UBCNews

WorldFest Houston Announces WorldFest 59, April 24-May 3, 2026, With Full Schedule Now Live 34 feature films and 89 short films, filmmaker seminars and wellness programming, WorldFest Village festival hub, and the Remi Awards Dinner returning May 2 at Hotel ZaZa Memorial City HOUSTON, Texas, March 30, 2026 — WorldFest Houston will return to Memorial City April 24-May 3, 2026, for the 59th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, showcasing 34+ feature films and 89+ short films alongside seminars, workshops, and wellness programming designed to support filmmakers and audiences alike. “We’re building on what has always made WorldFest special, which is discovery,” said Festival Director Katy Lea Cannon. “But we’re expanding that idea. It’s not just about discovering films. It’s about supporting filmmakers—how they connect, sustain themselves, and grow creative careers over time.” A global slate of independent storytelling WorldFest 59 will present a wide-ranging lineup of ind...

A DWI charge can feel like the end of a nursing career, but the reality is far more complex. While the Texas Board of Nursing takes alcohol-related offenses seriously, thousands of nurses have successfully navigated this challenge while keeping their professional licenses intact. And with state resources like 101.5 KNUE reporting year-over-year increases in DWI arrests, learning to overcome such tribulations is increasingly vital. Texas Nurses Must Report DWI Convictions Within 30 Days The Texas Board of Nursing requires disclosure of DWI convictions within 30 days of the conviction date. Felony DWI charges must also be reported within this timeframe, even without a conviction. Misdemeanor arrests and charges are disclosed during license renewal. Many nurses mistakenly believe they can wait until their court case concludes, but this delay can trigger severe disciplinary action for convictions and felony charges. The reporting requirement applies to criminal charges and convictions tha...

Key Takeaways I-25's gravel and debris create constant paint damage risks that require specialized protection beyond traditional waxing or ceramic coatings Paint Protection Film offers 6-10 mils of thickness versus ceramic coating's 1-2 microns, providing actual physical impact defense against road debris Colorado's magnesium chloride de-icer penetrates paint chips and accelerates rust formation, making prevention critical for long-term vehicle health High-altitude UV radiation at 6,000+ feet increases paint degradation by approximately 25% compared to sea level, requiring enhanced protection strategies Professional PPF installation serves as a long-term investment that helps avoid costly paint repair and correction services while preserving factory finish and resale value Colorado Springs drivers face a perfect storm of paint-damaging conditions. Between I-25's constant gravel bombardment, corrosive winter de-icers, and intense high-altitude UV exposure, vehicles ...

A Different Kind of Survey Crew If you've worked on a major infrastructure project recently, you've probably noticed the survey crew looks different from it used to. Where there was once a large team spread across a site with measuring equipment, there might now be a single operator with a drone. That shift is real, and it's changing what project teams can know about a site before construction begins. What LiDAR Actually Does LiDAR — short for Light Detection and Ranging — fires thousands of laser pulses per second, recording how long each takes to return. The result is a dense three-dimensional point cloud of the surrounding terrain and structures. Mounted on a drone, this kind of precision aerial survey can map complex sites in a fraction of the time a ground crew would require . The Numbers Behind The Shift The growth in aerial surveying isn't just a trend. The global construction drone market is projected to reach $19 billion by 2032, driven by adoption across infra...

Sidney James Mountain Lodge, a family-owned Gatlinburg landmark since 1958, is open and accepting reservations following an early morning fire that damaged one wing of the historic property on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. No guests or staff were injured, and no other building on the property was directly affected by the fire. The fire was reported at 1:57 a.m. on April 1, 2026, and the Gatlinburg Fire Department responded immediately and contained the blaze to a single structure, one building in the original wing of the property, before extinguishing it completely. The swift, professional response from GFD, along with assistance from the Gatlinburg Police Department and the Pigeon Forge Police Department, prevented the fire from spreading to any other part of the lodge. “Our Grandfather and Father built this place, and it is like a family member to us,” said Sid & Heather Maples, owners of Sidney James Mountain Lodge. “We are heartbroken by the damage to some of our most historic room...

Key Takeaways Early planning prevents costly mistakes and change orders that can push outdoor kitchen projects 25-50% over budget Layout design should prioritize function over appliances, focusing on traffic flow and work zones before selecting equipment Utility access for gas, electrical, and water must be planned early as these requirements can significantly impact the final kitchen layout Bakersfield's extreme heat demands specific material choices like granite and engineered concrete for countertops that can withstand UV exposure and temperature swings Thorough planning connects outdoor kitchens to the broader patio design, creating cohesive outdoor living spaces rather than isolated cooking zones A backyard makeover represents one of the most significant investments homeowners make in their outdoor living space. However, the difference between a successful transformation and a costly disappointment often comes down to one critical factor: planning. When done right, proper plan...