Trooper cited for resisting arrest in Lake Ozark

KMIZ on August 11, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper was cited by Lake Ozark police for resisting arrest on July 11.

Travis Michael Wood, of Kirksville, was cited at 12:45 a.m. July 11 in the 1300 block of Bagnell Dam Boulevard. He has an initial court appearance scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17 at the Miller County Courthouse.

MSHP spokesman Justin Dunn confirmed that Wood is assigned to Troop B, which covers much of northern and northeast Missouri. Wood remains on duty.

A previous press release from MSHP shows that Wood graduated from the patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on June 24, 2022, and began working on July 11, 2022.  That release said he was assigned to Adair and Schuyler counties.

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“Put Faith in Us, because the county didn’t”: residents confront Oracle Threat at Two-Hour listening session

KVIA on August 11, 2026

Mia Tricarico

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — New Mexico Senators are hosting a legislative listening session to address Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County on Tuesday. Residents can listen and ask questions about air permits, water usage, job opportunities and economic development related to the planned data center.

County residents can attend the hearing at the New Mexico State University Corbett Center Student Union in the third floor ballroom from 6-8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

State Senators Carries Hamblen, Joseph Cervantes, Bill Soules and Jeff Steinborn will attend and hear public feedback.

Residents have previously expressed their opposition against the data center planned for Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Oracle, one of the data center’s leaders, said it will bring $4.7 billion in economic benefits and thousands of jobs during and after construction.

Also on Tuesday, Oracle announced a new water-saving initiative to make up for Project Jupiter’s water use.

Tuesday’s listening session gives residents a direct platform to present their concerns and ask lawmakers how state oversight might factor into the project moving forward.

“It was the most concerning for me when there was a requirement to sign an NDA by the county.”

That was the exact moment when District 38 Senator Carrie Hamblen was confident that Project Jupiter was a bad idea.

” I can see why the county looked at this project is like something that would fix a lot of things that they are struggling to try and repair. But when the NDA came into play is when I started having red flags, because it was just when you are signing an NDA, it’s because you don’t want information out there.”

The Senators fielded questions for over two hours from concerned residents who voiced anxieties over the burdens future generations might face, including soaring utility bills, limited local job opportunities, environmental degradation, and a persistent lack of transparency surrounding the project.

Responding with empathy and shared concern, the Senators shifted focus toward the scale of the developer’s outreach. They asked the audience how many had seen social media sponsorships or advertisements for Project Jupiter.

Hands shot up across the room.

When they followed up by asking how many had encountered campaign workers stationed outside local grocery stores, virtually every hand in the room rose once again.

The Senators warned that Project Jupiter is deploying a highly coordinated, “strategic campaign,” adding a stark caution: representatives from Oracle were likely monitoring the event and sitting among the crowd in the conference room.

“Honestly I want to put the most faith in the Senators, I know i just have to put all my faith and hope in them, that they do something, and they at least listen to our voice, because obviously the County didn’t.” Said Iliana Perez Doña Ana County Resident.

Senator Carrie Hamblen pointed out a broader pattern in technology developments, arguing that companies specifically target vulnerable areas.

“What we see with data centers is that they go into communities that they feel have very few resources, so that they can exploit them.” Said Hamblen.

When asked by ABC-7 how she felt about standing up to tech giants like Oracle, Hamblen remained steadfast.

“I don’t care what they think. No, this is this is the community that I’ve lived in for over 30 years. There are people who are genuinely good people, who have had families there for generations who care about that and want to stay there. And when they have the threat of a data center coming in and destroying their environment, they have every right to make sure that their voice is heard and that we act on it as state legislators.”

Due to time constraints, some attendees were unable to address the panel directly. The Senators encouraged anyone with remaining questions to scan the QR code on the event cards to submit their name, email, and comments for official review.

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Woman charged with 2 felonies in June Jefferson City hit-and-run

KMIZ on August 11, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors after authorities claim she drove a vehicle that was caught on camera while hitting two men during a June 29 hit-and-run incident.

Tracy Fairfax, 43, of Jefferson City, was charged on Tuesday with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, failure to register a vehicle and not having car insurance. She posted a $5,000 bond on June 30.

Previous reporting shows a Lincoln SUV hit two men at the intersection of Idlewood Drive and Route C in Jefferson City. Jesus Contreras, 32, and Roberto Gutierrez, 26, were injured in the crash, according to a June 30 crash report from Jefferson City police.

Police found Fairfax’s vehicle in the 3200 block of Missouri Boulevard on June 30. Fairfax first denied being involved in a crash before admitted that she was in a crash, but did not see the pedestrians crossing the road, the probable cause statement says.

