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.
EDITORS: This is a special bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early holiday deadlines. It will be updated on Sunday if events dictate.
Comptroller: Hundreds of new homes needed to cut costs
Power grid again reaches record demand
The dog-day heat wave has sent power demands to new records, the Austin American-Statesman reported. With much of the state enduring an excessive heat warning, power demand peaked at 85,559 megawatts last week, breaking a record set last August.
Heat-related deaths in Texas likely undercounted
As Texans endure the dog days of summer, experts say deaths related to heat in Texas and nationwide are likely undercounted, the Texas Standard reported.
With climate change causing warmer days and nights, last year was the hottest on record in Texas. Though this summer has not been quite as brutal, those working outside are still at considerable risk.