Wayne Larson on WTAW

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. is making some Texas beaches more accessible. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) Coastal Management Program (CMP) is purchasing mobility mats and beach wheelchairs in 2026 for local governments to help make Texas beaches easier for all to enjoy. “As Land Commissioner and a Texan who spent more than a decade living on the coast, it’s an honor to ensure people of all abilities have access to our beautiful beaches,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “A big thank you to the GLO’s Coastal Management Program (CMP). With their help, I am proud to be able to purchase mobility mats and beach wheelchairs for communities in need so that our coastline remains welcoming and enjoyable for all.” To assess individual needs, the GLO’s CMP reached out to each eligible local government. The GLO will provide new ADA compliant mobility mats and chairs to the following coastal communities: Galveston Park Board of Trustees – three beach wheelchairs City of Galveston – one beach wheelchair City of South Padre Island – two beach wheelchairs and four 50-foot mobility mats Cameron County Parks and Recreation, two 50-foot mobility mats By providing local governments with these mobility items, the GLO aims to help these communities comply with the newly amended Texas Administrative Code requirements for Americans with Disabilities Act access. If you would like to learn more about beach accessibility measures, visit: Texas Beach Accessibility Guide The GLO’s CMP is also providing signage to coastal communities to protect dunes and dune vegetation and to direct beach goers to appropriate parking spaces and beach access exit points. These signs will make the beach going experience safer for all and help preserve the ecologically important coastal dune system. Signage will be received by the following communities: Matagorda County Brazoria County Galveston Park Board of Trustees City of Galveston City of Corpus Christi Cameron County Parks and Recreation Village of Surfside Beach Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

(AUSTIN, TX) – Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (“BCBSTX”), its parent company, Health Care Service Corporation (“HCSC”), and their related business entities. This investigation is based on BCBSTX’s procedures for denying and delaying urgent and medically necessary care and its potentially burdensome prior authorization requirements.   Reports received by the OAG indicate that BCBSTX may have denied or delayed coverage for procedures deemed medically necessary or urgent. One case reported to the OAG involved a newborn baby in need of urgent medical treatment. Although the procedure was allegedly covered under the applicable health plan, administrative denials and potentially improper utilization review procedures delayed approval of a transfer to a facility capable of providing the care the newborn needed.   In many cases, BCBSTX allegedly delayed granting approval for medically urgent treatment. These delays may have postponed medically necessary treatment and potentially caused consumer harm. Such delays can worsen a patient’s condition, increase the risk of complications, allow disease progression, cause disability or death, and increase administrative costs.   “Blue Cross Blue Shield has a responsibility to put patients before profits and ensure that Texans receive the care they need,” said Attorney General Paxton. “When a newborn baby or any other Texan urgently needs medical treatment, an insurance company’s priority should be helping provide that care to the best of its ability—not searching for ways to delay or deny it. I will wage a relentless legal battle against any insurance company that fails to protect health and safety of Texans.”   The investigation will focus on representations made by BCBSTX regarding its approval and denial of medically necessary claims. Attorney General Paxton will determine whether claims are denied without adequate review or whether the company engages in any other unlawful practices. As part of the investigation, Attorney General Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) to obtain information and determine whether BCBSTX, HCSC, or related entities violated Texas law, including the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (“DTPA”). Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

(AUSTIN, TX) – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statewide disaster proclamation to allow expanded use of dyed diesel on Texas roads. The proclamation also raises the allowable weight for fuel, agricultural, and timber loads, and suspends Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) rules to the extent the EPA authorizes. The Governor also requested that the EPA waive federal ultra-low sulfur diesel requirements.  “Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” said Governor Abbott. “Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family. Farmers and truckers can now use dyed diesel on Texas roads, and fuel, crop, and timber loads can move at a higher weight. These steps cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store.” Dyed diesel is off-road fuel marked red, typically used in agricultural operations, and sold without a motor-fuels tax. Because it is untaxed, state law ordinarily bars its use on public roadways. The Governor’s proclamation suspends state restrictions and associated penalties so operators can use such fuel on Texas roads. It does not waive the underlying fuel tax. The proclamation also suspends state oversize and overweight permitting requirements for vehicles loaded with fuel, agricultural, or timber products and allows those loads at a gross weight of up to 95,000 pounds. Governor Abbott asked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for a temporary Clean Air Act waiver of federal ultra-low sulfur diesel rules and the TxLED rules that apply in 110 Texas counties. Those standards limit which diesel can be sold, and a waiver would allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.