INSIDER
DPS announces funeral arrangements for Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez
Read full article: DPS announces funeral arrangements for Trooper Kevin Ramirez VasquezThe Texas Department of Public Safety is honoring Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez, who died on Sept. 28 after being struck by a vehicle while investigating a crash in Ector County.
DPS offers Saturday hours at select Houston-area locations this October
Read full article: DPS offers Saturday hours at select Houston-area locations this OctoberThe Texas Department of Public Safety is extending its service hours by offering Saturday appointments at select driver’s license offices in the Houston area throughout October.
What documents tell us about the suspect in murder of Harris County Deputy Constable Maher Husseini
Read full article: What documents tell us about the suspect in murder of Harris County Deputy Constable Maher HusseiniAthir Murady is accused of gunning down Harris County Deputy Constable Maher Husseini at a traffic light in Houston on Tuesday.
Man captured in Houston days after being added to Texas’ Most Wanted List
Read full article: Man captured in Houston days after being added to Texas’ Most Wanted ListA Harris County fugitive who was recently added to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Immigrants List has been captured, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced.
$3,000 reward offered for capture of Harris County fugitive on Texas’ Most Wanted List
Read full article: $3,000 reward offered for capture of Harris County fugitive on Texas’ Most Wanted ListThe Texas Department of Public Safety has added 20-year-old Jose Miguel Zelaya-Ponce from Honduras to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List.
Former Uvalde schools police chief says he's being 'scapegoated' over response to mass shooting
Read full article: Former Uvalde schools police chief says he's being 'scapegoated' over response to mass shootingThe former Uvalde schools police chief says he thinks he's been “scapegoated” as the one to blame for the botched law enforcement response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Driver of Tesla Cybertruck dies after vehicle strikes concrete culvert, catches fire in Baytown
Read full article: Driver of Tesla Cybertruck dies after vehicle strikes concrete culvert, catches fire in BaytownThe driver of a Tesla Cybertruck dies after the vehicle catches fire following a crash on the side of a road in Baytown on Monday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Amber alert issued for missing child, 5, believed to be last seen in north Houston with wanted 60-year-old man
Read full article: Amber alert issued for missing child, 5, believed to be last seen in north Houston with wanted 60-year-old manInvestigators need your help finding Jose Calderon Arias, 5, who was last seen with a 60-year-old man, who Texas DPS say is wanted in connection with his disappearance.
UT-Austin spares pro-Palestinian protesters from suspension, offers them probation instead
Read full article: UT-Austin spares pro-Palestinian protesters from suspension, offers them probation insteadSome students were relieved they were offered a type of academic probation that would allow them to remain in classes.
Man killed, 2 children hospitalized after deadly crash in Montgomery County
Read full article: Man killed, 2 children hospitalized after deadly crash in Montgomery CountyAuthorities identified the driver, Reginald James House, and said he died at the scene. Two little girls, 5 and 7 years old, respectively were passengers in the car and were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
Law enforcement officers around Greater Houston ramp up patrol to combat drunk driving ahead of Fourth of July holiday
Read full article: Law enforcement officers around Greater Houston ramp up patrol to combat drunk driving ahead of Fourth of July holidayThe Houston Police Department (HPD) DWI Task Force, in collaboration with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), has announced a joint initiative to combat drunk driving.
10-count indictment released for former Uvalde school district police chief charged with abandoning/endangering child
Read full article: 10-count indictment released for former Uvalde school district police chief charged with abandoning/endangering childRecords from a 10-count indictment were released Friday in the case against former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo.
Missouri City police officer ‘relieved of duty’ after being involved in crash that killed mother, her 16-year-old son
Read full article: Missouri City police officer ‘relieved of duty’ after being involved in crash that killed mother, her 16-year-old sonA Missouri City police officer who was involved in a two-vehicle crash that killed a mother and her teen son has been relieved of duty, according to the department\.
Travis County Attorney drops charges against 79 more UT-Austin protesters
Read full article: Travis County Attorney drops charges against 79 more UT-Austin protestersThe arrests were the result of the second police crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations at UT-Austin. The first protest, on April 24, resulted in 57 arrests, which were also dismissed.
State data shows thousands facing smuggling related charges in Texas
Read full article: State data shows thousands facing smuggling related charges in TexasFrom video game chats, to social media, to meet-ups at nightclubs; human smuggling is not as far from your front door as you may think. Smuggling operations are using the crisis along the southern border to entice people from all walks life into risking their freedom for quick cash.
