Opinion

Body House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, narrowly won re-election in a hotly contested runoff race and has vowed to seek his third term as speaker, drawing threats from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to oppose any of his supporters in the 2024 primary.

Body “Good morning, Fort Stockton,” That is similar to how I started the 1,125, give or take, emails that I sent off this week introducing myself digitally to the people serving the city, county, schools, and local businesses, letting them know to divert their agendas and calendars my...

Body According to my extensive research (approximately five minutes on Google when I should have been folding underwear), the Chinese zodiac system assigns an animal symbol to each year. It is believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal.

Body Seven Texas counties have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants for emergency work and replacement of disaster-damaged public infrastructure, after severe weather and flooding struck much of Deep East Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott’s office reported.

Body In my last column, I admitted to some things I’ve never done in my 50-something-year-old-dudetype- person life. (I still haven’t been to Hooters.) So, of course, that discussion brought to mind a few things I’ve actually accomplished – or committed – and deeply regret.

Body GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil: How is purpleheart propagated? I would normally use cuttings for its sisters, the wandering Jews, but since it’s a perennial, should I dig and divide it? Use cuttings, especially since they’re so widely available at this time of year.

Body Texas House Democrats are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to increase public school funding, while Abbott is criticizing them for opposing legislation last year that tied increased funding to his pet project — school vouchers.

Body Recently, my wife and I accomplished a task almost as daunting as giving our cat a pill or teaching our youngest daughter to drive without committing widespread curb trauma.

Body “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.” Sheep are both smart and stupid at the same time. Ask anyone who raises sheep, and they will tell you that.

Body As East Texas residents return to clean up their homes and businesses after extensive flooding earlier this month, the Texas Department of State Health Services urged residents and business owners to exercise caution.