The average American car continues to get older. According to new data from S&P Global Mobility, the average vehicle in use age increased by two months from last year to 12.6 years in 2024.
Multiple reasons drive the increase. A prime one being new cars are prohibitively expensive for most people. The pandemic caused severe supply chain disruptions to the automotive industry. Car manufacturers produced less, resulting in higher car prices and lower affordability.
Besides reduced affordability, other considerations include higher loan rates, a desire to avoid car payments, expensive operating costs, and, importantly, better-quality cars. Hence, it is not surprising that Americans desiring to stay within their budget plan drive their cars for more than ten years and, in many cases, more than 150,000 miles before buying a replacement.
New Cars Are Simply Not Affordable
Kelley Blue Book reports that the average transaction price (ATP) for a new car in April 2024 was approximately $48,510. Although lower than last year, it is still 2.2% higher than at the end of 2023. The ATP’s 34% climb over the past decade outpaces inflation as cars moved from about $32,000 to their present value.
Moreover, dealers’ incentives for new car buyers are just 6.3% of the ATP. The average dealer’s incentive was over 10% before the COVID-19 pandemic affected the market. Notably, the average value increased from a low of 2% to 2.5% in late 2023, but it is still below the typical incentive value before the pandemic started.
Automakers Don’t Make Inexpensive Cars
Manufacturers have moved away from inexpensive cars, compounding the pandemic’s impact on supply chains and accelerating existing trends focusing on more profitable, higher-priced luxury models.
In December 2017, automakers sold 36 models priced under $25,000. By the end of 2022, the number of modest models shrunk to five choices. Even historically economical models, like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, are priced over $20,000.
In the same period, sales and the number of new car models priced over $60,000 surged; the number of available luxury models increased by 50% from 61 to 90, while sales rose by 163%.
New car unaffordability means people hold onto existing vehicles longer before purchasing replacements. Prices are “prohibitively high for a lot of households now,” Todd Campau, aftermarket leader for S&P Global Mobility, told the Associated Press. “So I think consumers are being painted into the corner of having to keep the vehicle on the road longer.”
Household Income Fails To Keep Up
Higher prices impact affordability, as do household incomes. Americans’ incomes have not climbed at the same rate as auto costs.
According to United States Federal Reserve data, the median household income in 2014 was $64,900, rising to $74,580 in 2022. However, the 15% increase is less than half that of new car prices.
Auto Loan Interest Rates Highest in Years
Higher loan rates compound the problem of slow household income growth. The Federal Reserve increased interest rates to curtail inflation, raising consumer borrowing costs. Auto loan rates depend on credit scores, location, and model type. New cars typically have lower rates than used cars.
According to MarketWatch, rates for new vehicles range between 5.64% and 14.78%, with an average of 7.18%. The average rate was only 4.4% in the first three months of 2022. Consequently, monthly payments have climbed to about $740, significantly higher than the $625 in 2022. The extra amount means an additional $1,380 annually.
Americans’ car loan terms are getting longer. Car loan length often falls between three and five years. Today, lengthy 84-month car loans are available. An effect is lower monthly payments, but buyers pay much more interest. At a constant 9% interest rate, a $35,000 loan over 48 months results in $6,807 of interest. The same amount financed over 84 months almost doubles the total interest to $12,302.
Stagnant wages and longer loans mean many people hold onto their existing vehicles longer to avoid a car payment. Melanie Allen of Partners in Fire says, “My car has 175k miles. I haven’t replaced it because I still love it, and it’s fully paid off. I haven’t had a car payment in years, and I’m not anxious to have another.”
Operating Costs Rise, Too
Routine maintenance is more expensive because of higher gas prices, insurance premiums, and repair costs.
Regular unleaded gas prices reached a record high in mid-2022. Although they have been down since rising above $5 per gallon, they are still a burden for many homeowners.
Inflation also drives soaring vehicle insurance premiums. Although new cars are usually safer, repair and replacement costs for advanced electronic and sensor systems have climbed. Electric vehicles are more expensive to insure than gas-powered ones since battery replacements are costly.
