Speaker Changes at B/CS Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Briefing Luncheon

Texas to Receive Nearly $11 Million to Improve Crisis Intervention Programs

Unites States Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $10,973,066 in federal grant funding to the Governor’s Public Safety Office to support state and local crisis intervention programs, including the expansion of behavioral health crisis response initiatives and specialized court-based programs to address risk factors that lead to violence. Funding comes from the DOJ’s Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), which was authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that was signed into law on June 25, 2022. Cornyn says, “Evidence-backed crisis intervention and prevention programs reduce violence, enhance public safety, and improve outcomes for individuals facing mental health challenges,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Thanks to the law I co-authored, these resources will help train law enforcement in how to better respond to behavioral health crises and ensure drug, mental health, and veterans’ treatment courts continue to have the resources they need to serve Texans and save lives.”

HHSC Provides Investigation Results to Attorney General Ken Paxton

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has completed their investigation related to so-called “birth tourism.” Earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott’s asked the commission to look into reports that hospitals near the Texas-Mexico border were engaged in advertising targeting foreign nationals who want to secure American citizenship for their children. The Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, Texas, and Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas allegedly had billboards and websites including “havemybabyinTEXAS.com.” HHSC Chief Council Karen Ray says, “Texas healthcare providers that receive state or federal funding may be soliciting birth tourism in Texas. If true, this conduct is detrimental to the public interest and may violate both state and federal law.” In a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Ray adds, “I am referring this matter to your office for investigation and appropriate legal action.” HHSC says the two hospitals are affiliated with the Prime Healthcare Foundation out of Ontario, California.

Blinn College District Receives Texas Educational Theatre Association’s Award of Distinction

The Blinn College District has received the Texas Educational Theatre Association’s (TxETA) prestigious Award of Distinction, one of the highest honors given by the Association. Blinn is one of four TxETA Exemplary Higher Education Programs, recognizing outstanding contributions to raising standards for theatre education. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our students and theatre arts faculty to both excellence and creativity,” said Debbi Vavra, Dean of Arts, Kinesiology, and Agriculture. “We are proud to be recognized for the positive impact our Theatre Arts Program has on our college, our community, and theatre education across Texas.” Blinn will be among the schools honored Oct. 2 at TxETA’s annual TheatreFest conference in Galveston. “We applaud Blinn for its remarkable efforts in promoting theatre arts,” said Travis Springfield, TxETA past president. “Its program serves as a model of creativity, community, and educational excellence.” To earn an Award of Distinction, schools must annually submit a detailed application demonstrating their dedication to theatre. Points are awarded on a range of criteria, including: quality and quantity of theatrical performances, a robust play library and access to acting spaces, community and administrative support for theatre programs, student involvement in University Interscholastic League contests, participation in theatre design competitions, and theatre technology. The Award of Distinction is a tiered honor, with levels ranging from Recognized to Exemplary. More than 180 campuses, colleges, and school districts submitted applications to be recognized through the Awards of Distinction program. Blinn’s Theatre Arts Program cultivates a quality educational foundation of study, application, and experience through a wide range of performance, technical, and production studies. Its Associate of Arts degree plan integrates artistic, technical, and academic disciplines of theatre from the classroom to the stage. Students have an opportunity to audition for a variety of performances related to drama and theatre, and are prepared to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Courses and performance opportunities are offered at Blinn’s campuses in Brenham and Bryan. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/theatre.