Agencies, universities seek $24.6 billion in new funding

AUSTIN— The Texas Senate’s chief budget writer said state agencies and higher education institutions have requested nearly $25 billion in funding as the legislative session gets underway. State Sen.

Finders keepers, losers winners

Life is all about getting ready for an estate sale. Your own.If you end up with a big one, good for you. If you end up with nothing much, even better. That’s my goal.Aren’t goals wonderful devices? They need not be reached to give us direction.

Pardon me

As I type this column, I am sitting in a hotel in Austin preparing for a student to compete in one of the University Interscholastic League’s speech events: State Congress.It is exactly what you would think. Students debate legislation which they have written.

Legislative session begins on Jan. 14

AUSTIN– The 89th Texas legislative session begins on Jan. 14 with a still-unresolved race for speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.State Reps.

‘Watch, Pearl’

My granddaughters know I am a captive audience. If I make the slightest look away from their dance routines or their coloring or Lego building or trampoline jumping or scooter riding, I hear “Watch, Pearl.”Actually, add an exclamation point. “Watch, Pearl!

The 501

HANABA MUNN WELCHOne-upping the health peddlersWho’s easily influenced? Me. I just bought green tea and turmeric.Just 50 miles of car radio (beware those AM talk shows) convinced me my body needs antioxidants. A new lifestyle beckons. I’ll soon be unoxidized. Maybe I’ll polish my sax too.

Choose gardening for a new year’s resolution

Happy New Year to our West Texas readers! What about those New Year’s resolutions? Some of us have long abandoned even considering making a list, while others make an annual list and stick to it.

Christmas wish

Christmas carols have second, third, and fourth verses.“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (1849, Edmund Hamilton Sears) And man at war with man hears not The tidings which they bring. O, hush the noise, ye men of strife And hear the angels sing.

Deportation vow alarms construction industry

construction industry is voicing concern that President- elect Trump’s vow to deport millions of undocumented immigrants would cause major labor shortfalls, according to the Texas Standard.

Delightful gluten-free Christmas cookie

CUISINE & CULTURE | ANGELINA@ANGELINALARUE.COMIt’s time for Christmas cookie swaps, office holiday parties, and cute plates of cookies to pass out to neighbors. I enjoy my tradition of baking various flavors of shortbread cookies, but I also like to explore new ideas.