One of the men who were hit allegedly held an F2 locator when they were hit, the statement says. Their employer allegedly told police the item no longer works and costs about $25,000.

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1974 homicide victim identified after more than 50 years

KESQ on August 11, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Riverside County investigators have identified a woman whose partially buried body was found in the Desert Hot Springs desert in 1974, more than 50 years after her death.

The victim was identified as 19-year-old Rebecca Jean McMahan, also known as Becky McMahan and Becky Solis. McMahan was reported missing by her family on July 3, 1973, after she was last seen June 11 in Bell Gardens. She had told family she planned to travel to Palm Springs for vacation.

Despite years of efforts, including fingerprint and dental-record comparisons, investigators were unable to identify her.

The case was reopened in 2024 by the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team. Investigators used forensic genetic genealogy, with DNA testing conducted by Othram Labs, to develop a profile from bone samples collected by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

A genealogist identified a potential close relative in California. DNA testing of that relative, along with confirmation from the California Department of Justice, ultimately identified the victim as McMahan.

McMahan was described as a white female with long brown hair and hazel eyes. She was about 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-4 and weighed between 120 and 145 pounds. She had an “SS” tattoo on her ankle and a butterfly tattoo on the right side of her chest.

Investigators are now seeking information about McMahan and the circumstances surrounding her death. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Ebony Caviness at 951-955-0257 or by email at coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.

The Regional Cold Case Homicide Team includes investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner Department and Riverside Police Department.

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‘It is truly about trust:’ EPISD votes unanimously to postpone bond election to May 2027

KVIA on August 11, 2026

Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to postpone voting on $480 million of bond propositions for infrastructure improvements to its campuses, to the May 2027 special election.

According to the EPISD’s Citizens’ Bond Steering Committee, who is overseeing the bonds, they argued Tuesday that the public has simply “lost trust” in EPISD, noting the district’s financial exigency in June as a primary reason for doubt.

However, there is still great faith among the committee, that trust will be regained from the public and the much needed funding will be provided to schools district-wide.

“We cannot honestly go to a November election knowing that it would cost $200 to $300,000 of our taxpayer dollars to put that on the bond, knowing that the data shows that the voter sentiment isn’t there,” said Georgina Williams, the committe’s chair following Tuesday’s meeting.

According to EPISD, these propositions would be focused on bringing updated cooling systems and other improvements.

The district said officials plan to present three bond options to the board. They range from about $208 million to around $481 million. Documents show that each presentation has four propositions.

According to an EPISD presentation, the first option totals $208,937,257. This option is the cheapest, with the money going toward transportation, safety, replacing cooling and others.

Option two totals $445,804,136. The majority of this option would go to deferred maintenance and replacing cooling, documents said.

The third option totals $480,804,136. This is the only option with a tax rate increase, which is 0.01, documents said. It includes money for cooling, portable classrooms, transportation, playground and other amenities.

If approved, the proposals could start the process for the district to further address its needs and improvements.

Tuesday’s meeting comes less than a week after the board appointed two temporary trustees for Districts 6 and 7: Matthew Reza and Brian Kelly. The two districts represent much of Northwest El Paso and the Upper Valley.

The special election is scheduled for May 1, 2027.

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✨ Houston Style Magazine is proud to serve as a 2026 Media Sponsor of the Houston Area Urban League’s Equal Opportunity Day Gala!

CNN Newsource on August 11, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    August 11, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — We are especially proud to celebrate H-E-B, the Title Sponsor of this year’s gala and a valued 26-year weekly stakeholder and supporter of Houston Style Magazine.

For more than a quarter-century, H-E-B has stood alongside Houston Style Magazine as we have worked to inform, connect and serve Houston’s diverse communities. That same commitment to community investment continues through H-E-B’s support of the Houston Area Urban Leagueand its mission to advance economic mobility, expand opportunity and build stronger futures for Houstonians.

Houston Style Magazine is honored to amplify a celebration that brings together longtime community partners committed to opportunity, leadership and lasting impact.

#HoustonStyleMagazine #HAUL #HoustonAreaUrbanLeague #HEB #EqualOpportunityDayGala #HoustonCommunity #EconomicMobility #CommunityPartners #HoustonStyle

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Case dismissed for man arrested outside Trump rally with gun in Coachella in 2024

KESQ on August 11, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

The misdemeanor case against Vem Miller, who was arrested outside a Donald Trump rally in Coachella in October 2024 after authorities said he was carrying a loaded firearm without a permit, has been dismissed following the successful completion of his diversion requirements.

The charges against Miller were dropped after completing a six-month misdemeanor diversion program.

As a result, the case was dismissed. The Riverside County District Attorney’s office also explained that when a case is dismissed after misdemeanor diversion, it is generally sealed, which is why the court system now shows “access denied” when attempting to view the case.

