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Local

Frost Bank, West Texas Food Bank ‘Spread the Love’ with Peanut Butter Drive

In recognition of Hunger Action Month, Frost Bank is partnering with the West Texas Food Bank to host a Peanut Butter Drive throughout September, giving the Permian Basin community an easy way to help provide a nutritious pantry staple to local families experiencing hunger. Commu...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

News

7 in 10 Americans feel they don’t do enough each day

Talker News | Talker From working out to spending time with loved ones, seven in ten Americans feel they don’t do “enough” each day, according to new research . A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that for some, this stems from a lack of time: One in four say there’s not enough t...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

schools

UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments ‘disgusting’ and too familiar

Texas Longhorns fans and players celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday. Students said they were not surprised a Republican candidate lobbed racist attacks about South Asian studen...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

News

Museum of the Southwest appoints Jessica Kinsey as executive director

Following a nationwide search, the Museum of the Southwest (MSW) has named Jessica Kinsey, an experienced museum leader with a strong track record of institutional growth and community engagement, as its next executive director, effective October 1. Kinsey spent eight years runni...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

business

Federal Reserve is expected to raise its benchmark rate, defying Trump’s demands

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lift its short-term interest rate Wednesday for the first time in three years to fight stubbornly high inflation, a move that would put the central bank at odds with President Donald T...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

News

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UTPB with three players named to LSC Players of the Week

UTPB football swept this week’s Lone Star Conference Players of the Week honors. Tight end JT Seagreaves, defensive back Layne Horak and kicker Diego Chavarria were all named to this week’s LSC Players of the Week. Seagreaves caught two touchdowns in the first quarter to set the ...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

safety

TxDOT: Nearly half of child car seats are installed incorrectly

AUSTIN Is your child’s car seat secure? For many Texas families, the answer is no. Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. Preventing these tragedies starts with parents ensuring their kids are buckled properly in the right car seat for their size and ...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

schools

Harmony teacher named national winner of Stock Your School campaign

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Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

government

Pastor shares the word online

The Rev. Gian C. Villatoro, Ph.D., is a pastor, preacher, and former software engineer who has devoted nearly four decades to Christian ministry. As the founding pastor of Victory Church Odessa since 2016, he said he blends theological expertise with technology to expand the glob...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

government

Supreme Court rejects Trump mail ballot restrictions ahead of midterms

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST The Associated Press WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterm elections, capping a flurry of last-minute legal action with voting already underway. The decision allows states to con...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 15, 2026

government

Abbott orders state water board to penalize uncompliant data centers

AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) -- Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Water Development Board to start penalizing major water users, like data centers, if they haven't complied with water use reporting requirements. According to a statement released by Abbott's office on Monday, the gov...

Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)Sep 15, 2026

News

Man gets 18 years for El Paso jail inmate's fentanyl death

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- A 46-year-old man who was facing the region's first-ever state murder charges in a fentanyl-related case was sentenced to 18 years in prison, according to the El Paso District Attorney's Office on Monday, Sept. 14. Eric Robles was sentenced after pleading...

Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)Sep 15, 2026

government

Candidate Night will feature MISD and MCAD races in a nonpartisan forum

MIDLAND Campaign signs can tell voters a name. Mailers can deliver a message. But on Tuesday, September 15, Midland residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from the people asking for their vote. The Permian Basin Board of REALTORS (PBBOR), 3114 Sunburst Drive, will ho...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

safety

Odessan killed in rollover Monday morning

A 30-year-old Odessa man was killed Monday morning in a rollover crash on US 385. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Francisco Roque Benitez was driving north on 385 in a GMC Denali when he veered into the center median for unknown reasons near mile marker 344 ar...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

safety

Woman accused of sexually assaulting 3-year-old

An Odessa woman was arrested Friday after being accused of sexually assaulting her girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter during a bath. According to an Ector County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were dispatched to Medical Center Hospital on Friday to meet with the mother of the ch...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

safety

Man accused of kidnapping, threatening former wife

A 41-year-old Odessa man was arrested last Wednesday night after his former wife told Ector County Sheriff’s deputies he held a knife to her throat and told her he was going to kill her. According to an ECSO report released Monday, a 47-year-old woman told deputies she was walkin...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

safety

Motorcycle passenger killed in crash

A 26-year-old Burnet woman was killed early Sunday morning in a two-vehicle crash in Ector County. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Mindy Lane Harris was on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle when a 22-year-old Midland man traveling west on East Cottonwoo...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

schools

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Bronchos still 2-0 after last week

