By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24

As this is written, the holiday period brings both gratitude and gifts. As we turn the calendar page on another year, it’s time to add a third “G” — grit — to face a still-challenging publishing environment.

A new year brings a chance to hit the refresh button. We’ve all done our 2024 budgets and we now set out with energy and optimism for a fresh start. We do so knowing our industry will continue to be challenged, but with a determination to do our best and serve our communities.

EDITORS — This is a bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early press deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday as events dictate. Happy New year, everyone!

Spate of new laws effective Jan. 1

After the Texas Legislature spent much of 2023 in session, a bevy of new laws go into effect on New Year’s Day, though some have been delayed by lawsuits challenging their constitutionality.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from your friends at the Texas Press Association! This is a bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early press deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday if events dictate. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Legal groups sue to stop new immigration law

Note to editors: The next two weeks of Capital Highlights columns will be released early to help with early holiday deadlines. The column for the week of Dec. 25 - 29 will be available online for download by 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22. The column for the week of Jan. 1 - 5 will be available online for download by 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29. Best wishes for a happy holiday season!

Property tax cuts go into effect

Legal challenges to amendments appear quashed

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA president 2023-24

Hiring, firing and personnel issues are my least favorite parts of being a publisher. Most of us have had to deal with a bad hire – a surly receptionist, perhaps, or a reporter who shoots his mouth off on social media.

We’ve got to work constantly on good hires to build strong teams.

Texas Supreme Court hears abortion ban challenge

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a case that could decide whether medical exceptions to the state’s abortion ban are written clearly enough to protect pregnant women who face serious health risks, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Abbott: Battle continues over vouchers

Note: This is an updated version of the Capital Highlights column for the week of Nov. 20 - 24. An earlier version was released Friday, Nov. 17, for newspapers with early deadlines this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

House kills school choice plan

Note: This is a special bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early holiday deadlines. An updated version will be released Sunday as events dictate.

Bill passes to allow undocumented migrants arrests