Opinions

The Austin real estate developer who is at the heart of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment was arraigned on eight federal charges Friday, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Nate Paul was arrested by the FBI on Thursday.

A huge thank you to Alisha Brummett and The Banner Press for consistently providing coverage to The Health & Behavioral Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley (The Wellness Council). Alisha is an exceptional photographer and has written several articles that are helping to inform our citizens of the important work of The Wellness Council. There is a sizable group of volunteers that are working diligently to identify, expand, improve and/or develop new services regarding health and wellness for our county. Thank you, Alisha!

Gov. Greg Abbott late last week warned lawmakers to be prepared for several special sessions to pass a tax reform bill that he will accept, as well as a school voucher plan that failed to pass during the regular session.

- Texas means Friends in Caddo Indian - Austin is the live music capital of the world - Texas boasts America’s largest rose garden in Tyler - Texas the the USA’s second- largest state - Texas was once an independent nation - Six flags have ruled over Tex as - Dr Pepper was invented in Texas - Texas has several state animals that includes armadillo and longhorns - Texas has more bat species than any US state - Texas has three of the largest cities in the US - Texas held the world's first rodeo - Texas has the world’s largest convenience store. Yep, Buc-ee’s - Vietnamese and Chinese follow up English and Spanish in Texas - There is a German dialect that is unique to Texas

William Mosby Eastland was born in Kentucky to Thomas Butler and Nancy Mosby Eastland.

The Texas House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton Saturday, only the third time in the state’s history that has occurred.

Yesterday wasn’t the best day.

It’s that time of year when a mix of emotions and excitement fill the air. The air may be in gymnasiums or a football field.

- M&M stands for Mars and Murray - Facebook has more users than many major populations - Neil Armstrong did not say, “That’s one small step for man.” According to Neil, he said, “ that’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

It's official. Fort Hood, named for a high-ranking Confederate officer in the Civil War, has been renamed Fort Cavazos, in honor of native Texan Richard E. Cavazos, the country's first Hispanic four-star general.

I like taking photos when I’m out of the country.

I watched my grandsons level up in their scouting ranks this past Sunday. It seems just yesterday that I was holding them in my arms, pretending to drop them, and they were laughing up a storm because they knew Grandpa wouldn’t drop them. Just yesterday, I spent time with my grandparents–one in town and the other in the country. I loved them all. Just yesterday, I was watching Mom and Aunt Patsy performing in a play at Mentz Hall. I think it was Chattanooga Choo Choo. Now, it seems just yesterday, they both are no longer within arms reach.

The clock is ticking on getting bills out of the House and to the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned last week in a story in the Austin American-Statesman. Patrick presides over the Senate and is worried many bills that have made it out of House committees but have not gone before the full chamber will not be considered before the session ends.

The TSA agent looked stern as they usually do.

Ministries

The Texas House last Thursday passed two education-related bills, one that allocates $4.5 billion for teacher pay raises and another to increase the annual per-student base funding from $6,160 to $6,300 – a 2.3% increase.

Jesse Burnam was born in Madison County, Kentucky on September 15, 1792. His father died and his mother moved the family to Shelbyville, Tennessee where Jesse married Temperance in 1812. Jesse traded for a small piece of land but when neighbors "got close enough to hear them call hogs” Jesse felt “cramped” and they had to move. Burnam contracted consumption (tuberculosis) and was advised to move to a warmer climate. The couple and their four children left Tennessee for Texas settling on the west bank of the Colorado River about twelve miles below present-day La Grange in the fall of 1822.

I was the perfect little boy growing up. I minded my momma, never talked back and was just so darn cute! So, I wondered why I always got my mouth washed out with Lava soap. Not Dial, mind you. Lava. I don't know why that kept happening. I think they got me confused with my other siblings. It was easy to do. I was the middle child and usually the forgotten one.

I start noticing the planes overhead when it’s nearing the time to go.

The Texas Senate unanimously approved a $308 billion twoyear budget last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported.