Southwest
Texas lawmakers considering bill to ban gender changes on birth certificates
Lawmakers in the Texas legislature are considering a bill that would prohibit people in the state from changing the gender marker on their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity.
The measure, Senate Bill 406, is now being debated in the Texas Senate.
Last year, the Texas Department of Public Safety stopped changing gender on driver’s licenses unless courts intervened, according to FOX 4.
The Senate bill would block changes to gender on birth certificates, regardless of whether there is a court order.
TEXAS LAWMAKER PROPOSES BILL TO BAN GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENT FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING ADULTS
Texas lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit people in the state from changing the gender on their birth certificate. (Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)
“This bill is not about restricting anyone’s personal expression. It is about ensuring legal documents reflect accurate statistics,” GOP state Sen. Mayes Middleton, who sponsored the bill, said Monday in a State Affairs Committee hearing. “Right now, the only way to change sex is by court order, and this bill prevents that.”
Testifying before the committee, Megan Benton of the group Texas Values said this is “a matter of public safety and public record.”
“If a man can legally change his birth certificate to say he is a woman, then it’s possible to get a driver’s license, passport, and social security card that also says he is female,” she said.
Several transgender Texans also testified before the committee, saying they believe they are being unfairly targeted.
S.B. 406 is now being debated in the Texas Senate. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“I’m not a monster. This is not a fetish for me, and I did not decide to be a woman,” Amanda McLaughlin said.
Megan Fairbanks asked, “What harm have I caused society?”
“I don’t play sports. The only thing I want to do in the bathroom is use the bathroom and touch up my makeup and wash my hands,” Fairbanks said.
The Transgender Education Network of Texas’ policy coordinator, Landon Richie, argued that the bill would lead to isolation and incentivize others to discriminate or put targets on the backs of transgender people who he said are already vulnerable.
DYLAN MULVANEY REACTS TO GAVIN NEWSOM’S REMARKS ON TRANS ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
Several transgender Texans said they believe they are being unfairly targeted. (Adobe Stock)
The bill is expected to pass through the Senate and be sent to the House.
This comes after state lawmakers passed legislation banning biological men from competing in girls’ school sports.
At the federal level, President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing male and female as the only genders.
Read the full article from Here
Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
Los Angeles, Ca
'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana
The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]
-
Kentucky7 minutes agoIndiana All-Star Girls fall to Kentucky 59-57 despite big night from Rosswurm, Zartman
-
Louisiana14 minutes agoLouisiana sets new standards for sign language interpreters
-
Maine17 minutes agoLetter: Beware, meat allergy ticks are in Maine
-
Maryland22 minutes agoRoad Closures Sunday For Bel Air Town Run
-
Michigan29 minutes agoWalker fire chief honored during West Michigan Whitecaps game Friday
-
Massachusetts32 minutes agoMassachusetts man, 70, accused of trying to drown jet skier, 21, in chaotic lake fight
-
Minnesota37 minutes agoMinnesota driver accused of killing 82-year-old in head-on crash claims her dog seized steering wheel beforehand
-
Mississippi44 minutes agoMississippi lawmakers, educators target achievement gap as older students lag behind





