El Periodico USA, Wednesday January 8, 2025

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Texas Supreme Court dismisses State Bar lawsuit against assistant attorney general

By Jess Huff, The Texas Tribune

The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit against Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster that sought to take away his law license for engaging in “dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation” in a legal filing he and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton submitted regarding 2020 election results.

The ruling upholds an earlier one by a Williamson County district judge who decided that taking Webster’s license would violate the Texas Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine. The district court’s decision was reversed by the Eighth Court of Appeals in 2023 before the case went before the Texas Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Justices John Phillip Devine, Jimmy Blacklock, Brett Busby, Jane Bland, and Rebeca Aispuru

Huddle joined Justice Evan A. Young, who delivered the opinion. Justices Jeff Boyd and Debra Lehrmann dissented.

Typically, the court where a lawsuit is filed is tasked with reviewing the accuracy of statements and issuing any rebuke of the attorneys involved, not courts that are not associated with a case, Young wrote.

The lawsuit filed by Paxton and Webster sought to contest the 2020 presidential election results in four key battleground states that President Joe Biden won — Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. The lawsuit argued those states implemented pandemic-related changes to election procedures that were illegal, casting election results into question.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit in December 2020, days after it was filed. A disciplinary committee for the State Bar of Texas then took what was seen

as an extraordinary move by suing Paxton and Webster over their election litigation.

Tuesday’s ruling did not affect Paxton’s case.

“After four years of lawfare and political retaliation, the Texas Supreme Court has ended this witch hunt against the leadership of my office,” Paxton said in a statement released Tuesday. “The Texas State Bar attempted to punish us for fighting to secure our national elections but we did not and will not ever back down from doing what is right.”

Webster echoed Paxton’s statement in the same press release, saying President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in November would allow them to return the work of “making Texas and America great again without distraction.”

Lowell Brown, associate deputy director for the State Bar, said the bar had no comment on the decision.

“The Commission for Lawyer Discipline has not had a chance to meet and to discuss the potential implications of the decision with the Chief Disciplinary Counsel,” Brown wrote in an email.

Disclosure: The State Bar of Texas has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

S’more History

Join us for S’more History at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Gather around the campfire for a delightful session exploring the quirky origins of this classic camping treat. Discover the fascinating history of the s’more, then put your newfound knowledge into practice by making your own delicious s’more.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ERASES 17-POINT DEFICIT TO EARN COMEBACK WIN AT NEW ORLEANS

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball team erased a 17-point deficit Saturday to earn a 64-62 victory over the New Orleans (UNO) Privateers in a Southland Conference (SLC) game at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.

STHS Er Weslaco Celebrating Decade Of Providing Dedicated Critical Care To Residents In The Mid-Valley

STHS will host a special celebration on Thursday, January 9 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of STHS ER Weslaco, the first of the healthcare system’s seven freestanding emergency departments providing 24/7 close-to-home critical care

When it comes to medical emergencies, time is of the essence, with access to nearby critical care vital to helping ensure positive patient outcomes.

Over the last decade, South Texas Health System ER Weslaco has become a crucial community fixture in the Mid-Valley, providing 24/7 critical care to nearly 200,000 patients.

In December 2014, the South Texas Health System Trauma & Critical Care Institute – the largest integrated network of trauma and critical care in the Rio Grande Valley – began operating STHS ER Weslaco, the first of South Texas Health System’s seven freestanding emergency departments (FEDs) in the region.

By January 2015, the facility was fully operational, providing close-to-home emergency care to residents of Weslaco and the surrounding communities.

Unlike an urgent care center or night clinic, STHS ER Weslaco was able to provide the same round-the-clock care as South Texas Health System’s hospital-based emergency rooms, improving access to care for trauma patients in rural areas.

“While not physically connected to a hospital, emergency physicians and staff at STHS ER Weslaco can perform many of the available studies and procedures you’d find in a hospital-based ER,” says Christen Wirth, MBA-HCM, BSN-RN, CNML, CEN, EMT-P, Facility Director, STHS ER Weslaco. “Unlike most urgent care centers, our freestanding ER can conduct lab tests, as well as perform ultrasounds, CT scans and other imaging services necessary to properly diagnose and treat patients.”

Since opening its doors, STHS ER Weslaco has provided quality, compassionate care to 197,862 patients and counting, including nearly 75,000 children.

To meet the critical medical needs of the people of the Mid-Valley, the facility has earned numerous accreditations and

FAFSA Senior Night in Edinburg

certifications in the last decade, including a Chest Pain Management certification and Acute Stroke Ready Hospital designation by The Joint Commission, as well as a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

“STHS ER Weslaco is committed to providing a high standard of care that meets the unique healthcare needs of residents in the Mid-Valley, including the time-sensitive stabilizing treatment required during a medical emergency,” says Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart, who also oversees STHS FEDs. “This facility was the first of its kind for our parent company, Universal Health Services Inc., and has served as the model for the nearly 30 facilities like it across the U.S., including STHS’ six other freestanding emergency departments in the Rio Grande Valley.”

In addition to providing 24/4 close-tohome emergency care, STHS ER Weslaco convenient outpatient services with limited wait times, including mammograms, imaging and laboratory services.

“STHS ER Weslaco has become a pillar in the Mid-Valley community in the last decade,” says Wirth. “We’re proud to have served the region over the years, bringing critical care and outpatient services to the people of Weslaco and the surrounding communities. We’re grateful for the opportunity to meet their medical needs right in their backyard.”

To commemorate STHS ER Weslaco’s 10th anniversary, South Texas Health System will host a special ceremony at the facility, located at 330 W. Expressway 83 in Weslaco, on Thursday, January 9, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Open to the community, the milestone celebration will look back on the decade of exceptional emergency care and outpatient services provided for infants, children and adults in the community and feature the participation of South Texas Health System and City of Weslaco leaders. To RSVP to the event, please email STHSMarketing@uhsinc.com.

For more information on the services provided by STHS ER Weslaco, visit southtexashealthsystem.com.

Have Questions About College Prep?

FAFSA Senior Night is Here to Help!

Kick off the new year by tackling a key college milestone: completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The City of Edinburg, MYAC, and Alfia Bilal are hosting FAFSA Senior Night to guide you through the process.

Event Details:

What: FAFSA Senior Night

When: Friday, January 10, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Where: Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, Edinburg, TX

Cost: FREE

Why Attend?

Get personalized help with your FAFSA. Access grants, scholarships, and workstudy opportunities. Join a community dedicated to academic success.

What to Bring:

Social Security Number (or Alien Registration Number)

2023 tax returns, W-2s, and income records Bank and investment statements (if applicable)

Records of untaxed income (if applicable) FSA ID or be ready to set one up

Take this important step toward your future. Don’t miss it!

Join Us for “Squeeze the Day: A Citrus Fiesta Welcome!” S’more History

Kick off the 2025 Texas Citrus Fiesta season with a special event celebrating community, tradition, and citrus!

Event Details:

• What: “Squeeze the Day: A Citrus Fiesta Welcome”

• When: Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM

• Where: Mission Event Center, Mission, TX

• Cost: FREE

What to Expect:

• A warm welcome from Mayor Norie

Gonzalez Garza

• A preview of the exciting 2025 Texas Citrus Fiesta events

• A light breakfast to enjoy while connecting with fellow attendees

This event is the perfect opportunity for the entire community to come together and learn about the rich traditions of Texas Citrus Fiesta Inc. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to the celebration, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the zest of our community and get a glimpse of what’s in store for this year’s Citrus Fiesta. See you there!

Join us for S’more History at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Gather around the campfire for a delightful session exploring the quirky origins of this classic camping treat. Discover the fascinating history of the s’more, then put your newfound knowledge into practice by making your own delicious s’more.

Bring bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, water, and comfortable shoes to enjoy this out -

door experience. Meet us at the La Familia Nature Center for the event. Attendance is limited, and registration is required. Signups begin on January 1, 2025, at TPWD Registration Form.

The entry fee is $5 for adults, while children 12 and under attend for free. Park entry is free with a Texas State Park Pass.

For more information, contact T.C. Riddle at (956) 584-9156, ext. 234, or email thomas.riddle@tpwd.texas.gov. Don’t miss this fun mix of history and tasty treats!

Texas has a housing affordability crisis. Here’s how state lawmakers may tackle it in 2025.

By Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune

“Texas has a housing affordability crisis. Here’s how state lawmakers may tackle it in 2025.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Buying or renting a home in Texas used to be relatively cheap. Amid the state’s economic boom, its once-celebrated housing affordability has slipped.

Texas renters now spend more on keeping a roof over their head than ever. As home prices have vastly outpaced incomes, homeownership has become a distant fantasy for many Texas families.

The state’s high housing costs have caught the attention of state officials — who worry that Texas could lose its competitive edge with other states if it doesn’t get a handle on home prices and rents.

Here’s how Texas lawmakers may address housing costs when the Texas Legislature returns to Austin later this month — and how the debate could unfold.

Tackling the state’s housing shortage

Texas needs about 320,000 more homes than it has, according to a recent estimate by housing policy organization Up For Growth. That deep shortage, housing advocates argue, drove up home prices and rents as the state’s economy boomed and competition increased for a limited supply of homes — even though Texas builds more homes than any other state.

State lawmakers must find ways to address that shortage, real estate experts and housing advocates warn, if they want to keep housing costs in check as the state grows.

“Our population is going to continue to increase in the next 30, 40 years,” said Scott Norman, Texas Association of Build-

ers CEO. “All of those people have to live somewhere.”

State lawmakers, backed by a coalition of outside groups that span the political spectrum, will likely look for ways to build more homes and put a dent in the shortage. One avenue they may go down: addressing local regulations that critics say prevent the state from adding enough homes to meet demand.

Cities restrict what kinds of homes can be built and where using rules called zoning regulations. Research shows those rules limit how many homes can be built and contribute to higher housing costs— and relaxing them can help cities add more homes and contain housing costs.

Texas lawmakers considered ways in 2023 to relax cities’ zoning rules, but those ideas went nowhere. Some are certain to make a comeback.

“The starting point is to make sure that we don’t have obstacles like regulatory issues and local government that are making

things worse,” said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston-area Republican.

Lawmakers could make it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units — also known as ADUs, granny flats, mother-in-law suites or casitas — in the backyard of single-family homes, considered a relatively low-cost housing option. Texas House lawmakers shot down a bill during the 2023 regular session that would have overridden any city bans on ADUs or regulations that researchers have found can prevent ADUs from getting built. Out of 11 major Texas cities surveyed by the Tribune, most allowed ADUs but also had rules that hindered development.

State Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican, and state Rep. Cody Vasut, an Angleton Republican, have each filed bills that essentially revive the ADU proposal that died during the last regular session.

Lawmakers also may consider reducing how much land cities require single-family homes to be built on. Those rules, known as minimum lot-size requirements, drive up the final cost of a home by encouraging larger, pricier homes and leaving less land behind to build other homes. The most common minimum lot-size requirements among major Texas cities the Tribune surveyed last year is between 5,000 and 7,500 square feet.

Vasut’s bill would also reduce lot-size requirements to 2,500 square feet — though it would only apply to cities with more than 85,000 residents and those that sit in counties with at least 1 million residents.

Whether the Legislature should force cities to reduce their lot-size rules across the board, including in existing neighborhoods, will likely be a major point of discussion. Advocates have said state lawmakers should at least encourage smaller lot sizes in new developments outside of existing neighborhoods.

Another idea would allow homes to be built in places that now only allow commercial businesses — a practice not allowed in Texas’ largest cities. And as Texas’ urban areas see high office vacancies, housing advocates are also crafting ways to encourage developers to convert empty office buildings into residences.

Both ideas hold some appeal for homeowners who may not welcome other types of housing in their neighborhoods — and will likely put up stiff resistance to any proposal that attempts to allow more housing there.

A fight over single-family neighborhoods, local control

A likely point of contention is whether statewide changes to boost the housing stock will apply to neighborhoods that only allow single-family homes — and mostly don’t allow other kinds of housing.

Texas cities tend to allow standalone single-family homes to be built nearly anywhere dwellings are allowed. But it’s usually illegal to build denser, cheaper housing — like townhomes, duplexes and smaller apartment buildings — in many of those places.

Proposals to allow more kinds of homes in existing single-family neighborhoods can draw stiff resistance from existing homeowners and neighborhood groups. Doing so, they often argue, will upset their neighborhood’s character.

A bill filed by state Rep. Carl Tepper, a Lubbock Republican, seeks to shield predominantly single-family neighborhoods from attempts by cities to allow more housing in those places. The bill is in direct response, Tepper said, to a measure passed by the Austin City Council in 2023 that allows developers to build up to three units in most places where detached single-family homes are allowed. If passed, the bill would reverse the Austin reform and effectively give homeowners across the state greater authority to resist such changes.

“The problem we have is that many of these homeowners put their life savings into these homes with the expectation that they would be single-family neighborhoods,” Tepper said. “I think it’s really an overreach of the cities to allow a major sea change to these neighborhoods that would completely change the face and the intent and the design of those neighborhoods.”

The idea baffled Austin City Council Member José “Chito” Vela, a strong proponent of the three-unit reform. Austin’s high home prices and rents have been a core if not dominant theme in recent city elections — in which the capital city’s voters elected a supermajority of members to enact such reforms.

“There’s just no reason for the Texas Legislature to step in and try to undo any of this,” Vela said.

Proponents of changes to allow more housing hope the severity of the state’s housing crisis will push lawmakers to overcome “not-in-my-backyard” sentiments and enact laws that will meaningfully address

the state’s high housing costs.

“I don’t think 1,000 NIMBYs showing up at a hearing [at the Texas Capitol] will get a sympathetic ear,” said Jay Blazek Crossley, executive director of the nonprofit Farm & City, an urban planning advocacy group.

Another likely flashpoint: how much state lawmakers may override cities’ zoning regulations in order to allow more homes to be built.

Republican lawmakers over the last decade have aggressively sapped authority from the state’s bluer urban areas, culminating in a sweeping bill during the 2023 session aimed at preventing cities from enacting progressive policies. Democrats in the Legislature have been on guard against any attempts to further erode cities’ authority — which propelled a majority of House Democrats to lead the charge to defeat the ADUs bill.

Texas Democrats have since shown openness to allowing zoning reform at some level — adopting a party platform this year that calls for rolling back local zoning regulations that get in the way of adding more homes. But it’s unclear to what extent Democrats in the Legislature will embrace those ideas — and skepticism toward state intervention remains.

“If we’re going to try to create a blanket law for the entire state, can we craft something that fits everyone’s needs and fits everyone’s community?” said state Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat who leads the Texas House Democratic Caucus. “I don’t know the answer to that.”

One reform floated by advocates may please enough people on both sides of the local control argument: making it harder for neighbors to object to new housing.

An obscure state law gives landowners the power to make it harder for cities to move forward with proposed developments near them. If a proposed development requires a rezoning and 20% of neighboring landowners object, the city council needs a supermajority to advance the new building. A group of Austin homeowners deftly wielded the law in recent years to convince a judge to kill a series of changes aimed at allowing more homes to be built.

The law saw renewed attention this year when neighbors near a proposed affordable housing development in San Antonio used the law to help stop the development — which then failed to get enough votes on

the City Council to move forward.

That vote has fueled a new push to defang the law, creating unlikely alliances. The Texas Municipal League, an interest group that lobbies on behalf of cities, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the highly influential conservative think tank, are among those who want lawmakers to raise the petition threshold to 50% of neighboring landowners and reduce the required council vote to approve the project as a result of the petition to a simple majority.

What else is on the table?

Tweaking cities’ zoning rules isn’t a silver bullet for the state’s housing woes, housing advocates and experts caution. And lawmakers will likely look at other ways to reduce housing costs.

After enacting more than $12 billion in property tax cuts in 2023, tax-cut hawks in the Legislature have eyed the state’s projected $21.2 billion surplus to deliver a new round of cuts. The skyrocketing cost of homeowners’ insurance also will likely get lawmakers’ attention.

Lawmakers have also filed proposals aimed at speeding up cities’ building permitting processes so homes can hit the market more quickly.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have indicated they’re concerned that so-called institutional investors — or investors and corporations that buy single-family homes to rent them out — may be crowding would-be homebuyers out of the state’s home-buying market.

Institutional homebuyers own a small slice of the country’s overall housing stock, estimates show, though their buying activity noticeably ticked up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economists and housing experts have shown skepticism that laws curtailing investors’ home purchases would give firsttime homebuyers a better shot at finding a home and improve housing affordability.

