The 501

Body HANABA MUNN WELCH Smokey Bear was a real bear. Never mind that most of us have always called him Smokey the Bear. That minor error has long deserved a correction. His real name has been publicized enough as of late for everyone to know it’s Smokey Bear.

Learning cross-examination debate: the boot camp of speech events

Body Imagine thinking that we could teach a toddler to learn to walk and run wind sprints simultaneously. When I coach cross-examination debate to freshmen, I often feel like this is what I am trying to accomplish with fourteen-year-old freshmen. Bless them big.

State sends resources to Florida

Body Texas has deployed state resources to Florida to assist in response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the devastation caused last week by Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States in the past decade.

Pumped up for pumpkins

Body You might know, I get pumped up for pumpkins. I’m a pumpkin spice kind of girl, but I also like the fresh flavor of actual pumpkin. I like it savory or sweet. Pumpkin adds a mild flavor, and lots of moisture, to cornbread, and a smooth, autumn flavor to sauces and smoothies.

If you own a Strad, watch for deer

Body Here’s hoping someone asks what’s wrong with the fiddle. I’ll tell them I hit a deer.  That’s almost true, except it was my husband who was driving. I wouldn’t have dodged the deer either. It’s as if they have a rendezvous with death, and you’re it.

Speaker opposes drive to end tenure

Body AUSTIN— House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said Friday he opposes a push by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to end tenure for new professors at the state’s public universities and to revoke it for faculty who teach critical race theory, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Self-help for the chronic creative

Body Creatively undisciplined people ride highs and get sluggish in the lows. Is this statement an excuse, a rationalization, a regret? Probably a bit of all three. And why even write about it for public consumption? Even at age 66, I want to be better.

What to do once you’ve shed the office?

Body COMMENTARY HANABA MUNN WELCH Garden houses, play houses, she sheds and man caves. The IRS isn’t likely to let you call any of these standalone structures a business expense. But what about a little work-from-home office?

Hispanic Texans likely largest demographic group

Body GARY BORDERS FOR TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION AUSTIN— The U.S. Census Bureau released its latest estimate, which indicates Hispanic residents in Texas make up more of the state’s population than white residents.

This week’s shoutouts

Body • to the young married couples of this generation who are sharing responsibilities better than any generation before them • to the women of this generation who carry on the fine art of multi-tasking • to whoever negotiated a deal to prevent a rail strike • to those kids...