Miller was arrested in October 2024 outside the Trump rally in Coachella. The incident drew national attention after authorities said he was found with a loaded firearm and was taken into custody before the event.

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2026 Fort Bend Infrastructure Conference: Building the Roads, Water, Power and Partnerships for Tomorrow

CNN Newsource on August 11, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    August 11, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Fort Bend County is growing, and anyone who has spent five minutes on its roads already knows the unofficial slogan: progress comes with traffic. But behind every new subdivision, business park, school, medical facility and corporate investment is a much bigger question—can the infrastructure keep up?

That question will take center stage Friday, September 18, 2026, when the Fort Bend Regional Partnership, in collaboration with the Central Fort Bend Chamber, hosts the 2026 Fort Bend Infrastructure Conference, presented by BGE, Inc., at Safari Texas Ranch, 11627 FM 1464 in Richmond. The official conference schedule runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., bringing together business leaders, public officials, engineers, developers, utility professionals and community stakeholders for a forward-looking conversation about how Fort Bend grows—and how it grows wisely.

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For Houston Style Magazine readers, this is more than an engineer-only gathering. Infrastructure determines how long families spend commuting, where businesses invest, whether neighborhoods have dependable water, how communities prepare for future development and whether economic opportunity can continue spreading throughout Fort Bend County.

The conference agenda tackles those realities head-on.

“Infrastructure in Motion: Transportation & Mobility” will examine current and future transportation projects designed to improve connectivity across Fort Bend. “The Framework of Development: MUDs & Property Tax” turns the spotlight on municipal utility districts, development financing and the complicated—but essential—mechanics behind responsible community growth.

Then there is water. “Water Under Pressure: Keeping Up with Growth” will bring industry and municipal voices together to explore the challenge of serving a rapidly expanding population while protecting long-term water reliability.

And because tomorrow’s economy increasingly runs on servers as much as highways, “Data Center Power: Myths, Facts and the Fine Print”will examine energy demands, infrastructure realities and the economic-development opportunities surrounding data centers.

Perhaps the day’s most future-facing conversation will come from keynote speaker Doug Robison, Founder and Executive Chairman of Natura Resources. Robison has helped push advanced molten-salt nuclear technology toward commercial deployment, including work connected to Abilene Christian University’s NEXT Lab. Natura announced in July that Jordan Robison became CEO while Doug Robison continues as executive chairman and chairman of the board—a transition keeping the company’s founder focused on long-range strategy and deployment.

His keynote arrives as Texas confronts a straightforward equation: more people, more businesses and more technology mean greater demand for reliable energy. Advanced nuclear technology is increasingly part of that conversation, alongside questions about water, grid resilience and the enormous electricity requirements of emerging industries. ACU and Natura’s work includes development of advanced molten-salt reactor technology with potential applications in energy production and water treatment.

The conference also offers something no infrastructure blueprint can replace – relationships. Breakfast, networking, exhibitor visits and panel discussions will give attendees opportunities to connect directly with many of the people planning, financing, designing and building Fort Bend’s next chapter.

Individual registration is $125. Corporate begin at $1,500 and include a reserved luncheon table for eight, eight conference registrations, exhibitor space and marketing recognition. Exhibitor booths are available for $500.

BGE, Inc. serves as Title Sponsor, with Kinetic as Breakfast Sponsor. Corporate supporters include Aguirre & Fields, CivilCorp | ESP Associates, DCCM, HNTB Corporation, Huitt-Zollars, Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, Landtech, Pape-Dawson, TDECU, Terracon, Schaumburg & Polk, Vogler & Spencer Engineering and WSB. BGE and Kinetic are also confirmed on the official event listing.

Fort Bend’s growth story is impressive. The next challenge is ensuring its roads, water, energy systems and public infrastructure are every bit as ambitious.

On September 18, some of the region’s builders and decision-makers will gather to tackle the question that matters most: What do we build today so Fort Bend works even better tomorrow?

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REGISTER & EVENT DETAILS: 2026 Fort Bend Infrastructure Conference:business.fortbendregionalpartnership.com/events/Details/2026-fort-bend-infrastructure-conference-1737527 For sponsorship information, contact Rebekah Beltran at rebekah@fbrp.org or 281-566-2158.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Rep. Talarico Reaches Out to Harris County Hispanic Voters

CNN Newsource on August 11, 2026

By Burt Levine

Click here for updates on this story

    August 11, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — PASADENA, Texas — In a Texas U.S. Senate race already drawing national attention, State Rep. James Talarico brought his campaign to Pasadena Sunday with a message built around affordability, working families and political participation — and he delivered it in one of the most heavily Hispanic communities in the Houston region. Talarico, the Democratic nominee, addressed a packed San Jacinto College auditorium on August 9, 2026.