Texas has a dire shortage of housing affordable for the state’s poorest families — and the state spends little on housing for low-income families, housing advocates note. That’s unlikely to change in the GOP-dominated Legislature, they acknowledge, even with the state surplus.

Still, state Sen. Nathan Johnson and state Sen. Royce West, both Dallas Democrats, have each filed bills intended to encourage the construction of housing specifically for poorer families. Another West bill would require many cities and counties to identify land they own that could be suitable for affordable housing development.

Disclosure: Texas Association of Builders, Texas Municipal League, Texas Public Policy Foundation and Economist have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

STC Starr County campus celebrates recordbreaking ESL enrollment

This semester, South Texas College’s Starr County Campus welcomed more than 80 students into its English as a Second Language (ESL) courses available through the STC Continuing, Professional and Industry Training department.

This is the largest enrollment STC’s ESL group has seen in campus history and came about through community outreach by faculty over the course of the semester and grants made possible by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

“We had faculty who went out to the churches, the schools and to our community leaders to get the word out about our ESL classes,” said STC Starr County Campus administrator Arturo Montiel, Ed.D. “This outreach resonates with our community. We know students can start with ESL, for example, and then they can move on to a certificate or beyond as they keep getting college credit. We hope they can even go all the way to receiving their bachelor’s degree.”

ESL courses at STC were made possible through the TWC, which last summer awarded $83 million to 40 grantees statewide, thanks in part to a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education.

STC was awarded $1 million through the grant dedicated to helping adult learners across Texas improve English proficiency, earn high school equivalency, gain industry-recognized credentials and achieve digital literacy.

The grant enabled students to attend ESL classes free of charge.

“We never expected to get such a wonderful response from the Starr County community for our ESL program,” said Olivia De La Rosa, dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. “We are excited that these students have taken this first step in their educational journey and hope that this is only the beginning of their time here at STC.”

One student, Monica Barrera, said she received a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a master’s degree in Education in Mexico, but despite her education, was unable to find a job in the United States because of her limited ability in English.

“The only thing that holds me back is communicating in English, but South Texas College is opening doors for me,” Barrera said in Spanish. “STC has been the only resource here in Starr County that welcomed me with open arms and through the college I am improving every day.”

STC’s Continuing, Professional and Industry Training department provides in-person as well as a variety of industry-based online courses ranging from health care to manufacturing or entrepreneurship.

STHS Stroke Survivors Group Celebrates Five Years of Support

Since 2019, the group has provided a supportive environment for stroke survivors, their families and caregivers to take part in educational activities to help them with their recovery, as well as share their experiences with and motivate fellow members

A stroke is a life-changing incident that can leave a person feeling extremely isolated. While friends and family can be empathetic, having the support of someone who has endured a similar experience can make all the difference.

In the United States, there are more than 1,800 stroke support groups, per the American Stroke Association, each providing essential education, support, hope and encouragement for survivors and their loved ones as they navigate their individual path to recovery.

Ultimately, the goal of these groups is to help eliminate feelings of depression, hopelessness and loneliness after a stroke by reducing isolation, providing coping mechanisms, alleviating stress and offering a platform for the sharing of experiences with one another.

For the last five years, stroke survivors in the Rio Grande Valley – including Winter Texans who make their home in

the four-county region during the winter months – have been able to receive support from the South Texas Health System Stroke Survivors Support Group, which is handled by the healthcare system’s outpatient rehabilitation centers at STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg.

“Having a stroke is traumatic due to the sudden and life-altering nature of the medical emergency,” says Sophia Alton, PTA, STHS Outpatient Rehabilitation Center McAllen, who established the group. “Our support group provides a safe space for stroke survivors to receive ongoing education vital to their recovery.”

During their monthly meetings, STHS staff provide invaluable education and significant emotional support to help significantly improve the physical and mental well-being and overall quality of life of the group’s members while empowering them, including those who may feel lost or uncertain about how to move forward, to remain positive and stay the course on their road to recovery.

“They’re able to share their own personal experiences and receive the emotional support they need, especially when they’re feeling isolated or frustrated with their progress,” says Alton. “It’s helpful to know

they’re not alone and that, while the road to recovery isn’t always linear, it does get better.”

It’s the social support provided by STHS Stroke Survivors Support Group, which has allowed lasting friendships to form among members, that kept Carrie Heim coming back time and time again.

“These people have been here for me providing emotional support and encouragement when I was at my lowest,” says Heim, a hemorrhagic stroke survivor who has been a member of the group since its inception in 2019. “From one moment to the next, my life was in danger, and I had to undergo surgery to stop the bleeding in my brain. For 10 days, no one knew if I’d survive.”

But Carrie would pull through. Following her life-threatening ordeal, she would go on to attend an STHS Stroke Survivors Support Group meeting to help forge through a health situation few of her loved ones could comprehend.

“As soon as I walked into the room, I encountered other people like me who’d gone through the same situation and I instantly realized that we were all in it together,” says Carrie, a Winter Texan who never misses a meeting during her time in the Valley. “We’ve become a family, and I wouldn’t miss this for the world because it is just so important.”

When the STHS Stroke Survivors Support Group was established, it consisted of only about 10 stroke survivors and caregivers. Today, the group has grown to 40 members, all connecting with others who understand their experiences and share

their challenges.

“It’s hard to believe what began as a simple idea has blossomed into something so beautiful,” says Alton, who was inspired to launch the group after working a stroke patient who talked about feeling like less of a man because he couldn’t care for his wife the way he used to. “So, to help our patients combat those negative feelings that arise after experiencing a life-altering medical emergency, I threw out the idea of launching a support group for stroke survivors, which my coworkers supported. We had no idea how to start the group; we just felt this strong desire to help our patients!”

Since then, the STHS Stroke Survivors Support Group has helped hundreds of stroke survivors like Carrie, as well as the family members and caregivers of stroke patients, improve their quality of life through education, emotional support and community-building. It’s life-improving assistance the STHS Outpatient Rehabilitation Services teams at STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg plan to offer the people of the Rio Grande Valley for years to come.

The STHS Stroke Survivors Support Group meets every second Tuesday of the month, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at the STHS Edinburg Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, located at 1800 S. 5 Street, Suite B in McAllen. Additionally, the support group has a private Facebook page for members. For more information, contact Sophia Alton at 956-971-5728 or Sophia.alton@uhsrgv. com or visit the STHS McAllen website at https://www.sthsmcallen.com/stroke-support-group.

Jose Soto credits STC for inspiring his business dreams Precision Manufacturing graduate lands GE Aerospace job at 19

Growing up in Roma, Jose Soto said he understood from an early age, the impact South Texas College had on the community and its ability to change peoples’ lives.

Watching family members walk across the stage at commencement to receive their degree, Soto said he looked forward to following in their footsteps, and this Sunday, his dream of becoming a college graduate came true as he was one of the more than 2,700 graduates who earned certificates or degrees during STC’s commencement ceremonies at the Bert Odgen Arena.

Soto earned an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

“A lot of my family have attended STC, and they are my biggest inspiration,” Soto said. “My aunt, my grandma and my mom have all pushed me to continue learning. Even the teachers I had in high school all inspired me to push forward and foster my love of learning new things. That is really important to me because STC is giving us all the ability to make our community a better place.”

For Soto, STC is helping him make his mark in business.

Exposed to the business world from an early age through the family’s restaurant, Los Molcajetes in Roma, Soto said he learned not only by assisting with social media and digital marketing, but by creating balance sheets and calculating the business

net profit or loss once the day was done.

“I learned how to market the restaurant while becoming exposed to what it took to run a business. It was a lot of work, but I thought it was so exciting at the end of the day to check our totals and to do my part to keep the restaurant afloat,” Soto said. “I brought this knowledge with me to STC, and it helped influence my future career choice.”

Already looking ahead, Soto said he will transition immediately to the college’s Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership with the goal to enter a career in business.

As a student at STC’s Starr County campus, Soto said he also sought to get involved by serving as the Student Government Association (SGA) president.

“STC has been great to me. Every single faculty member here has been caring to my goals and what I want to purse in the future. I know they want me to succeed,” Soto said. “To those students who want to do great things in this world, I think it’s important that they keep pushing and continue to further their knowledge. As difficult as it may be with the challenges that come our way, it’s super important to never stop learning. We have to continue working hard for our associate, bachelor’s, master’s and all the way up to our doctoral degrees because then success becomes a habit throughout our lives.”

