Holiday headaches

Record 5.6 million Texans are hitting the road this 4th of July

Maybe just stay home for the holiday.

Texas Transportation Institute

Get ready to share the roads, Texas drivers: A new report by AAA Texas is predicting the highest travel volume on record during the 2024 Independence Day holiday week. An estimated 5.6 million Texans are expected to take a trip at some point during the nine-day period from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7.

The statewide projection is a 5.2 percent increase over last year's travel numbers, and an 8.3 percent hike from 2019, the report found. Driving has consistently been the most popular form of transportation during the holiday period - with 4.8 million people expected to travel by car in 2024 - followed by 555,000 estimated air travelers, and 242,000 taking public transportation.

It's almost enough to make Fort Worth residents want to stay home and enjoy all the local fireworks and events around town.

Summer break is the perfect time for a quick getaway to a family-friendly destination now that children are out of school, and there's no better place to be than Texas, which outshined the rest of the nation as the No. 1 state for summer road trips in 2024. Don't forget to check your vehicle tires, battery, and fluid levels: AAA Texas expects to rescue over 41,000 stranded Texas drivers during the holiday period.

The report says the top destinations in Texas are mostly located on the coast or near a body of water, like Galveston, Corpus Christi, or the San Antonio River Walk. But the beloved Texas Hill Country, plus major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, weren't too far behind.

This period will also see the highest demand for rental cars, with the busiest rental car pick-up days on June 28-29, and July 4.

Nationally, AAA Texas predicts nearly 71 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over Independence Day week in 2024. Though most Americans will be traveling domestically, AAA Texas vice president and general manager Galen Grillo says many people will also be heading out of the country for the occasion.

"We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest for this holiday ever," Grillo says in a release. "Travel is in high gear this summer with more people not only booking domestic trips, but AAA travel advisors are seeing more international and cruise bookings as many people are taking bucket list vacations."

For those who will be flying for Independence Day, make sure to arrive at the airport at least two hours for domestic flights, or three hours prior to an international flight. And try not to check a bag if it can be avoided, just in case there are any flight delays or cancelations.

texas driving 4th of july holidays

FWPD News

Fort Worth's longtime police chief Neil Noakes will retire in 2025

FWPD

FWPD chief Neil Noakes

After more than 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Police Department, Police Chief Neil Noakes will retire from law enforcement, effective May 2025.

Chief Noakes has been with the FW Police Department since 2000 and was appointed Chief of Police in 2021 by City Manager David Cooke.

In a statement, Noakes says that he's retiring to focus on his family.

"My emotions are mixed because I have been with the FWPD for half my life and have truly enjoyed my career," Noakes says. "Being part of our FWPD family has been an incredible honor and a privilege. I work with amazing people who strive to make a positive difference every day. I have also enjoyed working with an incredibly supportive Mayor, Council, and City Manager’s Office."

"My decision comes down to family," he says. "I have a supportive and loving wife and children who have sacrificed so much and supported me and the Fort Worth Police Department. I became a grandfather in July, and I have a second grandchild on the way. It’s time for me to focus on my family."

Chief Noakes has held various ranks and served in multiple areas of the department, including Patrol, DWI, Motors, and Internal Affairs.

Before being named Chief of Police, Noakes served as Deputy Chief, overseeing the South Command. He earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tarleton State University and his master's degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Texas Christian University (TCU). Additionally, he is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 137th Administrative Officers Course and TCU’s inaugural Leadership, Executive, and Administrative Development Program (L.E.A.D. #1).

His accomplishments include establishing a new Wellness Unit and his involvement in youth engagement programs such as Operation Progress, Read2Win, All Pro Dad, and the City of Fort Worth’s Education Initiative.

In a statement Fort Worth City Manager David Cooke praises Chief Noakes for his focus on community problem-solving and reducing crime, even despite Fort Worth’s population growth over the last decade.

“You’ve got to love the job to be good at being a police chief and he’s an extraordinary police chief," Cooke says. "If you hear him talk about the officers and the staff that work at the police department you get this beautiful understanding of what it’s like to be a police family. He leads the police department with that type of ethic and family feeling."

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker says she has "nothing but respect" for Noakes' decision to retire and put family first.

"I’m so grateful to Neil, his wife, and his family for the more than 25 years of service, sacrifice, and leadership that he has provided to Fort Worth, Parker says. "He has led the Fort Worth Police Department through some of the most difficult times our city has faced with humility, transparency, and compassion for the community as his top priority. He is truly leaving this department better than he found it."

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