The giant panda, orangutan, Sumatran Elephant, and the Sunda Tiger all have something in common: they’ve joined a growing list of animals on the brink of extinction. A newly published study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences lists 515 animal species with fewer than a thousand individuals remaining. There are 3 billion fewer birds in the skies in North American than in 1970, and scientists project that up to 30 percent of America’s wildlife species are at risk of extinction within decades. Overall, the report is grim: We’re in the midst of the sixth mass extinction ever experienced by our planet, accelerated by the explosion of the human population in the last 100 years.

A New Orleans tradition was to prepare Red Beans and Rice on washday Monday. Red beans hold their shape well and could simmer on the stove all day as laundry was washed and dried. Puddin Nix shared this recipe and just enough of the dish with us to make me want more! The Nixs lived in the Big Easy one summer and met many wonderful Cajun cooks who helped her make this recipe a family favorite.

What is the silver lining behind the Texas power grid crash? Is it possible that some good can come from that miserable, collective experience? As more and more Texans tell their stories, some definite signs of hope and optimism are emerging. Here are some good things to come out of the power failure.

Last Thursday was a very good day for CHS tennis. The Lady Cats dominated Canadian’s Invitational Tennis Tournament, winning championships in both Girls Doubles and Singles play, and claiming second and third places in both divisions, as well.