Hill Country News

Security for the opening day of the Texas Legislature's session was been ramped up after violence in Washington D.C. last week. Jan. 12, 2021.

Texas Tribune Commentary: Make government boring again

Maybe the Texas Tribune heard our calls to "make government boring again" as the start of the Texas legislative session held a nice and boring opening day — a marked contrast to last week's riots in the U.S. Capitol. We include this commentary here to give our readers a sense of what happened during the legislature's first day in session. more

Ross Ramsey | The Texas Tribune | 1/13/21

Without some effort on the part of those political leaders who laid the seeds for last week's riot, calls for unity are hopeless.

EDITORIAL: Unity isn’t possible without accountability

Calls for unity, after 147 members of the U.S. Congress tried to overturn the election, after they amplified the very lies that led a mob of insurrectionists to sack the nation’s capitol, are … more

1/10/21

The 3-year-old is throwing a temper tantrum

I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised that the madness afflicting our national election results has filtered its way into our back yard. Disappointed, perhaps. But not surprised.Last month, Robert … more

1/8/21

As part of COVID-19 recovery, Texas must expand and reform Medicaid

In a normal year, Medicaid expansion is a critical win-win in terms of healthcare and economic impacts. In the midst of a global pandemic, it is unfathomable that Texas leaders would refuse to adopt … more

Rep. John Bucy III | 12/21/20

We need more, not less, transparency

Back in the before times, I covered the twice-monthly meetings of a small county commissioners court (in those particular before times, I also covered a school board and a city government).During the … more

Richard Stone | 12/16/20

Please vote for boring. Please.

Small community newspapers like ours stopped endorsing candidates for office decades ago. Even when our voice could make a difference, we’ve found there is no upside. Indeed, our endorsement of a … more

Richard Stone | 10/13/20

Do it for football. Do it for Texas

Last week, it was my pleasure to lead a reporter’s round table discussion during a regional press convention of mostly small, weekly newspapers.It was all virtual, of course — isn’t everything? … more

9/2/20

The fellow doth protest too much

We all have that one person who follows us on social media who we dread to see that posted something on our time line. If we’re lucky, it’s only one.You know the fellow. Could be an uncle or … more

8/5/20

When the cops play to the camera

Way back when, when I published the newspaper in Taylor, we dreaded Friday night.That’s when we could count on a visit from Williamson County Sheriff deputies — about the only time we could count … more

Richard Stone | 7/31/20

Oh, for something boring

The process of making city government sausage is supposed to be boring. It’s not supposed to be a fast-moving, thrill-a-minute, train wreck that throws accountability and good sense under a partisan bus. more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/21/20

The Leander City Council heard objections back in October from John Handy Bosma to the new public comment rules. The changes passed 5-to-2.

COMMENTARY: Actions speak louder than words

With local coronavirus infections and deaths spiking locally, every mayor in Williamson County on June 30 responded by passing new emergency orders mandating commercial businesses must require … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/15/20

It began with a chicken sandwich ...

I know when this year got wrapped around the axle. It was that culture war over a danged chicken sandwich. That’s when this year went off the rails.According to this itinerary, the one on this … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/12/20

A preacher's message on public health

Last week, a Williamson County city council heard from members of the county’s public health leadership team. It was a pretty frank, stark exchange.After one council member stumbled around for … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 6/29/20

Ragged Edge: This isn’t the way it should go

Here in WilCo, we are in the midst of a dangerous spike in Covid-19 infections. We only have a few tools available and, like it or not, wearing a face mask in public is one of them (this is my current scold). more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 6/23/20

De-fund the police? Call it something else

There’s a new-ish phrase making the rounds along with the pandemic and all of the protests and rallies against police brutality.“De-fund the police.”Yes, some people are calling to abolish the … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 6/9/20

It's okay if it's hard to find the words

It’s not often that I am at a loss for words. But, here we are … early on a Tuesday morning, decidedly past my deadline, and I remain at a loss.Saturday morning, I was all set. I knew that I … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 6/2/20

It’ll get better. I promise.

We are all in this together, all of us living on this tiny blue ball falling around an insignificant yellow star at the edge of a galaxy’s spiral arm. more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 5/28/20

Needed: Clear, consistent guidance

The lack of clear, consistent, metric-based communications from our local, state and national leaders irritates nearly everyone who needs to forecast what the other side of this pandemic looks like. Or the metrics we need to hit to get there. Small business needs that guidance. more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 5/19/20

Texas tiptoes down the road to normal

As some pandemic doors are slowly opened, others are getting kicked in. Either way, individual choices are quickly replacing the weeks of government instructions about what and what not to do.

more

Ross Ramsey | Texas Tribune | 5/18/20

How did we let it get to this?

The idea behind staty-at-home was not to stop the spread. It was slow it down to make sure that when you catch it, there will be a hospital bed for you. more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 5/11/20

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