Editors are routinely challenged with making uncomfortable news decisions. To be certain, there is no universal right or wrong call on whether to publish a story and in how much detail. Several factors may be in play, including community norms and longstanding newspaper policy.

By JIM PUMARLO, Consultant

AUSTIN — In 2020, a Texas federal court ruled that certain provisions of the Texas drone law violated the First Amendment because they restricted the right to gather news. This freed Texas journalists from concerns that their conduct would be subject to civil and criminal penalties under unclear provisions of the state’s drone law enacted in 2013.

Solar eclipse means big money to Texas

One economist is calling it “the most profitable 22 minutes in Texas history,” according to the Texas Standard. The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 is expected to draw up to a million visitors to the Lone Star State, especially in its narrow path of totality.

State immigration law again on hold

Texas counties among nation’s fastest growing

Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that six of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the United States from 2022 to 2023 were in Texas. According to the Texas Tribune, Kaufman County, just east of Dallas, led the list with a 7.6% increase in new residents that brought its population to more than 185,000. Census data shows that Rockwall and Liberty counties closed out the top three, with growth rates of 6.5% and 5.7%, respectively.

Massive wildfires ignited by power lines

Two wildfires that burned more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle were caused by downed power lines, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Juan Rodriguez, with the service, told the Texas Standard that its law enforcement investigators had concluded their probe into the source of the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce fires.

Largest wildfire in state history still raging

A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has consumed more than 1 million acres and as of Sunday was just 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is the largest wildfire in Texas history.

By THAD SWIDERSKI, President, eType Services

Trust in the online environment is critical in a world flooded with multiple sources of digital information. Users need news to help them make important choices and having trustworthy sources is essential to solid decision-making. Local newspapers offer a unique source of trust, both in print and online, but in the face of competing media streams they can struggle to find ways to authenticate themselves in this wild west of the web.

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President, 2023-24

The world seems to be moving at light speed. The somewhat slower pace we used to have at a weekly publication has ramped up exponentially since the dawn of the internet. In addition to our print products, we now publish websites, email newsletters, social media posts, videos, podcasts and more.

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

Early voting ends Friday