Travis County rejects all criminal trespass charges against 57 people arrested at UT-Austin protest
Read full article: Travis County rejects all criminal trespass charges against 57 people arrested at UT-Austin protestUniversity officials banned all students arrested from campus, except for “academic reasons.”
Senate Bill 4 blocked once again, but what does Houston-area law enforcement have to say about it?
Read full article: Senate Bill 4 blocked once again, but what does Houston-area law enforcement have to say about it?Law enforcement officials might find themselves in a strange limbo due to the legal chess match regarding Senate Bill 4. Especially after a U.S. appeals court put the state’s controversial immigration law, Senate Bill 4, back on hold.
Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw testifies before grand jury investigating Uvalde school shooting
Read full article: Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw testifies before grand jury investigating Uvalde school shootingMcCraw, the state police chief, traveled to Uvalde to appear before a grand jury considering criminal charges against officers for their botched response to the 2022 school shooting.
Investigators search for vehicle in connection to missing Livingston 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham
Read full article: Investigators search for vehicle in connection to missing Livingston 11-year-old Audrii CunninghamOfficials with Livingston Police are actively searching for an 11-year-old girl last seen at her home Thursday morning.
How HPD’s ‘Safe Roadways’ Initiative is combatting road rage shootings in the Houston area
Read full article: How HPD’s ‘Safe Roadways’ Initiative is combatting road rage shootings in the Houston areaRoad rage shootings are unfortunately not uncommon in the Houston area and law enforcement officials are looking for ways to ensure drivers are safe as they travel across the city.
DPS trooper shoots man during narcotics investigation at Conroe gas station
Read full article: DPS trooper shoots man during narcotics investigation at Conroe gas stationAn officer has reportedly been A DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at a gas station in Conroe Thursday.shot multiple times in Conroe.
Twenty months after deadly Uvalde school shooting, multiple investigations have yet to be released
Read full article: Twenty months after deadly Uvalde school shooting, multiple investigations have yet to be releasedThe U.S. Department of Justice just released its investigation into law enforcement’s response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School. But at least three other investigations have not yet been released to the public.
Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter crashes near Mexican border with minor injury reported
Read full article: Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter crashes near Mexican border with minor injury reportedA Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter patrolling the state’s border with Mexico has crashed, injuring at least one person.
U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossing
Read full article: U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossingThe state has until Jan. 3 to say it won’t arrest people accused of unauthorized entry from Mexico. If not, the Biden administration will sue, saying immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
‘Very perplexing crime scene’: Bodies found in car believed to be missing San Antonio pregnant teen and boyfriend
Read full article: ‘Very perplexing crime scene’: Bodies found in car believed to be missing San Antonio pregnant teen and boyfriendA missing pregnant woman who was the subject of a Texas Department of Public Safety CLEAR Alert was found alongside a man inside a parked vehicle near an apartment complex in San Antonio, KSAT News reports.
Trafficker sentenced to 35 years for forcing 15-year-old Houston girl into prostitution; woman sought for helping him
Read full article: Trafficker sentenced to 35 years for forcing 15-year-old Houston girl into prostitution; woman sought for helping himA habitual offender and sex trafficker from Houston was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of forcing a 15-year-old girl into prostitution in 2019, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Wednesday.
Violent crimes down, theft and robbery up in Harris County, per DPS data
Read full article: Violent crimes down, theft and robbery up in Harris County, per DPS dataThe Texas Department of Public Safety shows between 2021 and 2022, Houston police numbers show murders down from 464 in 2021 to 429 the next year. Rape is at 1,105 down from 1,171.
Authorities searching for missing 21-year-old disabled man from Forney
Read full article: Authorities searching for missing 21-year-old disabled man from ForneyAn endangered missing alert was issued on Tuesday for a 21-year-old disabled man from Forney, Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
Man pleads guilty to shooting, killing 2-year-old boy in Spring; sentenced to 40 years
Read full article: Man pleads guilty to shooting, killing 2-year-old boy in Spring; sentenced to 40 yearsA man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for a shooting which led to the death of a 2-year-old boy in Spring.
‘Unbelievable honor’: DPS selects first woman to serve as Texas Ranger Major
Read full article: ‘Unbelievable honor’: DPS selects first woman to serve as Texas Ranger MajorThe Texas Department of Public Safety shared on Tuesday, they have promoted the first woman to serve as a Texas Ranger Major since the organization was started 200 years ago.
