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Air traffic control calamity disrupting hundreds of US flights spotlights the aging system
By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer Communications failures that snarled hundreds of flights across the Northeast on Monday have put the spotlight back on the aging systems that air traffic controllers rely on in the U.S. Congress already handed the Federal Aviation Administrat...
schools
SRSU receives nearly $3 million grant to expand workforce readiness, capacity
Sul Ross State University received almost $3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor through the SRSU RISE Strengthening Institutions Program, a five-year initiative designed to expand workforce readiness, educational opportunity and institutional capacity acro...
News
Midland Festival Ballet announces cast for ‘The Nutcracker’
Midland Festival Ballet recently held auditions for its 33rd annual production of “The Nutcracker,” welcoming 112 dancers ages 6 to 18 from across West Texas. Since 1994, “The Nutcracker” has been a celebration of community talent and collaboration. While Midland Festival Ballet ...
News
Ellen Noël hosting free Art a la Carte community art day
Join the Ellen Noël Art Museum on Saturday, September 26, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., for a Art a la Carte, one of several community art days held at the museum throughout the year. Guests are encouraged to bring the whole family for this fun, free afternoon featuring hands-on art ac...
News
Trump administration to remove 760,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees over fraud claims
By FATIMA HUSSEIN The Associated Press WASHINGTON Vice President JD Vance and other Trump administration officials said Tuesday they plan to remove 760,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees from public healthcare exchanges, alleging that the individuals were fraudulently enrolled in ...
News
Trump says US and Iranian officials met Tuesday, shortly after warning he may ‘annihilate’ Iran
By AAMER MADHANI, FARNOUSH AMIRI and EDITH M. LEDERER The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS President Donald Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials met on Tuesday, shortly after threatening in his address to the U.N. General Assembly that he may “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if ...
News
GOP Sen. John Curtis calls for probe of Trump Jr. after wedding party bankrolled by Russian oligarch
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MARY CLARE JALONICK The Associated Press WASHINGTON Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah is calling on the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate whether Donald Trump Jr. used his proximity to the presidency for financial benefit, after his recent weddin...
News
How Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ became the longest-running No. 1 hit of all time
By MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer NEW YORK Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” a simmering, midtempo, country-and-then-some heartbreak song released last October, is indisputably 2026’s biggest hit. “Choosin’ Texas” is also the longest-running No. 1 hit in the U.S., having spent 23 w...
News
Category 5 Hurricane Polo is an ‘extremely dangerous’ storm off the coast of Mexico
The Associated Press MIAMI Hurricane Polo grew increasingly strong Tuesday and was forecast to gain more intensity as it skirted Mexico’s southwestern coast as a Category 5 cyclone, weather experts said. Polo was an “extremely dangerous” storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 ...
News
Day and night get equal billing on Tuesday. A guide to the fall equinox
The Associated Press The fall equinox is Tuesday, when light and darkness split the day evenly . It marks the beginning of fall for the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes...
News
Federal judge orders Texas to air condition all prisons by the end of 2029
The Telford Unit, a prison in New Boston near the Oklahoma border. Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune By Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune A federal judge has ordered Texas to air condition all of the state’s lockups, which the prison agency said could cost $1.5 billion, b...
government
RRC Commissioner urges oilfield operators to report theft
AUSTIN Oil and gas regulator Wayne Christian on Tuesday urged Texas oil and gas operators to report petroleum product and property theft, citing testimony before the Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources from RRC staff, industry leaders and law enforcement officials serving...
News
In lieutenant governor race, Vikki Goodwin says Dan Patrick ads are illegal AI deepfakes
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, speaks to convention attendees at a general session of the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi on June 26, 2026. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune By Zach Leggio, The Texas Tribun...
News
Ryans owns Texans’ 0-2 start as Houston scrambles to avoid another 0-3 hole
By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON Coach DeMeco Ryans took responsibility Monday for Houston’s winless start as the Texans try to avoid opening the season 0-3 for a second straight year. “First and foremost, I have to coach it better,” he said. “If I coach it better, we’l...
News
Amateur archaeologist finds Germany’s biggest hoard of ancient Roman silver coins
By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER The Associated Press BERLIN An amateur archaeologist who discovered several Roman silver coins in a field in western Germany realized he had stumbled upon something bigger when his metal detector kept beeping. Oliver Riedl called the authorities for help and...
safety
OPD investigating auto burglary
Odessa police are searching for a man and woman suspected of auto burglary and credit card abuse. According to an OPD news release, an auto burglary occurred in the 1400 block of Coronado and unknown suspects stole the victim’s credit card, identification card, and other property...
