Hill Country News

Don't blame ERCOT for last week's power outages

A Letter from Williamson County, Texas: Winter, 2021Dearest Cousin, The experience washing dishes in a gallon of tepid snowmelt was less than satisfactory. I fear we may perish of some vile … more

Richard Stone | 2/23/21

The randomness of getting a COVID shot

Perhaps it’s best that I write this today rather than last week when my outrage meter was pegged at 11 and I was so put out with Williamson County that I was literally red in the face.If you’ve … more

Richard Stone | 2/9/21

An armed soldier guards a Washington D.C. metro rail station near the National Mall on Jan. 20 during the presidential inauguration.

Reporter's Notebook: We've lost something during the Inauguration with D.C. wrapped up in barb wire

We lost something in Washington D.C. last week.Presidential inaugurations have always been a bit trite, a flashy bit of political theatre. But it is one of the few times the public can get somewhat … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 1/27/21

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

Reject the hysteria, make Cedar Park unified

We would like to thank Mayor Van Arsdale, CM Anne Duffy, CM Mel Kirkland, Heather Jefts and all of our city staff for their resolve and selflessness in the face of the unwarranted and ever-escalating … more

Bob and Lynn Antle | 7/1/20

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

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