Have you seen him? CLEAR Alert issued for missing Houston-area man believed to be in ‘imminent danger’
Read full article: Have you seen him? CLEAR Alert issued for missing Houston-area man believed to be in ‘imminent danger’A clear alert has been issued for a Houston-area man on Monday after he was last seen on Sept. 8, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
Mexico officials say National Guard member who shot at migrant “separated from his position”
Read full article: Mexico officials say National Guard member who shot at migrant “separated from his position”The Texas Military Department confirmed Friday the National Guard member who is accused of shooting across the Rio Grande and wounding a man was placed on paid leave.
FBI Houston conducting massive arrest operation targeting alleged violent gang members: What we know
Read full article: FBI Houston conducting massive arrest operation targeting alleged violent gang members: What we knowFBI Houston is conducting a massive arrest operation targeting alleged violent gang members throughout the city Thursday.
Man jailed in 2022 on sexual assault, family violence charges now facing 6 counts of aggravated sexual assault
Read full article: Man jailed in 2022 on sexual assault, family violence charges now facing 6 counts of aggravated sexual assaultThe 40-year-old man is now facing six counts of aggravated sexual assault stemming from an investigation into attacks on three women.
Call for federal probe issued following ‘inhumane’ Texas-Mexico border allegations
Read full article: Call for federal probe issued following ‘inhumane’ Texas-Mexico border allegationsThe Texas Senate Democratic Caucus released a letter Wednesday that shares a request for the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a formal investigation into the allegations made against the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Gov. Greg Abbott issues joint response in wake of report alleging ‘inhumane’ practices at Mexico-Texas border
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott issues joint response in wake of report alleging ‘inhumane’ practices at Mexico-Texas borderIn the wake of reporting alleging “inhumane” practices at the Mexico-Texas border, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a joint statement on Tuesday from Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, and Texas Adjutant Gen. Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer:
Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor’s latest effort to curb border crossings
Read full article: Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor’s latest effort to curb border crossingsTexas began rolling out what is set to become a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande on Friday in the latest escalation of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s multibillion-dollar effort to secure the U.S. border with Mexico, which already has included bussing migrants to liberal states and authorizing the National Guard to make arrests.
Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor's latest effort to curb border crossings
Read full article: Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor's latest effort to curb border crossingsTexas has started rolling out what is set to become a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande.
82-year-old Kerrville woman last seen Sunday afternoon reported missing
Read full article: 82-year-old Kerrville woman last seen Sunday afternoon reported missingThe Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an 82-year-old woman who they said was last seen in Kerrville, Texas, Sunday.
State troopers will resume patrolling Austin streets in July, with some changes in response to criticism
Read full article: State troopers will resume patrolling Austin streets in July, with some changes in response to criticismTexas Department of Public Safety officers were criticized for the disparate number of Latino and Black residents arrested during the first iteration of a partnership to help Austin with policing duties.
A sex offender moves into your neighborhood: This is probably more than what you need to know
Read full article: A sex offender moves into your neighborhood: This is probably more than what you need to knowSex offenders live in our communities. If you have questions about how they’re monitored, where they are and what they are -- and aren’t --permitted to do, continue reading for a comprehensive look at the guidelines they are instructed to live by and their limitations.
‘It’s a miracle’: Texas DPS trooper survives horrific, fatal crash involving speeding van on I-10 East
Read full article: ‘It’s a miracle’: Texas DPS trooper survives horrific, fatal crash involving speeding van on I-10 EastA Chambers County Sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a hospital after he was involved in a major crash on I-10 East near Highway 61, officials said.
Amber Alert issued for girls aged 9 and 2, out of San Antonio
Read full article: Amber Alert issued for girls aged 9 and 2, out of San AntonioTexas Department of Public Safety issued an Amber Alert early Friday morning for two little girls missing out of San Antonio: Zylah Faulks, 2, and Kamil Brown-Sykes, 9.
Memorial Day DWI initiative in Harris County designed to fast-track drunk-driver investigations
Read full article: Memorial Day DWI initiative in Harris County designed to fast-track drunk-driver investigationsThe Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Harris County Constables, the Texas Department of Public Safety, American Automobile Association (AAA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving have joined forces ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend to crack down on drunk drivers across the county.
Texas House passes sweeping border funding bill, guts proposed policing unit
Read full article: Texas House passes sweeping border funding bill, guts proposed policing unitLawmakers on both sides of the aisle threw their support behind a new requirement that the unit use only commissioned peace officers for enforcement actions.