News
Judge won’t block Trump administration from giving SpaceX acres of wildlife refuge in land swap
The Associated Press McALLEN, Texas A federal judge on Monday refused to block the Trump administration from giving SpaceX more than 700 acres of wildlife refuge as part of a land swap in Texas, while environmental groups vowed to continue their legal challenge. U.S. District Jud...
News
Energy industry will see changes if war runs through 2026
A lot of things will happen in the energy industry if the war in Iran continues through the rest of this year and there are positives and negatives spread throughout the stressful landscape. The International Energy Agency and the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Asso...
Local
Giving Machine Initiative coming to the Permian Basin
MIDLAND The Light the World Giving Machine Initiative is coming to the Permian Basin this holiday season. The initiative brings its distinctive red vending machines to communities, transforming an everyday experience into an opportunity to give. Instead of purchasing something fo...
safety
New initiative to bring first responder training closer to home in the Permian Basin
MIDLAND As the Permian Basin continues to face a shortage of certified firefighters and first responders, the Permian Strategic Partnership is partnering with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) on a $1.5 million initiative to expand firefighter and first responder...
schools
Ventanas del Pasado to honor Steve and Aurora Tercero
LISTOS West Texas and Hispanic Heritage of Odessa will honor Steve and Aurora Tercero as the 2026 Ventanas del Pasado honorees, recognizing their lifetime of dedication to education, faith, family and community service. Ventanas del Pasado, meaning “Windows of the Past,” celebrat...
parks
Fat Bear Week opens for Alaska’s heavyweight crown. Can Chunk, the 1,200-pound champ, win again?
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — After a summer spent packing away sockeye salmon, Alaska’s heftiest brown bears are ready to throw their weight around. Online voting began Tuesday for Fat Bear Week, the annual contest that pits the rotund residents of Katmai National Park and Preserve a...
News
Lindsay Clancy's attorney asks judge to investigate the lone juror who wanted to convict her
BOSTON (AP) — A lawyer for Lindsay Clancy is asking a judge to investigate the conduct of the lone juror who wanted to convict the Massachusetts mother of murder in the deaths of her three young children. In a motion filed Friday but made public Monday, Clancy's lawyer asked the ...
News
Man shot by ICE, detained in Texas with a bullet in his back is back in the hospital, attorney says
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Venezuelan man shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and taken to a detention center in Texas with a bullet still lodged in his back was back in the hospital by Monday night, the man’s attorney said. Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, was ...
News
Austin ICE shooting one of at least 28 since last year
At least 28 people have been shot at by federal immigration agents since last year, including Sunday's ICE shooting in Austin.
News
Dak Prescott honors Roger Staubach while breaking record
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott broke the franchise record for career touchdown passes on Sunday during a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Prescott threw four touchdown passes in the game to tie and then surpass former Cowboys quarterback Tony...
News
New screwworm case prompts heightened surveillance before cattle imports resume
Federal officials still plan on reopening the Santa Teresa livestock crossing on Thursday despite a second confirmed New World screwworm case in New Mexico, state agriculture officials told Border Report....
Local
New wellness screenings offered at Walmart pharmacies
Walmart pharmacies in Odessa, Texas, are expanding healthcare access through Better Care Services, offering wellness screenings and same-day prescription deliveries without requiring an appointment....
News
Polo has rapidly intensified to a hurricane and is expected to impact Mexico
MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Polo will rapidly intensify in the Pacific Ocean and become a major hurricane later this week, forecasters said Monday. Polo could bring heavy rain, rough surf and tropical-storm-force winds to parts of Mexico late Tuesday into early Wednesday, the Miami-ba...
safety
Hayden Panettiere died from an overdose involving fentanyl. She had just gone to rehab, coroner says
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Actor Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental overdose of several drugs, including fentanyl, and had been in rehab just weeks before, according to a coroner’s report obtained by The Associated Press. Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive in an apartment...
safety
Motorcyclist killed in Saturday night crash
A 57-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday night at 42nd Street and FM 1936. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a preliminary investigation indicated Jerry Brett Purvine rear-ended a Ford F-150 while riding a Harley Davidson Breakout while traveling west on 4...
safety
Maximiliano Lozano
An Odessa man was arrested last week on warrants issued after his girlfriend accused him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions and posting sexually explicit materials of them without her permission. According to an Ector County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were d...
safety
Odessa man accused of sexually assaulting girlfriend twice
An Odessa man was arrested last week on warrants issued after his girlfriend accused him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions and posting sexually explicit materials of them without her permission. According to an Ector County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were dispatc...
