WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release these emergency payments by May 30, and today she is delivering on that commitment ahead of schedule.

Intent to Drill 

ROBERTS (LARD RANCH, Granite Wash –C-) Valpoint Operating, LLC, #1H Payne Ranch, (2636.16 acres) 3263’ FWL & 8662’ FNL, Clay CSL Surv, A-50, 18.5 mi NW from Miami TD 8900’, (BHL: 3263’ FWL & 962’ FNL Clay CSL, A-50) (sgd. Weldon Waters 512-478-3456) Horizontal

Gas Completions 

POTTER (CLIFFSIDE) Messer Helium Cliffside LLC, #A 2 Bivins 22, 12.7 mi NW from Amarillo, Sec 22, Blk 6, BS&F Surv, A-1319, spud 11-11-1934, compl 6-21-1966, tested 8-21-2024, potential 366 mcf, 0 bbls-oil, 0 bbls wtr, 78#

Misdemeanor Arrests

• Luis Martin Vargas, 25, Canadian; expired registration, no liability insurance and driving while license invalid (suspended) D/L with prior convictions; 05/31/25; HCSO

Felony Arrests

Legislative session wraps up

The dust hasn’t quite settled on the 2025 legislative session, but here’s a sampling of bills already sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.

• A ban on clubs supporting gay teens in public schools won final legislative passage on Saturday. The measure sponsored by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would prohibit schools from authorizing or sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity.