Opinion

A year ago public entities across the Rio Grande Valley and throughout Texas were excited about a record $32.7 billion budget surplus sitting in the state’s coffers as the legislative session began. Today, many of those same entities are hurting.

As we approach Mother’s Day, it’s essential to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of mothers who have served in the U.S. military and those who have supported their family members in uniform. These women embody courage, sacrifice and resilience, often sacrificing their comfort and security for their country’s and loved ones’ greater good.

A war of words has raged for years over where people can get the best tacos, especially breakfast tacos — Austin or San Antonio. Each city has its defenders who are quick to post their preferences on various social media sites.

Two top Republican representatives and community chairman have expressed strong concern about Russian and Chinese influencing Republican members of the House of Representatives.

Remember when the federal government reclassified ketchup as a vegetable to make school lunch offerings comply with nutritional guidelines? The Reagan-era move enabled schools to use the condiment as a larger element when preparing students’ meals, for example.

When Garth Stevenson, a nature musician and composer, carried his 6-foot-tall double bass instrument with him to Antarctica, he had a life-changing experience when he imitated whale calls on his instrument. He ended up drawing 12 sei whales to the edge of the icebreaker where he stood making music. Having grown up in the mountains of Western Canada, Stevenson has always connected his music to nature, but this experience in Antarctica revealed the two-way connection between humans and our natural world.

It is April 17, 1836, and Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna once again cannot go to sleep. He has split the Mexican Army of Operations for the Tejas Campaign into three fronts. All have the same mission: Suppress and end the Texas Revolution movement. The army retook the Alamo in Bejar (San Antonio) on March 6. The campaign will not be complete until Gen. Sam Houston and the remaining Texas militia is captured or forced east across the Louisiana border into the United States. Houston hurriedly led his men eastward in full retreat.

This week's offerings include Lisa Mitchell-Bennett's column, Tu Salud Si Cuenta! that speaks about the benefits of spending time with nature. Other offerings include letters regarding which administration is better for the country, political cults and an invitation to an event honoring military mothers for Mother's Day. In addition, a participant in recent Texas Revolutionary War reenactments describes the events.

Melissa Lucio could have been dead by now, executed for a crime she might not have committed. Now that her case is being reviewed, let us hope that all parties to the case — prosecution and defense — pursue true justice if a new trial is ordered.

Texas’ hospitals and healthcare systems are crucial for the health and prosperity of our communities.