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Week of March 25 - 30

State immigration law again on hold

Week of March 18 - 22

Texas counties among nation’s fastest growing

Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that six of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the United States from 2022 to 2023 were in Texas. According to the Texas Tribune, Kaufman County, just east of Dallas, led the list with a 7.6% increase in new residents that brought its population to more than 185,000. Census data shows that Rockwall and Liberty counties closed out the top three, with growth rates of 6.5% and 5.7%, respectively.

Week of March 11 - 15

Massive wildfires ignited by power lines

Two wildfires that burned more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle were caused by downed power lines, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Juan Rodriguez, with the service, told the Texas Standard that its law enforcement investigators had concluded their probe into the source of the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce fires.

Week of March 4 - 8

Largest wildfire in state history still raging

A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has consumed more than 1 million acres and as of Sunday was just 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is the largest wildfire in Texas history.

Build trust for your readers with Trust.txt

By THAD SWIDERSKI, President, eType Services

Trust in the online environment is critical in a world flooded with multiple sources of digital information. Users need news to help them make important choices and having trustworthy sources is essential to solid decision-making. Local newspapers offer a unique source of trust, both in print and online, but in the face of competing media streams they can struggle to find ways to authenticate themselves in this wild west of the web.

Establishing trust in an AI world

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President, 2023-24

The world seems to be moving at light speed. The somewhat slower pace we used to have at a weekly publication has ramped up exponentially since the dawn of the internet. In addition to our print products, we now publish websites, email newsletters, social media posts, videos, podcasts and more.

Week of Feb. 26 - March 1

 

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

 

Early voting ends Friday

Week of Feb. 19 - 23

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

Federal judge appears skeptical of new border law

Week of Feb. 12 - 16

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

Pitch made for new power plants

Lt. Gov Dan Patrick joined with the world’s largest investment firm to pitch investors on building natural gas power plants in Texas at a summit held last week in Houston.

Breakfasts with Terry are good for the soul

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24

We crawl into a booth or sit ourselves at a table. It can be during cold times of the year, where we can’t wait for the hot coffee to be poured, or a sweltering summer day, when we reflexively chug the complimentary water. But no matter the time of year, I value these breakfasts or lunches with Terry Collier, the retired publisher of the Fredericksburg Standard.

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