News

Body Canadian High School senior Laney Hood learned last week that she had been named a 2024 National Merit Scholar finalist. In doing so, she joins an elite group of only 15,000 students nationwide—about half of whom will share nearly $28 million in awards this year.

Body AUSTIN—Today, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Texas has 17,948,242 million registered voters ahead of the March 5 primaries. The last day to register in time for the primary election was February 5.

Body Candidate filing ended this week for those seeking a place on the ballot in the local May 4 elections.

Body Early voting in the March 5 Democratic and Republican primaries will kick off next Tuesday at the Hemphill County Courthouse.

Body Pitch made for new power plants Lt. Gov Dan Patrick joined with the world’s largest investment firm to pitch investors on building natural gas power plants in Texas at a summit held last week in Houston.

Body Candidate filing continues for candidates seeking a place on the ballot in the May 4 city council and hospital, school and groundwater district board elections.

Body AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced this week that he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.3 billion in local sales tax allocations for February, 1.6 percent more than in February 2023.

Body Misdemeanor Arrests • Ellen Jane Frost, 38, Grove, Oklahoma; possession of less than 2 ounces marijuana; 2/1/24; HCSO Felony Arrests • Ellen Jane Frost, 38, Grove, Oklahoma; possession of 2-4 grams of a controlled substance, Penalty Grade 2; 1/31/24; HCSO

Body TEA annual report just released The Texas Education Agency’s annual report was released last week. It indicates per-student funding in the 2021-2022 school year averaged $14,928 per student, up 42% since 2011.

Body ‘Stewarding Our Water Future’ conference to be held March 21-22 in Amarillo With the realization of depleting irrigation and domestic well levels, a continued emphasis on “economic development” at virtually any cost regardless of impact, and pervasive talk of a diminishing...