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Week of Sept. 19 - 23

Hispanic Texans likely largest demographic group
 
The U.S. Census Bureau released its latest estimate, which indicates Hispanic residents in Texas make up more of the state’s population than white residents. The new population figures from the American Community Survey indicate Hispanic Texans comprise 40.2% of the state’s population last year, while non-Hispanic white Texans made up 39.4%, as reported in the Texas Tribune.

Week of Sept. 12 - 16

Poll: Most Texas teachers consider quitting

Week of Sept. 5 - 9

Note: This is a bulldog edition of the  Capital Highlights column for the week of Sept. 5 - 9, to accommodate papers with early Labor Day deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday if events dictate.

Week of Aug. 29 - Sept. 2

Flooding prompts disaster declaration

Week of Aug. 22 - 26

Farmer’s Almanac predicting a white winter
 
As Texas gets at least a temporary reprieve this week from the heat, with a nice round of rain blanketing much of the state, the Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting January will bring significant snowfall to the state.
The periodical, founded in 1818,  develops its extended forecast “using a 204-year-old mathematical formula focused on sunspot activity, planet positions and tidal actions of the moon.” The almanac’s website claims its forecasts are 80% to 85% accurate.

Week of Aug. 15 - 19

Texas gas prices lowest in nation
While gas prices nationwide dropped below $4 per gallon average last week, the state boasts the lowest prices in the country at an average of $3.49 — 50 cents below the national average, according to AAA Texas.

Week of Aug. 8 - 12

Drivers urged to be alert as school begins
 
Millions of Texas children are heading back to school this month, as early as this week in some districts. The Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to be especially alert and focused when driving in school zones and near bus stops. 

Week of Aug. 1 - 5

DSHS gets nearly 15,000 monkeypox vaccines
 
The Texas Department of State Health Services has received and distributed 14,780 doses of the monkey pox vaccine to local health departments and DSHS regional offices. Another 27,000 doses could be made available by the Strategic National Stockpile.

Week of July 25 - 29

Walking billboards promote pedestrian safety

Week of July 18 - 22

Wildfire danger continues to rise
 
As we cross the halfway point of July, wildfire danger continues to increase across the state. On Friday, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters responded to 15 new wildfires that burned 651 acres. As of Sunday, there were eight active wildfires; the largest was the Nethery Road Fire in Kimble County, involving an estimated 3,500 acres. It has been 70% contained.

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