Previous Coverage and Enforcement
December marked a significant milestone as it was one year since commercial vehicles were banned from the I-20 construction zone in Bossier City. Louisiana State Police and several local agencies have been actively enforcing this ban and have already written around 5,500 tickets. The enforcement efforts have been extensive, aiming to ensure the safety of the construction zone and the general public.What Happens to Ticket Money
If an 18-wheeler driver who has been ticketed decides to go to court and pay the fine, the money from the ticket is divided among roughly a dozen government agencies. This includes the agency that initially wrote the ticket, as well as the city and sheriff's office. The distribution of this money is a complex process that requires careful consideration and management. It ensures that various entities play a role in the enforcement and safety efforts.Marvin's Perspective
Ultimately, District Attorney Marvin's main goal is to keep these 18-wheelers out of the I-20 rehab zone. He goes so far as to suggest that the law should be kept in place permanently to safeguard people's safety. His stance is based on the importance of maintaining a safe environment during the construction phase. He believes that by keeping the 18-wheelers away from the zone, there will be fewer accidents and fewer risks to the construction workers and the general public.Impact on Drivers
For the 18-wheeler drivers, being ticketed can have serious consequences. However, the diversion program offers them a chance to avoid having the ticket on their record. This can be a lifeline for many drivers who rely on their CDL licenses for their livelihoods. It shows that there is an understanding of the challenges faced by these drivers and an effort to provide them with a second chance.Challenges Facing the Project
State Sen. Chuck Hall, chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations, expressed his disappointment. "We had hoped these new beds would come online as early as late 2026," he said. The project was initially estimated at $150 million, but the state now needs an additional $125 million. The legislature will have to make a crucial decision regarding filling this funding gap. Hall further explained that inflation is one of the factors contributing to the increased costs. Additionally, former leaders of the OSDMHSAS did not include certain costs in the initial bids in 2022. "Furniture, fixtures, and equipment were not included in that bid," he stated.Another significant issue is the "design flaws" identified. Bathrooms that were originally planned to be placed in the hallway locations now need to be in the patient rooms. This change in design will add to the project's expenses. The property value of the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman is also $40 million less than anticipated. "Due to the current market conditions and the cost of potential remediation," Hall said.Implications and Future Steps
The legislature now has the difficult task of deciding whether to provide the necessary millions to make the project happen or explore other options. As we look at the severe mental health crisis in Oklahoma, it is clear that we need to do everything possible for this population. These conversations are expected to take place when the new legislative session begins in February. It remains to be seen how the legislature will address this critical issue and ensure the timely completion of the state's largest mental health hospital.Impact on Mental Health Care in Oklahoma
The delay in the construction of this hospital has significant implications for the mental health care system in Oklahoma. With the increasing demand for mental health services, the lack of these additional beds will only exacerbate the problem. Patients in need of immediate care may have to wait longer for available resources. This situation highlights the urgency of resolving the funding crisis and getting the construction back on track. It is essential that the legislature takes swift action to provide the necessary funds and address the various challenges faced by the project. Only then can Oklahoma begin to address its mental health crisis more effectively.Uncover the Differences between OnePlus 13 and 12
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Specifications
The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 12 come with some notable differences in their specifications. The OnePlus 13 features a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while the OnePlus 12 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In terms of operating systems, the OnePlus 13 runs on ColorOS 15 (based on Android 15), while the OnePlus 12 uses OxygenOS 14 (Android 14). Regarding RAM and storage, the OnePlus 13 offers 12GB, 16GB, and 24GB options, along with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. In contrast, the OnePlus 12 has 12GB and 16GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage.
When it comes to displays, both phones have a 6.82-inch 2K OLED screen. However, the OnePlus 13 will have a new micro quad curved display, which seems to make the bezels around the display slimmer. In terms of dimensions, the OnePlus 13 is 6.41 x 3.01 x 0.36 inches, while the OnePlus 12 is 6.46 x 2.98 x 0.36 inches. The OnePlus 13 is also lighter, weighing 7.4 ounces compared to the OnePlus 12's 7.76 ounces. In terms of colors, the OnePlus 13 offers black, blue, and white, while the OnePlus 12 comes in Flowy Emerald and Silky Black.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Price and Availability
The OnePlus 12 was launched globally on January 23, 2024, with a starting price of $799 for the base model with 256GB of RAM. It is available in two colors: Flowy Emerald and Silky Black. Interestingly, OnePlus increased the price of its flagship phone by $100 compared to the OnePlus 11. The OnePlus 13 is also out, but only in China for now. It is confirmed to come to the U.S. and Canada in January 2025. The base model with 256GB of storage costs 4499 yuan (~$632) in China. Most observers suspect the U.S. price to be between $699 and $799. If the OnePlus 13 keeps the $799 starting price, it is likely to offer a $100 trade-in discount like it did with the OnePlus Open and OnePlus 12.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Design
Looking at the images shared by OnePlus, the design language of the OnePlus 13 hasn't changed significantly. It is narrower and longer than the OnePlus 12 but lighter at 7.4 ounces. The design continues the tradition of having a circular protrusion on the back for the triple camera array and the familiar alert slider on the left side. Small changes include the flat metal trim that outlines the OnePlus 13, which is a departure from the curved edges of the OnePlus 12. The blue color option of the OnePlus 13 has a leather texture pattern, similar to the OnePlus Open Apex Edition. We're curious about how well it holds up over time. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 has improved water resistance with dual IP68 and IP69 ratings, providing superior submersion protection and the ability to withstand strong, high-pressure jet streams of water, which is a significant improvement over the IP65 rating of the OnePlus 12.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Display
The display is likely to be the most debated aspect between the two phones as the specs initially seem identical. Both have a 6.82-inch OLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. However, the OnePlus 13's new micro quad curved display might give it a more sleek look with thinner bezels. We're eager to see if it actually turns out to be brighter than the OnePlus 12. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL recorded 2,469 nits, and the OnePlus 13 will need to exceed this to claim a new record.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Camera
Although the OnePlus 12 performed well in camera performance, it still didn't secure the top spot in our best camera phones list. There is room for improvement with the OnePlus 13, especially in low light performance. The OnePlus 12 has a 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, while the OnePlus 13 has a triple 50MP camera system with the same 3x optical zoom. The ultrawide camera on the OnePlus 13 has a brighter f/2.0 aperture lens, which is expected to deliver sharper details and better low-light performance. We hope to see the telephoto camera improve as well, as the OnePlus 13 uses a 50MP sensor instead of the 64MP one in the OnePlus 12. On the video side, the OnePlus 13 can capture 4K 60 fps Dolby Vision footage and has a 4-microphone setup with AI-assisted noise reduction.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Performance
When the OnePlus 12 launched, it set a high standard with the outstanding performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The leaked benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13 suggest that it could push the boundaries even further. There will be a version of the OnePlus 13 with 24GB of RAM, which is an absurd amount. This could help retain more apps in memory, reducing refreshing and being beneficial for productivity apps and potential new AI features.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Battery Life and Charging
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus 12 led to power efficiency improvements, resulting in excellent battery life. The OnePlus 12 achieved 17 hours and 5 minutes in our testing and is in the top 5 of the best phone battery life list with a 5,400 mAh battery. The OnePlus 13 has an even larger 6,000 mAh battery, and paired with the newer power optimizations of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it could potentially outlast its predecessor. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 comes with 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. However, when the U.S. version is officially announced, the wired charging speed might change, as it did with last year's phone, where the U.S. version had 80W charging instead of 100W.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Software
Currently, the China-released OnePlus 13 runs on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15. When it comes to the U.S. release, it will most likely have Oxygen OS 15 based on Android 15. There is little known about the new changes in OxygenOS 15 for the OnePlus 13, but our hands-on experience focuses a lot on new AI features. OxygenOS 15 comes with its version of Google's Magic Eraser for photo editing and AI-assisted summary and writing tools. However, we've seen similar features in other phones. It remains to be seen if OnePlus will keep these features consistent across all devices or save some exclusive ones for the OnePlus 13. Additionally, it's unclear if OnePlus will follow the strategy of its rivals and offer seven years of major software and security updates like the OnePlus 12, which only gets four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Outlook
Despite having a good idea of what the OnePlus 13 offers currently, there might still be some surprises when the global version is released in January. We're confident that the Snapdragon 8 Elite will enhance the OnePlus 13 in performance and battery life. However, for it to be a worthy upgrade over the OnePlus 12, the camera output and AI features need to be compelling. And of course, the pricing remains a crucial factor. While we don't expect an increase, anything could happen when the phone finally debuts outside of China.