Texas
Texas oil and gas agency investigating 5.4 magnitude earthquake in West Texas, the largest in three decades
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Inspectors for the Texas Railroad Fee are investigating a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that was recorded west of Pecos close to the border of Reeves and Culberson counties on Wednesday, the company stated.
The earthquake, confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey, was the biggest recorded within the state since 1995 and the third-largest in Texas historical past, in line with the USGS Nationwide Earthquake Info Heart. It might be felt as far-off as Carlsbad, New Mexico, and El Paso.
The biggest quake in Texas historical past was 5.8 magnitude recorded in 1931 southwest of Valentine, in line with the USGS Nationwide Earthquake Info Heart.
The variety of earthquakes recorded in Texas has spiked lately, notably in West Texas’ Permian Basin, the best oil and fuel area within the state. Scientific research have linked the seismic exercise to the disposal of contaminated, salty water deep underground — a standard follow by oil firms on the finish of the hydraulic fracturing course of that may awaken dormant fault traces.
Between three and 6 barrels of salty, polluted water additionally come as much as the floor with each barrel of oil in the course of the fracking course of — historic water that was trapped underground by rock formations.
Years of pumping a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of gallons of contaminated water per day underground in Texas has coincided with extra frequent and extra highly effective earthquakes within the state: An evaluation by The Texas Tribune discovered that the variety of earthquakes of three.0 magnitude and larger had doubled in 2021 from the earlier 12 months.
The overwhelming majority of seismicity within the final 20 years that’s occurred close to Pecos was possible triggered by elevated wastewater disposal, a 2021 examine by USGS and College of Texas scientists discovered.
Lately, the Railroad Fee, which regulates oil and fuel exercise within the state and points permits for the water injection wells, has created a number of “seismic response areas” in West Texas, the place the company has requested firms to restrict their water disposal actions and conform to an industry-led plan to scale back seismic exercise.
This week’s quake occurred in a response space in Culberson and Reeves counties created earlier this 12 months. The company stated its inspectors are reviewing the {industry} teams’ plan and inspecting water disposal exercise close by. Operators could also be required to scale back wastewater injections on account of the quake, in line with an announcement from the Railroad Fee.
It might take a number of months to a 12 months after decreasing or stopping wastewater injection for the realm to cease shaking; the Railroad Fee warned in an announcement Thursday that historic exercise suggests the time lag might be between 12 and 18 months.
Disclosure: The College of Texas at Austin has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan information group that’s funded partly by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Monetary supporters play no function within the Tribune’s journalism. Discover a full checklist of them right here.
Texas
After a battle that split the GOP, Texas leaders select a new Speaker of the Texas House
Texas
Texas football: Which former Longhorns are paying in the NFL postseason?
WATCH: Cedric Golden on Texas football moving forward after CFP loss
Texas lost 28-14 to Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl and finished the 2024 season at 13-3. The Buckeyes will meet Notre Dame in the title game.
The Texas football season is over, but the NFL playoffs are underway.
The Longhorns sent a record 11 players into the NFL with the 2024 NFL draft and will send even more in 2025. The ultimate goal for those potential draftees will be to make the playoffs — just like a couple of Texas-exes who will be playing with a chance to advance past the divisional round this weekend.
WATCH TEXANS VS CHIEFS HERE
The upcoming games include the Houston Texans vs the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commanders vs the Detroit Lions on Saturday and the Los Angeles Rams vs the Philadelphia Eagles and the Ravens vs the Bills on Sunday. The victors this week will move onto the conference title games, just one win away from the Super Bowl.
From big contributors to backups on the roster, here are the former Texas players left in the NFL playoffs.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs WR
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft after the former Texas receiver ran the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL combine history.
When he was initially drafted fans believed Worthy would unlock Mahomes’ deep ball, reminiscent of Tyreek Hill’s prime days with the quarterback. However, Worthy’s role has been in the short passing game. He has 638 receiving yards this season with 416 of them coming after the catch according to Pro Football Focus. Worthy and the Chiefs will face the Houston Texans in the divisional round.
Charles Omenihu, Kansas City Chiefs DL
After tearing his ACL in the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, Charles Omenihu has returned to the lineup for another playoff run with the Chiefs.
Omenihu has played in six games this year and has collected six tackles and a sack. Last season, however, Omenihu was having a career season on the defensive line. The former Longhorn had 28 total tackles and seven sacks before the injury took him out for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams WR
Drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, Jordan Whittington earned a spot on the roster through his gritty playstyle and willingness to do whatever the team needs. He has 293 yards on 22 catches this season.
With wide receivers Puka Nakua and Cooper Kupp receiving the Lions’ share of targets, Whittington won’t see much pass-catching action in the playoffs. The Rams mostly use him as a run blocker and on special teams. He and the Rams will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens K
One of the best kickers of all time, Justin Tucker has not been his usual stellar self.
He’s made 22 of his 30 attempts this season, for a 73.3% hit rate. It’s nearly 10% lower than his previous career low of 82.5% and it’s already cost the Ravens a few wins. The good news for Baltimore fans is Tucker has gone 21-of-21 on extra points and field goals since a disastrous three-of-six outing against the Eagles in early December.
The Ravens matchup with the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round.
Sam Cosmi, Washington Commanders OL
Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Commanders, Sam Cosmi has quietly become one of the more reliable offensive guards in the league.
The Commanders’ offensive line has seen shuffle after shuffle over the past few seasons. Cosmi has been incredibly reliable for Washington, and they subsequently rewarded him with a four-year, $74 million deal this past offseason. The Commanders will face the Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
Andrew Beck, Houston Texans FB
Beck alternates between the Texans’ practice squad and their roster. He does not have a solid role and has played in four games this season.
Kris Boyd, Houston Texans DB
He has eight tackles on the season and likely won’t see much action against the Chiefs in the divisional round unless there is an injury.
Boyd has played sparingly for the Texans as the second-string cornerback behind Derek Stingley Jr., who’s having an All-Pro caliber season.
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Texas
AMBER ALERT: 8-year-old boy missing in Aransas Pass, suspect on the run
An AMBER Alert has been issued for 8-year-old Patrick Killian, who was taken from Aransas Pass, Texas. Authorities are searching for 41-year-old Jeffery Harris in connection with the abduction.
Texas Department of Public Safety says Patrick was last seen at noon on Friday, in the 2600 Block of Armstrong Rd in Aransas Pass, Texas. He is described as a white 8-year-old boy, approximately 4′0″ tall and weighing 50 lbs. He has blonde hair, and blue eyes, and was wearing black frame glasses at the time of his disappearance.
Patrick was last seen with 41-year-old Jeffery Harris, who is described as a white man, standing 5′9″ tall and weighing 215 lbs. Harris has brown hair and blue eyes.
Harris is believed to be driving a silver 2016 Hyundai Elantra with Texas license plate VDK447K.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Aransas Pass Police Department at 361-729-2222.I f you see the vehicle or have any details, please call 9-1-1.
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
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