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Quakes prompt officials to limit disposal wells

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS The Texas Railroad Commission has suspended nearly two dozen permits that allow oil and gas companies to inject saltwater into the ground, which regulators say has contributed to increased earthquakes of greater magnitude in West Texas. The Austin American Statesman reported the 23 disposal wells hold hundreds of thousands of barrels of produced…

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Grants: a substantial benefit to our city

I would like to touch on progress we’ve made in 2023 and what our agenda is for 2024. This week’s focus is on grants. Grants consist of funds awarded to the city from sources, both state and federal. The city of Pearsall has applied for and received multiple grants in recent years. In that time…

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Black cats and flatulence

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE In all honesty, Earth neither knows nor cares that we recently completed another circuit around the sun because, well, she’s been doing this for billions of years and she didn’t create the 12-month calendar by which we measure the passage of time. Sure, she depends on these massive loops around…

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Looking for Ozempic? Spot a scam before you buy phony medicine

When demand for something exceeds its supply, scammers are quick to take advantage. It’s happened recently with popular toys, baby formula, and even rental cars. Now, it’s happening with Ozempic, a prescription-only drug for people with Type 2 diabetes. Scammers are aware of the drug’s popularity for weight loss, and they’re targeting folks looking for…

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Spate of new laws effective Jan. 1

After the Texas Legislature spent much of 2023 in session, a bevy of new laws go into effect on New Year’s Day, though some have been delayed by lawsuits challenging their constitutionality. The Austin American-Statesman reported on SB 17, a new law that institutes a ban on programs and policies “designed or implemented in reference…

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Legal groups sue to stop new immigration law

The ink was barely dry on a law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that makes unauthorized entry into the United States a state crime before a lawsuit was filed by civil rights groups and El Paso County challenging its constitutionality. The Austin American-Statesman reported the suit was filed in an Austin federal court by the…

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Property tax cuts go into effect

A total of $18 billion in property tax cuts were approved by more than 80% of voters in the November general election and should be reflected in property tax bills that are due by Jan. 31. The cuts come in the form of increased home exemptions, lower school district rates, and limiting the amount property…

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With all the wrong screwdrivers

Something rather special happens at this time every year, and it’s sure to bring a smile to faces young and old alike. The young children of our communities have written their letters to Santa Claus, and we are pleased to publish them in a special edition just before Christmas. I should tell you here that…

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Legal amendments appear quashed

A half-dozen lawsuits challenging the 13 approved Texas constitutional amendments appear to be dead in the water, The Dallas Morning News reported. The secretary of state’s office last week declared the propositions approved and now a part of the Texas Constitution, while Gov. Greg Abbott canvassed the election and certified the results. One proposition that…

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The caloric intake of his foreign hosts

Did you notice it? You probably did. There was a dreadful spelling mistake on this very page in last week’s edition. It was so bad that many of you must have thought we don’t proofread anything. Had we checked, we would have noticed the mistake in the headline and corrected it long before sending the…

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