Columns

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Texas public student scores in standardized testing continue to improve since the pandemic, but more than half of those taking the test still struggle with math and just under half read below grade-level, the Texas Tribune reported. Students in grades three through eight took the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests…

MONEY/FINANCE Intelligent cashflow management is the essential fuel of startups and digital businesses, particularly in a challenging economy. According to experts, it can mean the difference between surviving, thriving and failure. “Poor cashflow management will kill your business. In fact, it’s killed some of the biggest businesses in the world. No matter how fast you’re…

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE One of the great advantages of attending a small-town school is that you don’t have to make friends with a whole bunch of strangers every year. I’ve often heard people talk about how nervous they felt when starting a new school year, especially over being in entirely new surroundings and…

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Forecasters for the National Weather Service are anticipating a more active hurricane season this year because of record-warm ocean surface temperatures, the Texas Tribune reported. Hurricane season runs through the end of November. The Climate Prediction Center now predicts six to 11 hurricanes this season in the Atlantic Ocean, with as many as…

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS An unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported. A survey conducted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children of about 1,600 child care programs indicated 44% were likely to close their doors without additional funding.…

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE We really need to address this issue of the South Texas workforce and its shortcomings. Last week, we published a feature story about the healthy retail and foodservice economy boosting one of the communities in our coverage area, and I’m sure you know that the same applies in each of…

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE “If someone told you to jump into a canal, would you do it?” It’s one of those expressions, isn’t it? It’s the sort of thing elders blurt out at the young to challenge some cretinous decision-making that’s gone awry. Of course you wouldn’t jump into the canal. By extension, you…

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. “With the recent uptick in wildfire activity, Texas A&M Forest Service has mobilized additional personnel and equipment to assist with response,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief.…

A WORD FROM THE MAYOR The city of Pearsall is in the middle of budget season. Admin and department heads spend hours poring over numbers and gathering data on financial needs for the budget year which runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. The audit is due in April of each year and…

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE I was driving through Laredo recently, and reached the point at which IH-35 ends at a traffic light. It’s rather an abrupt ending for one of America’s longest, busiest and most important trade thoroughfares. One has adequate warning, of course. There have been plenty of signs on the approach to…