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SpaceX loses bid to control beach access near launch facility in Texas

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SpaceX loses bid to control beach access near launch facility in Texas


SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship booster returns to the launch pad during a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

Eric Gay | AP

As SpaceX awaits the results of a critical election that would turn the location of its Starbase launch site into an incorporated Texas city, lawmakers have declined to give Elon Musk’s aerospace company greater control over a main highway and public beach.

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Starbase, where the Musk-led company builds and launches its rockets, is located in Boca Chica, Texas, on the Gulf Coast. Residents of the area are voting on whether to turn the small community into a city, with the election scheduled to conclude on Saturday.

On Monday, the Texas House State Affairs Committee voted against a bill that would have given SpaceX greater control over a highway and public beach access in the likely event the company is victorious in its effort to make Starbase into Texas’ newest city. Around 500 people live in the community today, including SpaceX employees and about 120 children, according to the Texas Tribune.

SpaceX has historically needed to close roads and beaches around Starbase in order to conduct test flights and launches, including for its massive Starship rockets, which Musk sees as a prelude to an eventual Mars mission. Closing off access to beaches in the area has required SpaceX to inform and attain permission from authorities in Cameron County, the southernmost county in Texas.

The frequent closures have contributed to legal complaints against SpaceX, and have drawn protests from local residents and activists, including the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network and Border Workers United.

Activists in the Rio Grande Valley area, where Starbase is located, protested and formally lobbied against the bills for weeks. Related proposals could be introduced before the legislature meets again next month.

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As CNBC has previously reported, SpaceX has conducted test flights or launches that have resulted in fires and harm to sensitive habitat essential to some endangered species in the area.

In one example, SpaceX was fined by the Environmental Protection Agency for polluting waters in Texas in violation of the Clean Water Act. After those fines, Musk threatened to sue the FAA for “regulatory overreach” but never filed a complaint.

Following a front-page New York Times story in July about the damages to local wildlife, including bird habitat, caused by SpaceX, Musk wrote in a post on his social media site X, “To make up for this heinous crime, I will refrain from having omelette for a week.”

That was a week before Musk formally endorsed Donald Trump for president after an assassination attempt on the then-presumptive Republican nominee at a rally in Pennsylvania. Musk then went on to spend nearly $300 million to propel Trump back the White House, and now serves as an advisor to the president with influence over spaceflight and environmental regulations.

In leading the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has helped gut the ranks of both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration. Under Trump’s EPA, the U.S. has promised to “reconsider” or target dozens of rules for elimination that currently limit air pollution and wastewater from energy, autos and manufacturing sectors.

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Tim Hughes, SpaceX’s head of government affairs, didn’t respond to a request for comment, nor did the offices of Republican State Representatives Gina Hinojosa and Janie Lopez, who introduced the bills to give SpaceX local beach control.

WATCH: SpaceX launches third test flight of massive Starship rocket



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Trump says he hasn’t decided endorsement in Texas Senate race

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Trump says he hasn’t decided endorsement in Texas Senate race


President Trump is not ready to weigh in on the Republican Senate primary in Texas as early voting gets underway across the state.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Monday that the GOP race had “a ways to go,” and signaled he was not yet ready to throw his support behind incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) or challengers Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas).

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“I just haven’t made a decision on that race yet. It’s got a ways to go, and I haven’t,” Trump said when asked about his potential endorsement plans.

“I like all three of them, actually. Those are the toughest races. They’ve all supported me. They’re all good. You’re supposed to pick one, so we’ll see what happens. But I support all three,” the president added.

Trump indicated earlier this month that he was “taking a serious look” at endorsing in the race, pledging a decision soon.  

“You know, my problem is I’m friendly with all of them. I like all of them, all three,” he said at the time. “But you’ll be seeing soon,” he added. “They say whoever I endorse wins. That’s probably right.” 

Trump also said aboard Air Force One in April that he would determine a potential endorsement in the GOP primary “at the right time.”

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Cornyn is seeking the nomination for a fifth term in Washington in a closely watched, bitter primary that has attracted millions of dollars.

Early voting starts Tuesday across the Lone Star State and runs through Feb. 27, with the election to be held on March 3. If no candidate wins a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a May 26 runoff.

A runoff appears likely as recent polling suggests a tight three-way race. Paxton led with 31.9 percent of the vote as of Feb. 11, according to Decision Desk HQ’s polling averages, followed by Cornyn at 27.7 percent and Hunt at 19.3 percent.

A competitive primary also awaits on the Democratic side, where Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is facing off against Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D).

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the seat as likely Republican.

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Daring rescue after researcher hurt deep underground in Texas cave

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Daring rescue after researcher hurt deep underground in Texas cave


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Rescue crews in West Texas spent hours getting a researcher out of a cave, hundreds of feet below ground, after a rock hit her in the head. Teams had to navigate steep drops and squeeze through crevices to get her to safety. NBC News’ Ryan Chandler reports.

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Walk for Peace monks return to Texas, reflection event planned

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Walk for Peace monks return to Texas, reflection event planned


After an arduous 112-day journey spanning more than 2,300 miles, a group of Buddhist monks has officially completed their cross-country “Walk for Peace.” The trek, which began in October, reached its heartfelt conclusion over the weekend as the monks returned to their home temple in Texas.

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The mission of the walk was to foster a sense of national unity and global harmony. Upon their arrival, the monks were greeted by a dedicated community of volunteers and supporters eager to hear the spiritual lessons and insights gathered from their four-month journey across the American landscape. Local residents expressed a deep “obsession” with the mission, describing the peaceful demonstration as a vital movement for the country’s current social climate.

The homecoming also featured a special appearance by Aloka, the monks’ famous four-legged companion. The dog had been sidelined several weeks ago for surgery, but after a successful recovery, he was able to join the group for the final, celebratory moments of the walk. 

While the physical miles are behind them, the monks maintain that their work to bridge divides across the world is a continuous, lifelong commitment. Venerable Bhikku Pannakara, who led the walk, made a vow to the public during a homecoming speech on Saturday.

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“I promise you all that whenever it is, you will be able to walk on this path, I will walk with you all, and together we will walk on this path. If you don’t leave me, I will not leave you,” he told supporters who gathered in the pouring rain to welcome the monks home. 

The monks have invited volunteers and the public to join them for a reflection on their journey and a special announcement at 9 p.m. Monday at the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth. A New Year lunar celebration will follow.

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How to follow the monks

For those who are unable to attend any gatherings in person, the monks are very active on social media, livestreaming and posting multiple times per day.

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Their dog, Aloka, who is also making the journey with the monks also has his own social media accounts.

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