The project makes use of a revolving fund provided by the Texas Water Development Board, addressing city infrastructure needs, like aging water and sewer line replacement.

Thursday’s council action named Traylor & Associates of Tyler the official grant administrator over the proposed project, and Civil Corp of Victoria as the city’s primary construction agent in charge of the work.

Both firms have established relationships with city already, Edna city manager Gary Broz said. Both are involved with street, drainage and utility improvement projects as part of Edna’s federal disaster aid dollars made available through the Texas General Land Office in Hurricane Harvey’s wake.

Civil Corp is also overseeing work on improvement projects along Division, Brackenridge and Miracle streets that are part of the city’s bond projects, paid for with certificates of obligation.

Recent rains idled work on the street projects, Broz said in his project update to council in his city manager’s report, though he suspected work would pick up when things dried out. At least a mile of that project is due for an Aug. 1 completion date to accommodate the start of the new school year, he added.

In another though unrelated civic improvement project Thursday, council members extended their blessing to the Edna Business Association to install some 34 curb grab bars in the downtown area.

Council also greenlighted two demolition projects—one at 702 W. Cedar and the other at 705 Third—both removing condemned structures within the city.

In other business:

• The city received its annual financial audit report from Harrison, Waldrop & Uherek, the firm presenting an unqualified opinion—its top mark—on the city’s bookkeeping over the last year.

• Council approved a measure to clean up some old deed paperwork for a property located along Guadalupe Street.

• The council approved a vehicle lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for a new pickup to be used by Edna’s animal control officer.

• The city renewed its agreement Texas Health Benefits Pool to provide health insurance for all city employees, with no increase in premiums anticipated in the year ahead.

That’s after board members met last week to adopt their proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget and tax rates on Wednesday, June 17.

According to their public notice published in these very pages on June 3, homeowners in Ganado ISD will likely see about a $39 decrease in their tax bills in the year ahead, falling from an average of about $483 last year to $443 this year.

Of course, such saving may well prove moot, as average property values rose from about $190,069 in 2025 to $198,653 in 2026.

Still, the savings listed in their printed notice came despite overall tax rates climbing by about 4 cents per $100 valuation in the school’s interest and sinking account (I&S), the result of recent voter-approved bond issues within the district.

The proposed school operations tax rate remains unchanged at 64.790 cents per $100 valuation, while the proposed I&S rates move from 45.954 cents per $100 to 50 cents per $100.

Those proposed rates will help fund an estimated $14.4 million balanced budget for the coming year, up from about $12.4 million currently, the biggest differences coming as part of the school’s debt service categories as payments come due on those bonds.

The board will meet next month in hopes of finalizing the budget and tax rates for the year ahead. Unlike most districts where budgets and tax rates are set in August, Ganado ISD’s fiscal year ends in July.

In other business:

• Board members authorized superintendent John Szymanski to enter negotiations with the architectural firm Sledge Engineering to lead design work for latest bond project renovations at the school’s auditorium, field house, CTE barn and new softball field.

They also greenlighted similar contract negotiations with the construction firm Jacobs & Weaver, who will head up actual work on said projects.

• Ganado ISD approved Roloff, Hnatek & Co. to continue its annual school audit services for the district.

• Trustees reviewed and signed off on several end-of-year budget amendments, including requests to compensate hourly workers who were impacted by the school’s closures on May 15 brought on by a districtwide illness and on May 28, when almost everyone in town traveled with local girls to the state champion softball finals.

• The school board also renewed its drug dog contract for the coming year, reviewed financing plan options for their most recent round of school bonds and approved a summer work calendar change that grants Monday off, following the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.

According to the indictment, Jalomo is accused of “introducing Diphenhydramine into the body of Azaiah Alexander Lozano, delaying seeking medical care for Azaiah Alexander Lozano, and delaying providing medical care for Azaiah Alexander Lozano.”

Diphenhydramanine is an antihistamine, the primary active ingredient in allergy medications like Benadryl.

On Oct. 3, 2025, police and EMS were dispatched to Jalomo’s residence on County Road 131, according to social media posts by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, for a report of an infant who was unresponsive. According to Jackson County Sheriff Rick Boone, Lozano is the second infant to die in Jalomo’s care in five years.

This fun, family-friendly event is a great way to stay active while connecting with our community! Registration begins at 7:00 PM, with the race to follow.

Entry is $30 per participant, and we’re proud to offer 50% off for first responders, military, and students. Following the race, an awards ceremony will be held to recognize the top three finishers in three categories. Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and come enjoy an evening of fitness, fun, and community spirit—we can’t wait to see you there!

Join us for a FREE lunch & learn on Thursday, July 11th from 11:45am – 1pm at the JCCCA office.

Presented and sponsored by DEWW I.T., come learn about “Using A.I. in a Small Business.

Discover how you can move your business forward by using modern technology while also protecting what you’ve built. To RSVP call 361782-7146.

The JCCCA & Alamo Lumber are teaming up for a patriotic Sip & Paint! Gather your friends and get ready for an evening of creativity, fun, and patriotic spirit at our Patriotic Sip & Paint on Saturday, August 8th hosted by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture and Alamo Lumber! Whether you’re an experienced artist or just looking for a fun night out, this event is perfect for everyone. We’ll provide the supplies, instruction, and plenty of red, white, and blue inspiration as you create a beautiful patriotic masterpiece to take home. Seats are limited, so be sure to register today! The event will be held at the Chamber from 7pm - 9pm. Cost per person is $40. Come enjoy great company, unleash your creativity, and celebrate the American spirit with us!

To register, contact the Chamber Office at (361) 782-7146, go online, or stop by our office at: 116 W. Cypress Street in Edna. Looking to share a special message with the community? For only $5, you can display your announcement on the Chamber’s LED sign—a great way to catch attention! We also offer affordable weekly and monthly rates for ongoing promotions.

Have you recently had a great experience at one of our Chamber Member businesses? We’d love to hear about it! Each month, we recognize a Member of the Month, and your nominations help us spotlight those who go above and beyond. To nominate a business, simply email us at info@jctx.us or call (361) 782-7146.

Let’s celebrate the businesses that make our community shine!

Here’s a friendly reminder to support our amazing local businesses— and one of the easiest ways to do that is with Chamber Bucks! Chamber Bucks can be purchased in any amount and work just like a gift card at over 25 participating businesses throughout our community. By choosing Chamber Bucks, you’re not just buying a gift—you’re making an investment in Jackson County. The goal of this program is simple: encourage everyone to SHOP LOCAL. Every Chamber Buck spent stays right here at home, helping our local economy grow and thrive.

Stop by the Chamber office to purchase yours today. Let’s keep Jackson County strong—one local purchase at a time! Members, if you’re active on Facebook and have news, events, or promotions you’d like us to share, just tag us in your post or email us. We’re happy to help spread the word and support your efforts!

Let’s work together to keep our community connected and informed. Not Yet a Chamber Member? Now’s the Perfect Time to Join!

Visit www.jacksoncountytexas. com Congratulations to Dance Unlimited of Edna, our June Member of the Month! Dance Unlimited of Edna was chosen by the Chamber Board of Directors because of their continued support of the Chamber and also our community! Located at 601 Apollo in Edna. For more information, call (361) 782-1936.

RCM Hill argued that the county lacked the legal authority to impose the temporary ban, which came after the company had already secured contracts for more than 800 acres for more than $80 million.

“You’re not going to see anybody else trying a moratorium at this point because they’ve seen what happens when you do it,” said Robert Paterson, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who specializes in land use law.

“You basically just get clubbed with a ridiculous amount of money.”