The same forces that result in climbing insurance premiums affect repair vehicle repair costs. Sensors, electronics, batteries, and safety systems are costly to fix. Basic models or older cars often have a lower average repair cost and are more straightforward for mechanics to work on.
It is often less expensive to keep and drive an older car for a few additional years than to buy a new one.
Better Quality Cars Change the Equation
Today’s technology combined with routine car maintenance means a car’s lifespan can easily surpass 10 years. Quality improvements across almost all manufacturers mean more cars with 150,000 to 200,000 miles or lengthy lifespans. Two decades ago, many people bought a new vehicle when their current one reached 100,000 miles, but that has changed.
Gov. Greg Abbott looks at crane lifting a section of the border wall in place after giving a press conference at Rio Grande City on Dec. 18, 2021. Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune
Gov. Greg Abbott looks at crane lifting a section of the border wall in place after giving a press conference at Rio Grande City on Dec. 18, 2021. Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune
Three years after Gov. Greg Abbott announced Texas would take the extraordinary step of building a state-funded wall along the Mexico border, he has 34 miles of steel bollards to show for it.
That infrastructure — which has so far run up a price tag of some $25 million per mile — isn’t yet a contiguous wall. It has gone up in bits and pieces spread across at least six counties on Texas’ 1,254-mile southern border. Progress has been hampered by the state’s struggles to secure land access, one of myriad challenges signaling a long and enormously expensive slog ahead for Abbott.
Nonetheless, state contractors have already propped up more wall mileage than former President Donald Trump’s administration managed to build in Texas, and Abbott’s wall project is plowing ahead at a quickened pace. State officials hope to erect a total of 100 miles by the end of 2026, at a rate of about half a mile per week. The governor frequently shares video of wall construction on social media and has credited the project with helping combat immigration flows. To date, though, steel barriers cover just 4% of the more than 800 miles identified by state officials as “in need of some kind of a barrier.” And at its current rate — assuming officials somehow persuade all private landowners along the way to turn their property over to the state — construction would take around 30 years and upwards of $20 billion to finish.
Under Abbott’s direction, state lawmakers have approved more than$3 billion for the wall since 2021, making it one of the biggest items under the GOP governor’s $11 billion border crackdown known as Operation Lone Star. The rest of the money is being used for items like flooding the border with state police and National Guard soldiers and transporting migrants to Democrat-controlled cities outside Texas, all of which Abbott and other Republicans say is needed to stem the historic number of migrants trying to enter the country.
Democrats and immigration advocates have cast the wall project as a taxpayer-funded pipe dream that will do nothing to address the root causes driving the immigration crisis. And they say the governor, in reviving what was once a hallmark of Trump’s agenda, is using public money to boost his political stock.
Even some immigration-hawk Republicans are showing unease about the mounting costs of the wall.
“I am, too, concerned that we’re spending a whole lot of money to give the appearance of doing something rather than taking the problem on to actually solve it, and until we do that, I don’t expect to see much happen,” state Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, said last fall before voting in committee to spend another $1.5 billion in wall funding.
Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Acquiring land
The construction pace has largely hinged on the state’s success securing rights to build the wall through privately owned borderland. Early on, the project showed little signs of life as state contractors struggled to obtain the needed easements. But things picked up last year as the state began working out more agreements covering larger tracts. Through mid-June, officials had secured 79 easements covering about 59 miles of the border, according to Mike Novak, executive director of the Texas Facilities Commission, which is overseeing the effort.
At a facilities commission meeting last month, Novak said state officials were in various stages of negotiation with landowners over another 113 miles.
“We knew from the beginning that this was going to be the choke point, you know, one of the most challenging parts of this program,” Novak said of land acquisition. “And it proved true. But we’ve remained steadfast.”
Officials had built 33.5 miles of wall through June 14, a facilities commission spokesperson said.
The state’s ability to secure land rights has also dictated the wall’s location, though officials say they have focused on areas pinpointed by the Department of Public Safety as the “highest priority.” TFC officials have declined to share exactly where the wall is being built, citing security concerns, though Novak recently said construction was underway on wall segments in Cameron, Maverick, Starr, Val Verde, Webb and Zapata counties.
