Insurance hikes make affordable housing tougher

A growing number of Texas homeowners are forgoing buying homeowners insurance as premiums skyrocket, according to a recent report from the Texas comptroller.

By TCCJ Director Austin Lewter

Charles Baum was a friend of mine. He was born in 1917.

He was the grandfather of a childhood friend, and he was a lifelong public servant. 

Charlie was in the Philippines when Bataan fell. Subsequently, he was captured and spent most of World War II as a prisoner of war.

He was one of few Americans who survived the Bataan Death March before being liberated in September 1945.

Bill Patterson, TPA President

By now the election season dust is settled and everyone is hunkering down for a long winter’s nap — or maybe just a short one.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has become increasingly evident in the retail world since Labor Day. Now Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. Before you know it, the holidays will be a blur in the rear-view mirror and 2025 will be here.

Early voting ends on Friday

Texans who wish to vote early in the Nov. 5 general election have until closing time Friday, Nov. 1 to do so. Secretary of State Jane Nelson is encouraging voters to double-check their precinct numbers and candidate selections before casting their ballots.

5th Circuit Court removes judge from foster care suit

By JIM PUMARLO, Consultant
Election Day is fast approaching. Newsrooms are likely starting the countdown when they take a collective breath from the exhaustive campaign season and return to some level of normalcy. 

EDITORS: This is an early bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate newspapers with holiday deadlines. An updated version will be sent Sunday if events dictate.

Early voting begins next week

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins Monday, Oct. 21 and ends on Nov. 1. Texas voters will be choosing from a full slate of candidates, from president to U.S. senator to various county positions.

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.”