SUMMARY: K9 Officer Rocky was shot twice while apprehending a suspect involved in the death of Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was killed while serving a warrant. After the shooting, Rocky was rushed to a hospital where he is expected to recover. Surveillance footage captured the chaos as Rocky was injured and officers carried him to safety. Witnesses expressed shock at the violence occurring so close to their workplaces. Law enforcement tracked the suspect to a dumpster, where the confrontation escalated, resulting in gunfire. A press conference is scheduled to provide updates on Rocky’s condition and the ongoing investigation.

KHOU 11 obtained new surveillance video from the moments K-9 Rocky was shot after alerting officers that the deputy’s killer was hiding in a dumpster on Stella Link.

Source

SUMMARY: During the 89th Texas legislative session, lawmakers will review several transportation-related bills. Key proposals include House Bill 1564, capping train lengths at 8,500 feet, and House Bill 483, advocating for high-speed rail linking Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. In contrast, House Bill 1402 seeks to prohibit state funding for high-speed rail projects. Also proposed are amendments to the State Highway Fund to support transit-oriented projects and clarify funding usage for highway and transit projects through House Bills 58 and 542. Additionally, House Bill 663 aims to limit eminent domain for high-speed rail operations. All measures would take effect in 2025 or 2027.

Read the full article

The post High-speed rail, transit funds among Texas Legislature bill filings this session appeared first on www.kxan.com

SUMMARY: Two law enforcement officers from the Houston area were killed in the line of duty on Wednesday, highlighting Texas’s troubling trend in officer fatalities. Brazoria County sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas was shot while serving a warrant, leading to a manhunt where he was killed by police after he fired at officers. Vargas, a dedicated public servant for 17 years, was remembered for his integrity and community impact. Nearby, Navasota Police Sergeant Mark Butler died in a head-on collision while pursuing a suspect. Texas reported the highest number of officer deaths in 2023, reflecting growing risks faced by law enforcement.

Read the full article

The post Two Houston area officers killed as Texas leads US in officer deaths | Texas appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com