Flooding batters Hill Country once again

A massive amount of rain once again engulfed the Hill Country, causing widespread flooding in several counties, including Uvalde, Kerr, Kendall and Gillespie. At least two fatalities were reported near Comfort and Uvalde.

We enjoyed seeing everyone at the Texas Press Association Convention and Trade Show last month in Dallas.

And we are continually grateful to the Texas Newspaper Foundation for recommitting their annual TCCJ funding for another year.

By AUSTIN LEWTER, Director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

What we do is making a difference, and we could not do it without their support.

Each summer, the convention gives us a chance to take stock of the previous year and look ahead.

I offered my annual TCCJ report to the TNF board in Dallas.

From the Public Notice Resource Center

Public and legal notices are more than just another advertising category. They are a vital part of government transparency and one of the most important public services newspapers provide to their communities.

Texas home insurers see record profits

Preliminary data indicates Texas home insurers earned a 22% profit on premiums collected last year, according to the Houston Chronicle. It was the best year insurers have had in two decades and follows several years of double-digit rate increases and flat or slightly negative returns for insurers due to increased natural disasters.

Abbott wants ban on data centers in rural neighborhoods

Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for a ban on data center construction in rural neighborhoods, according to the Houston Chronicle. Opposition to the facilities is growing because they require large amounts of electricity and water and can be noisy. The governor had previously touted Texas as “the epicenter of AI development.”

Texas first state to mandate Bible reading in school

Rural counties face hurdles in regulating data centers 

Rural counties trying to slow or even block data center construction are finding they have limited legal authority, the Texas Standard reported. Hill County, for example, rescinded a one-year moratorium on data center construction after being sued for $100 million by a company planning a large-scale data center project near Hillsboro. 

Gains seen in all subjects on STAAR tests

Texas high school students showed improvement in every subject in this spring’s end-of-course STAAR exams, the Texas Education Agency reported.

The results include assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, biology and U.S. history. The biggest improvement was in biology, with 71% of students meeting expectations, up 9%.

I just closed out my fifth year in higher education.

While I still maintain ownership of a community newspaper, my full-time job is at the university. It has been a rewarding experience, and I look forward to many more years in the classroom. Along the way, I have met some incredible people who are dedicated to developing the future generation. I’m humbled to keep company with such amazing humans.

By AUSTIN LEWTER, director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

It is so hard to believe we are here at TPA Conference month, which also means the end of my tenure as your TPA president.

Time goes by so fast, too fast. I really had no idea what to expect for this year. 

As I sit here and reflect, my first thought is that it really was truly an honor, privilege and a joy to serve all of you, as well as TPA as an institution. 

By LISA CHAPPELL, TPA President, 2025-26