Opinion

The deadline to register to vote in the Texas Democratic and Republican primary elections is Feb. 5. Voters on March 5 will choose their nominees for president, U.S. Senator, all 38 U.S. House members from Texas, and a number of other state and local offices, from the Texas Supreme Court to district attorneys, sheriffs and county commissioners.

Love stronger and hold my family tighter. James Greene, MPA City Secretary I'm looking forward to 2024 with continued health and strength.

Madison County has had 6 courthouses, counting the current one. Some of you recall the last two, some only the current one. A display case in the Museum contains photos of the last 3, along with items of interest. I wrote a lengthy essay about all six for the Sept. 14, 2016, issue of the Meteor. Now I’ve divided it, trimmed some and added a bit. It doesn’t all fit here today.

After the Texas Legislature spent much of 2023 in session, a bevy of new laws go into effect on New Year’s Day, though some have been delayed by lawsuits challenging their constitutionality. The Austin American-Statesman reported on SB 17, a new law that institutes a ban on programs and policies “designed or implemented in reference to race, color, or ethnicity” at Texas public universities or colleges — commonly known as diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

A half-dozen lawsuits challenging the 13 approved Texas constitutional amendments appear to be dead in the water, The Dallas Morning News reported. The secretary of state’s office last week declared the propositions approved and now a part of the Texas Constitution, while Gov. Greg Abbott canvassed the election and certified the results.