Wildfires continue across state Firefighters are looking to the skies for much-needed rain this week as crews continue battling wildfires across the state. Fires reported Sunday by the Texas A&M Forest Service were being fought in Brown, Taylor, Wilbarger, Llano, Schleicher and San Saba counties.

The memory is lodged in my brain’s recesses, as closely as mistletoe clings to mesquite trees. Our parents—neither with educational opportunities beyond high school—provided commonsense counsel for my brother and me.

Early runoff voting ends Friday Early voting in the May 24 primary runoff elections ends Friday, May 20. Under state law, voters who cast ballots in either party’s primary election must vote only in the same party’s runoff election.

My old Uncle Mort is nothing if not analytical, even when he’s not even looking for ways to make easy bucks. He called recently to provide his analysis of members of the Thicket Community Church whose pastor called for a special mid-week prayer session appealing for rain. It would be at high noon on the church lawn.

Voters back property tax amendments Texas voters overwhelmingly approved two proposed amendments on Saturday that will provide property tax relief to homeowners. According to the Austin American-Statesman, nearly 85% of voters supported Proposition 2, which raises the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 starting this year.

In all the years I’ve known my aged Uncle Mort, he has made few observations about horses, if any at all. For the past few days, he has spoken of little else, what with the news that the City of Dallas hardly knows what to do with one of its storied landmarks.

Texas challenged by nursing, trucker shortage Texas has the fourth-lowest nurse-to-population ratio in the country, with only 9.25 nurses per 1,000 residents, according to a recent report by the comptroller’s office. The state’s aging population, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, has put increased pressure on all categories of nursing.

The next thing we know is that three out of five New York doctors agree that watching television may be hazardous to our health. This isn’t exactly “breaking news” until one stares reality in the face, convinced that it isn’t easy these days to find 60% of persons in any group—professional or otherwise—who agree on anything.

Early voting underway for May 7 election Early voting began Monday for local elections and two proposed constitutional amendments relating to property tax reductions. Early voting continues through Tuesday, May 3, with election day on Saturday, May 7.

Craig Murphy, a well-known Fort Worth country music vocalist, has found his niche after trying several other pursuits that turned out to be short-lived. He’s certified in both law enforcement and auto mechanics, but his interest in both fields flagged quickly. During COVID’s darkest days,