Cost for future water needs could reach $174B

Texas will need to invest $174 billion over the next 50 years to keep up with water demand, according to a draft 2027 state water plan approved last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported. That is more than twice the projected cost in the previous state water plan published in 2022.

Patrick warns GOP could lose state House majority

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned last week that the GOP risks losing its majority in the state House this November and urged party unity behind the winner of the May runoff between U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Without that unity, Patrick said that state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, could win, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Border wall through Big Bend apparently on hold

After public outcry, a physical border wall through Big Bend National Park appears to be on hold, The Texas Tribune reported.

On Monday evening, March 16, my wife and I had finished dinner and were settling in to watch a recording of the national news when my phone rang. The number and name identified the caller as the general manager for our newspaper in Gatesville. I could not think of a “newspaper” reason for her to call that evening, and my heart stopped for a beat, wondering if something was wrong with her or her family.

Election season is under way. Many would say the cycle never ends. No sooner are votes tallied than strategists eye the next election. Make no mistake, many lawmakers routinely cast votes with one eye on policy and one eye on politics, especially if they are in swing districts.

Office-holders are scrutinized more than ever in today’s political dynamics. In turn, media are under the microscope.

By Jim Pumarlo, Consultant

My introduction to S. Griffin Singer dates back more than 30 years. A second-year journalism student at the University of Texas, I faced a long list of required courses with numbers for names and no roadmap to sequence them. 

By YVONNE MINTZ, The Facts

Registration loomed, and I felt very much a number myself when I showed up at Professor Singer’s office door.

“Griff” knew it all, friends told me. But because I hadn’t had him for class yet, my knock was timid, his response somewhat tepid.

Spring is upon us and all late-season cold fronts aside, the sun is shining.

John Denver put it well in his old song:

“Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Sunshine in my eyes

Can make me cry

Sunshine on the water

Looks so lovely

Sunshine always makes me high.”

By AUSTIN LEWTER, Director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

Of course, The Temptations liken sunshine to love:

“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day

When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May.”

How much more can we take? 

That question is the topic of many of our conversations between newspaper colleagues.  We discuss it quietly with almost a whisper, as if it’s some big secret we’re afraid others will find out about.

By LISA CHAPPELL, TPA President 2025-26

Paxton calls for Hancock’s removal

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called for Gov. Greg Abbott to remove acting state comptroller Kelly Hancock, calling him an “incompetent loser,” The Dallas Morning News reported. Paxton said the governor should replace him with Don Huffines, who defeated Hancock in the GOP primary race for the post earlier this month.

Islamic schools admitted to voucher program after suit

Four Islamic schools have been admitted to the Texas voucher program after a federal judge ordered the state to invite the schools to apply, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The judge also ordered the application deadline for families be extended to March 31, citing concerns that no Islamic schools had been approved for the program.