Though the Texas-Mexico border spans more than 1,200 miles, Abbott’s budget director, Sarah Hicks, told a Senate panel in 2022 that DPS had identified 805 miles “as vulnerable, or [that] is in need of some kind of a barrier.” Another 180 miles are covered by natural barriers, mostly in the Big Bend region of West Texas, while existing barriers already cover another 140 miles, according to state officials.
Novak has said the pace of building about half a mile of wall per week is expected to continue for the “foreseeable future.” At that rate, about 100 miles would go up every four years, with the full 805 miles covered sometime after 2050, when Abbott would be in his 90s.
The earliest wall construction has cost roughly $25 million to $30 million per mile, according to TFC officials. That would amount to $20 billion to $24 billion for the entire 805-mile span, or about three times the cost of paying every Texas public university student’s tuition last year. The estimate does not account for the cost of maintaining the wall once it is built, which TFC estimates will cost around $500,000 per mile each year.
Lubbock state Sen. Charles Perry, who last year carried Texas’ new immigration law that allows state police to arrest people for illegally crossing the Mexico border, is another Republican who has expressed concern about the wall’s cost.
“I am for border security. I am not against a wall. But to me, at least from what I can tell, it is a perpetual circle. We’re on the hamster wheel,” Perry said last fall as he prepared to vote for the $1.5 billion wall funding bill. “[At some point] the response has not to be more money for infrastructure. At some point this state must draw the line in the sand.”
Still, no Texas Republican has voted against border wall funding. Lawmakers approved nearly $2.5 billion for the effort in the state’s current two-year budget — more than was allotted in state funds to all but a handful of state agencies, and more than twice what Texas spends on its court and juvenile justice systems.
State Rep. Christina Morales, D-Houston, said she doesn’t think Texas’ GOP leadership “really understands why people are crossing in the first place.”
“Spending billions of dollars on a wall really does not address the root causes of the migration that’s happening,” said Morales, who is vice chair of the House’s Mexican American Legislative Caucus. “What we should be investing in is our education, our health care, real solutions for problems that are happening right now in Texas.”
Since 2021, federal officials have recorded an average of about 2 million illegal border crossings a year, a record that Abbott has attributed to President Joe Biden for rolling back some of Trump’s border policies. The governor has touted the wall construction as a way for Texas to “address the border crisis while President Biden has sat idly by.” Biden and other Democrats have blamed Republicans for shooting down a sweeping bipartisan border deal earlier this year.
The scope of Texas’ wall construction — and Abbott’s broader border security efforts — are unprecedented in nature, as the federal government is generally responsible for immigration enforcement and the costs associated with it.
Even with the state’s improved pace securing easements, Novak has said land access remains the biggest challenge for the project, and “it’ll probably remain that way through most of the program.” The Trump administration encountered the same issue after the former president famously said he would build the wall and make Mexico pay for it. Even using the federal government’s power to seize some borderland, Trump’s administration built just 21 miles of new wall along the Texas-Mexico border.
The painstaking negotiations are required for Texas’ wall because lawmakers barred the use of eminent domain to gain land access.
Last year, state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, filed legislation to change that, arguing TFC officials could only build a complete wall if they were authorized to use eminent domain powers. The proposal failed to make it through the Senate, though Creighton said he plans to file it again for the session that starts next January.
“Of course, we can continue to negotiate with ranchers, but that is a very slow process,” Creighton said. “And it’s an incomplete process, because there will always be holdouts for different reasons.”
Creighton, one of the upper chamber’s more conservative members, said he still supports using state funds to build a border wall, even as some of his GOP colleagues have raised objections.
“I say no to waste, inefficiencies, potential fraud and unreasonable spending as much as any member,” Creighton said. “But … there are times, with all of that fiscal conservatism, that we have to use the money that we save efficiently to protect Texans and Texas.”
“A difficult and complex task”
Most border wall advocates acknowledge barriers alone will not deter people from trying to enter the country illegally. But they say a wall would work if paired with more law enforcement officers and technology, arguing it would slow down attempted crossers to give border agents more time to apprehend them and encourage migrants to seek asylum via ports of entry.
