Starting fall crops—amid summer heat

CUISINE & CULTUREWith temperatures nearing triple digits it is hard to believe but it is time for preparing the fall vegetable garden. Even though it is hot now think about the conditions in September and October—sunny days, moderating temperatures and cooler nights.

Going dutch with butavan flavoring

CUISINE & CULTURE | ANGELINA@ANGELINALARUE.COMMy neighbor sent me a text asking if I knew where to purchase butavan flavoring. I have to admit, I didn’t know a combination of butter and vanilla flavoring is commonly known as butavan.

TALES FROM TUMBLEWEED 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.Getting their kicks—on the road and in the...

Texas home insurers see record profits

AUSTIN— Preliminary data indicates Texas home insurers earned a 22% profit on premiums collected last year, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Monthly sales tax revenue allocations tallied for June

(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today said earlier this month that state sales tax revenue totaled $4.2 billion in June 2026, 4.2% more than in June 2025.

The 501

COMMENTARYAI data center construction is changing housing availability in many Texas towns. What solutions are emerging? Is anybody getting creative? Turning a chicken coop into a rent house? Renting the backyard man cave? Or she shed?Rent prices have shot up. You could make money.

Speak out today for a Route 66 National Historic Trail

On April 30, 2026, historians, roadgeeks and tourist destinations raised a hurrah when the Main Street of America turned a century old—and celebrated the myriad landmarks that have survived for visitors from around the world to appreciate.But this outcome was by no means assured, and there’s still...

TALES FROM TUMBLEWEED SMITH

As 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.Rocky Mountain HighJohn Denver’s song “Rocky Mountain...

Mother Road ‘Test’ Drive

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR ROUTE 66 HISTORY?

The 501

Lose weight with the Cat DietDiets come. Diets go. Live long enough, and you’ll survive several.Remember the grapefruit diet? That one sticks in my mind. So does the diet that purposely triggers ketosis, which is bad news if it happens to your flock of sheep.