News
West Texas Centers to host free Suicide Awareness Glow Walk/Run in Big Spring
BIG SPRING West Texas Centers will host a free Suicide Awareness Glow Walk/Run on Saturday, September 26, at 100 Whipkey Dr. in Big Spring. The community event is designed to bring people together to promote suicide awareness, encourage conversations about mental health, connect ...
government
Final tax vote is Tuesday at City Council
The Odessa City Council took another step toward increasing the property tax rate for FY’26-‘27 by 4.26% during a special meeting Wednesday night while also voting 5-1 to increase utility rates by 3% across the board. A final vote on both is scheduled for Tuesday night. If approv...
schools
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: OHS looking to get back to winning ways
The Odessa High football team will make its second trip to Central Texas this season. This time, it’ll be a neutral site game. This week, the Bronchos (2-1) face the San Benito Greyhounds (2-2) at Rattler Stadium in San Marcos at 7 p.m. Friday. Odessa High will make the five-hour...
schools
Jury convicts Vermont man of attempted murder in shooting of 3 Palestinian students
Burlington, Vt. (AP) — A jury on Monday convicted a Vermont man of attempted murder in the shootings of three Palestinian college students who were walking near his home, rejecting an insanity defense rooted in his claims that he was acting on orders from U.S. and Israeli intelli...
News
TXOGA President: A diesel ban today means a weaker America tomorrow
AUSTIN Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) President Todd Staples issued the following statement Monday in response to calls to issue a diesel export ban. “Banning exports of diesel would cripple domestic jobs, lead to fuel shortages here at home and put power in the hands of Chi...
government
Austin officials condemn ICE shooting of Venezuelan man, call for independent investigation
Austin City Council members spoke out against ICE after an agent shot a man on Sept. 20.
business
Wall Street rallies within 0.4% of its record after oil prices and bond yields ease
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer NEW YORK Wall Street climbed to the edge of its all-time high on Monday, and stocks rallied worldwide after oil prices and yields in the bond market surrendered their market-rattling gains from last week . The S&P 500 jumped 1.5% and pulled within ...
safety
DPS honors crime laboratory during National Forensic Science Week
AUSTIN During National Forensic Science Week , the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proud to recognize the hardworking men and women of the Crime Laboratory Division . “Texas is a leader in forensic science because of the incredible men and women working in DPS Crime La...
News
Dak Prescott has all the passing records for the Cowboys, so now the sole focus is victories
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas Dak Prescott has one major career club record left to get as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. There’s no question he considers it the most important, because it has everything to do with the legacy of the Super Bowl winners...
government
Abbott directs TCEQ to halt data center permits
AUSTIN Governor Greg Abbott on Monday directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to halt all permits sought by data centers until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) completes its audit. Because the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), ERCOT...
Local
DAILY OIL PRICE: September 21, 2026
Crude Oil: 95.78 (-4.52). Nymex MTD AVG: 97.0667. Natural Gas: 2.836 (-0.076). Gasoline: 3.4699 (-0.0577). Spreads: October/November (+3.41) November/December (+3.21). Plains WTI Posting: 92.26 (-4.52). The post DAILY OIL PRICE: September 21, 2026 appeared first on Odessa America...
News
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UTPB’s Thompson named LSC Special Teams Player of the Week
UTPB’s Micai Thompson was named the Lone Star Conference’s Special Teams Player of the Week. The freshman kick returner had a 98-yard return for a touchdown to help the Falcons cruise to a 66-7 win at Sul Ross State Saturday in Alpine. Thompson’s return was the longest in the con...
business
Federal Reserve official says fighting inflation likely to be ‘painful’
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON A top Federal Reserve official said Monday that the renewal of combat in the Middle East in August was a key reason she supported raising borrowing costs last week , when she also penciled in a second rate hike for later this ...
schools
Reagan Elementary All-Star earns National Math Star honor
Reagan Elementary third grader Ariana Borra has earned recognition as a National Math Star. (Courtesy Photo) It seems appropriate that a Reagan Elementary All-Star — that is the school’s nickname and the mascot is a star — has earned recognition as a National Math Star. Third gra...
safety
OPD investigating phone theft
Odessa police are investigating the theft of a Walmart employee’s phone. According to an OPD news release, a Walmart employee accidentally left their $1,200 cell phone (with personal documents attached to the phone case) near the self-checkout area. Investigation revealed that an...
parks
Texas celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 26
AUSTIN Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) invites Texans to bring their friends and family into the outdoors for National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26. This celebration recognizes hunters and anglers for their contributions to wildlife and conservation. Governor Gr...