“Walls do not achieve the objectives for which they are said to be erected; they have limited effects in stemming insurgencies and do not block unwanted [migrant] flows, but rather lead to a re-routing of migrants to other paths,” wrote Élisabeth Vallet of the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute in a 2022 report.
Those sorts of objections have done nothing to deter Abbott and GOP lawmakers, who are armed with a huge budget surplus and polling that shows a majority of Texas voters support the state’s wall effort and overall border spending. More than 90% of Republican voters support the wall, with 74% voicing “strong” support, according to an April poll by the Texas Politics Project.
With construction plunging ahead, Novak has projected confidence about the wall’s status, pointing to the recent progress after an initial slow start, which saw officials build less than 2 miles in the 12 months after Abbott announced the effort.
It’s not just land access that complicates wall construction, Novak said at the June TFC meeting, where he ticked off a list of other factors: changing soil conditions that require “complicated engineering solutions”; steering clear of irrigation systems when building on agricultural land; weather; and “sensitivity” to cattle, oil and gas and hunting operations.
“It’s a difficult and complex task, at best,” Novak said. “But with that said, we’re whipping it. The latest stats reflect what I like to call just steadfast progress.”
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
AUSTIN The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement efforts for the Fourth of July holiday to keep everyone safe on the roads, including Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE), which runs July 3-7.
Operation CARE is a specialized campaign in which Texas Highway Patrol Troopers patrol for drivers who are speeding, intoxicated, not complying with Texas’ Move Over, Slow Down law or violating other laws.
“By following our state’s traffic laws, buckling up and taking additional safety measures, we can make sure everyone enjoys a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a news release. “As you begin gathering to celebrate our nation’s freedom, please remember to celebrate responsibly and do your part to keep Texas safe.”
According to the release, during last year’s two-day Fourth of July enforcement campaign, troopers issued more than 18,695 citations and warnings, including 7,255 for speeding; 859 for no insurance; and more than 480 for individuals without seat belts or child seat restraints. DPS also arrested 66 people on DWI charges and 163 people for other felony charges.
DPS encourages the public to follow these safety tips during Fourth of July weekend and beyond:
Driver Safety:
Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol.
Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. So far in 2024, there have been more than 4,510 Move Over, Slow Down violations.
Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.
Fireworks Safety:
Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from buildings and flammable materials.
Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby in case of an emergency.
Never allow young children to handle fireworks; supervise older children closely.
Light one firework at a time and never relight a “dud” firework.
Dispose of used fireworks by soaking them in water before discarding them.
DPS would also like to remind Texans about the iWatchTexas program, a critical resource for reporting suspicious activity within the community to help prevent dangerous attacks. It’s especially important to be vigilant as people gather for parades, festivals and other community events. Tips can be reported via the website, the free iWatch iOS or Android mobile app or by calling 844-643-2251. All reports are confidential. For information on how to use iWatchTexas, you can view this how-to video.
Remember, iWatchTexas is not for emergencies. If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Want to bring more plant-based dishes to your BBQs? From grilled tofu to salads, find recipe inspiration for your summer cookout. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
Want to bring more plant-based dishes to your BBQs? From grilled tofu to salads, find recipe inspiration for your summer cookout. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
By Kristen Wood
Cookouts and backyard parties are a highlight of summer. Whether you are vegetarian, looking to explore healthier options or want to have foods for all your guests, these plant-based dishes are a great addition to your next summer cookout.
A plant-based diet focuses on vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains as the bulk of most meals. While those keeping to plant-based diets might eat meat, eggs and dairy products on occasion, navigating cookouts can be a challenge. Traditional cookouts often feature hamburgers, hotdogs, brats and other carnivorous options. Side dishes that are heavy on dairy, meat and processed food may limit plant-based options further.
If you are looking to transform your summer BBQs with healthy and flavorful dishes, try plant-based options. From recipes to replace cookout favorites to inspiration for new dishes, get started with plant-based cooking.
The rise in plant-based eating
Plant-based eating has become more popular in recent years. Gallup estimates that approximately 5% of Americans are vegetarians or vegans. Americans are also eating plant-based meals more often. As of 2023, almost 70% of people have tried a plant-based meat or dairy alternative, according to a study from Saputo Dairy USA.
