Playing with matches

This little light o’ mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no. I’m gonna let it shine. – old Black spiritual, Civil Rights Era anthemHow far that little candle throws his beams!

Agencies, universities seek $24.6 billion in new funding

AUSTIN— The Texas Senate’s chief budget writer said state agencies and higher education institutions have requested nearly $25 billion in funding as the legislative session gets underway.

2025 CAPROCK PUBLIC AND CIVIC MEETINGS

MATADOR MASONIC LODGE meeting, Thursday, Jan. 16, meal at 6:30 p.m. followed by 7:30 p.m. meeting, Lodge Building, 807 Bailey St., Matador PADUCAH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE meeting, Thursday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m., Bicentennial City-County Library, 825 Backus St., Paducah PADUCAHFRIENDSOFTHELIBRARY regular...

Pardon me

As I type this column, I am sitting in a hotel in Austin preparing for a student to compete in one of the University Interscholastic League’s speech events: State Congress.It is exactly what you would think. Students debate legislation which they have written.

Legislative session begins on Jan. 14

AUSTIN– The 89th Texas legislative session begins on Jan. 14 with a still-unresolved race for speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.State Reps.

SMITH

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.A fishing trip to rememberYou never know what’s...

Raise a Yeti to Stanley

COMMENTARYHANABA MUNN WELCHYeti, Yeti, Yeti. Weren’t we getting significantly overloaded with the big name in insulated mugs, tumblers and ice chests?The Yeti brand was poised to become a generic word like Kleenex, Frigidaire and Hoover. (Not that I’m old enough to remember Hoover.

‘Watch, Pearl’

My granddaughters know I am a captive audience. If I make the slightest look away from their dance routines or their coloring or Lego building or trampoline jumping or scooter riding, I hear “Watch, Pearl.”Actually, add an exclamation point. “Watch, Pearl!”

Vehicle inspections no longer required

AUSTIN— Drivers will no longer be required to get annual safety inspections beginning Jan. 1, the Texas Standard reported.

Choose gardening for a new year’s resolution

From the garden ELLEN PEFFLEYHappy New Year to our West Texas readers! What about those New Year’s resolutions?