Rep. Briscoe Cain, R- Deer Park, argued that “For too long, we have referred to the body of water bordering our great state as the Gulf of Mexico — when in reality, it belongs to America,” in a statement posted to scial media site X on Jan. 29.

The Odessa American is the leading source of local news, information, entertainment and sports for the Permian Basin.

SpaceX lost contact with its powerful Starship rocket over the Gulf of Mexico after its launch on Thursday. “We lost contact with the ship, just like last time,” said SpaceX official Dan Huot, referring to a January launch in which the rocket’s upper stage exploded over the Caribbean, scattering debris.

A 'dead zone' off the Gulf coast is larger than NOAA predicted. The massive area poses danger to marine life, and recovery could take decades.

SpaceX carried out another launch of its Starship rocket Thursday but quickly lost contact with the vessel as it roared over the Gulf of Mexico. The rocket scattered debris over parts of the Caribbean,

President Trump’s order changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America prompted communities along the coast to think about the basin in a way many never had before.

Courtney E. Smith is an editor for Eater's Texas region. She lives in Dallas, where she's written about James Beard-recognized and Michelin-recognized restaurants and she loves nachos.