Keylan

Luera credits South Texas College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) program with helping him enter the workforce at only 19 years old, getting him one step closer to a future career in mechanical engineering.

It’s the realization of a dream that Luera said he has had since he was a child, becoming fascinated with science fiction – especially robots.

Later attending STC, Luera said he witnessed the design and operation of everything from robotic systems to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines and electromechanical devices through the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) Program and was fascinated with all the amazing things the machines could achieve.

It was like seeing a window into his future, he said.

“STC has helped me improve my skills and my ability to focus,” he said. “I like the challenge of having to adhere to the very strict guidelines of specific machines and parts.”

On his own, Luera said he began planning out a career that began as early as middle school, but really came into focus when he entered high school at Vanguard Academy in Pharr.

He began taking courses for college credit through STC as a freshman with the goal to get his core classes out of the way. Then through mentors at his school, began looking at a possible career in engineering.

But it wasn’t enough just to study engineering. Luera said he wanted to become involved and find a way to learn it on-the-job.

Years later, Luera said a small part of that dream came true when he was hired as a CNC operator for GE Aerospace and became one of the youngest workers in the company, he said.

“My dream is to enter the field as a mechanical engineer, but I know that a lot of engineering students usually have a

hard time with getting the required work experience,” Luera said. “By taking classes in advanced manufacturing at STC, this will definitely allow me to nail down some of those requirements to become an engineer. So along with me getting experience in the workplace, I’m also getting paid on the job, which will help to pay for my future tuition costs.”

While at STC, Luera said he received valuable skills through the college’s AMT program. From blueprint reading to programming and various manufacturing processes, all of the skills helped him onthe-job at GE.

“As a CNC operator, I prepare pieces from the different engines that GE repairs, but instead of machining individual pieces from raw stock, we prepare those pieces by adding what they call a pre-form, and we just shape it back to its original size and dimensions. It’s very fascinating stuff,” Luera said. “It was definitely an eye-opening experience. It’s pretty obvious that there are not that many people my age in the company, and it has been very interesting to witness this unique work environment.”

Luera will now be among the 2,700-plus graduates at STC’s Fall Commencement Ceremonies Sunday at the Bert Odgen Arena, and will receive a Precision Manufacturing Technology Associate of Applied Science.

Making the most of his experience on the job, Luera said it’s important for students looking to enter the field to seize every opportunity they can as early as possible.

“I had a lot of help along the way, and I had people throughout middle school and high school who definitely helped me realize what type of goals to strive for,” Luera said. “This is my message to all the students looking to make a big splash in their future careers. If they have the opportunity to improve their lives through education, they have to seize the opportunity without fail.”

Women’s Basketball Erases

17-Point Deficit to Earn Comeback Win at New Orleans

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball team erased a 17-point deficit Saturday to earn a 64-62 victory over the New Orleans (UNO) Privateers in a Southland Conference (SLC) game at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Graduate student forward Chynell Mitchell and freshman guard Gianna Angiolet stepped up late to lead UTRGV (7-8, 2-2 SLC) to victory. Mitchell finished with six points and seen rebounds, while Angiolet scored 11 points with four rebounds. Graduate student guard/forward Kade Hackerott led the offense with 15 points and dished out four assists while recording two steals. Junior forward Charlotte O’Keefe led all student-athletes with 14 rebounds and scored eight points while recording three blocks and one steal.

Alexis Calderon led New Orleans (0-12, 0-3 SLC) with 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Nora Francois scored 14 points with two steals and Gabbi Cartagena ccontributed 13

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points, nine rebounds and three assists. New Orleans played relentless defense to hold a 38-24 lead at halftime. The Privateers kept UTRGV scoreless for over five minutes in the first quarter as they grew an eight point lead despite O’Keefe and Co. holding a lead on the boards and snagging five offensive rebounds for second-chance points in the opening frame.

The deep ball started falling for the Vaqueros in the second quarter. Freshman guard Kayla Lorenz knocked down two threes, while senior guard Tierra Trotter and Angiolet. The opening minutes of the frame saw momentum shift in UTRGV’s favor, but the Privateers took control late. UNO outrebounded UTRGV, 13-5, in the second quarter, helping it expand the lead to 17 points.

UTRGV showed tremendous fight in the second half to rally from behind and get its first win of 2025. The Vaqueros shot 60% from the field and made four three-pointers in the third. Hackerott got the team fired up with a strong start, scoring UTRGV’s

Men’s Basketball Continues Road Trip at Southeastern

first nine points of the second half with a three and a few hard drives to the basket. Trotter scored five consecutive points with a three and a hard drive through traffic to the basket to get the Vaqueros within seven, but they trailed 56-46 heading to the fourth.

The Vaqueros dominated in the final quarter, locking up on defense to keep the Privateers off the scoreboard for the first seven-plus minutes of the frame. UTRGV went on a 14-0 run in that span as Mitchell scored six consecutive points and with eight points from Angiolet, including a pair of clutch three-pointers. Mitchell hit a pair of free throws to give the Vaqueros the lead with four minutes left to play.

UTRGV outscored New Orleans 18-6 in the fourth and played elite defense, holding the Privateers to 9.5% shooting, to secure the come-from-behind win.

Up next for the Vaqueros will be a Thursday SLC game at 6:30 p.m. against East Texas A&M at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s basketball team (10-4, 2-1 SLC) continues their three-game road trip when they visit the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions (68, 0-3 SLC) on Monday at 6 p.m. at the University Center.

The Vaqueros will wrap up their road trip when they visit Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Jan. 11.

Abbott anuncia más de $15 millones en subvenciones para formación profesional en Texas

Women’s Basketball Defeated at Southeastern Women’s Soccer Earns 2024 College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Bronze Award

trabajo que se está haciendo en la Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas y en nuestras instituciones educativas en Texas asegura que los texanos tengan oportunidades que les lleven a un mejor trabajo y a un salario más alto”, expresó el mandatario texano. Estos $15 millones en subvenciones de formación profesional darán a los estudiantes de Texas la oportunidad de obtener licencias, certificados o títulos universitarios que conduzcan a empleos con salarios elevados. Sólo en el primer año, los nuevos equipos ayudarán a formar a más de 6,900 estudiantes.

• Academy ISD: una subvención de 330,535 dólares para formar a 218 estudiantes como enfermeras prácticas licenciadas y enfermeras vocacionales licenciadas. Una subvención de 135,027 dólares para formar a 50 estudiantes como soldadores.

• Corpus Christi ISD: una subvención de 57,312 dólares para formar a 30 estudiantes como tecnólogos y técnicos en ingeniería eléctrica y electrónica.

• Cotulla ISD: una subvención de 350,000 dólares para formar a 25 estudiantes como enfermeras prácticas licenciadas y enfermeras vocacionales licenciadas.

• Edinburg CISD: una subvención de 350,000 dólares para formar a 505 estudiantes como enfermeras prácticas licenciadas y enfermeras vocacionales licenciadas.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball team was defeated by the Southeastern Louisiana (SLU) Lions Thursday, 80-41, in a Southland Conference (SLC) game at the University Center in Hammond, Louisiana.

Austin, Tx, (Debate N).- - El gobernador de Texas, Greg Abbott, dio a conocer que 60 subvenciones de formación profesional, por un total de más de 15 millones de dólares, han sido otorgadas a instituciones de educación superior y distritos escolares independientes (ISD, por sus siglas en ingles), de Texas para capacitar a estudiantes para trabajos bien rumenerados y de alta demanda después de graduación.

técnica (CTE, por sus siglas en inglés) programas que ayudarán a los estudiantes a entrar en industrias de alta demanda, entre las instituciones educativas beneficiadas se encuentran varias del Valle de Texas.

“A medida que crece la economía de Texas, también lo hace la demanda de mano de obra cualificada,” dijo por su parte el presidente de la TWC, Bryan Daniel. “El programa de becas JET ayuda a satisfacer esa demanda ofreciendo oportunidades para que los tejanos adquieran una experiencia valiosa y práctica que les preparará para entrar en esas carreras de alta demanda.”

• Roma ISD: una subvención de 216,226 dólares para formar a 100 estudiantes como enfermeras prácticas licenciadas y enfermeras vocacionales licenciadas.

