Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made it official last week, announcing a challenge to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in next March’s Republican primary. The fireworks already have begun, the Austin American- Statesman reported, with Cornyn calling his rival “a con man and a fraud.”

Aprons have long history and were mentioned in Volumes 1 and 2 of Madison County history. Volume 1, printed in 1984, stated that Andrew Jackson Farris (18271883) was a Mason, and at that time, his Masonic apron was still in possession of family members. In the same book, his grandson Peter Nathan Farris (1884-1983) was quoted saying that he had his grandfather’s sheepskin Masonic apron in his possession for many years and was also a Mason. Among folks kin to those two men are/were Vernon Farris, Preston Burke, Jeff Gates, Bob Ellisor, Cindy Whitten Stevens, Gary Raynor, Jeff Farris Jr., Blanche Dillon, Angela Fannin, and Blair Fannin.

A judge with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week the Texas Education Agency can release its 2023 A-F school accountability ratings, the Houston Chronicle reported. The ruling overturned a district judge’s injunction after more than 120 school districts sued to stop TEA from releasing the ratings.

Editor’s Note: This essay on leadership by Curtis Klingle will be presented as a four-part series over the upcoming weeks. Law enforcement officers have a great amount of autonomy, as it is a necessity.

Lawmakers in the Texas Senate are considering a measure requiring home insurers to get approval from regulators before increasing rates by more than 10%, the Houston Chronicle reported. The bill, sponsored by state Sen.

North Zulch Elementary hosted our annual Book Character Parade on March 7 to celebrate Read Across America. The event is organized by Autumn Nauling, our library coordinator, and held in conjunction with our Spring Book Fair. The Book Character Parade is more than just costumes. It is a time for students and staff to celebrate a love of reading and literature by bringing a favorite book character to life through detailed costumes and enthusiastic portrayals. From timeless classics to contemporary favorites, students and staff alike paraded around the Elementary gym dressed as characters from books that included fairy tales, myths, and modern novels.

Madison County Museum has a new exhibit of scrapbooks. Please visit and reminisce.

The Texas Senate last week passed a bill to allow school districts to set aside time for inschool prayer and gave initial approval to requiring all schools to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.

Editor’s Note: This essay on leadership by Curtis Klingle will be presented as a four-part series over the upcoming weeks . I have known very few leaders in my life, and it is these men I would unhesitatingly go into battle with. They are the type of men who, as Bennis described, can and “…do the right things,” and they are extremely rare.

Texas farmers are voicing growing concerns about tariffs being enacted by President Trump adversely affecting their ability to sell agricultural goods overseas, the Houston Chronicle reported. Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said the tariffs could be especially tough on younger farmers.