Latest news with #NorthCentralTexasCouncilofGovernments
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burleson Councilmember Johnson elected NCTCOG president
Burleson's Victoria Johnson will now represent Johnson County at a larger level. The Burleson City Councilman on Friday was elected president of the North Central Texas Council of Governments executive board. Johnson was installed during the NCTCOG's 59th annual General Assembly at the Hurst Conference Center. 'I am honored to be NCTCOG's 2025-26 president,' Johnson said. 'I am looking forward to working with the executive board as we strive to build on the strong foundation laid by those who preceded us. I am certain that each of us is committed to working on the opportunities and challenges that are presented to ensure North Central Texas remains a premier region in the state and nation.' Johnson succeeds Collin County Judge Chris Hill, who will serve as past president. Richardson Councilmember Jennifer Justice was elected vice president and Erath County Judge Brandon J. Huckabee will serve as secretary/treasurer. Also serving on the board from Johnson County is County Judge Christopher Boedeker. The NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local government officials within the 16-county North Central Texas region centered around Dallas and Fort Worth. The region has a population of more than 7 million (which is larger than 38 states) and an area of about 12,800 square miles (which is larger than nine states). The agency was established by state enabling legislation in 1966 to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development. Johnson was first elected to the Council Place 1 seat in May 2021. She serves on several council committees, including Community Service Corporation Type B, Community & Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Community Services Committee and Public Safety & Municipal Court Committee. She is a 2002 graduate of Burleson High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Texas State University in 2006. She completed the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Burleson program in 2008 and the Junior League of Fort Worth's All A-board Leadership training program in 2016. Following college, she served Burleson and Johnson County as a Congressional aide. As a field representative, she worked directly with the citizens; meeting with constituents, serving as a liaison to the federal government and partnering with local officials to address community needs. After that she was employed by the city of Burleson and Burleson ISD. After many years as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, she served as director of community engagement before making the decision to stay home to focus on family.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Texas leaders consider local funding to keep Heartland Flyer running to Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — With just months left before Texas pulls its share of funding for Amtrak's Heartland Flyer rail line, leaders on both ends of the route are scrambling to come up with a solution to keep the service say the loss of the train, which runs between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, would be a step backward at a time when the region's growth demands more transportation State Sen. Mark Mann (D-Oklahoma City) said population growth is shrinking the undeveloped space between the Oklahoma City and Dallas-Fort Worth metro areas.'Look at the Oklahoma City statistical metropolitan area and the Dallas, they get closer and closer each day,' Mann said. Heartland Flyer facing permanent suspension after Texas legislature declines funding And with that growth comes challenges, chief among them: the worsening traffic along I-35.'There's going to come a point very quickly, I think, where we need a viable rail option to move people between those two cities in a timely manner,' he said. 'At some point, we're going to have commuter rail, and instead of driving to Norman because it's going to be so congested.'But Mann also sees opportunity.'I mean, we're bringing the Olympics in,' he said. 'The World Cup is going to be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area next year.'He said losing the Heartland Flyer would undercut that momentum.'When you bring people in from other countries, they expect rail service,' Mann said. 'I think if this goes away, it sends a signal that we're not interested in rail service.'In a statement, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker echoed that concern, calling the Heartland Flyer 'key to ensuring Fort Worth's continued success as a global destination.'She pointed out Fort Worth is Amtrak's busiest station in Texas, 'generating millions in economic impact annually.'On Tuesday, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)—an alliance of more than 200 cities, counties and school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area—confirmed they are working to 'figure out a long term funding solution' using local funds, once Texas' funding is set to expire in September.'It may come down to municipalities or counties that have to step up if we want to keep the service going,' Mann said he's also working with the Oklahoma City Chamber to explore what other states have done in similar situations.'We're currently trying to find out and ascertain has this happened in any other states? And if so, how did they handle it?' he said. 'Really, anything we want to do in the future related to rail hinges on keeping this line open.'An Amtrak spokesperson told News 4 they also want to keep the Heartland Flyer running, noting they had plans to extend the line north to Kansas, where it could connect travelers to major lines headed toward Chicago and Los Angeles.'Ending this service would sever a well-established transportation network,' Amtrak said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is a storm coming to North Texas? Reasons why you may be hearing an Outdoor Warning Siren
If you live in the North Texas area, you might have heard a loud, disturbing sound Sunday evening. That sound, however, is meant to keep you safe. According to the National Weather Service, scattered storms are expected from Monday night through Tuesday morning, with mid-to-late week storm chances for the remainder of the week. Those storms could bring large hail and strong, gusty winds. Here is what Texans should know about the sound they hear during storms. Outdoor Warning Sirens are commonly referred to as "tornado sirens," but this term is misleading. These sirens function as an all-hazards alert system, providing alerts for various emergencies beyond tornadoes. According to the North Central Texas Council of Governments, each city determines the specific criteria for activating its outdoor sirens. While the conditions that trigger the alarms may differ slightly from place to place, they are generally set off by similar factors, including when the following conditions are met: The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning. The National Weather Service issues a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and indicates the potential for destructive winds of 70 mph or greater. Trained storm spotters have reported a tornado in the jurisdiction or in a neighboring jurisdiction that has the potential to affect your community. Observed hail of 1.5' in diameter or greater. Other emergencies, as directed by the community's designated public safety officials. Take cover right away. If no shelter is accessible and severe weather is approaching, find safety in a ditch, ravine, culvert, or other low-lying area. Ensure that the spot you choose is not at risk of flooding. Shield your head and neck with your arms or a piece of clothing for protection. When a siren sounds while you're indoors, take cover in an interior room without windows for your safety. According to Dallas City Hall, the outdoor warning system is tested on the first Wednesday of every month at noon, weather permitting. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why outdoor sirens could go off this week in North Texas
Axios
22-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Dallas-Fort Worth runs afoul of federal air standards
Dallas-Fort Worth polluters could face $45 million in yearly federal fines if the region's air quality doesn't improve by 2027. Why it matters: Air pollution is a serious threat to health, particularly for children, elderly people and those who have asthma or other lung conditions. The region has repeatedly failed to meet air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The latest: D-FW has seen an early start to the ozone season, which lasts through November. There has already been one day recorded this year when the air quality reached an unhealthy level for sensitive groups, per tracking data by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The big picture: Nearly 40% of Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association's latest " State of the Air" report on ground-level ozone. D-FW is the 13th worst out of 228 metro areas for its number of high ozone days. Zoom in: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties all received Fs in the report. Denton and Tarrant counties had the most ozone action days of the four major North Texas counties. Threat level: Ozone levels last year in D-FW reached 83 parts per billion, well above federal standards. Context: The EPA's strictest air quality standard, set in 2015, sets an ozone limit of 70 ppb. In early March, D-FW started the ozone season with 74 parts per billion. Between the lines: President Trump has targeted environmental regulations, including by attempting to end bans on " forever chemicals" and boosting U.S. oil and gas production.
