The move was cheered by locals and environmentalists who said the declaration will preserve history and create outdoor opportunities for border residents in West Texas.

The crowd gathered in Austin on Monday, waving pride flags and signs of support. The rally served as a platform to protest a slew of bills under consideration in the Texas Legislature affecting transgender youth and drag performers.

In previously unreleased interviews, police who responded to the Robb Elementary shooting told investigators they were cowed by the shooter’s military-style rifle. This drove their decision to wait for a Border Patrol SWAT team to engage him, which took more than an hour.

A new article from Texas Monthly explores the drama that has embroiled the Odessa City Council recently and the politics that motivated it.