• South Texas ISD: una subvención de 215,184 dólares para formar a 50 estudiantes como asistentes médicos, y

Estas subvenciones de Empleo y Educación para Texanos (JET) otorgadas por la Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas (TWC, por sus siglas en inglés) ayudarán a las universidades públicas junior, estatales y técnicas; distritos escolares y escuelas subvencionadas de matrícula abierta a comprar equipo para la formación profesional y

Junior forward Charlotte O’Keefe led UTRGV (6-8, 1-2 SLC) with nine points and10 rebounds while recording one block. Graduate students Kade Hackerott and Chynell Mitchell and freshman guard Gianna Angiolet all scored eight points. Hackerott also recorded nine rebounds and had one block and Mitchell tabbed three steals.

Allasia Washington led Southeastern (9-3, 3-0 SLC) with 18 points and had five rebounds. Jalencia Pierre added 15 points with eight rebounds and three steals, and Alexius Horne scored 14 points with six rebounds.

* Anima a proteger información personal confidencial al comenzar

Southeastern started the game strong, responding to the Vaqueros scoring the first points of the game by going on an 11-0 run. The Lions held a 14-7 lead after the first quarter and kept their momentum rolling with an 8-0 run to start the second, resulting in a 30-11 lead.

hustle play to spark the Vaqueros, snagging a Lions pass out of midair and taking the ball quickly down court for a layup. UTRGV continued chipping away, matching Southeastern’s physicality and controlling the boards. The Vaqueros went on a 5-0 run to close the half as Angiolet hit a corner three and O’Keefe showcased her footwork down low for a layup, cutting the deficit to 33-21 at the break.

“Mientras la economía de Texas continúa creciendo, es crítico que invirtamos en nuestra fuerza laboral,” dijo Abbott. “Estos $15 millones en becas de formación profesional apoyarán programas de formación profesional y técnica para miles de estudiantes de Texas en nuestro gran estado.

“Agradezco a la Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas por su continua asociación con las escuelas secundarias, colegios y universidades de Texas para que los estudiantes puedan lograr empleos bien remunerados y de alta demanda después de graduarse. El

De las subvenciones JET 2024 se destinarán a la compra e instalación de equipos se encuentran varias del sur de Texas, entre ellas las siguientes:

• Texas Southmost College: una subvención de 84,614 dólares para formar a 30 estudiantes como soldadores.

Las subvenciones JET concedidas en 2024 se utilizarán para adquirir e instalar equipos en los siguientes distritos escolares y escuelas subvencionadas de matrícula abierta de Texas:

TheThe Lions were strong in the paint in the third, racking up rebounds and scoring consistently at the hoop. They grew their lead and limited UTRGV’s scoring chances with their physical play. The Vaqueros, though, went 9-for-9 from the free throw line in the frame, taking full advantage of their trips to the stripe but finding themselves trailing, 58-35, heading to the final quarter.

• Weslaco ISD: una subvención de 308,490 dólares para formar a 1.455 estudiantes como auxiliares de enfermería. A través de los fondos proporcionados por la Legislatura de Texas cada bienio, la TWC utiliza las subvenciones JET para sufragar los costos de puesta en marcha para desarrollar programas de educación profesional y técnica para universidades públicas comunitarias, estatales y técnicas, distritos escolares y escuelas subvencionadas de matrícula abierta. Los equipos financiados a través de las subvenciones JET deben utilizarse para formar a los estudiantes para empleos en ocupaciones de alta demanda.

earning the bronze award must maintain a percentage between 31% and 50%. Despite the competitive nature of collegiate soccer, maintaining such low disciplinary counts is a testament to a team’s discipline, focus, and commitment to ethical play.

IRS advierte sobre estafas durante época festiva

también están comprando información personal de su próxima víctima.

— El Servicio de Impuestos Internos y sus socios de la Cumbre de Seguridad advirtieron a los contribuyentes a que hagan sus compras para la época festiva con extrema precaución porque los estafadores

Southeastern shot 66.7% from the field in the fourth quarter to put the game on ice. Defensively, the Lions held UTRGV to 20.7% shooting while making three three-pointers on 33 attempts. UTRGV was sharp at the free throw line, shooting 73.7% (14-of-19).

Senior guard Tierra Trotter used a big

“La temporada de compras y la temporada de impuestos que se acerca rápidamente crean un objetivo tentador para los ladrones de identidad y estafadores,” dijo el comisionado del IRS, Danny Werfel. “Los contribuyentes deben tener especial precaución en esta temporada para proteger su

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s soccer team proudly learned on Tuesday that they have been honored with the prestigious 2024 College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Bronze Award, as announced by United Soccer Coaches. This recognition highlights the team’s commitment to fair play, respect for the game, and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season.

The Vaqueros will be back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. for a conference game at New Orleans.

Enrique Caceres M.D.

valiosa información personal y financiera, ya sea comprando en línea o haciendo clic en enlaces en correos electrónicos y otros mensajes. Un poco de precaución adicional puede proteger la información confidencial de los contribuyentes y reducir el riesgo de robo de identidad en la próxima temporada de presentación de declaraciones de impuestos.”

The Vaqueros stand among an elite group of 64 collegiate men’s and women’s teams across the nation who earned either a gold, silver, or bronze distinction in this award category. Of those 64 teams, the Vaqueros were one of just 32 teams to earn the bronze award, a significant achievement that underscores their adherence to the principles of integrity and respectful competition on the field.

Lunes a Viernes 9:00am - 6:00pm S ábado de 9:00 am-12:30 pm

Las estafas abundantes que están viendo el IRS y los socios de la Cumbre de Seguridad incluyen correos electrónicos de phishing cada vez más sofisticados y en constante evolución y ataques relacionados contra los desprevenidos. Los contribuyentes pueden ser engañados para que, sin saberlo, entreguen su información tributaria y financiera confidencial. Las posibles víctimas también podrían ser engañadas para que revelen sus direcciones, números de Seguro Social, números de cuentas bancarias, números de tarjetas de crédito o contraseñas, lo que puede dar lugar a fraude y robo de identidad relacionado con los impuestos.

The College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award is designed to recognize teams that uphold high standards of sportsmanship and respect for the laws of the game. This award evaluates teams based on the number of disciplinary cards they accumulate during the season, including yellow caution cards and red ejection cards. Teams with minimal infractions are honored for their ability to maintain composure and demonstrate respect for officials, opponents, and the spirit of the game.

To qualify for the highest distinction, the gold award, teams must keep their percentage of accumulated cards between 1% and 10% of total matches played. Teams receiving the silver award must have a percentage ranging from 11% to 30%, while those

The Vaqueros women’s soccer team excelled in this regard, finishing the 2024 season with only nine yellow cards and no red card ejections. This remarkable statistic not only highlights their sportsmanship but also reflects the strong leadership and coaching that emphasize clean and respectful gameplay.

en nada desconocido, incluso si acaba de pedir regalos y espera que los paquetes lleguen a su puerta pronto. Vuelva a verificar antes de hacer clic.”

By earning this award, UTRGV’s Vaqueros continue to set a positive example for other collegiate teams, proving that success in sports goes beyond just winning games— it also involves maintaining integrity, showing respect to competitors, and upholding the true spirit of athletic competition. This achievement adds to the growing list of accolades for the Vaqueros program and demonstrates the team’s ongoing dedication to fostering a respectful and positive environment on and off the field.

Otra estafa común que se espera que se intensifique pronto involucrará correos electrónicos que pretenden ser del IRS u otros en la industria tributaria. Con frecuencia se trata de buenas noticias inesperadas, como un reembolso de impuestos. "La gente debe tener mucho cuidado durante esta temporada y la temporada de impuestos,” dijo Werfel. “Los ladrones de identidad y estafadores de impuestos son astutos y se aprovechan de lo que la gente piensa, especialmente durante las épocas más ocupadas del año, como la temporada festiva. Recuerde, no haga clic

The recognition from United Soccer Coaches is not just an individual team accomplishment but also a point of pride for UTRGV and the local community. It reinforces the university’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel not only in their sport but also in their conduct and character. As the Vaqueros prepare for future seasons, this award serves as motivation to continue their legacy of ethical play and sportsmanship while striving for even greater success on the pitch.

Amid a $7 million deficit to Texas’ suicide hotline, thousands of calls are abandoned monthly

By Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune

“Amid a $7 million deficit to Texas’ suicide hotline, thousands of calls are abandoned monthly” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Thousands of Texans in need are abandoning the state’s suicide hotline mid-call every month as call centers struggle under a $7 million funding deficit and a growing suicide rate statewide.

