State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalLegislative session wraps upThe dust hasn’t quite settled on the 2025 legislative session, but here’s a sampling of bills already sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.• A ban on clubs supporting gay teens in public schools won final legislative passage on Saturday.

Castro Patnarch At 100...

For the next three weeks, there’ll be too much about me, even if I apologize in advance for citing personal experiences, but they’re the only kinds I’ve had.At their core will be remembrances of commencement ceremonies, mostly where I’ve been privileged to speak.

Graduation Goofs...

It is that time again when hundreds of thousands of us can’t get the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” out of our heads, often whistling or humming the melody, not even wondering why.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalLawmakers agree on $8 billion school funding packageLeaders from the Texas House and Senate have agreed on an $8 billion school funding package, which is being called the largest in state history, The Dallas Morning News reported.

A Day Gone Wrong...

When I introduced this weekly column more than 22 years ago, my stated goal was to provide amusement—even if corny and outdated—largely for readers dealing with bodily wrinkles, waistlines, aches, breaks, bends and assorted other groans associated with later life.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalAbbott signs voucher bill into lawGov. Greg Abbott last week signed a $1 billion private school voucher bill into law in front of a large crowd at the Governor’s Mansion, the San Antonio Express- News and other media outlets reported.

Nitpicks and Toothpicks...

When one nitpicks, there’s no end to it. We’re all frequently guilty, and I admit to being among chief sinners, particularly since the term’s initial usage began in 1956, the same year I finished Early High School. Sudden thought: Maybe I’m the guy who first justified the term.

State Capital HIGHLIGHTS

State CapitalHouse bill proposes new standardized testA Texas House bill would eliminate the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness test and replace it with a test comparing students’ performance to one another rather than state-set standards, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

A Pullman Pushed and Pulled...

THE IDLE AMERICANIt’s got to be a borderline miracle when Eastland—a town with fewer than 5,000 people—can lay claim to not one, but TWO “facts” worthy of the Guinness Book of Records recognition.“Facts” has quotation marks for a reason.

Looking Back at Easter...

Easter, 2025, was a time like none other!