Note to Editors: Due to the Columbus Day postal holiday, the Capital Highlights column for the week of Oct. 14 - 18 will be released early. The column will be sent by email and available online about 1 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 11. 

Lawmakers to tackle soaring home insurance rates

By Austin Lewter, director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

I pen this column from the Embassy Suites in downtown Omaha. I am here for the 138th convention of the National Newspaper Association convention. 

This is my first NNA convention, and I am happy to say it won’t be my last. 

I am also happy to report that I am not the only Texan here. 

I just had breakfast with the “Texas Delegation,” as it were. 

Photo by Louis C. Stas, Wheeler Times

By Bill Patterson, TPA president, 2024-25

In September, a group of TPA publishers had some cyberfun reminiscing about “the good old days.”

Phelan’s GOP foes back one challenger

Texas House Republicans who want to oust Speaker Dade Phelan have coalesced behind a single opponent: state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. A total of 48 representatives are backing the two-term representative, including four who dropped their own bids for speaker.

Phelan’s opponents, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, claim he has given too much power to Democrats by naming some to lead legislative committees. 

Voter registration deadline nears for November election

Eligible Texans planning to vote in the November general election have until Oct. 7 to register, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson reminds folks.  The registration deadline applies to both early and election day voting.

“Texans have just a few short weeks left to register to vote, and I want to ensure all eligible Texans who want to make their voices heard are registered and prepared to do so,” Nelson said. 

Border Patrol faulted in Uvalde school shooting

A 200-page report from the Department of Homeland Security faulted U.S. Border Patrol agents who rushed to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, concluding they “failed to establish command and had inadequate training” in one of the deadliest classroom attacks, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Campaigns are in full swing as Election Day nears. Editors should pay extra attention to letters that give a thumbs up or thumbs down to candidates and other ballot initiatives.

Letter-writing campaigns have become as sophisticated and strategic as advertising campaigns. An unfortunate result is that many newspapers now charge for election-related letters. I appreciate the arguments for enacting the policy. It’s still disappointing, and I respectfully disagree.

By JIM PUMARLO, Consultant

It's that time of year.

The boys of fall are sweating it out on the gridiron. 

The girls of fall are hard at work on the volleyball court. And you are hard at work making sure they all get the newspaper coverage they deserve. 

By Austin Lewter, director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

School is in full swing and everyone is settling into fall. The change in seasons brings out the hustle and bustle in all our  markets. This year, it also brings election season. Whether we’re mostly print, mostly digital or a combination of both, our communities will turn to us for credible and timely news and information leading to the November election.

By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-25

New Texas laws now in effect

It took some time, but a set of new laws and rules passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 went into effect on Sept. 1, the Houston Chronicle reported. Prominent among these are the SCOPE Act, or Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act, which tightens restrictions for online users younger than 18.