Good morning, Odessa.

Keep Odessa Beautiful organized a cleanup event on Monday, April 28th at West Loop 338 Service Road between 16th and 22nd street where around 100 students from the Young Men’s Leadership Academy and Mayor Cal Hendrick helped pick up trash — a move aimed at boosting Odessa’s safety and appearance. The organizers provided all necessary materials to support the effort and educate the community on reducing, reusing, and recycling.

More than 200 MCH employees and their families and friends cleaned a 3-mile stretch of Highway 80 from Grandview Ave to just west of the MCM Grande FunDome in Odessa as part of a large cleanup event.

MCH thanked the City of Odessa, Keep Odessa Beautiful, Odessa Bible Church, and Grace Christian for providing equipment, support, drivers and vans for transport.

On Friday, May 2, local residents will join First Friday ODTX for an evening of art, shopping, and community activity downtown.

The event will feature a $5 Encanto screening at The Ector Theatre — vendor markets, a magic show, and live DJ performances round out the festivities.

Odessa oilman Kirk Edwards and Waco economist Ray Perryman said the Permian Basin could benefit if the oil and gas tax depletion allowance is raised from 15 percent, where it has been since 1984.

They explained that a higher allowance might help small producers by keeping wells operational + boosting profitability as oil prices have fallen.

GasBuddy's survey of 156 stations shows that gas prices in Midland-Odessa increased by 11.7 cents per gallon last week, averaging $2.74 on Monday.

Prices are 1.5 cents higher than a month ago and 46.4 cents lower than a year ago—while the cheapest station was $2.49 and the priciest was $3.19 on Sunday.

The U.S. LNG business is growing with eight export terminals in operation, five being built, and 18 approved but not built.

Industry experts said projects in Texas will meet strong demand from Europe and Asia — boosting energy security — even as market rules change.

Vote for Odessa College PAC filed its first 2025 campaign finance report with the Texas Ethics Commission on April 25, showing contributions of $205,000, expenditures of $202,324.36, and cash on hand of $104,096.11—its top donation of $100,000 came from the Odessa Industrial Development Corp. Funds were mainly used for TV ads and a marketing firm to support Odessa College’s $325 million bond campaign.

Today, the Odessa Police Department is hosting a Neighborhood Watch Meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the OPD facility — on N.

Lincoln — where officials from the Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse will talk about Alcohol Abuse Awareness during Alcohol Awareness Month.

Annie Musical Performance

7:30-10 p.m. — Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center — Tickets required — Experience the uplifting story of Little Orphan Annie filled with hope and determination.

Viva La Fiesta Odessa

12 PM — Ector County Coliseum — Tickets from $20 — Experience a vibrant celebration with concerts, food trucks, vendors, and exciting carnival activities.

Viva La Fiesta Odessa featuring Javier Rosas y Su Artillería Pesada

12-3 p.m. — Ector County Coliseum — Tickets from $20 — Celebrate with music, food, and carnival fun at this vibrant community festival.

Get The Led Out - A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center — Tickets required — Experience the high-energy tribute to Led Zeppelin performed by a Philadelphia-based group with an authentic sound.

Mother & Son Dance

5-9 p.m. — Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center — $25 per person — Celebrate the special bond between mothers and sons with music, dancing, and fun activities.

Friday Night Flicks – Toy Story

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Salinas Park — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly movie night featuring Toy Story with games and food trucks.

Odessa Hiring Fair

5-8 a.m. — Workforce Solutions Permian Basin — Free entry — Connect with diverse employers and explore job opportunities across various industries.