The 988 number — a federally mandated, state-run service that connects callers to crisis counselors — fills an essential niche in the behavioral health care system because it gives catered mental health services in an emergency where 911 might not be appropriate. The hotline has been used thousands of times in two years, but its federal funding is declining, and with a workforce shortage, the system is starting to bend under the demand.

“To be very clear, we’re doing way more

work than we’ve ever been able to do,” said Jennifer Battle, supervisor of the 988 system at the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. “If you want us actually to meet the volume of Texas, then somebody’s got to decide to increase the resources that are made available to centers so that we can increase the number of people we serve.”

Since launching in 2022, Texas’ five centers that answer calls to the 988 suicide hotline have received more than 380,000 calls, the second highest call volume in the nation, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas. One-third of them occurred from January to June of this year. Currently, less than 85% of calls in Texas are answered in-state, with some 200 other centers across the nation serving as backup. Although much improved from the 40% instate answer rate in 2021, the year before the state’s crisis hotline was integrated into the federally-mandated 988 hotline, Texas’ latest rate falls short of the 90% standard set by the national 988 administrator Vibrant Emotional Health.

The more a caller is transferred in and

out of state, the more likely he or she will hang up before reaching a crisis counselor. Between January and August, 18,500 calls to Texas’ 988 system were abandoned. In August, the most recent data available through the 988 website, more than 12% — or 2,446 — of received 988 calls in the state were abandoned, tying Texas with Tennessee for the fifth highest rate in the nation.

Across the five Texas call centers, 166 staff members are responsible for responding to 988 calls, texts and chats through the 988 website. In May, this equated to an average of 95 calls per person with most calls lasting about 15 minutes, according to the mental health alliance.

To fully implement the text and chat component into the state’s 988, the state would need to at least double the number of crisis counselors across the entire system. It also needs an additional $7 million — the projected cost in 2023 to operate the state’s five call centers was $21 million, but the state only allocated $14 million in fiscal year 2024, according to the mental health alliance.

In 2022, Texas Health and Human Services Commission also recommended more resources for the state’s crisis call centers. In 2023, Texas lawmakers did not address developing the 988 call center capacity.

In the upcoming legislative session that begins Jan. 14, Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, has filed Senate Bill 188, which would create a more reliable and robust funding source for the 988 hotline — a state trust fund, similar to how 911 is helped funded. The 988 trust fund would be supported by a surcharge collected from cellphone bills, allowing call centers to expand capacity, increase counselor pay and ensure that technology like text and chat is always available, Galvan said.

“Nationwide, there are currently 20 states that have already passed some type of legislation related to 988 funding,” Galvan said. “This trust fund aims to put 988 in parity with the 911 funding mechanism and ensure we treat all emergency services the same.”

Florida has 13 call centers handling 988 calls, compared to Texas’ five.

These tightened resources are occurring as Texas’ suicide rate has jumped 37% from 2000 to 2022.

“It’s time for Texas to step up and ensure that when a fellow neighbor faces a mental health crisis, help is ready and waiting for them,” Galvan said.

Life and death conversation

“Hello, this is 988. How can I help you?” For some people, this simple question starts the most important conversation of their lives.

“‘Are you thinking about suicide today?’ ‘Are you thinking about killing yourself right now?’ That’s a severe question, and it’s possible that we could be the first person ever to ask that question,” said Battle, a social worker who has worked at crisis lines for more than 20 years. “Sometimes you’ll hear people pause or take a breath because they haven’t had the opportunity yet to answer that question honestly and vulnerably. We train what to do during that breath.”

When people call a 988 call center, they first hear an electronic greeting that will give them a series of choices, including for Spanish speakers, veterans, and LGBTQIplus youth. Depending on what callers select, the system could transfer them to an organization that fits their needs, including the Trevor Project and the Veterans Crisis Line.

If callers do not pick any of these options, they are usually transferred to their closest 988 call center and if nobody is available there, they are transferred to another until they reach a crisis counselor, sometimes out of state. It is during these multiple transfers when people often hang up.

If a call is connected, crisis counselors ask a series of questions to gauge the risk level of the caller to hurt themselves or others. Counselors must try to be empathetic and nonjudgmental while casually talking

the caller through breathing exercises and anti-anxiety measures over the phone.

“Most of our callers have had some thoughts of suicide, off and on, but don’t have a plan or don’t have access to anything that can harm them, but they feel overwhelmed, and sometimes, and some days, it feels like life would be easier if they weren’t here,” Battle said. “This is our moment to enter into a conversation with them.”

More than 80% of the time the caller is not in an active crisis situation, Battle said, but he or she just needs someone to speak with for a few minutes. She said an additional 10% of calls require services like mobile crisis referral and then there are 1% to 2% of calls where law enforcement needs to get involved because the caller or someone else is in imminent danger.

Sometimes a call ends without a resolution, which can wear on a crisis counselor, who has to be ready for the next call.

Battle remembers picking up the phone at the Houston crisis call center before 988 was created, and what awaited her was a disoriented, suicidal person who was standing on train tracks in an unknown area.

“I had years and years experience, and I was [still] feeling kind of scared and overwhelmed,” Battle said. “I could hear the train, and they were still pretty intent on dying.”

In the span of a few minutes, Battle was able to talk the person off the railroad tracks just as she heard the train whistle by on the phone.

“They were still on the phone. After the call was over and they found them, all I could do was breathe. And then get ready for the next one,” Battle said.

Battle said experiences like this have taught her to ensure that her staff, which experiences high turnover akin to what other behavioral health positions experience statewide, have resources that include being available to conduct debriefs with crisis counselors after calls or to regularly check in with them to see how they are doing. Crisis counselors are also allowed to work from home to help balance stress levels.

“There are all kinds of different things that we do as an agency to try to wrap around our amazing crisis line counselors to try and help with the natural levels of stress that they’re going to feel doing a highly impactful job,” Battle said.

Battle’s center covers 59 Texas counties including those in Houston and Dallas and has a monthly average call volume of 6,000. While the center’s answer rate for calls is 80%, it struggles with text messages — the center could only respond to 335 of the 7,427 texts received in September. The rest were handled by backup call centers.

“The state wants us to meet all these targets, and absolutely, we want to do that. But ultimately, if you’re only funding half of what we need to make it happen, we are still over-performing for what we’ve been provided,” Battle said.

Funding and parity

While 911 has been in place for decades, with dedicated funding and trained health care personnel available 24/7, the 988 hotline infrastructure is still in its early stages.

Emergency medical services for other types of health crises are routinely reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. Still, Texas has not allowed Medicaid to cover crisis intervention services, such as 988.

Texas mental health advocacy organizations support adding these services to Medicaid, similar to what 23 other states have done.

Due to the lack of Medicaid reimbursement, 988 call centers in Texas rely on federal funding.

The federal government directed nearly $1 billion through the American Rescue Plan to launch the 988 hotline. However, with that money running out this year and until the federal government decides whether they will continue funding 988, states will need to pick up the tab for the call centers.

Galvan, the public policy director for the Texas mental health alliance, said without changing the way Medicaid operates in the state, the only option to supplement a potential federal funding decrease for 988 is a trust fund for these call centers.

SB 188 provides funding for coordinated crisis services systems, including the 988 hotline, through a 50 cent fee surcharge through telecommunication companies, which often appears on customer’s monthly phone bills.

“There has been clear recognition of the need to have our crisis continuum continue to expand, but we still have much further to go,” Galvan said. “This won’t use the state’s general revenue dollars either. We are creating the best way.”

Ten states have already approved such fees to provide more sustainable funding for local 988 crisis call centers. This helps the centers keep up with rising call volumes and provides other community mental health resources like crisis respite units, which provide short-term crisis services for people at low risk of harming themselves or others.

“It could help us have a long-term solution,” Galvan said.

Despite the challenges and resilience needed to work at a 988 call center, Battle wants to reassure Texans in need that someone will always answer their call — with or without additional funding.

“I never say we save somebody’s life. I always say the person decided to save their own life. Because everybody has the power to make that choice for themselves, but we can be a part of that story,” Battle said. “We can be a part of somebody’s story to decide that they will live.”

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

DSHS’s Oral Rabies Vaccination Program expands bait distribution area

Texas Department of State Health Services is kicking off its annual Oral Rabies Vaccination Program bait drop Tuesday, Jan. 7, and this year includes additional bait distribution areas in far West Texas. Parts of El Paso County and other counties bordering New Mexico will be part of the 2025 vaccine drops as Texas responds to a new Arizona fox rabies virus variant that has moved east and been confirmed in Sierra County, New Mexico.