Cutting back on meat, dairy and processed foods has a number of benefits. Forks and Knives notes that plant-based diets are high in vitamins and minerals and lower in calories and cholesterol. Eating plant-based foods can be cheaper and better for the environment as well.
If this is your first time experimenting with plant-based eating, summer is a great time to start. Fresh veggies and fruit are especially tasty this time of year. Grilled, fresh or mixed into dishes, fruits and vegetables are the perfect summer ingredients. These plant-based dishes are the best way to showcase them.
Plant-based recipes for cookout staples
From brats and burgers to potato salad and baked beans, there are dozens of dishes to look forward to at a summer BBQ. Whatever your favorite, there is a flavorful plant-based alternative. These menu ideas are healthy, nutrient-dense and filling. Because these recipes rely on fresh, in-season produce and whole foods, they bring vibrant flavors to a cookout.
Plant-based alternatives to your favorite grilling recipes
Grilling can make plant-based recipes the centerpiece of your cookout. Grilled tofu, grilled tempeh and black bean burgers are high-protein alternatives to beef. Portobello mushroom steaks or cauliflower steaks are hearty and healthy. Marinated and seasoned, these vegetarian grilling options are packed with flavor.
With the growing popularity of plant-based foods in recent years, meat alternative options have multiplied. Plant-based hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages and chicken offer cookout substitutions with a taste and texture nearly identical to their meat equivalents. These are a convenient and delicious option to grill up for yourself and your plant-based guests.
Meat-free main dishes and sides for cookouts
Fruit and veggie skewers make an amazing plant-based main dish for a BBQ. Add bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, onions, pineapple and other favorites to skewers. Tofu, tempeh or seitan can offer additional protein.
Summer produce is always a great addition to any cookout menu. The perfect salad melds fruits, veggies, protein and dressing. On the grill, roast okra, corn, asparagus spears, peaches or any other fruit or veggie your family enjoys.
Potato salad, macaroni salad and coleslaw are easy to recreate with vegan ingredients by swapping in vegan mayonnaise. Vegan baked beans leave out the bacon and use a generous dash of smoked paprika for a delectable smokey flavor.
Snacks provide a small bite while waiting for food to finish on the grill. Vegan deviled eggs, veggies with hummus, watermelon slices and chips and salsa are great plant-friendly options. While traditional salsa is always a good choice, mango salsa is an alternative pairing for chips that is packed with summer flavor.
Best condiments for a plant-based BBQ
No cookout is complete without the right condiments. Ketchup, mustard and relish are the usual staples. Pick up your favorite or even try a homemade version.
For more variety, make your own hot sauce with red jalapenos. Naturally plant-based, homemade hot sauce can bring a spicy tang to all of your dishes. Vegan BBQ sauce and vegan Thousand Island sauce can add extra flavor to mains and sides.
Hosting the ultimate plant-based cookout
Preparing to host a cookout centered around plant-based dishes takes some planning. Like any backyard BBQ, you’ll need outdoor seating and tables, yard games and propane for the grill. You’ll also want a spread of mouthwatering dishes.
As you plan your menu, bring together a variety of plant-based recipes. Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju of Urban Farmie explains, “Hosting a plant-based BBQ is all about celebrating fresh, flavorful, seasonal ingredients! Think vibrant grilled veggies like corn or asparagus, hearty plant-based proteins like black bean burgers or smoky tofu steaks and comforting side dishes! It’s a delicious way to enjoy the summer while embracing sustainable and healthy eating.”
Involving your friends and family in food prep is a great way to try more recipes and delegate the work. Make your BBQ a potluck and have every guest bring a plant-based dish to share for an unforgettable cookout.
Plan a plant-based cookout this summer
Summer cookouts are an opportunity to enjoy nice weather, time with friends and good food. This summer, host a cookout with a plant-based menu or bring a new dish to a potluck. In addition to being healthy and sustainable, plant-based ingredients bring bright, delicious flavors that will be the highlight of your next cookout.
Kristen Wood is a photographer, food writer and creator of MOON and spoon and yum. She is also the author of Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including NBC, Tasting Table, Elle, Martha Stewart, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times and more.
