary and secondary schools.
The guidance, required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to be updated periodically, makes clear that parents and children have a constitutional right to take part in public school in ways that align with their sincerely held religious beliefs. School officials should allow members of the public school community to act and speak according to their faith, as long as:
They respect the rights of others;
The school itself does not engage in religious activities or speech as an institution; and
The school does not favor secular views over religious ones or one religion over another.
“The Trump Administration is proud to stand with students, parents, and faculty who wish to exercise their First Amendment rights in schools across our great nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Our Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion as one of the guiding principles of our republic, and we will vigorously protect that right in America’s public schools.”
The purpose of this guidance is to provide information on the current state of the law concerning prayer and religious expression in public schools. This updated guidance supersedes and replaces the Department of Education’s Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools (2023) issued under the Biden Administration. That document is no longer in effect.
Key Points of the Guidance:
Students, teachers, and other school officials have a right to pray in school as an expression of individual faith, as long as they’re not doing so on behalf of the school.
Public schools may not sponsor prayer nor coerce or pressure students to pray. For example, a school principal may not lead a prayer at a mandatory school assembly.
Public schools can regulate student speech that “materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others.” For example, a student can’t pray out loud during math class in a way that prevents others from learning, provided such disruptions are handled consistently with other forms of speech.
Religious speech should be treated the same as secular speech. For example, an essay with religious content should be graded by the same academic standards as a secular essay of similar quality.
Religious student organizations should likewise be treated the same as secular student organizations. For example, if a school offers support or recognition to secular student clubs, it must provide the same support to religious student clubs.
Background:
In recent years, the Supreme Court has ruled substantively on issues of religious expression and related matters of religious freedom in public schools—most notably in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) and Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025).
Today’s guidance involves three key protections under the First Amendment: 1) The right of parents and children to freedom of speech; 2) The right of parents and children to freely practice their religion; and 3) The obligation of public schools to avoid establishing or endorsing religion.
In addition, this guidance is in accordance with parents’ longstanding constitutional right—recognized under the Fourteenth Amendment—to direct the education and upbringing of their children.
On February 7, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Faith Office to “honor and enforce the Constitution’s guarantee of religious liberty and to ending any form of religious discrimination by the Federal Government.”
On May 1, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Religious Liberty Commission “to safeguard and promote America’s founding principle of religious freedom.”
On September 8, 2025, President Trump previewed today’s guidance during a speech at the Religious Liberty Commission’s hearing on religious liberty in public education.
View the 2026 Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools below:
The Rio Grande Valley Partnership has named Paco Sanchez as its new President and CEO, selecting a longtime legislative professional to lead the business-focused regional organization as it prepares for the next state legislative cycle.
The Partnership announced that Sanchez “brings two decades of legislative experience in the Texas House of Representatives,” where he served as Legislative Director for State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez and, most recently, as Chief of Staff for State Representative Oscar Longoria. In addition to his government work, Sanchez was a Litigation Specialist for Hinojosa Law, PLLC, handling commercial litigation and personal injury cases.
A graduate of Donna High School, Sanchez earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and later received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.
During his legislative career, Sanchez “played a key role in the passage of numerous state laws related to transportation, infrastructure, water resources, agriculture, health care, disaster management, higher education, international trade, and economic and workforce development,” according to the announcement. He has also worked with communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley to enhance residents’ quality of life and partnered with stakeholders to advance regional priorities and economic growth.
“I’m excited and honored to join the Rio Grande Valley Partnership as their new President and CEO,” Sanchez said. “From my first day in the Legislature, the RGV Partnership has been the Valley’s voice for the business community at the state and federal levels.”
He added, “From hosting the RGV Legislative Tour to spearheading RGV Days in Austin and RGV2DC, the RGV Partnership drives the economic engine of the Valley. With a renewed focus on legislative advocacy, enhancing member benefits, and our new RGV Connect initiative, I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across the four-county region to strengthen our region’s influence.”
The Rio Grande Valley Partnership describes itself as a “business-led, regional non-profit organization focused on advancing economic development, advocacy, and collaboration across Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties.” The group brings together business leaders, elected officials, and community stakeholders to address shared regional priorities and promote long-term economic growth.
Among its signature efforts is the RGV Legislative Tour, held during each state legislative session. The program hosts state senators, representatives, and key staff members in the Rio Grande Valley to learn about the region and promote its legislative priorities.
Ahead of the next legislative session, the Partnership plans to gather ideas and community input for the tour through its RGV Connect initiative. Each work session will focus on major policy areas, with the first meeting scheduled for February 25 in Mission and centered on transportation.
“The RGV Legislative Tour is the signature event of each session, and the RGV Partnership is preparing early, gathering community and stakeholder input through the RGV Connect initiative,” Sanchez said. “The ideas gathered during these work sessions will inform the Partnership’s legislative agenda and help us promote our region’s priorities during session and beyond.”
