Paxton calls for Hancock’s removal
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called for Gov. Greg Abbott to remove acting state comptroller Kelly Hancock, calling him an “incompetent loser,” The Dallas Morning News reported. Paxton said the governor should replace him with Don Huffines, who defeated Hancock in the GOP primary race for the post earlier this month.
Islamic schools admitted to voucher program after suit
Four Islamic schools have been admitted to the Texas voucher program after a federal judge ordered the state to invite the schools to apply, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The judge also ordered the application deadline for families be extended to March 31, citing concerns that no Islamic schools had been approved for the program.
Cornyn reverses filibuster stance
It’s the time of year for people in the newspaper industry to come together for camaraderie, education, information and fun. It’s time to sign up for your favorite press association conferences.
By LISA CHAPPELL, 2025-26 TPA President
Primary turnout smashes recent midterm records
Texans urged to heed travel warnings about Mexico
This is an early bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early holiday deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday if needed.
Paxton, Crockett leading in primary polls
If the Chinese New Year is a predictor, 2026 will be a year of remarkable change for the newspaper industry. Some even say it is written in the stars.
By Leonard Woolsey, past TPA president
“This is going to be an amazing year,” a friend and fellow publisher said. “2026 is the rare Chinese year of the Fire Horse.”
It is hard to believe that I’m in the second semester of my fifth year at Tarleton State.
It has been the pleasure of my life serving as director of the Texas Center Community Journalism. This is my dream job, and I look forward to doing it for years and decades to come.
By Austin Lewter, director, Texas Center for Community Journalism
Are you stressed out? Of course you are. We’re in the newspaper business, and stress comes with the territory.
By LISA CHAPPELL, 2025-26 TPA President
It’s become a lifestyle for many of us — operating on coffee and fumes, burning the candle at both ends. We wear burnout like a badge of honor, always working harder and barely coming up for air. But in reality we’re only hurting ourselves, our newspapers and our employees.