Who’s thirsty

After a shortened news cycle two weeks ago for a visual statement about the deterioration of the state’s news landscape, followed by last week’s dedication of all available space to sharing the story of an honored WWII Veteran, I came into this week almost feeling like I took a vacation.

House OKs $302 billion budget

The Texas House approved a $302 billion budget last week that included an amendment prohibiting the use of state money on private school tuition — a major setback to Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to establish a school voucher system.

Without regret

In most weeks, a typical news cycle is by definition: Typical. Therefore, when the controversy sliding up and down the degree scale of nefarious government deeds becomes “typical,” then it is all the more important to celebrate stories like those connected to Tech Sgt. Ferrel’s funeral.

2 Cents Worth

Beautiful morning in Aspermont, Texas, this morning we got a shower last night, that always helps our feelings, but my son, Jay called, 'And said, 'Mom just had to rub it in we got and inch and some more later.' Course him being a farmer any little bit helps him start the day!!!!!!

American Idol Finale

The myth of the cowboy grew purer every year because there were so few actual cowboys left to contradict it. Larry McMurtry, 1989 (Preface to “In a Narrow Grave: Essays on Texas” Why did I spend the last month winding my way through the story of the cowboy in film and literature?

Showers for the homeless

Homeless people in Houston can take hot 20-minute showers in mobile shower stalls provided by a group called Moving Waters. “We’re providing 150 showers a week,” says Dr. Jennifer Park, who started the non-profit group two years ago. “In 2021 we provided 400 showers.

Miles and Miles of Thoughts

While writing this week’s column from Florence, Texas, my thoughts are all over the place. I am coming up short for a certain theme, story, commentary, or feature. Much like the vehicle I drove last week, I am all over the place.

Faces & Places

“The hardest question we have to ask ourselves in this life is, 'Who am I?' Ideally, we answer it for ourselves, but be warned that others will strive to do it for you - so don't let them.

Texas leads nation in jobs added

The Lone Star State continues to lead the nation in jobs added with 58,200 new positions in February, bringing the state to nearly 14 million total nonfarm jobs, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. February also marked two full years of uninterrupted job growth in the state.

What’s left?

There is a halfway decent chance that at first glance, readers might have thought the front page of this week’s edition of the Chronicle was an April Fool’s joke, especially given my announcement that I would be filing for one of several public offices last April.