Texas A&M Volleyball All-American and National Champion Kyndal Stowers Enjoys Star-Studded Evening as ESPY Awards Finalist

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit against Brenham based Blue Bell Creameries, Inc., on behalf of a man who they say was unlawfully terminated soon after he requested a beard‑related religious accommodation. The Jewish man was a body shop technician at Blue Bell’s production facility in Sylacauga, Alabama. The suit alleges that Blue Bell fired the employee in March 2025, less than a month after refusing to shave his beard because of his religious beliefs. Blue Bell claims the longtime employee was fired over a timekeeping violation, but the EEOC claims it was retaliation and religious discrimination. The lawsuit also claims a supervisor questioned the sincerity of the worker’s religious beliefs on multiple occasions. “Religious discrimination is illegal under federal law,” said Marsha Rucker, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District. “The EEOC will continue to firmly enforce federal protections for religious freedom.” The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination or retaliation based on religion. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Blue Bell Creameries, LLC, Case No. 1:26-cv-01694-GMB) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process. Acting EEOC Birmingham District Director Linda Sales-Long said, “Employees should never be penalized for seeking accommodation of their religious beliefs and practices. The EEOC remains steadfast in ensuring that workers’ religious beliefs are respected with the full dignity and protection guaranteed by Title VII.” About the EEOC: The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government’s employment antidiscrimination effort. 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.

College Station Police responded to a call at MidSouth Bank located at 1912 Texas Avenue South around 4:15pm on Friday for reports of a fraud in progress. 55-year-old Jose Ricardo Cordova, of Houston, attempted to withdraw $35,000 from the bank using another person’s identity. Arrest records say Cordova presented employees with the account information and a fake Louisiana driver’s license for the account holder, attempting to withdraw $35,000 from the account. Bank employees were suspicious and contacted the account holder. The account holder confirmed that he was not at the bank and had not authorized the $35,000 withdrawal. Cordova initially continued to identify himself as the person on the fictious license, but eventually admitted his real name. Cordova was charged with Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information and Failure to Identify as a Fugitive. He also had a warrant out of Harris County for Theft $2,500-$30,000. He remains jailed on $28,000 bond. 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.

A Tarleton State University rodeo athlete was killed during competition last week. Alejandra “Ale” Franco, a sophomore at Tarleton, was competing in breakaway roping Thursday night at a rodeo at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Witnesses say her horse went out of control and Franco fell. The Tarleton State Rodeo Team announced Franco’s death Friday on Instagram: “Alejandra tragically lost her life yesterday, leaving behind a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.” Officials have not released details about Franco’s injuries. Franco served as a Tarleton Transition Mentor, a student leadership role focused on helping incoming students adjust to university life. Mentors are upperclassmen selected through an application and interview process and trained for weeks to lead orientation and Duck Camp, the university’s three-day program for incoming students. Tarleton State President James Hurley described Franco said, “She touched so many lives through her friendly smile, leadership, kindness and the love she shared with those around her.” Hurley continued, “Her presence will be deeply missed, but the impact she made on her Texan family will never be forgotten.” Franco’s father, Alejandro Franco, remembered his daughter in a Facebook post, “You were and will always be my pride, my joy, my beautiful and kind girl,” he wrote. “Thank you for all the love you gave me, for every laugh, for every hug.” 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.