Latest news with #Treviño
Mint
04-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Welcome to Starbase, Texas. What's next for Elon Musk's rocket-building company town
A SpaceX booster at a launch site in March. Starbase, Texas, Elon Musk's new company town dedicated to huge rockets, has left the launchpad. Polls closed Saturday at 8 p.m. ET following a vote on whether to incorporate a handful of SpaceX rocket facilities and housing near Brownsville, Texas, as a municipality called Starbase. Shortly after voting ended, about 98% of 177 votes cast supported forming the town, according to unofficial results that local election supervisors posted online. Just under 300 voters were able to cast ballots for or against the incorporation, meaning the measure was poised to pass easily. The lopsided result was expected. Eligible voters had to live within the proposed town's boundaries, where SpaceX already owns almost all of the property. Most voters either work for the company or are tied to it through partners. Located at the end of a potholed road regularly traversed by Teslas, the complex has grown alongside Musk's ambitions—chiefly, developing a rocket that can land humans on Mars. It has drawn in SpaceX staff from other company sites and created thousands of new jobs in South Texas. Remi Garza, the elections administrator for Cameron County, Texas, said in a recent interview that once all ballots are counted, county commissioners need to certify the election results before the town is officially on the books. After certification, the new municipality of Starbase could begin operations. SpaceX hasn't said much about its plans for the town. One of its top executives in South Texas, Kathy Lueders, said in a letter last year that incorporating Starbase would help the company build up its workforce. Some tasks that the company handles right now would be better managed by a public entity, she said. 'We'll probably be having more specific conversations on governing functions they'll take on right away and where they'll need some assistance," Eddie Treviño, Cameron County's top elected official, said in a recent interview. Treviño expects the company to continue increasing its head count for Starbase. Alan Bojorquez, a Texas attorney specializing in municipal issues, said towns and cities in the state typically focus on coming up with spending plans over the summer. 'Whatever the goals and ambitions of the new city of Starbase are, the first thing they're going to have to look at is what the budget is," he said. Texas law provides municipalities with a wide set of powers. Starbase could create zoning rules, raise revenue and hire staff to carry out town functions. State law doesn't require towns to do much, though they must follow statutory provisions regarding open meetings, public records and more. The town could gain other powers. Texas legislators have proposed a bill that would allow Starbase, as a town, to close a beach abutting its launch site at the complex during weekdays. Treviño, the county leader, and other area residents oppose that idea. Starbase's newly elected officials have ties to SpaceX. Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice president, was elected mayor. Texas code has provisions regarding conflicts of interest for local officials dealing with companies from which they receive pay, or own equity. SpaceX, an economic force in the Rio Grande Valley, said last year it was employing around 3,400 staff and contractors at the Starbase site. Those jobs, along with the tourists visiting the area to watch launches, are part of why many local elected officials support the company. Activists warn that Starbase's rocket operations hurt the environment , and object to restricting access to the beach. Launches are noisy and shake nearby houses, according to locals. SpaceX has said it is committed to mitigating the impact of Starship and works closely with government agencies to do so. Some residents living near Starbase fear incorporation will deliver more power to the company. It is all about Starship. SpaceX is planning a mission to Mars with the roughly 400-foot-tall rocket and has won contracts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to use it on agency moon landings . At Starbase, the company builds boosters and spacecraft, and launches them. SpaceX has conducted eight Starship flight tests. While the last couple ended in explosions , the company has been able to recapture the towering booster rocket back at its launchpad. Musk for decades has been obsessed with sending crews to Mars, and making humanity a multiplanetary species. Starbase—where a sign trumpets 'Gateway to Mars"—is a physical manifestation of that dream. The SpaceX founder and chief executive has also lived at Starbase, according to a biography by Walter Isaacson. A few years ago, Musk picked a company-owned home at the site for his residence, the book said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to give Starbase control over Boca Chica closures revived