AUSTIN Hunters will have new opportunities and scenery this fall through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) drawn hunt permits program.
The program, which issues permits for drawn hunts on both public and private lands throughout Texas, is now accepting applications for a shot at nearly 9,400 permits in more than 60 high-quality hunt categories.
“The opportunities offered through our online Public Hunt Draw System give hunters a tremendous variety to hunt and see Texas at an affordable cost,” Kelly Edmiston, TPWD public hunting coordinator, said in a news release. “Throughout the state, we have seen lack of access to land being a major barrier of entry for folks interested in hunting. The public hunt program gives everyone an opportunity to hunt without the costly investment.”
Among the offerings available through the Texas Public Drawn Hunts system: hunts for white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn, turkey, alligator and dove, plus guided packages for exotic species and bighorn sheep. There were 292,000 applications last year.
Applicants for e-Postcard hunts and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Antlerless Deer Permits must have a current Annual Public Hunt Permit (APH) to apply. APH permits go on sale annually on Aug. 15. Last year, the sale of 58,417 APH permits generated approximately $2.7 million in revenue for wildlife conservation and public hunting opportunities.
The Drawn Hunts Catalog interactive map shows all drawn hunt opportunities by category or by area. All applications, fee payments and permit issuance are handled electronically. To participate, applicants will need internet access, an email address and a credit or debit card. The customer ID number from the applicant’s hunting or fishing license is the most effective way to access the system.
Application fees range from free to $3 or $10, depending on the hunt category. Adult hunters who are selected may need to pay a special permit fee of $80 for regular hunts and $130 for extended hunts. Some categories, such as the youth-only hunts, require no application fees or permit fees. Permits are open to resident and non-resident hunters alike.
Application deadlines are the 1st and 15th of each month between Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. Aug. 1 is the deadline for all alligator hunt categories and private lands dove hunts. Aug. 15 is the deadline for archery deer, archery mule deer, pronghorn, private land pronghorn and javelina.
A full list of category deadlines can be found on the Drawn Hunts Deadlines webpage. Hunters can apply until 11:59 p.m. CST on the application deadline. Applicants can check their drawing status online at any time.
For more information or to start the application process, visit TPWD Drawn Hunts. For questions, contact [email protected] or call (512) 389-4505 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
MIDLAND Midland Memorial Hospital has announced that it has received an Energy to Care Award from the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association. Chuck Brooks, director of hospital engineering, will accept this award on behalf of MMH at ASHE’s Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference in Anaheim, Calif., on July 24.
Energy to Care is ASHE’s award-winning sustainability program dedicated to helping health care facilities track their energy, water and emissions reduction efforts and celebrates hospitals and health systems that go above and beyond in achieving their sustainability goals. MMH is one of 102 participating facilities to receive this distinction in 2024, representing just 2.3% of facilities enrolled in the Energy to Care Program. Participants record and report their energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, in the Energy to Care Dashboard. Energy to Care Award-winning facilities demonstrate a 10% greater reduction in energy use intensity over the previous year, or 15% over two years.
“This award is a significant achievement for health care facilities taking meaningful steps toward decarbonization and I congratulate the Midland Memorial Hospital team for reaching this milestone in their sustainability journey,” Kara Brooks, LEED AP BD&C, senior associate director of sustainability at the American Hospital Association, said in a news release.
“We are honored to receive Energy to Care Award. This achievement underscores our commitment to maintaining a healthy environment for our patients, staff and community. We are proud to lead the way in reducing our carbon footprint and promoting a sustainable future,” Abraham Bejil, vice president of facility services, said in the release.
Participation in the Energy to Care Program has seen consistent growth since its inception in 2006. More than 4,400 facilities have participated since 2010, and in the entire life of the program, health care facilities have seen a combined savings of over $550 million reallocated to patient care.
AUSTIN As temperatures continue to rise, many Texans and out-of-state visitors are making plans to cool off on one of the many pristine waterbodies across the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds those on the water to follow basic boating safety precautions over the holiday weekend.
