Texas
Auto shop owner expresses safety concerns over new Texas inspection law
McKINNEY — Alexi Kavrazonis, the owner of Wash Guys Lube Auto Center in McKinney, has been doing state inspections for years, handling about 25 to 40 a day.
“The safety portion of your inspection checks your tires, your brakes, your lights, your mirrors to make sure that your car is safe for driving on the road,” said Kavrazonis.
But starting Jan. 1, it won’t be a requirement before registration for non-commercial vehicles.
“I didn’t like it… not for the seven dollars that it cost the consumer but for the safety concern,” said Kavrazonis.
Emissions tests will still be required in the state’s 17 largest counties, including Dallas, Collin, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties.
“You’re only checking for the pollution. They’re only caring if the car is polluting the air, but in the meantime, they’re forgoing the safety of every driver on the road,” said Kavrazonis.
He worries the lack of inspections will make Texas roads less safe.
“You could have a car next to you, the tires are bald, especially when it’s raining. He won’t be able to stop on time. There are a lot of concerns,” said Kavrazonis.
But supporters of the change disagree. State Senator Bob Hall sponsored the bill.
“It has no purpose and has no useful benefit,” said Hall. “Windshield wipers don’t cause accidents, and it’s a stretch to say a turn signal would cause an accident.”
Kavrazonis says you can always bring your car into your local car shop to make sure your car is road-ready and safe.
“The onus of responsibility is now on every single driver. If they have a broken tail light, their signal lights don’t work, or their tires are bald, they could literally get pulled over by the police,” said Kavrazonis.
State inspections are still required for commercial vehicles. The Insurance Council of Texas said it likely won’t affect insurance rates because companies don’t have any record of the inspection or inspection results, and it’s not a factor when determining individual rates.
See wild rescue of trapped roller coaster riders
Eight people were rescued after the Iron Shark roller coaster stalled at Galveston Pleasure Pier, leaving riders stuck near the summit for hours.
While Texas Roadhouse is known for its signature steaks and rolls, the restaurant has changed its menu over the years.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1993 and has become known for favorites like its warm, freshly baked rolls served with honey cinnamon butter and its hand-cut steaks. While many signature items remain, some fan-favorite menu offerings have since been discontinued.
Recently, Tasting Table, which features recipes and news for food enthusiasts, looked back at some discontinued Texas Roadhouse menu items that some may remember fondly.
Here are some of the discontinued menu items at Texas Roadhouse.
Floor peanuts
While some Texas Roadhouse locations may still provide peanuts by request, the practice of throwing the shells on the floor ended with the pandemic, according to Tasting Table.
Users on Yelp also discussed whether peanut shells could be tossed on the floor.
“They still offer peanuts is sealed bags upon request. Just ask for peanuts and they’ll keep on bringing them,” one user said.
Baked beans
While the restaurant offers several side options, such as green beans, mashed potatoes, and seasoned corn, Texas Roadhouse no longer carries baked beans — which are common at steakhouses.
“Always enjoyed Texas Roadhouse but Broke my heart when they took those delicious baked beans off the menu,” a reddit user posted back in 2023, while searching for a recipe.
Original Chicken Critters
While there are Chicken Critters — chicken tenders that are golden-fried and lightly crispy — on the menu today, fans say the original recipe has changed.
Apparently, the tenders were crispier and lighter, according to Reddit users.
“My husband and I talk about the OG chicken critters all the time,” one Reddit user posted.
Sierra Chicken Pasta
The only pasta dish served at Texas Roadhouse has gone viral on TikTok, with many recreating it with their own recipes.
The Sierra Chicken Pasta was made with penne pasta, pieces of crispy bacon, and grilled chicken, all of which were tossed in an Asiago cheese sauce, according to The Takeout.
It doesn’t appear that Texas Roadhouse offers any type of pasta, according to its menu.
Oven-roasted half chicken
The discontinued item came in two styles — plain or barbecue — according to Tasting Table.
The restaurant still offers several chicken options, though, like smothered chicken (served with wide, made-from-scratch gravy) and grilled BBQ chicken.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
The overseas death of a U.S. Army soldier from Central Texas is under investigation, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.
Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, of the Waco suburb of Robinson, died Sunday in a “training‑related incident” at Erbil Airbase in Iraq, officials said.
According to the department, Seibel was an active‑duty soldier supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition campaign launched in June 2014 to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
Seibel was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, in Fort Carson, Colo.
The department didn’t release any additional information.
CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
-
California2 minutes agoCalifornia’s AB 412 Still Demands Developers Do The Impossible
-
Colorado7 minutes agoColorado governor vetoes bill that would have allowed lawsuits against federal immigration officers, signs another to regulate detention centers
-
Connecticut14 minutes agoOwner seeks return of historic Abraham Lincoln documents lost in New London
-
Delaware17 minutes agoDelaware high school lacrosse star returns for playoffs after potentially deadly jaw condition
-
Florida22 minutes agoTeen on e-scooter crashes into Florida deputy’s patrol car, video shows
-
Georgia29 minutes agoChattanooga closes Wilson Road bridge connecting Tennessee to Georgia for structure repair
-
Hawaii32 minutes agoUniversity of Hawaii leaves Spectrum Sports for free over-the-air broadcasts
-
Idaho32 minutes agoIdaho water officials warn thousands of users about potential reductions amid historic drought
