#NNPA BlackPress
Unprecedented Investment in Safety, Mobility and Connectivity is Driving the Texas Economy Forward
Texas’ booming population and economic growth leads to record $100 billion transportation plan Since my appointment in March of 2023 by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Transportation Commission, I’ve gained a greater appreciation about the Texas Department of Transportation and how vital the 10-year Unified Transportation Program (UTP) process is to Texans and […]
The post Unprecedented Investment in Safety, Mobility and Connectivity is Driving the Texas Economy Forward first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Texas’ booming population and economic growth leads to record $100 billion transportation plan
Since my appointment in March of 2023 by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Transportation Commission, I’ve gained a greater appreciation about the Texas Department of Transportation and how vital the 10-year Unified Transportation Program (UTP) process is to Texans and the economy by guiding the development of transportation work across the state.
I’m thankful to Governor Abbott for appointing me to the Commission as Texas and the Greater Houston community continues to see unprecedented growth. It is of the utmost importance to meet the demand with historic funding that will help TxDOT deliver on its commitment to ensure that people and goods can move safely and efficiently in the state by improving transportation safety, addressing congestion, and helping maintain roadways across the state.
For the first time in its history, TxDOT’s 10-year UTP has surpassed $100 billion in future projects. It also estimates $34.2 billion in development costs and $7.5 billion in routine maintenance contracts for a total investment of $142 billion.
That eye-catching amount reflects the rapid growth and booming economic activity touching every corner of the Lone Star State. It’s also $15 billion more than last year and shows a major investment in our infrastructure when compared to the UTP a decade ago when it was $34.3 billion. In the Houston area alone, TxDOT has more than $14.2 billion in projects slated in the next 10 years.
These figures represent real improvements for all Texans that will help improve quality of life and bring economic benefits. The average $10.6 billion a year in the UTP over the next decade is expected to yield an estimated $18.8 billion per year in economic benefits, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
TxDOT has planned, and will continue to plan, for this growth and play a critical role in providing the needed infrastructure to help move people and products. That’s where our Unified Transportation Program comes in.
The benefits go far beyond just congestion — these projects benefit everyone. Improvements to our roadways provide Texans with best-in-class infrastructure not only for drivers, but for bicyclists and pedestrians as well. From improving HOV lanes and public transit to enhancing the movement of freight, the projects we fund in the UTP provide multi-modal options to get people and products where they need to go.
The UTP will include major projects in the Houston District such as some of the work on I-10 in Fort Bend County, the Grand Parkway in Brazoria, and Galveston Counties, and help clear the way for future portions of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). The NHHIP is the planned reconstruction of I-45 north Freeway between Houston’s downtown and the North Sam Houston Tollway, also known as Beltway 8. The NHHIP not only brings these roadways up to current standards, it also prepares for the future by improving resiliency to weather events, providing safer, more efficient travel for motorists and handling the increasing trade that is moved through the Port of Houston.
In my first year as a Texas Transportation Commissioner, I am extremely proud to play a part in this historic 10-year transportation plan. We’ll see the benefits from this plan for years to come as we continue to drive our economy and the state to new heights.
With this historic investment, we’re showing our commitment to keeping Texans safe on Texas roads and connecting the people and places that matter most in current and innovative ways.
Texans deserve the best, and they can rest assured that Governor Abbott and Texas transportation leaders are fulfilling our promise to provide them with a safe and reliable transportation system.
Get the full UTP at https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/tpp/utp/utp-2023.pdf.
The post Unprecedented Investment in Safety, Mobility and Connectivity is Driving the Texas Economy Forward appeared first on Forward Times.
The post Unprecedented Investment in Safety, Mobility and Connectivity is Driving the Texas Economy Forward first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.
Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”
The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”
#NNPA BlackPress
Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”
But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”
Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”
#NNPA BlackPress
WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event
Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed
May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.
But what has happened since?
Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?
This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.
Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:
Panelists:
- Medaria Arradondo – Former Minneapolis Police Chief
- Nekima Levy Armstrong – Civil Rights Activist & Attorney
- Dr. Yohuru Williams – Racial Justice Initiative,
- UST Mary Moriarty – Hennepin County Attorney
- Fireside Chat with Andre Locke – Father of Amir Locke
Special Guests:
- Kennedy Pounds – Spoken Word Artist
- Known MPLS – Youth Choir bringing purpose through song
This podcast episode looks at the past five years through the lens of grief, truth, and hope—and challenges us all to do more.
Subscribe to Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real wherever you get your podcasts or follow @mnspokesmanrecorder for more.
Visit https://spokesman-recorder.com for more coverage and stories from Minnesota’s trusted Black news source.
#GeorgeFloyd #BlackPress #SpokesmanRecorder #Minneapolis #BlackHistory
-
#NNPA BlackPress4 weeks ago
MLK Bust Quietly Removed from Oval Office Under Trump
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 30 – May 6, 2025
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of May 7 – 13, 2025
-
Activism2 weeks ago
New Oakland Moving Forward
-
Activism2 weeks ago
After Two Decades, Oakland Unified Will Finally Regain Local Control
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of May 14 – 20, 2025
-
Alameda County2 weeks ago
Oakland Begins Month-Long Closure on Largest Homeless Encampment
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
Trump Abruptly Fires First Carla Hayden: The First Black Woman to Serve as Librarian of Congress