“Texas has eliminated two canid rabies variants by the utilization of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program,” said Kathy Parker, DSHS ORVP Director. “By moving the program to now include far West Texas, DSHS is striving to protect the people and animals in that area.”

The first vaccine airdrop flights will begin in Van Horn in Culberson County, with additional flights scheduled to leave from Del Rio Jan. 14 and from Edinburg Jan. 20. More than 1 million baits will be distributed across 24 Texas border counties during this year’s ORVP. Those counties comprise the state’s Border Maintenance Zones. Six to nine flights are scheduled per day during ORVP, with aircraft flying at 500 to 1,000 feet above ground along half-mile interval lines.

The oral rabies vaccines, enclosed in small, plastic packets that resemble fastfood ketchup packages, are dipped in fish oil and coated with fish-meal crumbles to attract targeted wildlife. They do not pose a threat to pets or other non-canine wildlife. The annual project costs approximately $2.3

million and is funded by the State of Texas and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Wildlife Services.

ORVP is in its 31st year and has proven to be an effective defense against the spread of the domestic dog/coyote rabies variant and the Texas gray fox variant. Before the rabies vaccination program began, Texas had experienced human deaths due to canine rabies, and many people had to receive postexposure rabies treatment following infection.

The first ORVP bait drop was held in 1995 in South Texas. Texas had 122 animal cases of the domestic dog/coyote rabies variant in 1994, the year before the first airdrop, but that dropped to zero cases by the year 2000. There have been two cases due to the domestic dog/coyote rabies virus variant since that time (one in 2001 and one in 2004), but both of those cases were within a mile of the Rio Grande River.

The first vaccine airdrop targeting the fox variant was conducted in 1996 in West and Central Texas. There were 244 animal cases from this variant in 1995, but that dropped to zero cases by May 2009. A case of fox variant rabies was identified in a cow in 2013 but following expanded bait distribution in the following three years, no additional gray fox variant cases have been identified in the state.

No human cases of rabies attributable to these rabies variants have been identified since ORVP began.

3 ways to boost longevity in 2025 Study

by Maria Cohut, Ph.D.

• Research from the past 12 months has pinpointed some of the lifestyle factors that are linked to living healthier, longer lives.

• One clear factor is diet: Eating less red meat, skipping salt, and following a Mediterranean-style diet consistently have all been linked to longevity.

• Then, there is exercise: As little as taking a walk on a daily basis could help prolong life span, and several studies are now shedding light on the mechanisms through which physical activity slows down aging processes.

• Finally, tending after your social life is also important to longevity: People who feel chronically lonely and those who are socially isolated face a higher risk of early death, mounting evidence suggests.

Most us are probably hoping we will be able to live long lives — and that we may be able to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

So, what are the main factors that could help boost longevity, including our health spans?

Research published in the past 12 months points to three clear factors: diet, exercise, and social life.

Making healthy choices around these three factors may be key to living the long, fulfilling lives we strive for, and since it is never too late to start making positive changes, now is as good a time as any to make health a top priority.

What dietary choices could prolong life span?

Numerous recent studies have emphasized the importance of diet to all aspects of health, and evidence that healthy dietary choices could boost longevity is ever accu-

mulating.

Among these studies, many have linked red meat consumption to the development of several chronic conditions, including colorectal and other types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia.

So it may not be very surprising that research published in BMJ Global Health in April 2024 found that swapping red meat, like beef, for forage fish, could prevent between 500,000 and 750,000 deaths by 2050.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and owner of Plant-Based Perspective, who was not involved in this study, explained to Medical News Today that compared to red meat, fish contain lower levels of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been linked to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

Another important consideration for a healthy diet is the amount of added salt in our food. Another study from April 2024, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, emphasized that using salt substitutes rather than regular table salt can help reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease as well as death from all causes.

If these are some of the things to avoid for a healthy diet, what diet types should we gravitate towards if we want to live a long and healthy life?

A review of evidence published in Nutrients in August 2024 indicates that intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, and the ketogenic (keto) diet all have benefits in terms of slowing down aging processes. According to the experts, these diets appear to positively influence bodily mechanisms related to cellular repair, inflammation, and metabolism.

More recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) also published a joint statement outlining what all healthy diets have in common.

Speaking to MNT about some of the changes people can make to ensure their diets are healthy, Molly Rapozo, MS, RDN, CD, a registered dietitian nutritionist and senior nutrition and health educator at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, advised:

“[We want to be] including vegetables, fruit, starches — such as whole grains, legumes, and potatoes — as well as lean protein, fatty fish, and plant fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, olives, and olive oil. Eat less [of] highly processed snack foods, fatty meats including bacon and sausage, sugar, and other refined carbohydrates.”

How does exercise slow down aging?

Another crucial habit for longevity, as research has shown time and again, is exercise.

A modelling study conducted using United States data — published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in November 2024 — found that, if individuals over 40 walked as much each day as the most physically active of their peers, they could be adding around five years to their lives.

Ryan Glatt, CPT, NBC-HWC, a senior brain health coach and director of the FitBrain Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, who was not involved in the study, told MNT that “the benefits are most significant for individuals who are inactive, as even small increases in physical activity substantially reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases and premature death.”

Christopher Schneble, MD, Yale Medicine sports medicine physician and assistant professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, who was also not involved in the study, explained that:

“Engaging in physical activity can result in improved preservation of bone density, improved strength, reduced body fat, and better cardiovascular health. It can also lead to improvements in both mood and cognitive function. Improving things like heart rate, blood pressure, or the amount of excess body fat can all help decrease how hard the heart must work to pump blood throughout the body, which in return is protective.”

Other recent studies looked at the likely mechanisms through which different forms of exercise could help boost longevity and slow down aging processes.

According to research in animal models presented at the American Physiology Summit in Long Beach, CA, between April 4–7, 2024, participating in more exercise is linked to less DNA damage in the cells that line blood vessels.

This, the study suggested, could be how aerobic exercise helps protect cardio-

vascular health.

Exercise may also help reverse aging by reducing fat buildup in muscle tissue, found a study conducted both in mouse models and in humans, whose results appeared in Nature Aging in April 2024.

Study authors Georges E. Janssens, Frédéric M. Vaz, and Riekelt H. Houtkooper, from Amsterdam UMC in The Netherlands, explained to MNT that “BMPs [bis(monoacylglycero)phosphates] — the lipids we found to accumulate with age — have previously emerged in literature as markers of disease or stress.”

“BMPs accumulate in various diseases, including chronic kidney disease, diseases related to cholesterol accumulation and vascular diseases, and certain genetic metabolic disorders,” they noted.

An active social life also key to longevity

However, prolonged health and lifespan depend on more than food and exercise. Research continues to show that the quality of our social lives is also a factor in longevity.

There is already plenty of evidence linking loneliness to a higher risk of chronic diseases and early death, and recent studies have added to this evidence.

A study published in The Lancet’s eClinical Medicine in July 2024 found that older adults who feel chronically lonely face an increased risk of experiencing a stroke.

More specifically, study participants who reported feeling lonely were as much as 25% more likely to have a stroke compared to peers who felt more socially connected.

Jayne Morgan, MD, a cardiologist and the executive director of health and community education at the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation in Atlanta, GA, who was not involved in this study, hypothesized that “self-abusive behaviors such as decreased physical activity, overeating, high consumption of ultra-processed foods, increased alcohol intake, increased use of cigarettes and/or drugs, decreased compliance with prescribed medications, and poor sleep hygiene may all be factors” contributing to the heightened risk of stroke in people who feel chronically lonely.

This seems to align with the findings of a previous study, published in JAMA Network Open in January 2024, which concluded that reducing social isolation could reduce mortality risk, particularly in people with obesity.

The support and care of our peers and the ability to share quality moments with people we love may ultimately be one of the most important factors tipping the balance of longevity, not least because sharing in a sense of community could help us naturally lean into healthier life choices.

Sharing meals with family, going for a walk with a friend, and simply making an extra effort to keep in touch with the people we care about may be the positive change we all need in the year ahead.

Study identifies 11 strong predictors for dementia that may aid early diagnosis

by Paul Ian Cross, PhD

Millions of Americans are at risk of developing dementia, but early detection and proactive measures could help delay its onset and mitigate its effects, according to a new report.

