Abbott halts border truck inspections
Gov. Greg Abbott halted the state’s aggressive truck inspection at all Texas border crossings after days of bipartisan criticism over the extended delays of goods entering the United States.

By JIM PUMARLO, Consultant

Election coverage was a priority when I toiled behind the editor’s desk. It was all-hands-on-deck in the newsroom as we sought information to help voters make their choices.

As a final step, we endorsed in all races from the city council to U.S. president. Regrettably, many newspapers today, small and large, have dropped weighing in on the editorial page. I believe it’s a missed opportunity, but that’s a topic for a different column.

Traffic deaths spike in highway work zones
The Texas Department of Transportation wants motorists to be aware of dangerous conditions in road construction zones after crashes in those zones killed 244 people last year.
The death toll is an increase of 33% over 2020 and is the highest in 40 years. The majority of those who died were drivers or their passengers, according to TxDOT.

Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, months?
You know … you take one step forward and get kicked back two. No matter how you try to please people, they can’t find anything but the negative to harp about.
Just when we make major progress on our postal problems, Florida legislators pull a U-turn and jeopardize how and where public notices can be posted. And I have no doubt some of our friends in Austin are licking their chops and making calls to Florida as we speak.

Deadline nears to register for elections
Eligible Texas voters who have not done so already have until April 7 to register to vote in the May 7 statewide constitutional amendment election, as well as any local elections for city, school districts and other local entities. 

Wildfire risk remains high in much of state
Much of the state remains at considerable risk for wildfires through this week, largely because of higher-than-usual temperatures and drought conditions. More than 40% of the state is suffering extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Nearly the entire state is in some form of drought, with much of the Panhandle, High Plains and west central Texas most at risk. 

Sheriff’s deputy dies in wildfires

I sure hope the March primaries were better for you than they were for me. No, I’m not talking about the poor field of candidates and the lack of real statesmen out there. I’m still looking for that man or woman who cares more about me and other Texans in this state than in their own self-serving needs. I mean when you have a very high-ranking elected state official saying we need to sacrifice our elderly during COVID so we can all go to Walmart to boost the economy, there’s something seriously wrong with the state leaders of the 21st Century.

Nine accused of sex trafficking at center
 
Nine employees at a Bastrop County facility that cares for young victims of sex trafficking have been accused of trafficking those same girls, according to the Austin American-Statesman.  

Several races headed to runoffs
 
A number of statewide races are headed for a May 24 runoff after the votes were tallied in the March 1 primary.
Topping the ballot in the Republican races is the contest for attorney general, where incumbent Ken Paxton led the field with 42.7% of votes cast, followed by George P. Bush, current land commissioner, who garnered 22.8%. The remainder of GOP ballots went to former Supreme Court justice Eva Guzman at 17.5% and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert with 17%.