Opinion

CLARIFICATION: In our report, two weeks ago, on the apportionment of the Canadian Apartment complex demolition costs among Hemphill County’s five taxing entities, we were unable to confirm whether a motion to approve the expense before Hemphill County Hospital District board of directors had actually passed. We have since received assurance that the 2-1 vote—with Karen Gullett and Colby Leach in favor—and Sharon Carr opposed, did indeed pass. Although Jesse Hanes had indicated his support for the measure, he was unable to cast an official vote because he attended the meeting remotely. — LEB

EARLY VOTING BEGAN on Monday, which was also Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of the 2021 polar vortex that caused blackouts that killed more than 200 Texans and possibly as many as 700. Voters have a lot of things to consider when they go vote this year. This list is incomplete, but it’s a start.

THE FALLOUT OVER THE Republican National Committee’s statement censuring Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) for “participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse” continues to rain down on the Republican Party.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Postal Service Reform Act, HR 3076, by a vote of 342 to 92, sending a landmark postal bill to the Senate for consideration. The bill would accomplish several goals pursued by National Newspaper Association since debate on saving universal mail service commenced in recent years.

I have been in Canadian for three years, almost down to the day. It seems like yesterday, I was unpacking my things in preparation for my new role of NRCS district conservationist for Hemphill County.

MOST TEXANS, INCLUDING ME, don’t usually pay close attention to judicial races. But there’s one race coming up that’s worth watching because it shines light on the sacred concept of judicial impartiality.

ON THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., more than 53 years after his assassination in 1968, voting rights remain in the center ring of American politics. With the party primary season already underway, Texas is busy in court, defending restrictive new voting laws and challenges to new political maps for its congressional delegation, the state Legislature and the State Board of Education that were drawn after the 2020 census.

WITHOUT FACTS you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality, no democracy, and it becomes impossible to deal with the existential problems of our times: climate, coronavirus, now, the battle for truth.