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Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes West Texas

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feeds.texastribune.org – By Pavan Acharya – 2025-02-15 13:58:00

Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state

By Pavan Acharya, The Texas Tribune

“Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded in West Texas late Friday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and could be felt by residents more than 150 miles away in El Paso.

The earthquake struck near the border of Culberson and Reeves counties at 11:23 p.m. CST with an epicenter about 33 miles northwest of Toyah, Texas. Three smaller aftershocks also occurred within minutes of the first quake. There have been no immediate reported deaths or injuries associated with the quakes. And economic losses are expected to be minimal.

According to the geological survey, shaking in neighboring cities ranged from “weak” to “light” with about 950,000 being exposed to the quake. The earthquake was also felt by Texans as far west as El Paso and in some cities in eastern New Mexico.

About 20 minutes after the initial earthquake, the National Weather Service El Paso posted to X, asking residents if they had felt the earthquake and a subsequent aftershock.

Friday’s earthquake is tied for the sixth strongest in Texas history, according to the website Earthquake Track. Texas has also experienced two magnitude 5.1 earthquakes in the past six months, both tying for the fifth strongest in state history.

The number and strength of earthquakes in West Texas has grown in recent years. In November 2023, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck near the borders of Reeves and Culberson counties, tied for fourth strongest in Texas history.

Scientists have attributed higher earthquake activity in the Permian Basin in West Texas to an increase in hydraulic fracturing — also known as fracking — in the area, which is the most productive oil and gas region in the state. When water is injected into the ground for fracking, fluid pressures increase within faults, scientists say, which can lead to more seismic activity in oil fields.

Since 2000, a dramatic increase in seismic activity in the Permian Basin has likely been triggered by increased wastewater disposal due to fracking, a 2021 study by USGS and University of Texas scientists found.

There are more than 20 deep injection wells in the Culberson County and Reeves County area, according to data from the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry. That figure is slightly lower than in 2022.

The decrease comes as the commission has made efforts to reduce seismic activity in West Texas. After the largest Texas earthquake in three decades struck near the border of Reeves and Culberson counties in November that year, commission staff also expanded the area where water injections could be restricted and asked companies to reduce how much water they inject underground in the area.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/15/texas-west-earthquake-magnitude/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

The post Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes West Texas appeared first on feeds.texastribune.org

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Austin’s license plate reader program gets extended | FOX 7 Austin

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March 27, 2025

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www.youtube.com – FOX 7 Austin – 2025-03-27 18:37:52

SUMMARY: Austin’s City Council has voted to extend its automated license plate reader pilot program, which has been operational for a year. The program, with 40 cameras across the city, has detected over 600,000 vehicles and led to more than 1,100 “hot list” hits in the past 30 days. These hits involve stolen cars, warrants, and criminal investigations. In the first nine months, the program resulted in 165 arrests and the recovery of 176 stolen vehicles. Council members expressed concerns over privacy and data sharing, but police assured no outside law enforcement agencies have requested data. A comprehensive review is scheduled for May.

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One year has passed since Austin launched its automated license plate reader pilot program. City Council voted 8-3 for a three month extension.

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Bullet hits Hosp elementary school in Frisco ISD

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March 27, 2025

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www.youtube.com – FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth – 2025-03-27 18:14:52

SUMMARY: Frisco Police confirmed that a bullet struck Hosp Elementary School, but the incident appears unintentional and fortunately resulted in no injuries. Students were released early as a precaution but will return tomorrow. The bullet damaged a window in the school, with the incident occurring before 10 a.m. Initially, Frisco ISD had the campus in secure mode but later decided to release students to their guardians due to the police presence. A student, Sasha Wyatt, described the secure mode experience as remaining in classrooms with doors closed. The damaged window has since been replaced, and police are investigating the incident.

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Frisco police now say it was a bullet that hit an elementary school building in Frisco, prompting district officials to release students early on Thursday.

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Disabled father of 5 stabbed to death at SW Houston office building

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March 27, 2025

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www.youtube.com – KPRC 2 Click2Houston – 2025-03-27 18:08:34

SUMMARY: Abdul Niazi, a 34-year-old disabled father of five, was found stabbed to death in his office in southwest Houston. His alleged killer, 37-year-old Masula Sahil, reportedly confessed to the crime during a phone call to Niazi’s wife. Family members describe Niazi as a loving father and a pillar in the Afghan community, having served in the Marine Corps and lost both legs while assisting U.S. military efforts. Niazi’s cousin, who discovered his body, expressed disbelief over the murder, highlighting the tragedy of losing a devoted family man. Sahil is now in custody, facing murder charges.

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Abdul Niazi, 34, was a husband and father to five children who was known as a “pillar” in the Houston Afghan community. Before coming to the United States, Niazi fought with the Afghan Marines alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He would end up losing his legs in battle and used a motorized wheelchair for the remainder of his life.

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