Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday, becoming one of just two U.S. presidents returning to office after losing reelection. His inaugural speech promised a new era of national success, bold ambitions, and swift action.
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TikTok is back online in the United States following a temporary 14-hour shutdown on Sunday. Millions of Americans use the platform, which allowed entry again after President Trump said he would delay the app's possible ban.
Law enforcement was going after the app because it had to split from its parent business, ByteDance, based in China, or it would be banned in the U.S. Sunday was the last day to comply. But Trump stepped in and said on Truth Social, "On Monday, I will issue an executive order to extend the time before the law's prohibitions take effect so we can make a deal to protect our national security."
TikTok said that Trump was responsible for restoring the app and reassuring users that they could still use it. Trump also said that tech companies that host and back TikTok, such as Apple, Google, and Oracle, will not be punished until the executive order is finalized.
This change gives TikTok users a short-term reprieve, but the app's future is still uncertain as negotiations and worries about national security continue. Millions of people in Texas and across the U.S. can go back to scrolling, posting, and interacting on the site.
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The Texas General Land Office and its partners have restored more than 5,300 linear feet of Hershey Beach on Galveston’s West End, depositing 378,000 cubic yards of dredged sand ahead of Spring Break. Officials say the project will help combat erosion estimated at nearly 7 feet per year.
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Mardi Gras Galveston concluded Tuesday night with final parades along the Strand, warm weather and a strong local turnout. Thousands gathered to close out weeks of island celebrations.