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Opinion

Paxton acquitted on all impeachment counts

Paxton acquitted on all impeachment counts

Ken Paxton has been reinstated as Texas Attorney General after the Texas Senate on Saturday acquitted him of charges of bribery and misuse of office. Only two Republican senators joined the 12 Democrats in voting to convict him of some of the 16 charges heard by the Senate, with four other charges dismissed by the Senate, The Dallas Morning News reported. 09/21/2023 12:00 AM

Making do in the middle of a drought

Making do in the middle of a drought

I don’t like Stage Four water restrictions, but I recognize that they are essential. 09/21/2023 12:00 AM

Watching and Waiting

Watching and Waiting

It’s a time of watching and waiting. Watching to see which plants survive this drought and waiting to see what reappears when we receive substantial rain. All summer I’ve been watching a plant that volunteered in my yard. It started out as a bright green shoot, and I fenced it to discourage the deer. It grew and grew and began to display leaves and thorns while the trunk that was the original shoot retained its bright green color. The thorns meant we were safe from neighborhood deer. Today my volunteer plant is a small tree standing seven feet tall, and I’ve not given it a drop of water. Well, it sounds like this deer proof, drought resistant species is one for Wimberley! Research tells me my new tree is a Parkinsonia aculeata commonly known at Paloverde, Retama or Jerusalem Thorn. It is a small tree native from Central Texas to Northern South America and west to Arizona. Next Spring I can expect a profusion of yellow blossoms each with a single orange spot. The nectar of the flowers will attract bees, butterflies, and other insects, while the seed pods that follow will provide food for birds and small mammals. It’s always important for me to know how a plant benefits members of the Animal Kingdom. These reciprocal relationships are what makes the world go ‘round. 09/14/2023 12:00 AM

Paxton trial completes first week

Paxton trial completes first week

The first week of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in the Senate ended with his former lead law enforcement officer testifying an Austin developer alleged to have bribed Paxton constructed a “conspiracy theory” that federal officials altered a search warrant for his property, the Austin American- Statesman reported. 09/14/2023 12:00 AM

Hundreds of new laws go into effect

Hundreds of new laws go into effect

A total of 774 new laws went into effect on Sept. 1, affecting Texans in many areas of their lives, the Austin American- Statesman reported. The new laws concern property taxes, registration fees and voting access, among other issues. Several have drawn court challenges from opponents. 09/07/2023 12:00 AM

Texans asked to conserve energy in heat wave

Texans asked to conserve energy in heat wave

The agency that operates the power grid for much of the state asked Texans to conserve energy use several times last week as the grid was beset with high demand and low wind-power generation, according to the Austin American-Statesman. 08/31/2023 12:00 AM

Adapting to drought, preparing for fall

Adapting to drought, preparing for fall

Although the brief showers were helpful, plants that managed to hang on in last year’s hot, dry summer appear to be giving up this year due to the cumulative stress. 08/31/2023 12:00 AM

STAAR shows continued struggles in math, reading

STAAR shows continued struggles in math, reading

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. 08/24/2023 12:00 AM

Falling into autumn events with KWB

Falling into autumn events with KWB

Are you ready for fall yet? This time of year, Keep Wimberley Beautiful tries to tend to smaller projects that do not involve its volunteers being outside too much. 08/24/2023 12:00 AM

Record sea temps could spur more hurricanes

Record sea temps could spur more hurricanes

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. 08/17/2023 12:00 AM