The report indicates that cognitive ability, lifestyle factors, and physical health can predict dementia risk up to two decades before symptoms appear.

Among these factors are having diabetes, not exercising, and not having worked or having worked a very few years.

Addressing barriers such as cost and accessibility could expand routine cognitive testing and connect more people to treatments and resources in the critical early stages of dementia.

According to a new report by the

nonprofit research organization RAND, cognitive ability, functional limitations and physical health can strongly predict the risk of developing dementia up to 20 years before its onset.

Although the current uptake of cognitive testing among older adults remains low, research suggests that participation would increase if the tests were free, easily accessible and supported by improved treatment options.

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is especially crucial for the 58 million Americans over the age of 65, as existing disease-modifying treatments are effective only in the early stages.

Yet, only about 16% of individuals in this age group undergo cognitive assessments during routine visits with their pri-

mary care providers.

Dementia risks: lifestyle, geography, and key predictors

RAND researchers conducted three studies to identify those at greatest risk for cognitive impairment, explore ways to increase cognitive testing among older adults and encourage at-risk individuals to maintain brain health care.

The first study analyzed cognition and dementia data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of approximately 20,000 older U.S. adults and their households, ongoing since 1992.

This analysis identified lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, obesity and not engaging in hobbies at age 60 as key predictors of dementia risk, from a review of 181 potential risk factors.

In addition to lifestyle influences, the study found regional variations in dementia risk, with individuals born in the South facing a significantly higher likelihood of developing dementia, even after accounting for other variables.

While Black, Hispanic and lower-income individuals showed a higher risk, race and ethnicity were not independent risk factors once education and income were considered.

Parental health, family size and marital history were not significant predictors of dementia.

The research highlights the importance of adopting a lifestyle that supports brain health throughout life.

Understanding what increases the risk of dementia can help doctors and policymakers identify people most at risk and provide the right support to slow down or lessen the impact of cognitive decline.

The study found the following factors as strong predictors of developing dementia:

• Having poor physical health,

• Experiencing a stroke,

• Having particular genes that strongly predict a future risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia,

• Not having a private health insurance plan at age 60,

• Never having worked or having worked only a few years,

• Having diabetes or a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more at age 60,

• Never drinking alcohol or drinking excessively,

• Never exercising,

• Scoring low on various physical tests (such as grip strength, walking speed and balance etc.),

• Being less conscientious,

• Having low engagement in hobbies and activities that involve learning new things.

Cognitive decline impacts financial and practical decisions

Another study explored how people respond when facing cognitive issues.

Using data from a long-term U.S. survey, it found that newly diagnosed dementia patients are far more likely to act, noting that 25% of respondents sought financial help from children, compared to just 2% of those without a diagnosis.

Even without a formal diagnosis, 29% of people showing signs of dementia sought financial help, suggesting many recognise changes and begin planning early.

A diagnosis often prompts practical steps like creating a living will, assigning power of attorney or moving in with family for support.

Cost of cognitive care and value of early detection

A third study found that out-of-pocket costs are the biggest obstacle to accessing cognitive assessments and dementia care. While 80% of Americans said they would get a free cognitive test, this number dropped by half when a $300 fee was introduced.

Most respondents said they’d seek care if better treatments were available. About 60% would use a therapy that could help them stay independent for three extra years. Expanding access to affordable cognitive tests could help more people plan for the future and benefit from current and upcoming treatments.

Study limitations

Glatt also touched on some of the study’s limitations.

“While the report is robust in its methodology, its reliance on observational data limits the ability to establish causation,” he said.

“For instance, factors such as physical activity and social engagement are associated with lower dementia risk, but the study cannot definitively determine whether these behaviors prevent cognitive decline or are simply markers of better baseline cognitive health,” he explained.

Segil noted that “the implications of this Rand study are there are clear things people can do for ‘brain health’ to prevent dementia.”

“This paper advised performing physical exercise, working additional years, engaging in hobbies and novel information activities after retirement, and maintaining good physical health are likely to prevent someone from developing dementia. I think these lifestyle modifications should be shared with anyone trying to avoid getting memory loss or dementia as they age.”

— Clifford Segil

DPS Shares Essential Winter Weather Safety Tips

As many parts of the state prepare to deal with wintry weather, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds Texans that extreme cold, freezing rain, ice and snow can pose major hazards to drivers and pedestrians and urges residents to be prepared and exercise caution in those types of conditions.

“Winter weather can be unpredictable, but by making safety a top priority you can help take control,” said Colonel Freeman Martin. “Plan ahead, check road conditions and adjust your driving for the type of roads you’re traveling on. These are all simple things that can make a big impact in making this winter season safer for everyone on the road.”

DPS encourages everyone to take the appropriate safety precautions during winter weather. This includes checking your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure, tire treads and fluid levels, as well as ensuring door and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing. Having a well-stocked emergency kit with warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items is also a good idea.

Here are some other tips to help you stay ahead of winter weather:

Winter Weather Road Safety Tips:

• Monitor local weather broadcasts and check the latest weather conditions from the National Weather Service before you hit the road.

• Avoid traveling when sleet, freezing rain or snow is predicted, and monitor road conditions by visiting Drive Texas or calling (800) 452-9292.

• If you must drive in inclement weather, allow extra time to reach your destination. Share your travel plans with a friend or family member so someone knows the route you’re taking.

• On icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others, as you may need additional room

State Emergency Response Resources Activated Ahead Of Severe Winter Weather

Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott | Press Release

to stop.

• Do not use cruise control.

• Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.

• Be aware that ice accumulates on bridges and overpasses before drivers may see it on roads, so approach them more slowly in winter weather.

• Watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stop light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Winter Weather Home Safety Tips:

• Use an all-hazards weather radio for upto-date warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information.

• Sign up for calls or texts from your local emergency notification system.

• Insulate outside faucets and pipes near outer walls.

• Make sure furnaces, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are clean, well-ventilated and in good working condition.

• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls and combustible materials, including furniture and bedding. Turn them off when you’re away or sleeping. Also ensure space heaters cannot tip over and there is no damage to the cord.

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never operate a generator or other fuel-powered device inside a home, garage or other enclosed space. The odorless, colorless gas is deadly and is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

• Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven.

• Check on friends and family members whose health or age may put them at greater risk.

• Stock up on firewood and supplies, including canned goods, bottled water and medication.

Texans are encouraged to stay vigilant, practice caution and remain prepared as winter weather conditions develop.

Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week.

“The State of Texas is working aroundthe-clock to ensure Texans have the resources and support needed as severe winter weather impacts communities across Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “As temperatures begin to drop below freezing and regions of Texas face snow, ice, and freezing rain, it is crucial that everyone remain weather-aware, check DriveTexas.org before traveling, and heed the guidance of state and local officials. Texans can find the warming center nearest them at tdem.texas. gov/warm. I thank emergency management personnel and first responders for working tirelessly to help Texans prepare and stay safe during this winter weather.”

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures at or below freezing are expected across large areas of the state. Some areas may face disruptive snow, ice, and freezing rain, causing potentially hazardous travel conditions through the rest of the week.

Over the weekend, more than 700 Texas Department of Transportation personnel prepared for winter weather by pre-treating roads, bridges, and overpasses with over 500,000 gallons of brine and approximately 800 cubic yards of granular material.

At the direction of Governor Abbott, TDEM has activated the following state emergency response resources to support winter weather response operations:

• Texas Department of Transportation: Winter weather roadway equipment and crews pre-treating and treating roadways; personnel and equipment to assist with traffic control and road closures

• Texas Division of Emergency Management: Incident Management Teams; personnel working with local partners to update warming center maps

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews; motor graders and personnel to assist

with snow/ice clearance

• Texas National Guard: High-profile vehicles and personnel responding to support stranded motorists

Additionally, the following state emergency response resources have been placed on standby for deployment as needed:

• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordinating with utility providers across the threat area

• Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring

• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Winter Weather Packages including medics and ambulances

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery agents

• Texas Animal Health Commission: Coordinating animal/agricultural resource needs

• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol Texas roadways

• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Game Wardens to support local law enforcement; high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists

• Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure

• Texas Education Agency: Monitoring school district needs across the state

Texans are urged to monitor local forecasts, check road conditions before traveling on roadways, and follow instructions from emergency officials.

Texans can access winter weather safety tips by visiting TexasReady.gov, locate warming centers opened and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.