In Hood and Somervell counties, both southwest of Fort Worth, at least nine proposed data center projects are under consideration.

Concerned citizens are filling county commissioner meetings, saying the projects could raise electricity bills, strain water resources, and harm tourism.

Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission to ensure that new data centers actually reduce residential electric bills and proposed that new laws be passed during next year’s legislative session to further regulate the data centers.

Texas GOP pushes for closed primaries Abbott and other state GOP leaders declared at the recent state convention in Houston that they will push to require voters to register with a party to prevent crossover voting, The Texas Tribune reported.

“We are going to make clear that in the future, only Republicans will vote in Republican primaries,” he said at the Houston convention.

The party has made closing primaries a top legislative priority. The state’s current open primary system doesn’t require party registration, so voters can cast ballots in whichever primary they want — just not both.

The Texas Republican Party sued Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson last year and was later joined by Attorney General Ken Paxton in asking a federal judge to strike down parts of the election code that allow open primaries. Nelson, who is stepping down next month, opposed Paxton’s motion and argued that it is up to the state Legislature to change election law.

High court sides with weed user banned from owning guns The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously last week that a Texas man’s conviction for possessing both marijuana and a pistol under an existing law that prevents “unlawful” drug users from owning guns was unconstitutional. Both gun rights groups and civil liberties advocates filed briefs urging the court to take Ali Hemani’s side. He challenged the law after being arrested in 2022 by federal agents who found a pistol and 60 grams of weed when his home was searched.

His attorneys argued the law violated his Second Amendment rights and was vague since it does not define “unlawful user.”

“Is someone who uses a controlled substance once a year, ‘an unlawful user’? What about someone who uses that substance every six months, or every two weeks?” they argued.

“Does it matter how much one consumes, or only how frequently one does so? The statute does not say.”

Adding to the issues in the case is that marijuana is legal to some degree in more than 40 states. Texas has a limited medical marijuana program.

New World Screwworm cases up to 15 As of Sunday, the number of confirmed New World Screwworm cases totaled 15. The Texas Animal Health Commission has placed a quarantine on parts of Coke, Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb and Zavala counties. All warm-blooded animals in a quarantine zone may not be moved without prior authorization from TAHC.

Federal and state agencies are working together to eradicate the NWS by introducing sterile male flies into affected areas. Abbott has issued a statewide disaster proclamation in response. The pest lays its eggs in open wounds, then the eggs hatch into larvae that feast on living flesh. While it is mostly found in cattle, one case has been found in a dog.

TAHC is urging livestock and pet owners to stay vigilant, monitor their animals, and report any suspicions of NWS infestations by calling 1-800-550-8242.

State says camp leaders had chances to prevent tragedy A state investigation has concluded the deaths of 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic last summer were not inevitable, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Investigators found the camp “failed to meet emergency planning requirements, train its staff, or evacuate quickly despite multiple chances to prevent the tragedy.”

The report said that as the Guadalupe River flooded, at least 39 adult staff members were within reach of the children and, for hours, could have safely assisted with evacuations.

Camp leader Richard “Dick” Eastland died in the flood, along with as many as 13 children and counselors, according to investigators.

The 115-page report was presented to a joint legislative committee last week, as several parents of children who died in the floods listened. Lawmakers have created new regulations that require emergency address systems, ban camps from being in floodplains, and mandate redundant internet access to improve awareness of weather emergencies.

“We owe it to the victims and their families to learn every lesson that’s possible, and to ensure that those lessons result in meaningful action,” said the chair of the Senate flood investigative committee, Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton.

Paxton’s platform short on specifics, except for crypto bill Paxton’s platform in his bid to be the state’s next U.S. senator is mostly devoid of specifics, according to the Houston Chronicle. The one piece of legislation he argues is critical is a cryptocurrency bill called the CLARITY Act. Supporters say it would bring stability to the crypto market, which uses a digital form of cash.

The law was passed by the U.S. House a year ago but is stuck in the Senate. Critics include some of the country’s largest unions and banks, who say it doesn’t provide sufficient consumer protections or safeguards against money laundering.

The bill is the only piece of legislation named on Paxton’s website. He also vows to “carry the torch for Trump’s agenda.”

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park.

Email: gborders@texaspress. com.

In fact, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is making data centers a priority issue in the upcoming state legislative session in 2027.

The Texas Tribune reported recently that the governor sent letters to state policymakers on June 9 outlining several key recommendations for lawmakers to take up when they return to Austin in 2027, including:

• Requiring new facilities to add power generation to the state’s power grid.

• Requiring data centers pay for their own grid interconnection and infrastructure costs.

• Mandating the use of “closed-loop” water systems, which draw a large amount of water at the start but reuse it over some period of years.

• Require annual reporting by all data centers on electricity and water use.

• Establishing best-practice standards to address community concerns like noise.

• And repealing data center sales tax exemptions and “other outdated or unnecessary incentives” for data centers.

On that final point, the governor was especially adamant. The Tribune reported recently that Texas stood to lose about $3.2 billion in sales tax revenue over the next two years because of a sales tax exemptions granted to data centers that were already going up/installed in the state.

“The rapid scale of data center development requires oversight to ensure everyday Texans are not burdened with the costs of infrastructure driven by data center expansion, and to ensure that as data centers interconnect to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, residential electric bills are not negatively affected,” Abbott said.

On June 11 in nearby Matagorda County, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller took up the battle flag in a Bay City town hall meeting focused on what he dubbed were the “hidden costs of data centers.”

He spoke on many of the same topics the governor raised with something of a more farm-based slant, most specifically, how data centers were gobbling up prime farmland and farm resources, especially water.

Miller’s office has been at the forefront of water shortage talks for years now, especially as Texas’ urban population continues to grow.

“Texas agricultural producers and rural communities need a balanced solution that recognizes the importance of innovation yet still protects our precious agricultural land for generations to come,” Miller said.

Tenth Grade: Sophia Barajas. Alex Briones, Hallie Bures, Noah Cortes, Roverto Duran, Maxx Hernandez, Brandon Moreno, Sawyer Percle, Presley Perry, Jacie Rodriguez, Karleigh Sprague, Brinley Strauss.

Eleventh Grade: Caleb Borel, Logan Bures, Saylor Bures, Briley Clark, Michaela Estrada, Emma Garza, Rhylee Green, Paisley Hajovsky, Laci Holt, Lindsey Madden, Gracie Moore, Olivia Morales, Cade Nixon, Cody Novak, Raelynn Pena, Gabriel Ramos, Braelynn Reeves, Gwen Reid, Jocelynn Reid, Jayce Rosalez, Brianna Silva-Lara, Bailey Taylor, Makinzie Tovar.

Twelfth Grade: Alina Ayala, Cali Berd, Marely Briones, Mariela Brito, Edwin Calderon, Alannah Contreras, Chandler Gabrysch, Amyiah Lee, Austen Pena, Izaiah Perez, Josselyn Sanchez, Kyla Stancik, Avery Torres, Ayden Tudyk, Aileen Zavala.

A Honor Roll Ninth Grade: Makenzie Alvarez, Reese Bures, Kirsten Freeman, Addison Hoskins, Avery Mamerow, Maria Montes De Oca Santana.

Tenth Grade: Ricardo Aguilar, Brandon Calderon, Destiny Gonzalez, Tyler Gonzalez, Savanna Lazo, Andrew Ledwig, Lanya Puente.

Eleventh Grade:

Adilynn Aldridge, Ricky Almeda, Kalyn Benavides, Jordyn Bundick, Emily Contreras, Caterin Guerrero, Kadin Higdon, Bryan Martinez, Lindsay Pittman, Haleigh Robinson, Ella Todish.