May 2—Legislation that would take away Cameron County's authority over SpaceX-related beach and road closures has been revived in the House State Affairs Committee after being narrowly voted down in the same committee a couple of days earlier. Sen. Adam Hinojosa's (R-Corpus Christi) Senate Bill 2188, taken up by the committee in lieu of identical House Bill 4660 from Rep. Janie Lopez (R-San Benito), passed 8-6 on Wednesday— recommended without amendment to a vote by the full House — after failing 7-6 on Monday. The Senate passed SB 2188 on April 5. The legislation would hand over to Starbase — a newly minted municipality likely to be approved in the May 3 election — authority over closures over S.H. 4 and Boca Chica Beach except from Friday at noon to 8 a.m. Monday, during which authority would remain with the county. Although the bills' reference municipalities with spaceports and beach access, without specifically mentioning Starbase, they appear tailor made to accommodate SpaceX's wishes when it comes to its operations at Boca Chica. County officials are staunchly opposed to handing control over closures to Starbase's municipal government, which doesn't exist yet. County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr., who has argued against the legislation from the start, said he knew the matter wasn't settled. Treviño said he doesn't buy the argument from SpaceX and other proponents of the legislation that it's necessary to streamline the process of implementing closures. "There is no good reason to change the current protocol," he said. "I don't think that the process has proven to be inefficient whatsoever — quite the opposite. As I think as we've gotten more and more experience and more accustomed to it, it's become much more efficient. "The whole point I think is to make sure that the public is aware of when potential closures or delays may be taking place. We've done that. On occasion the county has said no (to SpaceX), but we've tried real hard to work with them and we're going to continue to do that." Those behind the legislation would be hard pressed to show how not passing it would negative impact SpaceX's operations, Treviño said. "I think the history shows that the county's been extremely supportive, while at the same time trying to safeguard the public access to the beach," he added. Treviño said the county will continue to argue its position among state and local officials, and encouraged county residents who are against the change to contact as many state representatives as possible to register their opposition. "Until the session's over, then we need to keep trying," he said. Treviño said he can see how SB 2188 and HB 4660 might be viewed by some as further evidence of SpaceX's intent to consolidate control of Boca Chica at the expense of the public — though Treviño emphasized that he hopes that's not the case. "I can certainly understand that sentiment," he said. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TEGNA Names John Treviño President and General Manager at WKYC in Cleveland
John Treviño TYSONS, Va., March 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) announced today that John Treviño has been named president and general manager at WKYC, the NBC affiliate serving Cleveland, Ohio, effective March 24. Treviño will be responsible for overseeing the station's operations serving Cleveland community members across all platforms, as well as leading the station's focus on driving results for advertisers as director of sales. 'John brings more than 30 years of experience in the local broadcast industry to Cleveland,' said Larry Delia, SVP, operations, TEGNA. 'His A+ leadership at KBMT-KJAC has been instrumental in driving transformational growth at the station. John's leadership and expertise will elevate our team at WKYC and further strengthen our commitment to serving the Cleveland community.' "My time at KBMT-KJAC has been an incredible journey, and I'm proud of the work we've done to grow our business, expand digital storytelling, and strengthen community connections. As I transition to WKYC—a station with a rich legacy of excellence and deep community trust—I'm excited to build on that foundation. I look forward to working with a talented team to drive innovation, enhance audience engagement, and position WKYC for continued success in a rapidly evolving media landscape." Treviño was most recently president and general manager of KBMT-KJAC, the flagship stations of the 12NewsNow network serving the Golden Triangle area of Southeast Texas. He led KBMT-KJAC through a period of transformational growth, increasing revenue, expanding digital and streaming platforms, and strengthening its position as a market leader. Under his leadership, the station's broadcast share grew significantly, ranking #1 in key newscasts, while streaming revenue surpassed projections. He modernized newsroom operations, launched successful content initiatives, and implemented key technological upgrades that enhanced efficiency. He also expanded community partnerships and the creation of award-winning journalism, receiving a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Breaking News. Previously, Treviño served as vice president and general manager of KDAF, the CW affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth, where he spearheaded the launch of Morning After, a live multi-platform daily news magazine. Prior to KDAF, Treviño spent 11 years with NBCUniversal Local in Dallas-Fort Worth, where he held leadership roles at both KXTX-Telemundo39 and KXAS-NBC5. Treviño has proudly served on the boards of several organizations that are making an impact in the greater Texas community, including the Texas Association of Broadcasters, the University of Texas at Arlington's President's Hispanic Advisory Council, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Visit Dallas, and Junior Achievement of Dallas. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he and his family will be relocating to Cleveland from Beaumont. About TEGNA TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people on a monthly basis across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. For more information, visit For media inquiries, contact:Anne BentleyVice President, Chief Communications Officer703-873-6366abentley@ For investor inquiries, contact:Julie HeskettSenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer703-873-6747 investorrelations@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