Texas Game Wardens, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and thousands of law enforcement officers across the state and nation will be on heightened alert looking for those violating boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws. The effort is in conjunction with Operation Dry Water, a nationally coordinated enforcement campaign focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Alcohol use continues to be a leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor of boating incidents,” Cody Jones, Texas Game Warden assistant commander for marine enforcement, said in a news release. “If you operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you are putting yourself and others at an unnecessary risk.”
Last year, wardens arrested 56 people for BWI over the Fourth of July weekend and filed four other charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI). They issued 1,521 citations and 1,891 warnings for various boating safety law violations, the release said.
Different from this same time last year, boaters who are arrested for a BWI while children under the age of 15 are onboard will face a state jail felony for boating while intoxicated with a child passenger, matching the charges for a DWI with a child passenger. This charge is punishable by six months to two years in state jail and a maximum $10,000 fine.
“We see it year after year – holiday celebrations ending in accidents or fatalities caused by unsafe boating practices, including the over-consumption of alcohol,” said Jones. “While wardens will be out in force to help keep people safe, we need the public to do their part by being prepared and making wise choices.”
Statewide, injuries and fatalities peak between the months of May and August, especially on weekends. Among the top contributors: operator inattention, careless/reckless operation, inexperience and alcohol use.
In addition to avoiding drugs and alcohol, there are some other simple steps to take to ensure everyone onboard your vessel is safe and returns home at the end of the day.
“Wearing a life jacket, using your boat’s ignition safety switch, being weather aware and participating in a boater education class can all greatly reduce your risk of having an accident on the water,” said Kimberly Sorensen, TPWD boating education manager.
“Texas state law requires each occupant of a boat or paddle craft have access to a USCG approved life jacket,” said Sorensen. “And children under 13 must wear one while the boat or paddle craft is underway or drifting.”
A complete list of boating laws and the required boating safety equipment can be found in the Texas Water Safety Act. For more information about water safety, visit the water safety webpage on the TPWD website.
TRIANGLE, VA. Toys for Tots have announced their Christmas in July campaign to help even more children in need this holiday season. The program is a year-round force for good, providing hope and emotional support whenever it’s needed most. Toys for Tots’ initiatives beyond the holiday season have been more valuable than ever as families struggle with inflation and continue to experience challenging circumstances.
Toys for Tots doesn’t want to wait until the holiday season to support children in need. Working with local nonprofits across the Nation, Toys for Tots is conducting their fourth annual Christmas in July initiative to bring the same Christmastime magic and hope to underprivileged children in July.
“Needs aren’t seasonal, and neither is Toys for Tots,” LtGen. James Laster said in a news release. “With the rising cost of living and other economic challenges, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to pay bills and put food on their family’s table. Buying toys, books, or games for their children seems completely out of reach. With the support from our generous donors, we can make sure every child’s future is as bright as possible – and deliver the magic of the holiday season in July.”
With every gift that is given, our generous supporters show how much they care about children who face poverty every day of the year. Santa’s boots are big ones to fill, but if anyone’s up to the task, it’s our faithful donors. Celebrate Christmas in July and help Toys for Tots continue to be a year-round force for good and deliver hope for a brighter tomorrow, the release said.
News that Cameron County has received a State Department permit to build a new international bridge is welcome. The Flor de Mayo International Bridge will run from Flor de Mayo Avenue in Matamoros to West Alton Gloor Boulevard in northwest Brownsville, which is a heavy growth area. It also will help relieve congestion at other ports of entry, where wait times often exceed an hour.
The planned four-lane bridge will be designed to handle mostly passenger vehicles and pedestrians; if it draws such traffic it could reduce congestion at other international crossings that were intended primarily for freight trucks.
The bridge also creates a new route for Mexican vacationers who wish to visit South Padre Island and other tourist destinations during the summer, Christmas and Easter holiday seasons, and facilitate daily business and retail trade. It also can offer Mexican business travelers a more direct route to airports in Brownsville and Harlingen.
The potential new business the span could bring is welcome news in the Rio Grande Valley, where chronic drought and lack of water has dealt harsh blows to the agricultural economy that still heavily supports the region. The recent loss of our entire sugar cane industry and reduced harvests of other crops has cost the regions millions of dollars in recent years.
Securing the presidential permit for the new crossing is a significant step and the culmination of years of design work and negotiation to garner support not only from U.S. officials in Washington, but also in Mexico City, since our southern neighbor will be responsible for the construction on the Mexican side.
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz deserve special mention for their support at a time when many people within their party advocate for shutting down our southern border completely.
To that end, they and other officials need to continue promoting the project, especially in light of the pending change of president in Mexico and the possible change in our own country. Our two countries have several issues of contention, from immigration to drug and human smuggling and even disputes regarding Mexico’s compliance noncompliance the Rio Grande water-sharing treaty between the two countries. It is hoped that hostilities related to such issues don’t jeopardize the cooperation that will be necessary to build the bridge and fund its operation.
Officials also need to be vigilant that any future plans regarding continued construction of a border wall take the planned bridge into account.
The work is only starting on Flor de Mayo and it will take years to complete. The first major steps include working with the Army Corps of Engineers and private contractors on the design and conduction of environmental impact studies. Securing the presidential permit reflects that much work already has been done. That should mean much of the future planning already has begun, and delays will be held to a minimum.
It’s good to see that despite the ongoing debate regarding border issues, key officials still recognize the need to facilitate trade and ease congestion at our ports of entry, and gave this new crossing a green light.
Susan Estrich is the Robert Kingsley Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of Southern California Law Center as well as being a syndicated columnist.
It was painful to watch. Two men vying for the most important job in the world. And neither of them making the cut.
Trump was Trump — just as expected, bragging and blustering, lying and threatening, refusing to say he would accept the results of the election, defending the Jan. 6 rioters. It is no exaggeration to say he is a threat to our democracy as we know it. Even in the face of a dramatically diminished opponent, he could not find his way to grace, to the high road, to optimism, to a message larger than spitefully attacking immigrants and the “me me me” we have come to expect. A younger and more vigorous Joe Biden could have eaten him for lunch. This time, he was lunch.
His voice was weak and hoarse. A cold. If that were all, it would not have been so bad. That was the least of it. It wasn’t just a stutter. He visibly lost his train of thought in the first minutes of the debate. He choked on questions he should have hit out of the park. How could he get bogged down trying to explain Roe v. Wade? Why didn’t he just say that killing live born babies is homicide in all 50 states? Why let Trump get away with that? Who cares that he was once — a very long time ago — the youngest one in the room when he is now, so very painfully, the oldest? How could he not be prepared for that most obvious question? How could he not have a clear and direct answer ready for black voters?
Biden, by all reports, spent days and days preparing for this debate. He was working with a very experienced staff. This was not a staffing problem. I am sure his debate book was stuffed with clear and concise answers. There was not a single question, I am certain, that they did not anticipate; there were no trick questions or hidden agendas. He should have been surprised by nothing. Instead, he struggled with everything. Even on the questions where he won on points — where he did have better answers than his ducking and deflecting opponent — his performance was halting and tentative.
Being president is a hard and demanding job. Biden came across as much diminished from the candidate he was four years ago. This Biden showed his age and the scars of four years in the hottest seat on the planet. It was hard to imagine that this Biden could have defeated strong opponents, as he did four years ago to win the nomination. If this were a primary debate, he would have lost the primary. The reason no credible Democrat ran against him this time is because of the conventional wisdom that he or she would have lost but would have mortally wounded the incumbent in the process. Sometimes conventional wisdom is wrong.
Will someone tell him? Of course they will. Plenty of someones. The post-debate headlines say it all. “President Biden Struggles as Trump Blusters.” Democratic leaders were reportedly talking about replacing Biden at the top of the ticket before the debate had even ended. The question is whether Biden, who is known for his stubborn belief in his own resilience, will listen.
Every delegate to the convention is pledged to support Joe Biden. They were all approved by Joe Biden. Will he officially release them? What or who can convince him to do that? It would be the ultimate act of presidential leadership.
Donald Trump does pose an existential threat to democracy. Biden is right about that. The Democratic Party and its leader, who is Joe Biden, owe it to the country to put forward the candidate with the best chance of beating him.
As of June 27, that candidate is indisputably not Joe Biden. He has been a fine president. And the fine president that he is must now step aside to avoid leaving us in the hands of a dangerous man.