Twelfth Grade:

Brenda Govea, Mireya Solorzano.

AB Honor Roll Ninth Grade: Elizabeth Briones, Abby Cox, Zachary Escobar, Yatziri Guerrero Brito, Ariana Hernandez Balderas, Liliana Lazo, Coen Ott, Delaney Reynolds, Ty Szymanski.

Tenth Grade: Cielo Baez Corpus, Mason Dodds, Kooper Green, Carla Guerrero, Sonny Hicks, Jack Hurt, Robin Janica, Eduardo Narvaez Mata, Alessandro Quinones, Drake Rivera, Kylea Strickland, Noah Ybarra.

Eleventh Grade:

Yaslin Almeda, Courtney Alvarez, Erika De La Torre, Brenna Guerrero, Lesly Guerrero, Emely Narvaez Mata, Makayla Perez, William Ramsey, Kaylyne Tristan Sedillo, Jonathan Zavala Arellano.

Twelfth Grade: Carlos Avalos, Bryan Calderon, Sergio Corona, Tiffany Garcia, Isaac Hernandez, Tanya Hernandez, Javen Marroquin, Jayrel Ortiz Ramos, Austin Parrott, Elaina Perez, Olivia Perez, Lance Summers.

108 S. Sixth St., Ganado

361-771-3425 BAPTIST TEMPLE

1001 N. Wells, Edna

361-782-2990 BAYSIDE - GANADO FELLOWSHIP

501 N. 3rd St. Pastor Ruben

361-781-4178 CARANCAHUA CHAPEL

408 Peggy St., Schicke Point Texas

601-299-0692 CHURCH OF CHRIST

77 CR 449 Francitas, TX 77961 CHURCH OF CHRIST Garcitas Street, Vanderbilt

361-284-3546 CHRISTIAN LIVING CHURCH

123 S. Third, Ganado DELIVERANCE & RESTORATION CHURCH

607 N. Carver St.

361-655-9000 EDNA PRESBYTERIAN

502 Apollo Drive, Edna

361-782-3108 EMMANUEL LUTHERAN Church & Kolle Streets, Inez

361-782-3646 FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD Cypress & Ed Linn, Edna

361-782-3394 FIRST BAPTIST

309 S. Cottonwood, Edna

361-782-2470 FIRST BAPTIST

400 Buechman Road, Ganado

361-771-2403 FIRST BAPTIST

230 FM 444 South, Inez

361-782-6093 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Lolita

361-874-4151 FIRST BAPTIST MISSION

411 N. Pumphrey, Edna

361-782-3040 FIRST PENTECOSTAL Apollo Drive (FM 1822), Edna

361-782-2052 FIRST UNITED METHODIST

216 W. Main, Edna

361-782-3561 FIRST METHODIST Twin Oaks Drive, Ganado

361-771-3750 GANADO CHURCH OF CHRIST Corner Gayle & Sutherland, Ganado

361-771-2984 GRACE FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST

128 CR 119, Edna

361-236-2727 placeofgracetx@gmail.com GRACE TABERNACLE

102 Brown St., Edna

361-782-9041 IGLESIA DEL ALTISIMO UPCI

111 S. Bryan, Edna

361-782-5315 IGLESIA NUEVA JERUSALEM

1201 Chase St., Edna

832-877-4195 JACKSON COUNTY MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE

361-235-7117 LA WARD BAPTIST West Hwy. 172 South, La Ward LA WARD UNITED PENTECOSTAL

52 La Ward Street, La Ward

361-872-2254 LIFE WAY BAPTIST CHURCH

107 Brazos, Edna

361-781-0598 LOLITA METHODIST College Street, Lolita

361-987-2812 MORALES BAPTIST

239 County Road 2831 Edna, Texas 77957 MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST

7 mi. Hwy. 111 N. on CR 287, Edna

361-781-0855 NEW HARVEST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

1016 S. East Street, Edna NEW LIFE CATHEDRAL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD

301 W. Church, Edna PROSPERITY BAPTIST Oberg Street, Ganado

361-771-3620 PURE LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH

6342 FM 616 Vanderbilt

361-235-1529 REDEEMER LUTHERAN

504 Dugger Street, Edna

361-782-3793 ROBISON ST CHURCH OF CHRIST

301 Robison St., Edna

361-782-5506 SCRUGGS CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST

313 N. Carver, Edna

361-782-2135 SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST

604 Martin Luther King St., Edna

361-782-3137 SOUL’S HARBOR BAPTIST Hwy. 172 South, Ganado

361-771-2271 ST. AGNES CATHOLIC

506 N. Allen, Edna

361-782-3588 ST. JAMES LUTHERAN

900 S. Third (Hwy. 172) Ganado

361-771-2461 ST. JOHN BOSCO CATHOLIC Vanderbilt

361-284-3361;

361-284-3737 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN

108 E. Gayle, Edna

361-782-3037 ST. THERESA MISSION LaSalle, Texas

361-284-3361;

361-284-3737 TEXANA FELLOWSHIP GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH

104 E. Main Street, Edna texanafellowship.org THE OPEN TABLE CHURCH

924 FM 822, Edna

361-774-9130 pastor@opentablechurchstx.org THE RANCH COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

514 Dugger St., Edna

361-235-7117 TRINITY EPISCOPAL

102 W. Church, Edna www.pimeast.org www.dwtx.org VANDERBILT BAPTIST

304 S. Victoria, Vanderbilt

361-284-3659 WORLD OUTREACH BIBLE CHURCH

1014 S. Wells (Hwy 111 S), Edna,

361-782-6976

That quote recently made headlines. Spoken by then-Texas State Representative and now candidate for the United States Senate, James Talarico, the statement has caused not a little controversy among Christians in Texas.

Is God non-binary? That is a complicated question. God is spirit. Although Jesus, God the Son, became a human being like us, God by nature is not physical and is not part of his physical, created universe. God is neither male nor female.

In that limited sense, you could say God is non-binary.

But to say that he is “both masculine and feminine and everything in between” is not accurate. God is not everything.

God is over everything. God is everywhere. God is distinct from everything he has made.

A mistake that human beings have made since the beginning is to make gods in our own image. Ancient civilizations invented gods with strikingly human features and foibles. Even as Christians, we are tempted to ascribe to God imperfect human thoughts and attitudes.

God is not a man. Yet God became a man to save us. And he also reveals himself to us in his Word in masculine terms. Though God is not male in a physical sense, he has chosen to reveal himself with masculine names and titles: Father, Lord, King, Shepherd. The Bible consistently uses masculine language for God. Scripture may use many images to describe God’s love and care, but God teaches us to address him as Father, not Mother.

God is God. We don’t decide what to call him or how to refer to him. In his love, he tells us who he is and what he has done for us. His identity is who he says he is.

And so is yours. I’ve heard some say that if God is not physically male but reveals himself with masculine language, why can’t we decide our own identity?

Because we aren’t God. Just as we depend on God to tell us who he is, so we also depend on him to tell us who we are. Though God gives us freedom to make many choices in this life, we don’t choose our own identity.

God created us as embodied creatures. Our bodies are not meaningless accidents. Our biological sex is part of his created design, even though sin has touched and disordered every part of creation.

But our physical identity is not the deepest part of who we are. Our true identity is found in Christ. It is found in our baptism. We are baptized – washed, forgiven – sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. We are heirs of eternal life with him.

That is our identity as Christians. That is who God says we are.

We don’t decide who God is or who we are. God tells us in his Word.

And we respectfully and thankfully respond, “Yes, sir.”

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.

The conference aims to deliver an evening of education, networking and industry-wide support for the Gulf Coast cattle sector.

