The Odessa
government
San Marcos residents protest a proposed AI data center during a City Council meeting on Feb. 17, 2026. Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune By Katlyn Ma, The Texas Tribune San Marcos has become the first Texas city to ban data centers within city limits, banking on its loc...
safety
BRYAN COUNTY, Okla. (KXII) - A man wanted for murder out of Ward County, Texas, was captured and arrested in Bryan County after a multi-agency operation.Earnest Millard Jr., 57, of Wickett, Texas, was booked into the Bryan County Jail on June 26.According to the Bryan County Sher...
Local
FOREST GROVE, ORE. Hawkin Sweeney of Odessa graduated in Spring 2026 from Pacific University in Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Founded in 1849, Pacific University is Washington County, Oregon’s only comprehensive university, offering over 50 undergraduate majors and 28 gr...
library
By STACEY MEI YAN FONG Voracious For the Stars and Stripes Pie in my cookbook, “50 Pies, 50 States,” I wanted something that would be a showstopper at any Fourth of July barbecue. I got fancy, using foil as a divider when filling the pie to mimic the color blocking of the flag. ...
business
By ALBERT STUMM The Associated Press Green means go, red means stop. Trophies or confetti come with good performance, and people who fall behind get nudged to do better. Those brightly colored engagement tactics long ago jumped from smartphone games to everything from online sho...
schools
MIDLAND The Permian Strategic Partnership on Tuesday announced a $5.5 million investment to launch the Permian Basin Literacy Initiative, a multi‑year pilot program to strengthen early‑literacy reading instruction, impacting over 2,000 students in Ector County ISD and Midland ISD...
safety
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A roof collapse at a tutoring center under-construction in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday killed at least 14 schoolchildren, police and rescue officials said. Eight other children were also injured and were being treated at a hospital, senior...
schools
By MARK SHERMAN The Associated Press WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, in another setback for transgender people. The court’s six-justice conservative majority, which has repeatedl...
News
Courtesy Photo AUSTIN As Texans gather to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement efforts for the Fourth of July holiday. To keep everyone safe more Troopers will be out on the roads, includ...
safety
ANDREWS, Texas (KOSA) - The Andrews Police Department will hold a memorial service to celebrate the life of K9 Iro on July 14 at 4 p.m.Iro was born Oct. 10, 2018, in the Netherlands and joined the Andrews Police Department in 2020, where he was partnered with Cpl. Escobar.Six yea...
News
Talker News | Talker First impressions may start long before a handshake — One in five Americans say they judge others by their first name alone, according to new research. The survey of 2,000 Americans found that 18% of those polled said they’ll make assumptions about someone ba...
safety
As we celebrate Independence Day, let’s keep it safe and legal: Fireworks are illegal to possess, use, sell, store, or manufacture in the city limits of Odessa. Please remember to bring your pets indoors and make sure your pet has an identification tag. Don’t drink and drive. Hav...
government
By MARK SHERMAN The Associated Press WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Tuesday erased limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president, striking down a federal election law that is more than 50 years old. Prodded by a Republ...
News
By MARK SHERMAN The Associated Press WASHINGTON A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a broad conception of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily...
government
Gilbert Vasquez Odessa City Councilman Gilbert Vasquez tendered his resignation Monday morning following the recent and sudden death of his brother. In an interview Monday evening, Vasquez, 78, said he can no longer adequately see to the needs of both his constituents and his fam...
safety
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer Ford is recalling more than 741,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a transmission issue may damage the park system, which could increase the risk of a crash or injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report that t...
Local
Rinah Lewis won double Gold at the 2026 American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Las Vegas over the weekend. Rinah fights out of Odessa’s Vagabond Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym and strength trains at Odessa’s Elite Pride Performance. The post GOOD NEWS: Bringing home the gold ...
News
The Supreme Court on Tuesday will rule on the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s order on birthright citizenship declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. The decision comes on the final day...
