Texans who wish to vote early in the Nov. 5 general election have until closing time Friday, Nov. 1, to do so. Secretary of State Jane Nelson is encouraging voters to double-check their precinct numbers and candidate selections before casting their ballots.

The federal judge who has repeatedly found Texas in contempt for not fixing its foster-care system has been removed by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a threejudge panel faulted U.S. District Judge Janis Jack’s “highly antagonistic demeanor,” The Texas Tribune reported.

Drones, irritating as they can be, are here to stay folks. As of 2023 there are now 863,000 registered drones in the U.S.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins Monday, Oct.

Alvin Venable (1890-1983) and his family lived on the southeast corner of the FM 978 and 2289 intersection and were my family’s neighbors for much of my life. Among other things, he raised ribbon cane with which he made syrup via his own cane mill.

Top state lawmakers plan to address soaring homeowners insurance premiums when they return to Austin in January for the next legislative session, according to the Houston Chronicle. The state’s insurance commissioner, Cassie Brown, told a Senate committee that home insurance rates increased last year by more than 21% statewide, twice the average increase in 2022.

This week’s column should be considered a bit of satire, unless of course you are among those who I am addressing. Law enforcement, believe it or not, is a customer service-based profession, and I cannot think of another profession that is called upon to wear so many “different hats.” We are the “go to” for virtually every problem people face, and I sometimes jokingly say that we must play the role of dad, mom, doctor, counselor, mechanic, cowboy, friend, priest, and heaven forbid, sometimes even a fireman. As a result, there are members of our society that believe we are merely here to serve their every whim, no matter how ludicrous the request may be. For instance, we actually get calls occasionally because someone didn’t get the service they thought they deserved at a local drive-through restaurant.

I thought I was finished with church histories until I received facts about Mount Tabor Church of Christ, and I could not neglect it. It is located 9 miles north of Madisonville on Highway 75, still in Madison County but just 2 miles south of the Madison and Leon County line. I suspect it is one of our older churches. Oldtimers refer to the community as Goat Hill, because of a herd of goats that grazed on that hill for years.

Bulldog Family, We begin October by celebrating reading with our Fall Book Fair. Reading is by far the most important skill that we teach students in school and is a skill that knows no age limit.

Texas House Republicans who want to oust Speaker Dade Phelan have coalesced behind a single opponent: state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. A total of 48 representatives are backing the two-term representative, including four who dropped their own bids for speaker.