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Houston-based oil company Chevron will lay off 200 West Texas employees this summer.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, Chevron first announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 20% back in February. The job cuts in the region will affect Midland County workers.
The layoffs will take effect July 15,
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Over the weekend, state lawmakers gave final approval to a bill that would give Texas parents and school boards a role over the type of books students can access in public schools.
According to the Texas Tribune, the Senate Bill 13 would also create advisory councils to oversee the removal process. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s for his approval.
If made law, the bill would give school boards — and not school librarians — the final say over what materials are allowed in their schools’ libraries, allowing them to oversee book approvals and removals, or delegate the responsibility to local school advisory councils if parents in a district sign a petition allowing their creation.
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The Alpine City Council meets this week, and according to the agenda for the June 3 meeting, council members will deliberate and evaluate the city manager’s performance. That discussion happens in executive session. And according to the meeting’s agenda, council members will also QUOTE “consult with legal counsel regarding contractual status of City Manager.”
City council meets Tuesday, June 3 at 5:30 at 803 W. Holland Avenue.
You can find a copy of the meeting’s agenda at the city’s website.
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This week, the Small Business Development Center at Sul Ross State University in Alpine will host several training sessions.
The first session is Tuesday, June 3 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. In this Zoom Webinar, you’ll learn how to maximize your productivity and learn how your space impacts your ability to focus, retain information, and perform at your peak.
Then on Wednesday morning from 10 to 11:30 – learn about tax and employment regulations for noncitizen workers.
This intensive session covers essential tax compliance strategies, including: identity and work status verification, and accurate tax withholding procedures. Learn to navigate complex employment tax regulations confidently and minimize compliance risks.
And also that day from 11 to noon, learn how to use Google’s Market Finder, a free tool that can help you identify new international business opportunities and plan for success.
For more information on these trainings – including a link to the webinars – visit https://sbdc.sulross.edu/
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This week, the Agave Festival Marfa returns.
The annual event is a celebration of the agave and its influence on culture through food, film, music, science, and spirits.
Each year, the festival brings people from all across the region and beyond together for free and accessible programming, including talks by preeminent historians, botanists, artists, anthropologists, and archaeologists.
This year’s event includes a discussion with Ruben Garcia, whose organization, Annunciation House, has provided shelter for migrants for almost 50 years. There will also be hikes and tastings of agave spirits. Tejano legends Max Baca y Los Texmaniacs will perform a free concert at El Cosmico, with a brief opening set by Marfa’s Primo y Beebe.
For a full lineup of this year’s festival, head to agavemarfa.com.
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A new community art project is underway in Alpine, and the organizers are looking for participants to help bring the project to life.
Liz Sibley, who spearheaded the Alpine Alley Art project years ago, is now looking to create a large mosaic on Murphy Street. For the art project, she’s looking for volunteers to help craft mosaic “eyes” over the next two months to cover a 140-foot-long wall. Anyone interested in participating can email sibley1@me.com or text (432) 386-3549. Liz will provide all the materials and tools.
This has been your local and area news report for KVLF 98.7 FM, 1240 AM and KALP 92.7 FM
Local news can be found on our website at bigbendradio.com.