Odessa American

12/27/2025

The Holy Bible teaches that it is more blessed to give than receive.

Many folks along the way have — through various ways — expanded boundaries of giving. Someone campaigning for increased giving to the church reminded that “the Lord also accepts from a grouch.”

The Holy Bible teaches that it is more blessed to give than receive. Many folks along the way have — through various ways — expanded boundaries of giving. Someone campaigning for increased giving to the church reminded that “the Lord also accepts from a grouch.” How grateful I am, as 2025 cl...

12/27/2025

The importance of effective early childhood education can hardly be overstated. In addition to improving the future quality of life and opportunities for children by better preparing them for success in school, such options are crucial to working parents. My firm recently examined this phenomenon through an economic cost and benefit lens, and the results make a compelling case for substantial and sustained investments.

The importance of effective early childhood education can hardly be overstated. In addition to improving the future quality of life and opportunities for children by better preparing them for success in school, such options are crucial to working parents. My firm recently examined this phenomenon th...

12/27/2025

529 education savings plans are powerful tools to help pay for the mounting costs of an education. Yet some people hesitate to use them.

One common concern is oversaving. You can only use 529 funds can only cover qualified education expenses without incurring a tax penalty, but it can be hard to pinpoint how much money you actually need.

By MARGARET GILES of Morningstar 529 education savings plans are powerful tools to help pay for the mounting costs of an education. Yet some people hesitate to use them. One common concern is oversaving. You can only use 529 funds can only cover qualified education expenses without incurring a tax p...

12/27/2025

Christ is called Emanuel, which means, “God is with us” and we are so grateful that Jesus came to save us! Yes, we enjoy the nativity, but He’s not a baby today. He lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, and rose again because He loved you more than anything in the world. Whatever you are going through this season, know that God wants you to place Him at the top of your priority list.

By William F. Holland Jr. Ph.D. Ordained/Licensed Christian minister Christ is called Emanuel, which means, “God is with us” and we are so grateful that Jesus came to save us! Yes, we enjoy the nativity, but He’s not a baby today. He lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, and rose again be...

12/27/2025

It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.

By MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer NEW YORK It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company [...

12/27/2025

This time of year invites reflection. As the Christmas season approaches and we prepare to turn the page on another year, it’s a good moment to pause and consider what we’ve been able to accomplish together and how those efforts position West Texas for the year ahead.

By State Rep. Brooks Landgraf This time of year invites reflection. As the Christmas season approaches and we prepare to turn the page on another year, it’s a good moment to pause and consider what we’ve been able to accomplish together and how those efforts position West Texas for the year ahea...

12/27/2025

For the kids out there going to Christmas parties and taking pictures with your friends, a word of advice. Dance like no one is watching but take group pictures like they may be used to impeach you someday.

For the kids out there going to Christmas parties and taking pictures with your friends, a word of advice. Dance like no one is watching but take group pictures like they may be used to impeach you someday. For a Christmas gift to all of us, the released “Epstein files” were accompanied by an an...

12/26/2025

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12/26/2025

Stocks closed slightly lower on Friday in a quiet day of trading as investors returned from the Christmas holiday.

The S&P 500 index fell 2.11 points, less than 0.1%, to close at 6,929.94, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 20.19 points, also less than 0.1%, to 48,710.97 and the Nasdaq composite fell 20.21 points, or 0.1%, to 23,593.10.

The Associated Press NEW YORK Stocks closed slightly lower on Friday in a quiet day of trading as investors returned from the Christmas holiday. The S&P 500 index fell 2.11 points, less than 0.1%, to close at 6,929.94, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 20.19 points, also less than 0.1%, to 48,71...

12/26/2025

The in the Permian Basin was up by one this week as Plains-West Texas Intermediate Posting ended today at $53.22 per barrel, up 8 cents from last Friday’s close.

The rig count in the Permian Basin was up one this week, the latest count Tuesday by Baker Hughes shows, with 247 rigs active in the region. A year ago, 304 rigs were active in the region. Nationally, the oil and gas rig count is up three from last week at 545 rigs. A year [...]

12/26/2025

Crude oil closed down $1.61 today at $56.74 per barrel.

Crude Oil: 56.74 (-1.61). Nymex MTD AVG: 57.8500. Natural Gas: 4.366 (+0.124). Gasoline: 1.6971 (-0.0500). Spreads: February/March (+0.18) March/April (+0.11). Plains WTI Posting: 53.22 (-1.61).

12/26/2025

An archeology team from Texas Tech University in collaboration with Texas Historical Commission archeologists Kay Hindes, Jim Bruseth, Tiffany Osburn and Brad Jones found the lost site of Mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo in early December. The site is located in Jackson County, Texas, on a private ranch near the Presidio la Bahía and Fort St. Louis.

An archeology team from Texas Tech University in collaboration with Texas Historical Commission archeologists Kay Hindes, Jim Bruseth, Tiffany Osburn and Brad Jones found the lost site of Mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo in early December. The site is located in Jackson County, Texas, on ...