Bethany Blankley

2 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Bethany Blankley

(The Center Square) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed a major education funding bill into law allocating a record $8.5 billion for public schools and $4 billion for teacher and staff pay raises.

2 days ago | kdhnews.com | Bethany Blankley

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) - U.S. attorneys across the country are playing a key role in the Trump administration's targeting of cartel-connected crime. In a case spanning several states, a Utah father and son were charged with conspiring to materially support a Mexican cartel and foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by engaging in oil theft in south Texas. The charges also include conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling charges.

3 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Bethany Blankley

(The Center Square) – U.S. attorneys across the country are playing a key role in the Trump administration’s targeting of cartel-connected crime. In a case spanning several states, a Utah father and son were charged with conspiring to materially support a Mexican cartel and foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by engaging in oil theft in south Texas. The charges also include conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling charges.

3 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Bethany Blankley

(The Center Square) – Two men living in the Texas border town of Edinburg have been sentenced for their role in straw purchasing firearms related to a scheme involving running guns to Mexico. Referred to as “don’t lie for the other guy,” a straw arm purchase prohibits the transfer of a firearm to someone who is legally prevented from owning one. Edinburg residents Mario Elier Leal, 22, and Rodolfo Benitez-Garza, 24, pleaded guilty in 2024 and received sentences announced on Tuesday.

3 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Bethany Blankley

(The Center Square) – After signing bail reform legislation into law two years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday again signed another bail reform package into law, this time saying it’s “the strongest bail reform package in Texas history.”After the first reform package was enacted, crime increased and judges in Democratic cities like Houston continues to release repeat violent offenders onto the streets.