The event program features a diverse lineup, including a trade show, a catered dinner and a live stockmanship demonstration.

Dr. Ron Gill, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Livestock Specialist, will lead the educational demonstration, providing attendees with practical, expert insights into livestock management.

To help defray the operational costs of the conference, organizers are actively seeking local business and individual sponsorships, according to a news release. Three distinct tiers of support are available. The Gold Star sponsorship, priced at $500, offers an assigned booth space, event and social media recognition, a printed logo on the official agenda and a prominent business banner displayed inside the arena. The Silver Star level is available for $250 and includes an assigned booth space, event and social media recognition and a logo on the agenda. The Bronze Star level, available for $150, provides official recognition at the event and across social media platforms.

Sponsorships must be received as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in the printed event program.

Sponsorship payments and forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Jackson County Cattle Raisers Association, located at 411 N.

Wells, Room 111, Edna, Texas 77957. For further questions regarding the event or registration, contact Kade R. Smith, CEA Agriculture-Natural Resources, at 361-7823312 or via email at kade.smith@ag.tamu. edu.

With demand remaining exceptionally strong, we handled 129 cows, 27 bulls and 9 sheep. Packer cows and bulls both rallied

$8–$10 higher than last week. The calf market was mixed; lighter, fleshy new-crop calves softened slightly, but heavier weights trended strong, gaining $3–$15 in some classes.

Packer Bulls: High yielding, 195-228; Lower yielding 142-185.

Packer Cows: High yielding 183-203; Medium yielding 157-175; poor and weak, 80-135.

Palpated: seven, 1,750-

3,000. Pairs: $3,650-

$4,200.

Steer and bull calves:

200-250 lbs. 615.00-

740.00; 250-299 lbs.

580.00-800.00; 300-350 lbs; 546.00-625.00;;

350-400 lbs. 510.00-

560.00; 400-450 lbs.

478.00-545.00; 450-500 lbs. 460.00-505.00; 500--

550 lbs. 442.00-488.00;

550-600 lbs. 415.00-450.00; 600-700 lbs.

392.00-416.00; 700-800 lbs. 350.00-388.00 Heifer calves: 200-250 lbs. 600.00-705.00; 250--

300 lbs. 512.00-575.00;

300-350 lbs. 482.00-

590.00; 350-400 lbs.

465.00-580.00; 400-450 lbs. 446.00-600.00; 450--

500 lbs. 428.00-510.00;

500-550 lbs. 410.00-

530.00; 550-600 lbs.

389.00-450.00; 600-700 lbs. 371.00-440.00; 700--

800 lbs. 330.00-370.00 For more information, call 361-275-2329 barn.

Seventh Grade:

Charles Bures, Madisyn Bures, Jackson Chambless, Jennifer De La Torre, Abigail Estrada, Emma Gabrysch, Nolan Gonzales, Lexi Pape.

Eighth Grade: Mariah Alvarado, Yarely Alvarez, Natalie Barajas, Isabella Briones, Lesley Briones, Adelaide Bures, Beau Bures, Vianney Contreras, Abigail Duran, Leonardo Espino, Guadalupe Espino, Sydney Hart, Teagan Kelly, Kyler Kuhlman, Jocelyn Lazo, Lily Mendez, Sophie Moore,Sebastian Orozco, Evelyn Palomares, Brody Skoruppa,

Kyle Stancik, Jael Susil, Raegan Veselka.

A Honor Roll Sixth Grade: Cassandra Almeda, Addison Andel, Alexander Guerrero Brito, McKarti Hajovsky, Hunter Hurt, Abigail Lazo, Jose Moreno, Evelyn Rangel Sanchez, Kayleighann Rathjen, Elise Soto, Nolan Tudyk.

Seventh Grade: Genesis Brito-Lopez, Maverick Bures, Lilah Carbajal, Sophie Gonzalez, Aubree Hutchison, Falynn Marroquin, Ava Novak, Myleigh Sanchez, Jonah Serna, Evan Zavala.

Eighth Grade: Jullia Aguilar, Layloni Ansmendez, Zoey Conde, Witten Cortez, Fynlee Green, Christopher Guerrero Contreras, Blake Pape, Carter Turnipseed, Addisyn Utley.

AB Honor Roll Sixth Grade: Israel Almeda, Brayan Avalos, Sebastian Briones, Abby Copeland, Bodie Estrada, Lily Garcia, Santiago Guerrero Contreras, Elainna Hernandez, Keegan Pieprzyca.

Seventh Grade: Karina Ayala, Rylee Bures, Lylianna Enriquez, Caiton Ferguson, Brooklyn Flanagan, Aleyna Garcia, Willow Hayden, Morgan Hurt, Harley Larson, Easton McCain, Lorena Ramos, Jon Reid, Owen Skoruppa.

Eighth Grade: Jonathan Carlass, Leya Hadley, Ty Jimenez, Kevin Palomares, Ethan Puente, Madelyn Ramirez, Ethan Soto.

Steers: 200-300 lbs.,

400-594-735; 300-400 lbs., 380-533-620; 400--

500 lbs., 400-479-555;

500-600 lbs., 318-432--490; 600-700 lbs., 348--

408-440; 700 lbs. & up,

187-308-384.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs.,

335-489-655; 300-400 lbs., 340-480-55; 400--

500 lbs., 322-427-495;

500-600 lbs., 360-403--

450; 600-700 lbs., 304--

377-420; 700 lbs. & up,

255-334-379 Stocker cows: none; Stocker pairs: none Packer cows: none;

800 lbs. & up, 92-188.

Packer bulls: 800 lbs. and up, 150-205.

Date: 6-16-26 Cattle on hand: 657 One week ago: 905 One year ago: 806

The calf market was higher this week. #1 classes sold $3 to $5 higher on the heavier weights and $4 to

$8 higher on the light weights. Demand remains incredibly strong. Packer cows and bulls sold fully steady and very strong on a supply of 100 head. No really high yielding cows or bulls to quote.

Good stocker cows and heifers, 3,250-4,500; medium stocker cows and heifers, 1,800-2,850; good cow and calf pairs,

4,400-5,700.

Packer cows: high dressing cows, 168-188; medium dressing cows,

145-168; low dressing cows, 125-145; poor/ weak cows, 100-125.

Packer bulls: high dressing bulls, 205-218; medium dressing bulls,

185-205; low dressing bulls, 160-185.

Top #1 class steer calves: under 200 lbs.,

650-850; 200-300 lbs.,

625-820; 300-400 lbs.,

520-620; 400-500 lbs.,

450-570; 500-600 lbs.,

410-490; 600-700 lbs.,

380-440; 700-800 lbs.,

330-393, 800+, 290-342.5. Top #1 class heifer calves: under 200 lbs.,

600-850; 200-300 lbs.,

520-680; 300-400 lbs.,

460-580; 400-500 lbs.,

410-520; 500-600 lbs.,

390-472.5; 600-700 lbs.,

350-407.5; 700-800 lbs.,

300-358; 800+ 270-315.

Replacement heifers:

350-750 lbs., 400-560.

Tenth Grade: Myla Barrientos, Michael Barjenbruch, Molly Bowers, Nate Chaney, Allie Farley, Yorkaris Flores Quiroz, Ryder Harper, Isabella Hinojosa, Clancy Kolle, Gabrielle Lange, Trevor Ledbetter, Julianna Lewis, Kinley Mauldin, Mia Miori, Kayleigh Parker, Abigail Phillips, Connor Stutesman, Layla Vazquez-Martinez, Brianna Ybarra.

