Senate backs prayer time, Ten Commandments in classrooms
The Texas Senate last week passed a bill to allow school districts to set aside time for in-school prayer and gave initial approval to requiring all schools to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that the two measures were priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over that chamber.
Misdemeanor Arrests
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Felony Arrests
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Citations
Texas farmers concerned over growing trade war
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.
Intents to Drill
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Oil Completions
HANSFORD (HANSFORD, NORTH, Cherokee) King Operating Corporation, #3 Ayres 79V, 7 mi NE from Gruver, Sec 79, Blk 45, H&TC RR Surv, A-317, spud 10-29-2022, compl 5-1-2023, tested 12-18-2024, potential 2 bbls-oil, 0 mcf, 2 bbls wtr, 100# ftp, 15# CP, TVD 7713’, PBD 6450’ API 42-195-31957, Vertical
AMARILLO, Texas (Mar. 16, 2025) – Xcel Energy has successfully restored power to nearly all 68,000 customers affected by the historic windstorm on Friday, March 14. The storm caused significant damage to power infrastructure, prompting crews to replace nearly 20,000 feet of wire, 140 power poles, about 340 pole cross arms and nearly 50 transformers since Friday.
AMARILLO, Texas (Mar. 13, 2025) – Xcel Energy is preparing to temporarily shut power off to approximately 17,000 customers in our Texas and New Mexico service area tomorrow morning to reduce wildfire risk. This decision is based on weather forecasts indicating extremely high wind speeds and low relative humidity, in addition to wildfire modeling of fuels on the ground.
House proposes $7.5 billion in new school funding
Critics say a House bill proposing $7.5 billion in new funding for public education doesn’t go far enough, The Dallas Morning News reported. House Bill 2 would raise the per-student allotment by $220, to $6,360 a year. It would also invest $750 million in teacher pay and $450 million in teacher training.
Early voting begins Tuesday, April 22, in the May 3 Hemphill County Hospital District and Canadian Independent School District board elections. Thirteen candidates are vying for nine open seats, setting up contested races for both school and hospital boards.
The candidates for three open seats on the Hemphill County Hospital District Board of Directors are incumbents Whitney Jones, Colby Leach and Cory Pittman, as well as former board member Jesse Hanes and newcomer Travis Macias.
Texas A&M Forest Service will give away approximately 2,300 tree seedlings to Texas Panhandle residents in efforts to replant trees lost to wildfires. These seedlings will replace lost tree canopy to provide valuable ecosystem benefits and create habitat for wildlife and cover for livestock.
Tree Give-Away Schedule
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 9-11:30 a.m.
Hemphill County Courthouse, 400 West Main St., Canadian, Texas 79014
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 1-3:30 p.m.
Pampa Armory, 12067 E Frederic Ave, Pampa, TX 79065
Are you ready to wrangle up some good? Saddle up and donate blood with Coffee Memorial Blood Center this March and April to help save lives!