Texas troopers renew inspections of commercial vehicles at Brownsville border bridge, triggering long delays
Read full article: Texas troopers renew inspections of commercial vehicles at Brownsville border bridge, triggering long delaysTruckers have reported waiting up to 24 hours to cross the border because of the inspections. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered similar inspections last year to stop smuggling, but troopers found no contraband after checking more than 4,000 vehicles.
Suspect arrested in connection with San Jacinto County murders facing federal charge for unlawful possession of firearms
Read full article: Suspect arrested in connection with San Jacinto County murders facing federal charge for unlawful possession of firearmsOne of the suspects that was arrested in connection with the San Jacinto County murders is facing federal charges, court documents said.
Once again, tension builds after state police are deployed to a major Texas city
Read full article: Once again, tension builds after state police are deployed to a major Texas cityA month after the Texas Department of Public Safety began patrolling Austin streets, city officials have both praised a drop in violent crime and condemned the operation’s disparate impact on Latino and Black residents. In 2019, Dallas faced the same challenges.
More than 500K doses of fentanyl, other drugs, guns and stolen vehicles seized in Austin
Read full article: More than 500K doses of fentanyl, other drugs, guns and stolen vehicles seized in AustinDPS SWAT officers executed a search warrant and was able to seize 507,000 lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill more than half of Austin’s current population—along with methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
Woman ejected in 3-vehicle crash caused by speed, wet roads dies in New Caney
Read full article: Woman ejected in 3-vehicle crash caused by speed, wet roads dies in New CaneyA woman is dead after being ejected from a vehicle in a crash caused by speed and wet roads in New Caney Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
DPS urging Texans to avoid traveling to Mexico during spring break after 4 Americans kidnapped
Read full article: DPS urging Texans to avoid traveling to Mexico during spring break after 4 Americans kidnappedThe Texas Department of Public Safety is urging Texans to avoid traveling to Mexico during spring break, and beyond, due to the ongoing violence throughout that country.
Texas Senate passes first bill this session, a bipartisan effort to close teen gun loophole
Read full article: Texas Senate passes first bill this session, a bipartisan effort to close teen gun loopholeIn its first bill passed this session, the Texas Senate sought to ensure juvenile mental health hospitalizations are reported to the federal firearm background check system.
DPS sent at least 3,000 driver’s licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans
Read full article: DPS sent at least 3,000 driver’s licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian TexansA Chinese crime operation bypassed the password clues of Texas.gov by using stolen identity information to fraudulently obtain replacement driver’s licenses.
Student confessed to hoax bomb threat on Texas flight
Read full article: Student confessed to hoax bomb threat on Texas flightAuthorities say a high school student confessed to sending a hoax bomb threat via AirDrop that resulted in an American Airlines flight being diverted from the tarmac at a Texas airport last week.
Texas DPS scraps plan for $1.2 billion active-shooter training facility
Read full article: Texas DPS scraps plan for $1.2 billion active-shooter training facilityThe Texas Department of Public Safety is instead asking lawmakers for $381.5 million to upgrade its current facilities with better technology, dormitories and cafeteria for trainees from across the state.
Re-route, drivers: Crash involving 18-wheeler closes intersection of FM-1093 Fulshear and FM-1463, authorities say
Read full article: Re-route, drivers: Crash involving 18-wheeler closes intersection of FM-1093 Fulshear and FM-1463, authorities sayA crash involving an 18-wheeler and another vehicle closed the intersection of FM-1093 and FM-1463 in both directions Tuesday, authorities said.
Banning TikTok: Gov. Abbott announces official plan to nix use of social media platform for Texas state agencies
Read full article: Banning TikTok: Gov. Abbott announces official plan to nix use of social media platform for Texas state agenciesGov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that there’s a “statewide model security plan” for Texas state agencies to “address vulnerabilities presented by the use of TikTok and other software on personal and state-issued devices.”
Operation Lone Star update: Gov. Greg Abbott speaks in San Benito about border policies, enforcement
Read full article: Operation Lone Star update: Gov. Greg Abbott speaks in San Benito about border policies, enforcementGov. Greg Abbott will provide an update on the state’s efforts to secure the border during Monday’s news conference in San Benito, according to a release.
Biplane went down in Conroe after pilot says it lost power; Both pilot, passenger have been transported to hospital
Read full article: Biplane went down in Conroe after pilot says it lost power; Both pilot, passenger have been transported to hospitalA biplane that went down in Conroe with two people onboard has been located in Conroe, according to officials.
DPS to conduct random vehicle safety inspections at ports of entry along Texas border to help stop cartel smuggling
Read full article: DPS to conduct random vehicle safety inspections at ports of entry along Texas border to help stop cartel smugglingThe Texas Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday that its troopers will began conducting random commercial vehicle safety inspections as they cross international ports of entry (POEs) into Texas, according to a release.
2 dead in 11-vehicle crash involving motorcyclist on I-45 North Freeway and SH-242 southbound in Montgomery County: DPS
Read full article: 2 dead in 11-vehicle crash involving motorcyclist on I-45 North Freeway and SH-242 southbound in Montgomery County: DPSAn investigation is underway after a multi-vehicle crash where two people died on IH-45 and SH-242 southbound in Montgomery County Tuesday, officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
DPS increasing traffic enforcement during Thanksgiving holiday
Read full article: DPS increasing traffic enforcement during Thanksgiving holidayThe Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement for the Thanksgiving holiday to help ensure people are able to get to and from their celebrations safely.
Families of Uvalde school shooting, victims call for DPS director’s resignation
Read full article: Families of Uvalde school shooting, victims call for DPS director’s resignationDuring a meeting of the state’s Public Safety Commission, the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety faced withering criticism from family members of murdered children.
WATCH LIVE: Texas Sen. Gutierrez, Uvalde families to speak at Texas DPS commission meeting Thursday
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Texas Sen. Gutierrez, Uvalde families to speak at Texas DPS commission meeting ThursdayThe Texas Department of Public Safety is holding a public safety commission meeting Thursday morning, with several families from Uvalde plan to attend.
Nearly 60 immigrants found inside dump truck during smuggle attempt, DPS officials say
Read full article: Nearly 60 immigrants found inside dump truck during smuggle attempt, DPS officials sayTroopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety captured nearly 60 illegal immigrants during a smuggle attempt Tuesday afternoon.
‘A case of ambition’: Political consultant convicted after trying to persuade state rep to drop out of 2020 election, DA says
Read full article: ‘A case of ambition’: Political consultant convicted after trying to persuade state rep to drop out of 2020 election, DA saysA political consultant was convicted Friday for a failed scheme intended to affect the outcome of the race for Texas House of Representatives District 132 during the 2020 election cycle, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.
Now being operated by the ‘good guys’: Street racer’s seized Dodge ‘Hellcat Redeye’ turned into DPS patrol vehicle
Read full article: Now being operated by the ‘good guys’: Street racer’s seized Dodge ‘Hellcat Redeye’ turned into DPS patrol vehicleThis vehicle was awarded to the department following a felony investigation that was initiated after the driver of the Dodge engaged in dangerous street racing and fled from law enforcement at approximately 160 mph, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said.
74-year-old pilot dies after plane crashes in Waller County; another man critically injured: DPS
Read full article: 74-year-old pilot dies after plane crashes in Waller County; another man critically injured: DPSTwo men were critically injured Monday when a small plane crashed in Waller, according to officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Texas DPS director says he wishes his agency had taken control over the police response to the Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Texas DPS director says he wishes his agency had taken control over the police response to the Uvalde shootingThe state’s top law enforcement agency also told USA Today that seven officers have now been referred to its internal affairs division, including two who are command staff.
Gov. Greg Abbott deploys state troopers to ‘anti-gang effort’ in Uvalde after two juveniles are injured in shooting
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott deploys state troopers to ‘anti-gang effort’ in Uvalde after two juveniles are injured in shootingThe two victims of a Thursday shooting at Uvalde Memorial Park are being treated in San Antonio hospitals. Abbott’s decision to send in DPS comes as the agency faces questions over its role in the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School.
2 arrested on suspicion of smuggling 13 immigrants from South Texas to Houston by plane, Texas DPS says
Read full article: 2 arrested on suspicion of smuggling 13 immigrants from South Texas to Houston by plane, Texas DPS saysOfficials with the Texas Department of Public Safety arrested several people aboard a charter flight on suspicion of smuggling 13 immigrants to Houston.
Texas Most Wanted lists update: DPS names Dallas convicted child sex predator, Austin child sex offender to state lists
Read full article: Texas Most Wanted lists update: DPS names Dallas convicted child sex predator, Austin child sex offender to state listsThe Texas Department of Public Safety has added two men to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists.
DPS to provide more than 30 officers to campuses throughout Uvalde ISD for new school year
Read full article: DPS to provide more than 30 officers to campuses throughout Uvalde ISD for new school yearGovernor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be providing more than 30 law enforcement officers to campuses throughout the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) for the new school year.