Viewpoints

COLUMBUS – Although the next chance for showers isn’t until Saturday, Colorado County officials this week are urging residents to stay cool and keep out of the heat.

LA GRANGE – After a successful oneyear pilot program providing free books to children, the Fayette Electric Cooperative board is expanding a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, officials said.

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.

A View Of Columbus Through Rose-Colored Glasses

Dear Editor,

AUSTIN – Operation Lone Star continues to be a success in helping stem the tide of illegal immigration on the border, according to a release from the Governor’s Office.

Dear Editor:

August is National Breastfeeding Month and Texas WIC is launching a statewide awareness campaign to sharing resources to support moms and pregnant women to help meet their breastfeeding needs. The benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby last a lifetime. Breastmilk has hundreds of ingredients and antibodies that help protect babies from illness and allergies. For moms breastfeeding has been linked to lower rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers.

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.

This column is dedicated to acknowledging examples of positives that express the community spirit of Columbus – our town.

In-person vs online education Many people have questions about the feasibility of moving their school-aged students from the traditional, in-person (brick & mortar) school experience to an online, homeschool experience. Having taught in both environments, I will endeavor here to compare the two as clearly as possible.

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

Woods, Waters, and Wildlife

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last week issued a sweeping gag order ahead of the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Houston Chronicle reported, saying “out-of-court statements” by both sides threaten to jeopardize the trial.

A View Of Columbus Through Rose-Colored Glasses

Smashes all records for jobs, employment, labor force

AUSTIN – The Office of the Attorney General of Texas finalized a settlement with Walmart for $168 million due to the company’s negligent practices that contributed to the nationwide opioid crisis.

AUSTIN – On July 13, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the launch of the Texas fentanyl data dashboard by the Texas Department of State Health Services as part of the statewide “One Pill Kills” campaign. This dashboard, available on Texas Health Data, reflects the expansion of data on fentanyl and other drug poisoning deaths published by DSHS online. Texans can now access information that includes fentanyl-related deaths from 2014 to 2023 and lets users view them over time, by demographics or by geography.

Dear Editor,

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION