Good morning, Odessa.

Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Middle School welcomed new principal Richard 'Mason' Kyle on July 1; he left Midland ISD to lead the campus for 1,100 students and 90 teachers and plans to hire eight more educators.

TxDOT received a $24 million BUILD grant to rebuild the I-20 and South Lamesa Road interchange in Midland County.

Construction is set to begin in Oct. 2027 and finish in late 2029, aiming to ease heavy truck traffic and congestion and support freight movement (fueling economic growth).

The City of Odessa received a July sales tax check for $6,815,836.87, with $5,452,669.50 for the city and $1,363,167.37 for the Odessa Development Corporation, marking a 10.14% increase from June's collection and year-to-date revenue above budget.

Primary care providers in West Texas urge residents to schedule annual checkups as missing these visits can lead to delayed diagnoses and higher medical costs.

They said factors such as high out-of-pocket expenses & limited provider availability often push patients toward urgent care or emergency rooms.

Medical Center Hospital will host an event on July 16 at 4 p.m. in its south admitting lobby where heart failure survivors can reunite with the team that saved them and listen to speakers on care and the Impella device (a temporary heart pump).

Odessa Geek Fest 2026

July 11-12 — Ector County Coliseum — Registration Info TBA — Odessa's premier Anime, Comic, and Pop Culture convention featuring vendors, celebrity guests, panels, and performances.

Oil City Tattoo & Art Expo - 3 Day Pass

3:30 AM – 2:00 PM — Ector County Coliseum — Various prices — Experience a weekend filled with top tattoo artists, art, vendors, and a live concert.

Oil City Tattoo Expo

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Ector County Coliseum — Ticket prices vary — Explore the vibrant world of tattoos and meet talented artists at this local event.