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Texas DPS to Continue Extensive Surveillance Network Despite Governor's Order Limiting Flock Cameras

Texas DPS to Continue Extensive Surveillance Network Despite Governor's Order Limiting Flock Cameras

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) plans to continue operating its extensive network of AI-powered surveillance cameras, known as Flock cameras, despite Governor Greg Abbott's order blocking state agencies from spending money on these devices. While DPS will pause the installation of new cameras, it will maintain its existing network, which includes at least 940 cameras. This network compiles identifying information on tens of thousands of vehicles daily. A Texas Tribune review of June searches revealed that DPS's network is accessed by law enforcement agencies across the U.S. approximately every four seconds. Of the 615,000 searches, 48% originated from outside Texas, and 3,075 agencies, including 2,679 from out-of-state, conducted queries. Following inquiries from the Tribune, DPS announced it would limit access to its automated license plate reader (ALPR) data to only those law enforcement agencies with signed agreements, a change from previous access for specific license plate lookups by non-a...
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Texas Lawmakers Consider Bill to Combat Fraudulent Digital Mexican CDLs in Intrastate Freight

Texas Lawmakers Consider Bill to Combat Fraudulent Digital Mexican CDLs in Intrastate Freight

Texas state police are urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would prohibit the use of Mexican and Canadian commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for intrastate freight transportation within Texas. This push comes amid concerns that some drivers are fraudulently obtaining digital Mexican CDLs, which are then used to operate commercial vehicles within the state without proper training or verification of skills. According to testimony from DPS Major Omar Villareal, these fraudulent licenses exploit provisions originally intended for cross-border commerce under agreements like NAFTA and USMCA. Since Mexico transitioned to exclusively digital Licencias Federales de Conductor (LFCs) in 2021, there has been a reported surge in fraudulently issued licenses by corrupt Mexican officials. These LFCs are allegedly being used by drivers, including foreign nationals and even U.S. citizens who lost their CDL privileges, to work for U.S. carriers and engage in illegal cabotage, undercutting American labor and posing si...
USA Today USA Today
Trump approves FEMA aid for 19 Texas counties hit by July floods

Trump approves FEMA aid for 19 Texas counties hit by July floods

President Trump has approved federal aid for 19 Texas counties following July 2026 floods and severe weather. Here's what you need to know.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott Defends Data Center Moratorium Amid AI Concerns

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Defends Data Center Moratorium Amid AI Concerns

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) recently defended the state's moratorium on new data centers during an appearance on Fox Business Network's 'Varney & Co.' Governor Abbott outlined strict guidelines and guardrails that all data centers must adhere to in Texas. These regulations include prohibitions against consuming water needed by local communities, drawing electricity essential for the power grid, and disturbing residential or rural areas. He emphasized that data centers must operate in a manner that reduces electricity costs for surrounding customers. When questioned by host Stuart Varney about the potential for Texas to fall behind China in artificial intelligence (AI) due to this moratorium, Governor Abbott stated that this is an 'American issue,' not solely a Texas one. He highlighted a specific instance where a data center planned near a lake in East Texas would have obstructed residents' views and interfered with their way of life, underscoring the importance of local community buy-in for such projec...
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Texas Sues Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles and Nonprofit for $787,872 in Disallowed Expenses

Texas Sues Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles and Nonprofit for $787,872 in Disallowed Expenses

The state of Texas has filed a lawsuit against Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles and his nonprofit organization, Purpose Driven Ministries, seeking $787,872.77 in 'disallowed expenses.' The lawsuit, filed by the Texas Department of Agriculture on August 6 in State District Court in Travis County, pertains to a school lunch program operated by the nonprofit. The state is demanding the return of these expenses, along with interest, attorney fees, and investigative and court costs. According to an exhibit filed with the lawsuit, the Agriculture Department had previously terminated Purpose Driven Ministries' contract and disqualified the nonprofit, Nettles, and two other individuals from future participation in the program. Councilman Nettles stated he had seen social media coverage of the lawsuit but had not yet been privy to its details and did not wish to discuss it further at this time.
Reuters Reuters
Latino voter backlash puts Texas governor's race on Democrats' midterm map

