West Texas soils: Organic matter matters

CUISINE & CULTUREIn last week’s column were several guides for planning a garden. One main characteristic was improving soils with organic matter amendments.

Power grid holds up during wintry blast

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATIONAUSTIN— The electricity grid that covers most of Texas was holding up as of Sunday during the latest winter storm, although localized power outages were reported in Deep East Texas and far West Texas.The Electric Reliability Council of Texas dashboard indicated demand was...

When in doubt

C O M M E N T A R Y | SUEJANESULLIVAN@GMAIL.COMNot sure what to make of the U.S.involvement in Venezuela?Concerned about what’s going on with Greenland?Still on the fence about the release of unredacted Epstein files?What about ICE tactics?

Deadline to register for March primary nears

AUSTIN— The last day to register to vote for the March 3 primary is Feb. 2, according to the Texas secretary of state’s office.

Brisket and bean slow-cooker chili

CUISINE & CULTURE | ANGELINA@ANGELINALARUE.COMAs temperatures dip, stock up on pantry items like chicken and beef stock, or keep bullion in the cupboard to make a pot of stock in a pinch.

Planning a garden

CUISINE & CULTUREPlanning a garden starts with making decisions on the crops that will be grown. In last week’s January 14 column were guides to be considered when selecting seed and the sources for various vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennial crops.

The 501

COMMENTARYWhen I was about 6 years old, the English language began playing tricks on me. It still does, but I’m getting used to it.In our family, we called the toilet a commode. Toilet was an alternate word. But we always said commode—a classier word reserved for indoor toilets.

Community Water Conference set for Feb. 24-25 in Hereford

For more than a century, human communities on the Southern Plains have lived by extracting large amounts of water from local landscapes, particularly through high intensity irrigation.

2026 Community Calendar

Updates?

Democrats Talarico, Crockett set first debate

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATIONAUSTIN— The first debate in the state’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is set for Jan. 24 in Georgetown, The Dallas Morning News reported.