Texas
East Texas student shares how being part of the Aspire Mentoring Program has impacted her life
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – For nearly 30 years, the Aspire Mentoring Program has provided mentors to hundreds of students.
One of those students is Ta’Lajah Griffin a sophomore at Pine Tree High School in Longview.
She’s had extra support and guidance from her mentor for nearly a year.
“If problems are going on at home your mentor can come through and help and they always be there it’s like having a second parent you know,” said Ta’Lajah Griffin a student in the program.
The Aspire Mentoring Program provides mentors to youth K-12 across different counties in East Texas.
Ta’Lajah’s mentor has guided her to keep her grades up and build self-confidence.
“Ms. Tequita means the world to me, she’s a second parent to me,” said Ta’lajah.
Tequita Dudley, has been a mentor for almost a decade in this program and has seen an increase in students in mentor demand and students in need of guidance.
“There is a big need right now for mentors in our community because people are needing help,” said Tequita Dudley a mentor at the Aspire Mentoring Program, “To help guide and lead these children because there’s so many negative things out there that children are leaning to.”
She says there’s one reason people are choosing not to mentor.
“People neglect to be a mentor because they think it takes time, it does not,” said Tequita.
Tequita also says just like students benefit from being mentored, becoming one also has its benefits.
“Your mentee can also mentor you.. my mentee makes me a better person because I want to be a better person for her,” said Tequita.
“Something I’ve always wanted to tell my mentor is that I love her, she’s one of my favorite people,” said Ta’Lajah.
“It’s a lifetime choice and they will be in your life forever,” said Tequita.
This month is National Mentoring Month and if you want to become a mentor or learn more about this program, you can click here.
Copyright 2024 KLTV. All rights reserved.
Texas Tech welcomes Sofie Jones as the new Masked Rider
Watch Texas Tech University formally welcome Sofie Jones as the 65th Masked Rider.
When it comes to training the doctors and researchers who will staff hospitals, Texas holds its own on the world stage.
Several Texas health and medical institutions landed on U.S. News and World Report’s 2026-27 Best Global Universities list, with three cracking the global top 500 — led by UT Southwestern Medical Center at No. 113.
The list considered 13 indicators and weights to measure global research performance and reputation, ranking the world’s 2,250 top universities.
Here’s a look at how some major public and private health care and medical universities in Texas fared on the list.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Global Ranking: No. 113.
Location: Dallas, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Baylor College of Medicine
Global Ranking: No. 144.
Location: Houston, Texas.
Type: Private university.
University of Texas Health Science Center — Houston
Global Ranking: No. 324.
Location: Houston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
University of Texas Medical Branch — Galveston
Global Ranking: No. 599.
Location: Galveston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Global Ranking: No. 1,871.
Location: Lubbock, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
AUSTIN – Texas officials are rolling out a new online hub aimed at helping residents spot and report the New World screwworm, a pest Gov. Greg Abbott says threatens livestock, wildlife, and the state’s rural economy.
Abbott announced the launch of screwworm.texas.gov, an enhanced website housed in the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal that he described as a “one-stop shop” for information and resources tied to the state’s response.
The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, and our rural economy,” Abbott said. “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians, and families. Screwworm.texas.gov delivers the facts, maps, identification methods, and certification resources Texans need to detect problems early and report cases without delay. Now every Texan has the information to act. Texas will protect our land, our animals, and our way of life from this pest.
According to the governor’s office, the site is designed to provide “actionable and reliable multimedia information” about the New World screwworm, including fact sheets, videos, and educational materials.
The portal includes background information, guidance on how to spot the pest, sample collection procedures, Texas Animal Health Commission New World screwworm zone maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture case dashboard, links to best practices for livestock and wildlife, and details on registering for a new no-cost New World screwworm Certified Inspector Training.
The governor’s office said state and federal partners are working together to detect, control and contain the spread, and that expanding public outreach and providing clear information is a key part of reducing risk.
Abbott’s office also highlighted actions taken by the governor in response to the pest, including:
- Directing the creation of a joint Texas New World screwworm Response Team
- Joining USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg
- Issuing a statewide disaster declaration ahead of the first detection
- Deploying state resources and activating the State Emergency Operations Center after the first confirmed Texas cases
- Visiting the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville for a briefing
- Launching a free online training course to certify more inspectors
- Announcing federal funding to strengthen inspection capacity.
Texans are urged to inspect livestock and pets for wounds and report suspected cases immediately, including in wildlife.
For livestock and pets, suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242.
For wildlife, reports should be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Officials also warn people not to move affected animals.
More information and updates are available at screwworm.texas.gov and screwworm.gov.
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