It’s becoming a familiar sight on college campuses and in high schools alike: students intentionally leaving their phones behind.

By Austin Lewter, Texas Center for Community Journalism

Well, our Texas high schoolers have had some help from the legislature who banned phones for them starting this year.

But the trend of ditching phones — at least temporarily —  is finding support on some college campuses.

Here we are quickly approaching the end of 2025. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m in a time warp and 10 months flew by at light speed.

By Lisa Chappell, 2025-26 TPA President

As I work on planning and budgeting for 2026, I am sure many of you are doing the same. Every year I review our sales promotions – cutting the ones that fell flat and coming up with new ones to take the place of the losers. Every year there seems to be more losers than the year before, and 2025 was no different for us.

Premiums rise as ACA open enrollment begins

The window for signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is now open through Jan. 15, with most Texans expected to pay considerably higher premiums, The Texas Tribune reported. Federal subsidies that reduced premium rates will expire at year’s end without congressional action.

We are well into the 2025-2026 school year and the new state law in Texas banning cell phones in the classroom is in full effect. 

To date, it has not yet led to the downfall of humanity— or so it seems.

By AUSTIN LEWTER, Director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

At the Lewter house, Jennifer says she misses being able to text the kids during the school day, but the kids admit they are getting more done in the classroom than ever before. 

In-state tuition guidance creating confusion

Advocates for undocumented college students claim some students have been told incorrectly they are no longer eligible for low in-state tuition rates, the Texas Tribune reports. They are asking for clear guidance on the issue.

In June a federal court ruled unconstitutional the Texas Dream Act, a state law which granted in-state college tuition rates for undocumented college students. The June court ruling came after the state declined to defend a suit filed by the U.S. Justice Department. 

DPS officers arrest thousands of undocumented immigrants

In an operation being called “Lone Star 2.0,” more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants have been arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety officers this year, according to records obtained by The Texas Tribune. As illegal border crossings plunge, state police are shifting their energies toward aiding the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort.

I specialize in training community journalists, both college students and professionals. This is of special interest to me, because I am — admittedly — still a student of the industry. If we are still doing, we are still learning.

By Austin Lewter, director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

I am one of those academics who is also a practitioner. I am right there in the trenches with you in my capacity as owner/publisher of the Whitesboro News-Record.

The Hallmark Channel wrapped up its movie lineup for those who love to celebrate Christmas in July. With fall now upon us, it is the time to start planning keepsake year-end editions. Seize the opportunity to produce solid content and generate revenue.

By Jim Pumarlo, consultant

Many operations may gasp at the thought of producing another special section. Begin taking baby steps now, and the task will not seem so foreboding.

Abbott limits THC products to those 21 and older

After two special sessions ended without lawmakers agreeing on how to regulate the state’s THC market, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order restricting the use of products infused with the psychoactive cannabis compound to adults age 21 and older, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Second special session gaveled to a close

The second special session of the Texas Legislature ended last Thursday with a new congressional map, flood relief and safety measures but  a stalemate on whether to ban or regulate THC. The Dallas Morning News reported that lawmakers approved most of the legislative priorities Gov. Greg Abbott listed for the special session.