Pandemic relief funds for schools about to end

Texas public schools received more than $19 billion in pandemic relief funds over the last four years, but that pipeline of cash will largely end on Sept. 30, The Texas Tribune reported.

Pattern of abuse at Texas juvenile facilities

A federal investigation into five state facilities concluded children in custody face excessive force, sexual abuse and a lack of vital services, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Expanded passenger rail again on the table

A huge pot of federal rail funding and chronic highway congestion are prompting some Texas officials to again consider expanding passenger rail in Texas, according to The Texas Standard.

Congress set aside $66 billion three years ago in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for rail projects across the country, sparking some interest in increasing passenger rail service between the state’s major cities.

PUC outlines consumer protection rules

As the dog days of August approach and electric bills soar, the Public Utility Commission is reminding consumers of rules in place to protect them from having their power disconnected due to financial difficulties, especially during extreme heat.

Abbott demands probe into power outages

 More than 2 million Texans lost power when Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas coast, and Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know why. The Austin American-Statesman reported Abbott has ordered the Public Utility Commission to conduct an immediate study into why the Houston area has again been hit by widespread power outages.

Proposed fed rule would protect workers from extreme heat

 A year after a new state law ended mandatory water breaks in Texas, a proposed federal rule would protect millions of workers from the risks caused by extreme heat, The Texas Tribune reported.

By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-2025

I am excited about the opportunity to serve as president of the Texas Press Association for 2024-25. What a great organization with great energy, passion and enthusiasm for the work we all do every day!

While our business is filled with daily challenges, for me it’s also filled with excitement about what the future holds — especially the possibilities of a digital future. If you haven’t begun serious discussions about disrupting your traditional business model and building a digital future, I strongly suggest you do so.

By AUSTIN LEWTER, Director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

I was thrilled to honor a friend last week at the TPA Convention and Trade Show in College Station. 

I nominated Dan Eakin for a Golden 50 Award and they let me present the award to him.  

Dan surpassed the 50-year mark years ago. He has logged 68 years in the newspaper business.

Fire safety urged for Fourth

With the Fourth of July bringing a possible four-day weekend for lucky Texans, the Texas A&M Forest Service urges outdoor enthusiasts to exercise fire safety outdoors, especially when using fireworks or starting campfires to roast hot dogs and toast marshmallows.

Approximately 90% of wildfires are caused by humans and their activities, and the Fourth of July is one of the top days for reported wildfires, according to the forest service.

Note to Editors: To help with earlier press times for the July 4 holiday next week, the Capital Highlights column for the week of July 1 - 5 will be released early Friday afternoon, June 28.

Electric demand could nearly double by 2030

The chief of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas told state lawmakers recently that the state’s power demand could nearly double in just six years. The reasons: population growth, new requests for grid connections, and a rise in requests from data centers and other heavy users.