News
By Veronique de Rugy Last week, nearly every elite men’s tennis player skipped one of London’s marquee tournaments. Only one of the world’s top 10 showed up at Queen’s Club, the traditional Wimbledon warmup; stars including Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Ben ...
safety
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KOSA) - The Fourth of July is packed with celebration, but the holiday can be stressful for pets frightened by loud fireworks.The Ector County Sheriff’s Office says this time of year often leads to an increase in lost animals as some pets panic and run off. T...
safety
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - This Saturday marks America’s 250th birthday, and West Texas has no shortage of ways to celebrate. Here is a breakdown of events happening across the region.OdessaThe Firecracker Fandango kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. in downtown Odessa. The event will featu...
business
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday begged a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics to call off its plan to consecrate new bishops without his consent, calling the move a schismatic act and a “sin of extreme gravity.” “I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please t...
News
MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Multiple lane closures are scheduled to begin in July across Midland, according to the City of Midland.Closures beginning July 1A lane on Marienfeld Street from Front Street to Missouri Avenue will close Wednesday, July 1, and remain closed through Sept. 1...
safety
According to authorities, a fight between two roommates last week led to the discovery of some stolen laptops, a stolen gun and three arrests. According to an Odessa Police Department report, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of West 19th Street about a fight around 10 a...
business
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Last week, Venezuela had two catastrophic earthquakes, with the death toll there continuing to grow to more than 17 hundred with people still missing and trapped. Here in the Permian Basin, many churches, businesses, and community members are coming tog...
library
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - As time marches forward, things change. This has been prevalent in downtown Odessa, especially with the addition of new shops, restaurants, and other new entertainment options. However, not everything changes with the times. Ye Old Bookworm has held it...
library
Ramblin' Rita, a character created by former librarian Kayla Wardell, is performing in West Texas as part of the National Library Services' Summer Reading Program, sharing stories about wildlife and indigenous legends with kids....
News
SACRAMENTO, California (KMID/KPEJ) - The Athletics have called up the former Midland RockHound shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer to the big leagues ahead of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kuroda-Grauer began the 2026 season in Midland, playing 33 games for ...
safety
Texas (KCBD) - Texas State Police are in the running for a national title in the American Association of State Troopers’ (AAST) annual “Best Looking Cruiser” contest.Voting is now open and runs through July 11, 2025. Members of the public can vote once per day, per device by visi...
Local
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The Odessa Regional Medical Center team gathered to honor Sharon Lipham, an auxiliary volunteer who served the hospital for nearly three decades.Lipham spent 28 years as an auxiliary volunteer with ORMC, serving in leadership roles as president three times ...
News
Freeman joins Southeastern Louisiana's Rick Fremin as an addition to the staff following the departures of Kristen Zaleski and Ehren Earleywin. Zaleski was named the head coach at Utah State, and Earleywine joined the staff at Tennessee....
News
BIG SPRING, Texas (KOSA) - Moss Creek Lake in Big Spring has closed indefinitely, with no timeline for when it will reopen, city officials said.The City of Big Spring announced the closure on June 26, citing a lack of resources necessary to operate and maintain the property. Offi...
Local
The Permian Basin is expected to have a hot and windy day with high temperatures in the upper 90s and a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening....
safety
A nation only turns 250 once and it’s time to go all out with the festivities. The City of Odessa and others are ready to celebrate with a number of family-friendly events from a downtown parade to concerts to lighting the night sky with fireworks. Saturday is the big day with an...