The good news for the Odessa High football team? Last week’s game against San Antonio Johnson won’t officially count. That’s because only one half of the game was played. For it to officially count as a loss, the teams would’ve needed to play one play in the second half. However,...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Ryans: Texans must cut explosive plays after giving up 36 points to the Bills

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON Sunday’s shocking defensive debacle by the Houston Texans in a 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills proved what coach DeMeco Ryans always preaches to his team. “You have to put your stamp each and every year on who you’re going to be,” he sai...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Man pleads not guilty in the hanging death of a Mississippi woman

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A man charged with murder in the hanging death of a Black woman in Mississippi pleaded not guilty Monday during his first court appearance. The body of Tasia Fortune, 29, was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home in Jackson, the state capital, o...

Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)Sep 14, 2026

safety

Trump guts climate rules for coal and gas power plants

The Trump administration on Monday gutted regulations that limited planet-warming emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. The move allows a sector that makes up a large share of the U.S.’s climate change contributions to release greenhouse gases unchecked by the governme...

Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)Sep 14, 2026

News

COVID-19 vaccines are available now at United Family pharmacies

LUBBOCK As respiratory virus season approaches, now is a great time to help protect yourself and your family. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available at United Family pharmacies, along with flu , pneumonia , respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other recommended immunization...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Pfluger, Houlahan introduce the Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) on Monday introduced the bipartisan Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act alongside Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) to keep dangerous actors from misusing DNA synthesis technology while keeping America at the foref...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Top-ranked Texas likes the view from No. 1 but is focused on long season ahead

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas Texas has seen the view from No. 1 and the Longhorns know the fall from the college football summit can be hard. The goal now is to make sure they get more than a fleeting glimpse from the top. Texas (2-0) jumped to No. 1 after a wild...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

Local

DAILY OIL PRICE: September 14, 2026

Crude Oil: 101.39 (+1.34). Nymex MTD AVG: 95.1107. Natural Gas: 2.896 (+0.065). Gasoline: 3.3171 (+0.0099). Spreads: October/November (+4.25) November/December (+4.54). Plains WTI Posting: 97.87 (+1.34). The post DAILY OIL PRICE: September 14, 2026 appeared first on Odessa Americ...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

schools

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Compass Academy to host Buena Vista

The Compass Academy volleyball team will face Buena Vista at home at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Lady Cougars are coming off a win in three sets against Trinity Friday. Compass Academy is currently 24-4. The post HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Compass Academy to host Buena Vista appeared first ...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

government

Pfluger agrees to debate Claire Reynolds

MIDLAND Congressman August Pfluger and Democratic nominee Claire Reynolds will face off at 7 p.m. October 5 in a debate hosted by Basin PBS, giving voters across Texas’ 11th Congressional District the opportunity to hear directly from both candidates about their records, prioriti...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

schools

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Permian to host Abilene Cooper

The Permian volleyball team will be back at home tomorrow when the Lady Panthers face Abilene Cooper at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Permian Fieldhouse. The Lady Panthers are currently 17-6. Cooper is coming in with a 10-14 record. The post HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Permian to host Abilene Co...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Texas Tech football remains No. 13 in weekly AP Poll

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Texas Tech football remained at No. 13 on the weekly AP Poll released Sunday. Tech climbed one spot in the Coaches Poll, to No. 12. Tech escaped Corvallis with a 35-24 win over Oregon State Saturday night. Texas is the new top team on both polls, following...

CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)Sep 14, 2026

safety

Traffic Alert: Closure at FM 1788 and I-20

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8 a.m., the FM 1788 intersection at Mile Marker 127 will be permanently closed to northbound and southbound traffic until the new interchange is constructed. Motorists should follow posted detour signs and use the new turnarounds at CR 1300 and CR...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Big Bend landowners sue Trump administration

MARFA A coalition of Big Bend landowners and Conserve Big Bend filed a federal lawsuit on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ( 1:26-cv-03198 ), challenging the legal basis the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has used to fast-track border wall and...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

government

Cemetery expansion back on county agenda

Last year the Ector County Commissioner’s Court voted to expand the cemetery with several commissioners and the county judge saying it was the topic they have heard the most about from citizens. The issue is back on the agenda and County Judge Dustin Fawcett said the current ceme...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Maduro ally Alex Saab expected to plead guilty in federal money laundering case

MIAMI (AP) — A close ally of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is expected to plead guilty Tuesday in a federal case that accused him of bribing officials to win lucrative contracts to import food at a time of widespread hardship in the South American country. Alex Saab ...

Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)Sep 14, 2026

parks

It’s same ol’, same ol’ with Cowboys defense as hype gets pushed aside by reality

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas Same old Dallas defense. Even with a new defensive coordinator — the youngest in franchise history in 34-year-old Christian Parker — and an overhaul of the roster, the Cowboys were just as bad as a year ago in a season-openin...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

business

Costco raises price for Kirkland motor oil, sets purchase limit

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer Costco has raised the price of motor oil sold under its exclusive private-label brand as well as limited how much of it customers can buy weekly as oil prices climb yet again. Americans looking to try to save some money by purchasing motor o...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

government

Bo French doubles down on racist post made after UT win against Ohio State

Republican candidate for Railroad Commissioner Bo French speaks at the Red River Roll Call, a Republican rally hosted by state Rep. Shelley Luther, in Sherman on July 27, 2026. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune By Carlos Nogueras Ramos, The Texas Tribune ODESSA Texas Ra...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

business

Texas landowners sue to block Trump border wall plans in the remote Big Bend region

By REBECCA SANTANA The Associated Press MARFA, Texas Landowners, ranchers and business owners in the Big Bend region of Texas along with a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the region’s landscape and heritage are suing to stop the Trump administration’s plans to buil...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

business

Texas landowners ask a court to stop Trump’s Big Bend wall plans

By REBECCA SANTANA The Associated Press MARFA, Texas Landowners, ranchers and business owners in the Big Bend region of Texas along with a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the region’s landscape and heritage are suing to stop the Trump administration’s plans to buil...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

Local

Phillips 66 United is the Way Golf Tournament

The 13th Annual United is the Way Golf Tournament brought to you by Phillips 66, benefiting United Way of Odessa, will take place Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Ratliff Ranch Golf Course. Register your golf team, become a sponsor, or donate a promotional item to support United Wa...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Harvesting Hope Fall Market to benefit Aphasia Center

MIDLAND The Aphasia Center of West Texas invites the community to attend the Harvesting Hope Fall Market on Thursday, October 15, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Aphasia Center of West Texas, located at 5214 Thomason Drive in Midland. This family-friendly fundraising event will featur...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

GUEST VIEW: A convoluted scheme to pay parents to stay at home

By Veronique de Rugy Vice President JD Vance wants to pay married parents to stay home with their children, and he wants to do it with money Congress appropriated to help low-income families afford day care. Whatever one thinks of the goal, which may prove popular, the proposal f...

Odessa American (oaoa.com)Sep 14, 2026

News

Longtime AP Rome bureau chief Victor Simpson, who covered 5 popes, dies at 84

ROME (AP) — Victor L. Simpson, the longtime Rome bureau chief for The Associated Press whose four decades as a foreign correspondent spanned five popes, wars and violence that touched him personally, has died. He was 84. Simpson died of cancer Sunday at his home in Rome, his chil...

Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)Sep 14, 2026