Victoria Advocate

1 day ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Lawrence Dow

After a tumultuous season, Dallas Mavericks fans got something to smile about on Monday when the franchise won the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time in franchise history. The Mavs won the lottery despite having only a minuscule 1.8% and have earned the No. 1 pick for only the second time in team history. What do pundits believe the Mavs’ options are if they trade or keep the pick?

2 days ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Nolan McKendry

(The Center Square) − Many U.S. farmers seem prepared to endure short-term trade challenges for the prospect of long-term benefits, particularly in dealings with China. Perhaps none are more prepared for that trade than shrimpers. The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, showed an 8-point rise in April to a reading of 148, suggesting growing optimism among farmers, even as they remain concerned about the effects of ongoing trade disputes and tariffs on the agricultural sector.

2 days ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Brian Womack

Texas stores are bracing for tariff costs — and shoppers could bear the price increases. Nearly three in four retailers and wholesalers expect higher tariffs to deliver a negative effect this year, according to a survey at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Of those respondents, more than 75% expect to pass on those costs to consumers. The report is another signal of the increasing concerns that new fees on global trade pose for stores and their shoppers.

2 days ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Brianna Brown

(KTEN) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has vetoed two bills on public safety and penalties for both DUIs and drive-by shootings. Senate Bill 54 would have elevated an aggravated conviction of driving under the influence from a misdemeanor to a felony charge. Currently, an aggravated DUI is a misdemeanor when a driver's blood alcohol content is found to be 0.15 or higher.

2 days ago | victoriaadvocate.com | James Munoz

Nearly 10 million pets go missing in the U.S. every year — and many of them never make it back home. But Victoria is taking action. Victoria County Animal Services is one of just 25 shelters nationwide selected to participate in Network Neighbors, a new pilot project led by Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters.