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Rep. David Farabee retiring a blow for Democrats

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, October 4, 2009

It's been a long run for the quiet man from Wichita Falls. David Farabee, the lanky, low-key state representative first elected in 1998, recently announced he won't run for re-election.

Do not ignore the illness

By Todd Staples | Published Sunday, October 4, 2009

While Washington jostles over proposed government health care legislation, simple truths are being ignored and overlooked. A great deal of the money spent on health care today is avoidable. A comptroller's report estimates Texas businesses alone are spending $1.3 billion in health care costs linked to obesity.

What do we do about child abuse?

By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, October 1, 2009

Most caring people have strong feelings when it comes to stories about terrible mistreatment of children, particularly when it is compounded with sexual assault. When I hear or read such stories my heart aches, followed quickly by total revulsion for the perpetrator(s).

Please do not tread on us

By Joseph M. Nixon | Published Thursday, October 1, 2009

Texas' economic success, achieved in part by 10 years of civil justice reform, is at risk in the current national health care debate.

Public schools forced to teach Bible course

By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, September 27, 2009

"The separation of church and state is extremely important to any of us who holds to the original traditions of our nation. To change these traditions by changing our traditional attitude toward public education would be harmful to our whole attitude of tolerance in the religion area. If we look at situations which have arisen in the past in Europe and other world areas, I think we will see the reasons why it is wise to hold to our early traditions."
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Hutchison may be factor in next Lt. Gov.

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, September 27, 2009

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the Senate's presiding officer since 2003, is hankering for the United States Senate seat Kay Bailey Hutchison has said she'll relinquish late this year to concentrate on her Republican primary challenge to Gov. Rick Perry.

One ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingy

By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, September 24, 2009

It was surrender time. I gave in to my partner and signed up our two cell phones for texting.

With health care, who needs truth?

By Jim Hightower | Published Thursday, September 24, 2009

Our country's corporatized healthcare system is so uncaring that 76 percent of Americans tell pollsters it must be "fundamentally changed" or "completely rebuilt." But Rick Scott says no, what health care needs is more corporatization - or even Wal-Martization.

The most powerful governor in Texas history?

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, September 20, 2009

"It was bad enough when Rick Perry went to meddling in the affairs of Texas A&M. But now the governor's messing with three of Texas' university systems. What does the Republican think our colleges are, his playground?"
- Dallas Morning News

It is important that everyone is counted

By Frances Deviney, Ph.D. | Published Sunday, September 20, 2009

New Census Bureau data shows that for the 10th year in a row Texas has the highest rate of uninsured children in the country, with one of every six kids uninsured. Nearly one of every four Texas kids lived in poverty in 2008 (e.g., $17,600 for a family of three).

John Sharp says he has best chance

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, September 13, 2009

John Sharp thinks he has the best chance to lead into a special election runoff for a U.S. Senate seat. At least, that's what he told a crowd Sept. 2 on a restaurant deck overlooking Lake Austin.

Governor names new leadership team for Texas Youth Commission

By Ed Sterling | Published Sunday, September 13, 2009

Officially, the Texas Youth Commission provides services to delinquent youths, ages 10 to 19, through programs and facilities that administer constructive training for rehabilitation.

French Hotel DeVilles ain't no chain

By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, September 10, 2009

A July trip to France revealed many things to this inexperienced world traveler. Nothing short of a travelogue would do justice to that beautiful, interesting country. However, there are a number of observations that can provide different views on public problems.

New homestead exemption offers relief for disabled veterans

By Susan Combs | Published Thursday, September 10, 2009

Texas state government is doing the right thing by offering a new tax exemption to a group that truly deserves our respect: disabled U.S. military veterans.

What lesson are we teaching when parents pick fear

By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, September 6, 2009

"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold." - Helen Keller
A river of fear flows through the heart of Wise County.

Keep politics out of the classroom

By Peggy Venable | Published Sunday, September 6, 2009

For some students, Sept. 8 is this year's first day of school. This year it's also another first, the first time a U.S. president has asked to be invited into classrooms to speak directly to children.

A dancing DeLay, yet. Hammer, anyone?

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, September 6, 2009

It's hard to hear about The Hammer "Dancing With The Stars" without coining one-liners.
Like, will they make him dance to "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time?"

French transportation more effecient than American

By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, September 3, 2009

No one will be shocked to hear that women and men look at things differently. Nothing underscores that more than traveling somewhere neither husband nor wife has ever been and noting things each gender views.

Governor and challengers have kind words for Sen. Kennedy

By Ed Sterling | Published Thursday, September 3, 2009

Gov. Rick Perry and challengers released statements following the death of U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who died Aug. 25 after battling brain cancer.

Perry and Hutchison oppose ObamaCare

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, August 30, 2009

Various Texans view the health care reform effort by President Obama and congressional Democrats, in comparison to the state's record on health care, very differently.

Money for nothing

By Michael Quinn Sullivan | Published Sunday, August 30, 2009

Texas' public education spending continues to inspire little confidence, with reports that SAT scores continue to be flat-to-declining. For this we have increased the amount of money flowing to the bureaucracy by 113 percent since 1998?

Woodstock was no picnic in Cleveland

By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, August 27, 2009

Woodstock nostalgia rippled through the country recently on its 40th anniversary. That three-day event - billed as the Woodstock Music and Art Fair - is used often to define the 1960s generation of young people. Those attending braved rain, mud and a crowd upwards of 400,000 to hear the music of that era and to peacefully protest a number of things, among them the Vietnam War.

Unemployment rate increases

By Ed Sterling | Published Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Texas Workforce Commission reported Aug. 21 that Texas added 37,900 new non-agricultural jobs in July.
But, 941,000 able Texas residents were listed as unemployed in July.

Hutchison, Perry take off the gloves

By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, August 23, 2009

If there are pigs, is mud nearby?
Pigs are what Gov. Rick Perry's backers trotted out to greet U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's tour to announce she's running against him.

The clean energy bill debate - Congress endangers clean air act

By Andrew Korfhage | Published Sunday, August 23, 2009

In June, the House of Representatives made history, passing the first-ever bill on climate change to succeed in either chamber of Congress.

The clean energy bill debate - ACES wild

By Kathleen Hartnett White | Published Sunday, August 23, 2009

What weighs 16 pounds, stands 14 inches tall, includes 1,480 components and 500 internal mechanisms, costs $825 billion, has more than 1,000 teeth, and may need 200,000 caretakers?

BRIDGEPORT RESIGNATIONS - Bridgeport City Administrator Van James turned in a letter of resignation Tuesday. James will be returning to Iraq with International City/County Management Association to work as a municipal consultant. James served in Iraq from December 2007 through December 2008. Bridgeport Main Street Manager Angie Tyson also turned in her resignation on Tuesday after accepting another job.