News

Consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has increased considerably in recent years, and automotive industry forecasts indicate that demand is likely to continue to rise over the next five to 10 years. Despite that popularity, some are still not sure if EVs are more eco-friendly than traditional cars and trucks, a skepticism that is typically linked to the production of EV batteries. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology report that EVs ultimately are more eco-friendly than gas-powered alternatives, even if the batteries needed to power them are more carbon-intensive to manufacture than gas-powered cars. In their 2019 Insights Into Future Mobility study, researchers at MIT determined that the average gas-powered car emits more than 350 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile driven over their lifetimes. By contrast, hybrid and plug-in hybrids emitted around 260 grams of CO2 per mile driven, while fully battery-electric vehicles emitted 200 grams of CO2 per mile driven. The future also looks even better for EVs, as the MIT report indicates battery EVs could drop to around 125 grams of CO2 per mile driven by 2050 as more countries work to decarbonize their electric grids.

The Texas labor market marked record-breaking growth with January overthe- month increases in jobs, Texans employed, and the civilian labor force. Following annual benchmarking revisions to the 2023 labor market data, Texas’ seasonally adjusted job count increased by 18,900 in January to reach 14,053,400 jobs and achieve growth in 43 of the last 45 months.

The University of Wyoming lists the following students from Texas on the 2023 fall semester academic Dean’s and Dean’s Freshman Honor Rolls.

NOT ALL WHITE BASS ‘UP THE CREEK’

Debt continues to be a major concern for households across North America. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York Center for Microeconomic Data found total household debt reached $17.29 trillion in the third quarter of 2023 in the United States. This upward trajectory has been going on since 2021 and is largely driven by mortgages, credit cards and student loan balances.

Scoop

Upper Iowa University is pleased to announce Phong Dang of Forney, TX, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Admin in December 2023.

An overwhelming task lies ahead for ranchers whose pastures and ranchland were burned by the wildfires that left thousands of miles of fencing to be repaired or replaced.

A delicate butterfly alighting on a garden bloom is a tangible sign for many that spring has indeed arrived.

Time For Financial Spring Cleaning?

University of Wyoming Fall Semester President’s Honor Roll

Between February 29 through March 3, 2024, a collaborative proactive policing effort involving the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, Kaufman County Street Crimes Unit, Forney Police Department, Kaufman County Pct. 2 deputies, and the Kaufman County DA’s Office yielded significant results. During this threeday operation, law enforcement successfully recovered over $90,000 worth of stolen property (including a trailer filled with stolen mattresses), vehicles, and travel trailers.

March 6, 2024