Opinion

“8 Mother’s Day Gifts You Should Never Buy, According to Moms,” blared the headline of a recent “Good Housekeeping” article.

State officials began sending out the first notices to families awarded education vouchers last week, the Houston Chronicle reported. In the first round, 42,644 qualified, mostly students with special needs who are considered the highest priority.

Survivalism and self-sufficiency are exploding across America. According to TruePrepper, a preparedness research group, nearly 23 million Americans now call themselves preppers — many fleeing big-city metros for rural areas where they can be self-reliant if calamity strikes.

Texas will need to invest $174 billion over the next 50 years to keep up with water demand, according to a draft 2027 state water plan approved last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported. That is more than twice the projected cost in the previous state water plan published in 2022.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day should be expanded. Every April, parents bring their kids to work to envision their future — but why stop at 18? Middle-aged kids should spend a day with their parents to envision their retirement — as I did a few years ago.

I love April, but as a self-employed writer, I’m knee-deep in tax receipts and spreadsheet misery.

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Lt. Gov.

After public outcry, a physical border wall through Big Bend National Park appears to be on hold, The Texas Tribune reported.

The staff and Board of Directors of the Fort Stockton Historical Society would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Fort Stockton Independent School District, its dedicated staff, and the many student volunteers who supported our recent Living History Days event.

Honestly, I’m glad when schools delve into poetry or offer students some semblance of art and music appreciation classes. But I worry about society’s overreliance on critics, reviewers, and public scolds.