Largest wildfire in state history still raging

A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has consumed more than 1 million acres and as of Sunday was just 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is the largest wildfire in Texas history.

By THAD SWIDERSKI, President, eType Services

Trust in the online environment is critical in a world flooded with multiple sources of digital information. Users need news to help them make important choices and having trustworthy sources is essential to solid decision-making. Local newspapers offer a unique source of trust, both in print and online, but in the face of competing media streams they can struggle to find ways to authenticate themselves in this wild west of the web.

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President, 2023-24

The world seems to be moving at light speed. The somewhat slower pace we used to have at a weekly publication has ramped up exponentially since the dawn of the internet. In addition to our print products, we now publish websites, email newsletters, social media posts, videos, podcasts and more.

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

Early voting ends Friday

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

Federal judge appears skeptical of new border law

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

Pitch made for new power plants

Lt. Gov Dan Patrick joined with the world’s largest investment firm to pitch investors on building natural gas power plants in Texas at a summit held last week in Houston.

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24

We crawl into a booth or sit ourselves at a table. It can be during cold times of the year, where we can’t wait for the hot coffee to be poured, or a sweltering summer day, when we reflexively chug the complimentary water. But no matter the time of year, I value these breakfasts or lunches with Terry Collier, the retired publisher of the Fredericksburg Standard.

The European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy and security law that imposes an array of obligations onto organizations that target the European market and collect personal data related to people residing in the EU. Article 17 of the GDPR, also known as the “right to be forgotten,” is one of its key provisions, allowing EU individuals to request that organizations delete their personal data if they no longer want it to be held and processed.

By MALLIKA DARGAN and GAVIN GEORGE, Haynes and Boone, LLP

Note: The password for accessing the Capital Highlights column changes March 1 for subscribers who renewed their subscriptions for 2024 - any subscribers who have not paid their 2024 Capital Highlights fee will lose access to the column online and be dropped from the mailing list.

TEA annual report just released

Standoff at border continues between state, feds

A standoff at an Eagle Pass park continues as the Department of Homeland Security has sent a second letter to Gov. Greg Abbott demanding access to the Rio Grande park that is now under state control.