Latino voter backlash puts Texas governor's race on Democrats' midterm map

BEEVILLE, Texas, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The makeup and toys on Valencia Macias' table are items people buy on impulse at discount stores. But on a sweltering summer day in South Texas, she is trying to sell them to turn them into gas money, grocery money, student loan money: any kind of money.
Wilmington Star-News Wilmington Star-News
New Hanover sheriff responds to Flock data sharing questions

New Hanover sheriff responds to Flock data sharing questions

Sheriff Ed McMahon has responded to questions after the StarNews reported that his office accounts for only 3.9% of searches on local Flock cameras.
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Dallas City Council Rejects Proposal to Defund Flock Camera System

Dallas City Council Rejects Proposal to Defund Flock Camera System

The Dallas City Council has voted against a budget amendment that sought to eliminate $1.5 million in funding for the Dallas Police Department's (DPD) Flock camera system. This decision comes shortly after DPD announced that 321 of its 684 Flock cameras would be deactivated by September 15 due to a State of Texas directive regarding grant funding eligibility. Council member Adam Bazaldua proposed the amendment, which would have effectively ended the program. However, the majority of the council strongly opposed the measure, arguing that the Flock cameras are instrumental in improving police efficiency and solving crimes. Only Mayor Pro Tem Jaime Resendez, council member Paula Blackmon, and Bazaldua supported the proposed defunding.
USA Today USA Today
Texas senator calls Flock cameras 'warrantless mass surveillance'

Texas senator calls Flock cameras 'warrantless mass surveillance'

Texas state Sen. Kolkhorst wants to put "constitutional rein"' on Flock cameras and warns of possible ban, as cities moves to cut ties with them.
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Customer Shoots and Kills Suspect During Attempted Bank Robbery in Cedar Hill, Texas

Customer Shoots and Kills Suspect During Attempted Bank Robbery in Cedar Hill, Texas

An attempted bank robbery in Cedar Hill, Texas, ended with a customer shooting and killing the armed suspect. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at a Chase Bank located off Highway 67. According to Cedar Hill police, a suspect entered the bank brandishing a knife and demanding money from employees. During the robbery attempt, a customer inside the bank drew a weapon and fired at the suspect. The wounded suspect fled the bank but was located nearby by responding officers. Despite life-saving measures initiated by police, including CPR, the suspect was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The customer who discharged the weapon remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Due to the nature of the crime, the FBI is assisting local authorities in the investigation.
Reuters Reuters
Texas Republicans turn against data centers, putting big tech on notice

Texas Republicans turn against data centers, putting big tech on notice

By Helen Coster and Dawn Kopecki NEW YORK, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Less than a year ago, Texas Governor Greg Abbott hailed Texas as the "epicenter of AI development." Now, in his bid for re-election, he is calling for sweeping new restrictions on data centers. And he’s hardly alone.
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Customer Shoots, Kills Suspect During Attempted Bank Robbery in Cedar Hill, Texas

Customer Shoots, Kills Suspect During Attempted Bank Robbery in Cedar Hill, Texas

An attempted bank robbery in Cedar Hill, Texas, concluded with a customer shooting and killing the suspect. The incident occurred just after 9 a.m. at a Chase Bank located off Highway 67. According to Cedar Hill police, a suspect entered the bank, brandished a knife, and demanded money from employees. During the robbery attempt, a customer inside the bank drew a weapon and shot the suspect. The wounded suspect fled the building but was located nearby by responding officers. Police initiated life-saving measures, including CPR, and transported the suspect to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. The customer who discharged the weapon remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit are collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Due to bank robbery being a federal crime, the FBI is also assisting in the investigation. The bank remained closed for the rest of the day, and the suspect's identity has not yet b...