Community & Opinion

The 501

The 501

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Keen truth from a poetic song

Hanaba Munn Welch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
COMMENTARYThe road goes on forever, and the party never ends.You’ve heard that line from Robert Earl Keen’s classic song. Maybe you know all the lyrics. I didn’t previously. Call me illiterate. But I just now read every verse. Let’s just say I was late to the party. Wow!
Older Texans face steep ACA price hikes

Older Texans face steep ACA price hikes

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Older Texans face steep ACA price hikes

Texas Press Association
Thursday, December 4, 2025
AUSTIN— About 1 million Texans over the age of 45 who receive health insurance coverage through the federal Affordable Care Act will likely face monthly premiums of more than $1,000, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
’Tis the season for concession stands

’Tis the season for concession stands

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’Tis the season for concession stands

Sue Jane Sullivan
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Shed a Little LightFriday night lights are almost behind us (still cheering on Jayton in their quest for a three-peat). But never fear, the concession-stand season with basketball games on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays is upon us.
TALES FROM SMITH

TALES FROM SMITH

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TALES FROM SMITH

News Staff
Thursday, December 4, 2025
TUMBLEWEEDAs the creator and producer of “The Sound of Texas,” one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the Lone StarStateandbringsthemintothehomesandheartsofthousands.Mr. Fritz is a wagon maker“I love turning a...
The 501

The 501

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The 501

Hanaba Munn Welch
Thursday, December 4, 2025
What’s better than famous?ALMOST FAMOUS.Those words caught my eye as my husband and I whizzed by a spiffy trailer business at the edge of town. Not our town.
Mulch ado about pine needles

Mulch ado about pine needles

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Mulch ado about pine needles

Ellen Peffley
Thursday, December 4, 2025
From the gardenConiferous evergreens like pines, spruces, and firs are evergreens, but this term does not infer that their foliage is forever—coniferous trees shed needles as a natural occurrence of tree maturation.
CLIP THIS RECIPE out of the paper and hang it on your fridge—you may want to serve this tasty casserole on Christmas morning. | ANGELINA LaRUE PHOTO

CLIP THIS RECIPE out of the paper and hang it on your fridge—you may want to serve this tasty casserole on Christmas morning. | ANGELINA LaRUE PHOTO

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Serve up a huevos rancheros casserole

Angelina L
Thursday, December 4, 2025
YOU’VEBEENENJOYING Angelina LaRue’s “Food Bytes” column in our pages for years.
Sisters, canned cranberry, football—and rolls that don’t rise

Sisters, canned cranberry, football—and rolls that don’t rise

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Sisters, canned cranberry, football—and rolls that don’t rise

Sue Jane Sullivan
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Shed a Little LightI am not the family go-to when it comes to homecooked meals. While I am an excellent cook when I choose to do so, I just don’t care about being in the kitchen. Right now, I don’t even own a stove.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The following submission has been edited for length.Dear Editors, Sue Jane Sullivan submitted for attention an editorial entitled Me First. … This response to her is a direct shot across the bow to the editorship of this newspaper.