The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

Take 2: Texas state troopers controversial policy, Twitter accepts Elon Musk’s bid

The Take 2 series features brief weekly updates on the state or nation’s relevant news for the community.
Hannah Gonzalez
The Take 2 series features brief weekly updates on the state or nation’s relevant news for the community.

State troopers waistline: Texas state troopers have to slim down by the end of the year, or they will face discipline under the Texas Department of Public Safety’s controversial policy made to enforce the limit of the size of officers’ waistlines. The slim-down standards were originally introduced to the troopers in 2019, resulting in a lawsuit, which was later dismissed, from the union who represents the troopers. After the plan was delayed due to COVID-19, it was resumed. To meet the mandate, male troopers must keep their waistline under 40 inches and women under 35 inches. Of the 4,000 officers on the force, 200 don’t meet the standard. They were given a fitness plan to record and share their progress with the department. Officers’ must also pass their Personal Fitness Test. Troopers are judged on a percentile scale tied to their performance in a number of physical tests. Troopers must perform in the 70th percentile or higher for their age group in order to pass.

Significance: Officers who don’t meet the requirements by the end of the year can be denied promotion and overtime or removed form enforcement duties, even if they pass all other required physical fitness tests. As a matter of fact, in the latest round of testing, most officers who failed the waist measurement passed the departments’ running, rowing and weightlifting tests, showing that state troopers with proven abilities may be discounted for their size. However, officers’ are willing to make the changes necessary. “I will drink no more than one diet soda each day,” one officer pledged in a fitness improvement plan. Another is planning to “drastically cut sugar intake in all its forms” and avoid fast food.

Elon Musk buys Twitter: On April 25, Twitter accepted Elon Musk’s $44 billion offer to take ownership of the social media platform and transform it into a private company. By Making it a private company, it eliminates all shareholders and places the control in his hands. Musk’s main problem with Twitter is that it is too restrictive. Under his ownership, he plans to pivot away from content removals and account bans. He also proposes to open up Twitter’s algorithm to public review so that users can understand how it makes decisions. 

Significance: Musk’s bid to take Twitter private has inspired unsolicited input from US lawmakers about its impact on the 2024 US presidential election. People are uncertain of what happens when the world’s richest man gains singular control over that influence. Many users are leaving out of fear that Musk is using it for his own benefit, but many are returning at the hope of a more fair platform. In a tweet on Monday, Musk said he hoped even his “worst critics” continued to use his platform “because this is what free speech means.” 

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About the Contributors
Campbell Lester, Editor-In-Chief
Junior year is here, and Campbell Lester still isn’t sure whether she is ready or not. Nevertheless, she is beyond excited to enter her third year on staff as Editor-In-Chief with her fearless karaoke partner, Mia Reaugh. Lester’s summer was top tier; from scuba diving to running in 110 degree weather, it doesn’t get much better. If drowning in schoolwork or passing out from cross country doesn’t get to her first, you can most definitely find her at Cottonwood Creek Church, Smoothie King, Celebration Park or any place where her friends and family are. Her windows are usually down while driving, and there’s a good chance you’ll hear Zach Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, Luke Combs or Morgan Wallen blasting. Lester is ready for another great year!
Hannah Gonzalez, Graphics Editor
Mama Mia, here we go again. As she takes her last ride in the TRL classroom, Hannah Gonzalez is ready to end this year with a bang. Gonzalez serves as a Co-Graphics editor for the third year in a row and this is her fourth year on staff. When she’s not making killer graphics, you can most likely find Gonzalez on the volleyball court, at FCA meetings, in school or going for a joy ride in the Jeep that she named “Beep.” Although TRL is life, Gonzalez also enjoys going for late-night ice cream runs, watching early morning sunrises, going to church every Sunday morning and going on an occasional lake trip. To add to her list of accomplishments, Gonzalez has won three state championships and is looking for a fourth. With her happy planner by her side, Gonzalez is looking forward to kicking procrastination to the curb as she conquers her final year as a high school student. 

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