Eleventh Grade:

Mackenzie Alaniz, Miley Alaniz, Braeleigh Benavides, Kyler Caskey, Cohen Cooper, Amry Feuerbacher, Levi Feuerbacher, Donovan Guinn, Sadie Herman, Addison Hunt, Mason Hunt, Lyla Kallus, Bailey Kozak, Myles Nuells, Briley Smith, Austin Stutesman.

Twelfth Grade: Aerlin Bethany, Olivia Bowers, Adison Cutler, Blake Darilek, Levi Finley, Avery Harper, Allison Hunt, William Joines, Cooper Kolle, Ashey Kruppa, Madison Kubecka, Kathleen Kurtz, Whitney Kurtz, Camerona Medrano, Emma Moulden, Jose O’Brain, Kayla Osburn, Olivia Pilat, Shelby Pletcher, Ryan Riddle, Rylen Rivas, Lindsay Rodriguez, Camryn Rountree, Logan Thomas.

A/B Honor Roll Ninth Grade: Miranda Alaniz, Riker Bain, Eternity Delasantos, Jacob Denbleyker, Summer Denbleyker, Fisher Eller, Lyla Ellison, Emily Franz, Destinee Garza, Clara Goss, Ely Herman, Lauren Kraatz, Weston Kucera, Baylee Leal, Cohen Love, Cace Malone, Jillian Martin, Noah Mendez, Maggie Morland, Jack Osburn, Rogen Pawlik, Michael Sadler, Parker Sappington, Kendall Shugart, Nancy Speight, Kynleigh Taylor, Kate Weitz, Adilyn Ybarbo.

Tenth Grade: Everlea Alvarez, Bree Arredondo, Cort Bullock, Gatlin Dunkelberger, Mia Garcia, Ember Glassic, Claire Karl, Zain Koenig, Wyatt Kurtz, Caleb Leita, Reagan Little, Khloe Lumpkins, Myles Malek, Allie Munoz, Aleisa Popp, Kassandra Ramirez, Katelyn Remlinger, Reagan Rivera, Jonathan Sills, Landyn Snyder, Brigid Spears, Abilynn Turner, Daniela Urrutia, Karson Weinheimer, Brydon Wilbur, John Wright.

Eleventh Grade: Aiden Blackwell, William Bruce, Desiree Charron, Kaylie Corey, Kassandra Crawford, Madison Creamer, Lyniah Evans, John Franz, Kylah Fulkerson, Elian Gallegos, Chris Hernandez, Mackinley Krog, Myles Nuells, Kyleigh Pawlik, Allen Pineda, Karter Powell, Bailee Prewitt, Ivy Sanchez, Kasidee Scarlett, Presleigh Sertuche, Hayley Sharp, John Spears, Annie Srp, Bryce Sykes, Isabella Vargas, Majorie Ventura, Brayden Warren, Hunter Watson, Jade Woods, Jade X

Twelfth Grade:

Zachary Alvarez, Tanner Amsler, Kathleen Arias, Allen Baker, Kylie Benavides, Alejandro Cardenas, Raylei Carlson, Colt Charbula, Skylar Crisp, Kendall Cunningham, Avery Genzer, Cierra Haines, Roger Hernandez, Kaylee Honc, Jayden Kemp, Trevan Koenig, Sayler Lane, Mackenzie Langton-Jones, Cameron Medrano, Brett Payne, Isaiah Reyes, Fred Smith, Kylee Swoboda, Carson Ullmann, Cullen Woodring, Yarieda Zertuche.

Texas ranked second in the nationwide survey behind New York ($152 million), with Alabama ($104 million), Georgia ($49 million) and Maryland ($48 million) rounding out the Top 5 nationally.

On a per household basis, Texas still ranked tops nationally at No. 5 ($62 annually), trailing New Hampshire’s costs at $85 per household per year, Alabama at $84, New York at $76 and Wisconsin $70.

The study was released June 10, and headed by Matthew Baker, research director with Rebuild Local News, a nonprofit focused on advancing public policies to counter the collapse of local news and revitalize community journalism, and an entire team of the nation’s top economics scholars headed by Dermot Murphy, a finance professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

The current study builds on another comprehensive research project completed in 2020 led primarily by those in the finance sector, who investigated what impact local news markets played on things like bond ratings and interest rates in comparable towns and cities across the United States.

Those bond ratings and interest rates impact how local governments — everything from cities, counties and schools to hospitals, law enforcement and public utilities, which in turn affects costs of everything from health care to transportation, even the very water we use daily — borrow money for major projects.

In 2020, researchers found that borrowing costs could increase by as much as 5 to 11 basis points, or an average of $650,000 per loan, all based on the strength of the borrowing entity’s local news market.

In other words, after comparing hundreds of like-sized communities, demographics and project scopes, researchers found that areas with strong, robust news markets saved money over places with weak or no coverage at all, something they now refer to as a “news desert.”

The reason for the discrepancy in numbers is that financial lenders view news entities as an accountability safeguard for how those lent dollars are ultimately spent.

The study found that lenders are more likely to seek higher interest rates as compensation for the risk of lending to unmonitored local governments because a lack of news coverage opens the opportunity for such places to engage in wasteful spending, left unchecked.

The newly released 2026 study helped to better monetize those earlier findings into numbers that were far simpler to digest.

“When viewed through a fiscal lens, public investment in local journalism can lead to significant cost savings for local governments and taxpayers,” Baker wrote in the conclusion of his report. “Stabilizing local watchdog reporting can produce measurable public benefits by reducing borrowing costs and recovering dollars otherwise lost to higher borrowing costs.” The question for state policymakers, he continued, is not whether journalism investment pays off — this report shows it does, most clearly in the form of borrowing costs for local governments and likely across other areas of public spending as well — but whether states are willing to pay more for costs embedded in a system where some residents get less accountability coverage than those in other communities.

“The costs associated with the loss of local news are real and measurable, and ones that states cannot afford to ignore,” Baker said.

Check out the latest study findings at https://www.rebuildlocalnews. org/ local-news-shortageleads- to-1-1-billion-inextra- borrowing-costsfor- local-governmentsand- taxpayers/

The camp is scheduled to take place on July 28 and July 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. On the first day, campers need to report to the stadium at 8:30 a.m. for camp orientation and the handing out of camp shirts. Participants are expected to bring their own cleats, shorts and t-shirts for the workouts. The total registration cost to attend the summer program is $40.00 per athlete.

On Facebook, Coach Dixon specifically urged parents to turn in the registration forms pretty quickly because he needs to secure a rough estimate for the camp shirts ahead of time.

How to Sign Up

Parents must submit the completed registration form along with the entry fee before the July 8 deadline. There are multiple ways to turn in the paperwork. Registration slips and payments can be mailed directly to Cowboy Football c/o Coach Dixon at 601 North Wells, Edna, TX 77957. Families can also choose to drop off the forms in person on Monday through Thursday mornings while morning workouts are actively underway. Alternatively, forms can be dropped off at the school administration building or handed directly to any of the boys’ coaches. All checks must be made payable to Edna ISD Athletics.

For any further questions regarding the camp, parents can reach out to Coach Dixon by phone at 361-782-3573 ext. 2020 or via email at jdixon@ednaisd.org.

Is there a way to suspend our Medicare coverage while we are overseas and reinstate it without a penalty when we return? It’s a large expense to have to pay Medicare Part B, Medicare supplement, and Part D premiums, and not be able to use the benefits. If we were to cancel our Medicare, the supplement, and Part D, what would we have to do when we return to Texas?

Thanks for your help with this Medicare issue. Part of our planning is figuring out our expenses while we are not living in the U.S.