The setting was no political accident. Pasadena is 70.9% Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, while Harris County is 46.1% Hispanic or Latino. For any statewide candidate hoping to build a winning coalition in Texas, those communities are not a side conversation; they are central to the conversation.

Talarico framed his recently announced “New American Dream” economic agenda around the pressures Texans feel at grocery stores, pharmacies, childcare centers and the housing market.

“The American dream has become an American nightmare,” Talarico told the crowd, arguing that too many families are working hard while finding the basic milestones of middle-class life increasingly out of reach.

His prescriptions were unmistakably populist: raise the minimum wage, shift tax relief toward middle-class families and small businesses, strengthen labor unions, address medical debt and cap credit-card interest rates. He repeatedly linked those issues to a broader argument about who government should serve.

That message will be tested vigorously before November. Republican nominee Ken Paxton, who defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May runoff, has been campaigning on a sharply different economic vision centered on lower taxes. During a recent Houston campaign swing, Paxton criticized Talarico’s record on tax-related constitutional amendments. Houston Public Media noted that Talarico did not vote to create a state income tax or estate tax – but did oppose amendments that would permanently prohibit such taxes.

That contrast is democracy doing its work: competing visions, competing records and, ultimately, voters deciding which direction Texas should take.

Before arriving in Pasadena, Talarico also visited the Canal Street memorial for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was killed July 7, 2026 by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation in Magnolia Park. The case has shaken Houston’s East End and prompted continuing calls for transparency and accountability from Araujo’s family, residents and elected officials.

photo Council Member Joaquin Martinez and James Talarico

State Sen. Carol Alvarado and Houston City Council Member Joaquin Martinez, both deeply rooted in East End communities, welcomed Talarico’s outreach. Alvarado said his emphasis on public schools and working people is resonating in communities that want leaders to show up, listen and fight for their priorities. Martinez likewise emphasized representation, arguing that every Houston neighborhood deserves a meaningful voice in decisions shaping Texas and the nation.

For voters, that may be the larger takeaway from Pasadena. Campaign rallies come with applause, signs and speeches — democracy comes with homework. It asks citizens to compare the claims, study the records, challenge the candidates and then cast a ballot.

And the calendar matters. Texas’ voter-registration deadline is Monday, October 5. Early voting begins Monday, October 19, and runs through Friday, October 30. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Houston Style Magazine readers, whether voters arrive energized by Talarico, Paxton or another candidate on the ballot, the hopeful truth remains the same: communities gain political power when they participate.

In Pasadena, the campaign message was aimed at Hispanic voters. In November, the final message belongs to them — and to every Texan with a ballot.

For more James Talarico information, go to: jamestalarico.com For more voter Information, go to: harrisvotes.com

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church to Host Crucial Conversation on Faith, Political Power, and Democracy

CNN Newsource on August 11, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    August 11, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — HOUSTON, TX — In a city where faith has long fueled movements for justice, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is preparing Houston for a conversation that could not be more timely. Documentary screening and national panel will examine White Christian nationalism and the political use of faith.

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church’s Social Justice Ministry will present “Hijacked Faith: Power, Politics, and the Church,” the latest installment of its Crucial Conversations series at 3826 Wheeler Avenue in Houston’s historic Third Ward.

The morning begins with a screening of the documentary Bad Faith, which examines the rise of Christian nationalism and its intersection with American politics, religious institutions and democracy. The filmmakers describe the documentary as an exploration of Christian nationalism’s growing influence in American political life.

Then comes the conversation.

Wheeler Avenue has assembled a heavyweight national panel featuring Dr. Michael O. Emerson; Dr. Frederick D. “Freddie” Haynes III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church; Bishop Leah D. Daughtry, co-founder of Black Church PAC; political communications strategist Ashley Etienne; and Dr. Cleve Tinsley IV of Imaginior Equity Group.

With the November midterm elections approaching, the gathering raises a distinctly American question: How can faith inform civic life without being hijacked by political power?

That distinction matters. Democracy does not ask people of faith to leave their convictions at the church door. It depends on citizens bringing their values into the public square while respecting the constitutional rights, voices and votes of their neighbors.

In Houston, where churches have historically helped register voters, organize communities and champion civil rights, Wheeler Avenue is creating space not simply for agreement—but discernment.

The church puts the challenge plainly: “Faith should guide our politics—not be manipulated by it.”

The event is free and open to the public, with advance registration encouraged.

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REGISTER: wheelerbc.org/events/hijacked-faith-power-politics-and-the-church

DIRECT REGISTRATION: brushfire.com/wheeleravenuebaptistchurch/hijackedfaith/636020

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446