Local
Odessa giving a big birthday bash for 250th ...
safety
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Children in Odessa beat the heat over the weekend, at a barbeque event, where they played in cascading water of the fire department’s hose. Odessa Fire Rescue and Odessa Police hosted their final Police Athletic Leagues [PAL] youth program for the seaso...
safety
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KOSA) - Multiple law enforcement agencies were seen at a local business in connection with a traffic stop that resulted in an arrest, according to the Ector County Sheriff’s Office.The sheriff’s office said the Odessa Police Department collaborated with the E...
safety
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - A former preacher in New Deal has been arrested accused of sexually abusing a minor from 2019 to 2020, according to court documents.48-year-old Brian Townsend was arrested and booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on June 26. He’s charged with on...
safety
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - A suspect was arrested after driving a stolen vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Odessa.According to the Odessa Police Department, police said the incident began with a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Clements Stre...
safety
K-9 Iro, a loyal partner of the Andrews Police Department, has passed away after 16 years of service, and the department is mourning his loss.
safety
ANDREWS, Texas (KOSA) - The Andrews Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own, K9 Iro, after the police dog passed away.According to the Andrews Police Department, K9 Iro was born on Oct. 10, 2018, in the Netherlands and joined the department in 2020, where he was ...
Local
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KOSA) - Mobile food vendors operating in Ector County are being urged to prepare for a major permitting change taking effect July 1.According to a notice from Ector County, Texas, the state is changing how mobile food vendors are permitted under a new statewi...
safety
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The public is invited to attend the 29th annual Firecracker Fandango on July 4 in downtown Odessa.The event will feature live music, food, games, activities, and fireworks.Performers and scheduleZZ Nation is scheduled to perform at 6:30 p.m. on the CNB Stag...
safety
PECOS COUNTY, Texas (KOSA) - The Pecos County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers claim to be deputies and say the recipient missed jury duty.The caller identifies themselves as “Deputy Wilson” and tells the recipient they must pay a fine or ...
safety
TERRELL COUNTY , Texas (KOSA) - Five immigrants were arrested in Terrell County on Sunday after being caught during a night operation, according to a Facebook post by Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland.Cleveland said a group of immigrants was apprehended on June 29, but their guide escap...
News
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike killed at least three Palestinians, including a child, in the Gaza Strip on Monday, after hitting a tent sheltering displaced people that Israel said housed a militant. Health authorities in the coastal enclave said the strike...
News
BIG SPRING, Texas (KOSA) - Moss Creek Lake is closed to the public, and it won’t reopen anytime soon.The City of Big Spring shut down the lake on June 26, and the closure covers the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend.According to the release, officials said the lake and its ...
business
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Andy Burnham, Britain’s presumptive next prime minister, will set out details on Monday to give more powers to local government as part of a plan to spread wealth and economic growth. Burnham will set out a sweeping economic vision in a key speech as he...
News
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's president said Monday that $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released by Qatar as negotiations with the United States were challenged by attacks across the Persian Gulf this weekend. Masoud Pezeshkian 's mention of the funds ap...
News
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China imposed new export controls Monday on 40 Japanese entities it says are contributing to the country’s “remilitarization,” as tensions with Tokyo continue to rise. Twenty Japanese entities, including multiple divisions of Mitsubishi Corporation, have bee...
News
The tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams created an extra knockout round in hopes of giving countries moments like this. With 15 matches left in the round, Texas plays host to three of them, so a Lone Star State stadium could be the site of an historic victory....
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Rio Grande Valley nun who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while on her way to Sunday Mass has been released, according to U.S. Representatives Monica De La Cruz and Henry Cuellar. In an update from U.S. Rep. Mon...
library
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia plans to double potential fines for social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, who fail to prevent Australian children from holding accounts as critics argue the world-first ban on under-16s was failing. Communications Minister...
safety
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - A 13-year-old driver and a 15-year-old passenger were taken into custody Sunday afternoon after a stolen vehicle pursuit ended in a crash on the South Loop 289 westbound access road.A Lubbock Police officer spotted the stolen vehicle near 40th Street and A...
News
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday killed at least four Palestinians, including a 13-year-old girl, local health officials said. The first strike targeted a group of people in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya, killing two and wounding anot...
News
Khadijah Farrakhan, longtime wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, died on Saturday, the Nation of Islam has announced. She was 90. “Mother Khadijah” worked alongside her provocative and charismatic husband for decades, helping lead their religious and sociopolitical mo...