-Sandy from Houston

Hi Sandy: This is a great question because there are different situations when someone is living overseas. Will you or your husband be working full-time with employer benefits? Or are you just moving out of the U.S. for a few years to get away? That was not addressed in your question.

If you or your husband will be working with employer benefits, then you can delay Part B until you return to the United States without receiving a Medicare Part B penalty.

If neither of you will be working full-time with group health benefits, then I would advise you and your husband to remain enrolled in Medicare and keep your Medicare Supplement plan, because you never know what will happen to your health in the future. If you decide to drop your Medicare Supplement and return to the United States at a later date, both you and your husband will be subject to underwriting when you reapply for a new Medicare Supplement.

I’ve encountered other individuals, who moved overseas, stopped their Medicare Part B and then developed serious health issues. Upon returning to the United States, they re-enrolled in Medicare Part B only to discover that their Medicare Part B penalty goes all the way back to the day they turned 65 at a 10% penalty for each year since age 65 or when their Medicare Part A began.

Let’s say you and your spouse are 75 years old and your Medicare Parts A and B began when you turned 65. When you return to the States and re-enroll in Medicare, then the Medicare Part B penalty will be 75 years minus 65 years which equals 10 years times 10% or a 100% penalty that is not for one month, but for each month for the rest of your and/or your spouse’s Medicare enrollment.

Sandy, because you are moving overseas and plan to return to the United States at a later date, during a Toni Says Medicare consultation (in person or by Zoom) the Toni Says Medicare team would advise the following: --Do not disenroll from Medicare because you and your spouse will have to re-enroll in Medicare Part B and D and can receive Part B and Part D penalties.

--If you cancel your Medicare supplement and Part D prescription drug plan, then when you return to the States you can reapply for a new Medicare supplement which will involve underwriting and enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan with additional Part D penalties.

--Another option, if you have health issues upon your return and cannot qualify medically (pass underwriting) for a Medicare Supplement, would be to enroll in a Medicare Advantage HMO/PPO plan with Part D prescription drug plan.

Take your time, Sandy, to explore your Medicare options because with Medicare, what you don’t know WILL hurt you! Contact the Toni Says Medicare team at info@tonisays.com or call (832) 519-8664 for assistance or to answer Medicare questions. Sign up for the Toni Says newsletter at www.tonisays. com to download Toni’s new Medicare 2026 First Steps guide

Shopping at The Shack Market will be held Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Shack Bar & Grill, 2049 FM 616 in La Salle. The monthly market, held on the third Saturday of each month, combines a market-day atmosphere with a farmers market and features a variety of vendors. For information, call 361-550-5008.

A free concert featuring Greg McDougal will be held Saturday, June 20, from 6-8 p.m. at The Ranch Cowboy Church, 514 Dugger St. in Edna. The event is free and organizers encourage attendees to bring Dad for the Father’s Day weekend performance. More information is available at theworkofacarpenterministeries. org.

Workforce Solutions invites the community to meet and speak with its staff on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cypress St across from HEB parking lot.

Benito Barajas Jr. of Lockhart was charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor – Sexual Conduct, following an investigation by the department.

Barajas Jr. was taken into custody and booked into the Jackson County Adult Detention Center.

“The Edna Police Department remains committed to protecting children and aggressively investigating crimes involving the exploitation of minors,” Police Chief Kenny Pyle said in a statement.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The elder Myrick didn’t bat an eye.

The eradication of the screwworm and invention of the round bale, he replied.

“Never in my wildest dreams, back when he said that, did I ever think I’d be standing here now talking about the screwworm’s return to Texas,” Dr. Myrick said before a full house Tuesday at Gruenau Hall.

But he was, and he did. In fact, as a veterinarian with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) over the Giddings region, encompassing multiple Central and South Texas counties in what’s become the nation’s single largest cow-calf producing region, Dr. Myrick has been at the forefront of the screwworm battle for months already, well ahead of parasitic pest’s confirmation in Texas earlier this month.

By June 13, the total screwworm count had climbed to nine confirmed cases so far, most involving young calves in counties found along the Rio Grande borderland country between Del Rio and Laredo. Just two of nine known cases at that time had crossed species: One involved a goat in Gillespie County, and the other was a dog out in Andrews County, near the Texas-New Mexico border.

The canine case, which involved a small lapdog that recently traveled into the heart of Mexico with its owner, seems unrelated to the naturally occurring spread along the South Texas border. That same case is also responsible for adding New Mexico to the list of affected states, as the dog and owner technically reside there.

Already, quarantine zones have been established in affected counties, and federal and state inspectors are monitoring all animals in and around the affected zones.

State and federal agencies are also actively dealing with the screwworm itself, releasing thousands of sterile male screwworm files into impacted areas. Plus, ranchers and landowners statewide are being urged to stay especially vigilant with their herds this summer and report immediately any signs that might suggest screwworm flies have made it beyond existing quarantine zones.

Sadly, Dr. Myrick noted that the very same industry innovations his father listed back when, both making it possible for cattlemen and landowners to take up ranching from afar, could well prove the greatest stumbling block in dealing with the screwworm today.

While reviewing several successful options available for treating and preventing screwworm infestations during his talk last week — nearly all of which require a veterinarian’s prescription — he said just one method truly works.

“The best thing you can put on your cows for screwworms is a pair of eyes,” Dr. Myrick said. “Then, if you see something, report it. It’s the only way we get a handle on this.”

How did it get here? The screwworm — which technically isn’t a worm at all but rather a parasitic fly larva that feeds on the living tissue of most any warm-blooded animal — is hardly new to the Texas landscape.

Female flies, attracted by the scent of blood in an open wound, will land and lay eggs there. Those eggs hatch and the larvae begins burrowing its way into the animal’s flesh, causing severe irritation, infection and, left unchecked, eventually death to the host animal.

First identified in Texas during 1930s — though believed to have been here for decades before already, at minimum — the first successful efforts at eradicating the screwworm took place in the 1960s, and despite a few instances of resurgence in the 1970s, eradicators led by the USDA effectively pushed the screwworm fly populations clean off the North American continent altogether.

For decades now, the USDA had effectively held screwworm fly populations at bay largely by geography, via a government lab set up in the country of Panama, where the narrow stretch of land between oceans set in an otherwise mountainous jungle region worked to provide a natural barrier for the sterilized flies they released weekly.

You see, female screwworm flies are the real problem, biologically speaking. They lay eggs. Fortunately, they only mate once in their lifespan, so by releasing sterile flies into the environment, scientists can effectively end the life cycle.

That worked for decades, but things eventually went sideways.

Those who watched the screwworm spread closely believe it likely came by way of illegal movement of livestock and other mammals, said Si Cook, executive director with the Texas Farm Bureau, who agreed to a sit-down interview with the newspaper on June 13.

Whatever the case, however, the screwworm broke past the barrier in 2023 and has steadily marched its way up Mexico in the months since.

What do we do now? According to figures Dr. Richard Myrick shared last week, the numbers in Mexico were alarming — 27,603 confirmed cases as of June 5, with 352 of those involving humans; three people even died from screwworm infestations in Mexico — all since the first case turned up in that country back in 2023.

Of course, USDA and other animal health agencies and farm organizations have hardly sat on their hands in the years since.

“The first model projections I saw on this back in 2023 had the screwworm arriving here in Texas by the summer of 2025,” Cook said. “We managed to hold it off for an entire year, which gave us time to strengthen our response system.”

It’s why reporting plays such a key factor moving forward.

Cook and Dr. Myrick both stressed that screwworm is NOT a food safety issue. It’s a food production issue.

To cattlemen fearful that reporting infestations could shut down their operations, such fears are also unwarranted, both men also said.

