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. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is by far the most extensive of several

Early voting ends Friday Early voting in the March 5 primary election ends Friday with a host of candidates on the ballot in both parties, including president, U.S. Senate, all 38 Texas U.S. representatives, all 150 Texas House representatives, and down to local races for district attorney, sheriff and other positions. Check with your local

Federal judge appears skeptical of new border law A federal judge is expected to rule quickly on the constitutionality of a Texas law about to go into effect that institutes new state penalties for illegal border crossings. During a hearing last week, U.S. District Judge David Ezra said he had concerns that other states would

Early voting is under way in Smith County for the March 5 Joint Primary Elections at several areas in the county. The early voting period will continue through March 1. Local candidates that are on the ballot for the May 4 General Election include: • Gavin Rascoe, Place 5 Lindale City Council for Mayor; •

As the migrant crisis engulfs the border and the politics become increasingly complex and counterproductive, it is useful to remember the economic significance of our relationship with our southern neighbor. Let’s briefly explore. Trade between the United States and Mexico is crucial to both nations, and Texas has been the leading state for exports and

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. Patrick and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink shared the stage as they attempted to persuade investors to take advantage of

TEA annual report just released The Texas Education Agency’s annual report was released last week. It indicates per-student funding in the 2021-2022 school year averaged $14,928 per student, up 42% since 2011. However, state funding has only risen slightly in the past decade, while local funding has increased substantially. Texas public schools educate 5.518 million

Smith County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between the county and Bosque County for the purchase of 20 Express Votes voting machines during their regular meeting held on Jan. 30. County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said since the creation of three new precincts in the county there is a need for more machines. One of

Candidates for school board, city and county offices have until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 to file for the Republican and Democratic primaries, scheduled for Tuesday, March 4. In person early voting for the primaries will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and will conclude on March 1. In Lindale, early voting will take place at

On Nov. 7, Texas voters will go to the polls and decide on a slate of amendments and local options, including a tax rate ratification for the Lindale ISD. In Lindale the early and General Election site is the Lindale Masonic Lodge, 200 W. Margaret Street. In Hideaway, voters can cast ballots at the Hideaway