For starters, the screwworm is entirely treatable. Since 2023’s reintroduction of the pest, no animals have had to be euthanized (barring those whose infestations were too far along), which is why monitoring is so critical right now.

Even in Panama, where the shadow of the screwworm loomed constantly, people have successfully ranched for generations, Dr. Myrick said.

“And once reports are filed, nobody’s going to come shut you down,” Cook said.

Even in quarantine zones — which are set up to contain the spread and provide USDA target areas for sterile fly release — cattle movement isn’t restricted.

“When you get your cows loaded to go to sale, somebody with USDA, TAHC or some other agency will be by to look at the animals and sign off that the screwworm isn’t present. Sale barns are also keeping close watch at their facilities, as they always have, to ensure infested animals aren’t introduced there. If found, the animal is treated, and everything proceeds as scheduled.”

If left unreported, however, the screwworm fly gains a foothold that no one wants, both men agreed.

Moving forward Si Cook isn’t just executive director of the state’s largest farm organization in Waco. He’s also a proud rancher, who bought his first cow at the age of 11 and in the five decades since has built a nice herd that he runs on both owned and leased land in Lavaca and Gonzales counties.

Of course, Cook is also a poster child for that absentee rancher made possible by those very same innovations that Dr. Myrick’s dad first named at his retirement sendoff, the very same ranchers who, in fact, comprise the larger part of cattle production today.

Without a screwworm attacking your herds and a few dropped round bales, ranchers could live almost anyplace and do all sorts of other work, all while their cattle did what they do best: Eat grass and drop calves.

Reintroduction of screwworm changes things, certainly, but it’s hardly the end of the world, Cook said. He’s stepped up his own surveillance efforts, relying on friends and family members within his ranching operation to keep watch while he’s away. Besides that, not much has changed, really.

Since the barrier break in 2023, USDA started plans to build a second sterile fly production facility that’s going up now in Edinburg. It will increase production from the 100 million mark now to more than 500 million sterile flies each week once completed.

That facility, initially set for completion in September 2027, is now targeting a May 2027 completion date, due largely to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent intervention on behalf of Texas cattlemen, during which he offered USDA everything from manpower to supplies to ramp up process.

“That’s remarkably fast for the construction of any federal facility, especially one like this,” Cook said. “And we can’t thank the governor’s office enough for what he did. As he told reporters then, he didn’t want to see Texas ranchers going through a whole other summer of screwworms.”

Cook also thanked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, a fellow Texan, who has worked tirelessly on this issue and continues to do so.

As to the construction timelines, most facilities aren’t near as complex. They sterilize flies by means of radiation, so there are containment issues to consider, both for the radiation and the flies themselves. Stepping up completion dates by even a few months is remarkable, indeed, something that’s sure to pay off handsomely once finished, Cook said.

Of course, it’s going to take time, and like most things, they’ll probably get worse before they improve.

“It’s a lot like getting antibiotics from your doctor,” Cook said. “He’ll tell you to take the entire prescription, even if it’s not an instant cure or, worse still, you start feeling better after a couple of doses.”

You quit early, and you run the risk of it coming back. With a vengeance, usually.

“We’re in this for the long haul,” Cook said. “The last thing we want is people my age tossing in their hat and saying to heck with it. Because I tell you, it sure will make it a lot more difficult for younger people looking to fill their boots.

“We can beat this,” he added. “We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. We just need to make sure we rely on sound science and not fall victim to hysteria.”

•Leonardo Martinez Baez and his attorneys Keith Weiser and Chris Isles appeared briefly in the courtroom but did not stand before the judge or address the court. Baez was arrested in July of 2022 after walking into the Sheriff’s Office and confessing to murdering his wife before attempting suicide. Baez has been in the custody of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office since.

•Bryan Lee Hadley agreed via plea deal to serve three concurrent five-year sentences for three felonies. Hadley pleaded guilty to two counts of Indecency with a Child, and one count of Attempted Sexual Assault. Hadley also agreed to register as a sex offender, and to have no contact with three separate victims.

•Corey Dean Ferguson was sentenced to 45 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for two counts of Manufacturing/Delivering a Controlled Substance. The two 45year sentenced will run concurrently.

•Aron Cirilo Padilla- Medina pleaded guilty to Sexual Assault of a Child in exchange for 8 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

•Jose Miguel Salazar, accused of murder in the October 2024 death of Jasmine Ramirez, appeared on the docket but did not appear in the courtroom. His case was reset for a future date.

Adult Fiction: Victim #8 (Luke Steele), Traci Hunter Abramson; Hometown Vendetta (Luke Steele), Traci Hunter Abramso; The Lumber Baron’s Wife, Lynn Austin; Hope Rises (Walter Nash), David Baldacci; Five, Ilona Bannister; Detecting Danger (Refuge Cove), Christy Barritt; Seven Brides For Beau Mcbride (The Mcbrides Of Montana), Amy Barry; Aphrodite In Pieces, Lauren J.A. Bear; A Deal With A Debutante (London’s Most Eligible), Chelsea Bobulski; Into The Blue, Emma Brodie; Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke; Sanctuary, James Cleary; The Girls Trip, Allyson Condie; Three Queens, Rebecca Connolly; Thistlemarsh, Moorea Corrigan; Kill For A Million (Rivalries), Janet Dailey; The Lost Story Of Via Belle, Melanie Dobson; A Founding Mother, Stephanie Dray; Lifted By The Wings Of Destiny (Bregdan Chronicles), Ginny Dye; Boots Beneath Her Bed, Taylor Esposito; Miss Beth Bettencourt, Eva Marie Everson; Chase The Light (National Parks Summers) , Suzanne Woods Fisher; Too Close To Home, Seraphina Glass; The Manhattan Confessions (On Central Park), Jocelyn Green; Harbor Pointe (Hope Harbor), Irene Hanno; A Cute Little Murder, Molly Harper; The Island Club, Nicola Harrison; Mad Mabel, Sally Hepworth; A Deadly Episode (Hawthorne), Anthony Horowitz; More Than Friends, Denise Hunter; Born To Be Killed (Smoke Jensen), William Johnstone; Save The Date, Mallory Kass; Not What We Pictured, Becca Kinzer; With The Enduring Tides (Women Of Cannon Beach), Jane Kirkpatrick; Double Shadow (Splinter Effect), Andrew Lundington; This Weekend Doesn’t End Well For Anyone (The Vacation Mysteries), Catherine Mack; Chasing The Clouds Away, Debbie Macomber; Caller Unknown, Gillian Mcallister; Dueling Hearts (Windswept Weddings), Vickie Mcdonough; The Last Letters Of Sally And Walter, Cammie Mcgovern; The Radiant Dark, Alexandra Olivia; Mrs. Benedict Arnold, Emma Parry; The Mother- Daughter Book Club, Susan Patterson; How To Cheat Your Own Death (Castle Knoll Files), Kristen Perrin; Death Times Seven (Daniel Pitt), Anne Perry; Paradox (Cash & Colcord), Douglas Preston; The Most Mysterious Bookshop In Paris (Paris Bookshop).

Mark Pryor; The Mountain We Call HomeKim Michael Richardson; Riptide (Silent Horizons), Chad Robichaux; Cherry Baby, Rainbow Rowell; Where We Belong, Kim Vogel Sawyer; The Insomniacs, Allison Winn Scotch; Lidie: The Further Travels And Adventures Of Lidie Newton, Jane Smiley; Your Soulmail Is Attached, Joan Smith; Ms. Mebel Goes Back To The Chopping Block, Jesse Sutanto; Shadow Strike, Brad Taylor; These Empty Places, Sarah Loudin Thomas; In Pursuit Of Civility (Merriweather Academy For Young Ladies), Jen Turano; Final Act Of Redemption, Carol Voelkel; Random Act Of Love, Carol Voelkel; Over The Edge (Summer Rangers), Susan May Warren; Stranger Things Have Happened, Kasie West; Witness Protection, Robert Whitlow; Our Extraordinary Summer (Hobby Island), Lori Wilde; The Bookshop Of 99 Doors.

Children’s: I Wish I Had A Polar Bear With Ice Cream, Diane Alber; Nine-Tail Trouble (Monster Locker), Jorge Augusto Aguirre; Go, Trains, Go!, Addie Boswell; Orris And Timble: Star Stories, Kate Dicamillo; Wildspeak, Sangma Francis; Friend Group, Lisa Greenwald; The Sun Thief, Alice Hemming; Chasing Shadows (Warriors: Changing Skies), Erin Hunter; Little Fairy Godmother, Abie Longstaff; Dawn On The Coast (Babysitters Club Graphix) Ann Martin; Queen Of The Wolves (Chronicles Of The Yellowstone Wolves), Rick Mcintyre/ David Poulsen, David The Whale’s Tale And The Otter’s Side Of The Story, Kate Messner; Sheep & Goat Climb The World. A.C Paolini; The Worried Book, Howard Pearlstein; The Shy Book, Howard Pearlstein; Camping Is A Terrible Idea, Kirsten Pendreigh; The Story Of “ The Star-Spangled Banner”, Patricia Pingry; The Story Of America’s Birthday, Patricia Pingry; Rainbow Roller Skates (Unicornia), Ana Punset; Construction Site: Firefight!, Sherri Duskey Rinker; George Vs. George, Rosalyn Schanzer; Good Night, Escargot, Dashka Slater; The Storm Cloud, Frances Stickley; Murray The Pirate, Adam Stower; A Fish Like Me, Jamie Sumner; Fox Catches A Wave, Corey Tabor; Of Thee I Sing, Ryan Van Cleav; Little Ghost’s Summerween, Maggie Edkins Willis; Home Is A Hug, Cindy Wume; Wackadoo! (Bluey).

Young Adult: To Steal A Throne, Gabi Burton; Girl Of Love, Melanie Dale; I’m Gonna Get You Back, Eva Des Lauriers; As I Dream Of You, Jennifer Lee; We Are Never Getting Together, Janette Rallison; Devious Prey, Scott Reintgen; Burn The Kingdom Down, Addie Thorley.

Adult Non-Fiction: Monsters In The Archives, Caroline Bicks; American Patriarch.

H.W. Brands; The Story Of Birds. Steve Brusatte; I Choose Me, Jeannie Garth; Alito, Mollie Hemingway; The Sowing Season, Ashley Hetherington; How To Get Rich In American History, Joseph Moore; A Perfect Coincidence, Jim Rasenberger; The Secret War Against Hate, Steven Joseph Ross.

The results include assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, biology and U.S. history. The biggest improvement was in biology, with 71% of students meeting expectations, up 9%.

“These results reflect the hard work of Texas students, educators and families and demonstrate that focused instruction and high expectations continue to produce positive outcomes for students across our state,” said Commissioner Mike Morath. “These results may also be reflective of the legislature’s ban of cell phone use in classrooms, so that students are better able to stay focused on their schoolwork while at school.”

Parents and families can access their child’s individual STAAR EOC results through their school district’s family portal or by visiting TexasAssessment. gov and using the unique access code provided by their child’s school.

STAAR results for students in grades 3-8 will be available this week.

Schools will begin phasing out STAAR end-of-year testing beginning in the 20272028 school year.

Experts warn charter school boom could bust The pace of growth of charter schools in Texas slowed this past school year, with experts warning that the enrollment drops facing traditional school districts could begin to affect charters, The Texas Tribune reported. With declining birth rates, the growth of vouchers, and increased immigration enforcement, experts say the growth of charter schools may soon reverse.

“They’re headed to a cliff, for sure,” said Bob Templeton, a senior consultant with an Austin- based public policy firm called STRIVE.

“And I don’t know if it’s going to be next year, but it could definitely be within five years.”

Texas public schools this past year experienced their first non-pandemic enrollment decline in nearly 40 years, with 76,000 fewer students. The drop was primarily among Hispanic students in traditional neighborhood campuses. Charter schools still increased enrollment, but at a lower rate. They now educate roughly 446,000 students, or 8% of the state’s nearly 5.5 million public school students.

“It was the changes in immigration enforcement that caused the enrollment to turn the way that it turned this year, especially as it relates to the Hispanic community,” said Templeton.

Abbott, Rollins update Texans on screwworm response Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins briefed the public on the state and federal governments’ ongoing response to the threat posed by the New World Screwworm. There have been 11 confirmed cases in Texas as of Monday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is importing and dispersing sterile male flies to combat the invasion, and the Texas Animal Health Commission has designated five “infested zones” that include Coke, Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Sutton, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb and Zavala counties.

Warm-blooded animals must pass an inspection before being authorized for shipment outside an affected area.

“Sterile flies are the well-established solution to the spread of the New World screwworm,” Abbott said.

Ranchers and livestock owners are urged to remain vigilant by checking animals daily and treating wounds promptly. The screwworm lays its larvae in open wounds.

Texans are urged to report any suspected New World screwworm cases in livestock to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 and report suspected wildlife cases to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) at (512) 389-4505.

Texas leads nation in solar growth Texas is leading the nation in new solar capacity, installing 50% more than any other state in the first quarter of 2026, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Across the nation, solar generation and battery storage accounted for 91% of new energy capacity.

“Texas is actually soon to overtake California for the most total installed solar capacity,” said Daniel Giese, state director for the Solar Energy Industries Association. California now has 55.5 gigawatts of installed capacity, barely exceeding Texas’ 53.5 gigawatts.

Capital

A separate report from a global energy think tank showed that nationally, solar supplied more electricity than coal in May for the first time. Solar accounted for 12.8% of U.S. energy last month, while coal dropped to 12.2%.

In Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas expects solar to exceed coal for the first time later this year.

The growth in data centers is a major reason for the growth in new solar capacity in Texas, since it can come online fairly quickly.

Abbott takes aim at Texas data centers Abbott has directed electric regulators and ERCOT, the agency that oversees the electric grid, to require new data centers to pay for the power and infrastructure needed to power their operations, The Dallas Morning News reported.

The explosive growth in the centers is sparking fears that they will drive up consumer electric bills.

The governor further ordered the Public Utility Commission to ensure that new data centers actually reduce residential electric bills.

“Data centers must operate in ways that reduce costs for residential electricity customers, do not drain water needed for our communities and take into consideration the needs of our neighborhoods,” Abbott said in a statement.

He has also proposed new laws in next year’s legislative session that would repeal a data center sales tax exemption that could cost the state billions of dollars in tax revenue, require data centers to use water-efficient technologies, and report electric and water usage.

Agency to set rules on using fracking wastewater on farmland Lawmakers have directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to lead the charge in setting water quality guidelines for using treated oilfield wastewater on Texas farmland, The Tribune reported. As the state’s demand for water grows, lawmakers have invested millions of dollars studying ways to treat the billions of gallons of toxic wastewater produced from fracking operations so it can be used for irrigation purposes.

Each site where the water is to be used will require its own permit, including limits on pollutants before the water is released, and reporting requirements “as necessary to ensure protection of human health and the environment,” said Laura Lopez, a TCEQ spokesperson.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park.

Email: gborders@texaspress. com.