Columns & Opinions

House unveils its voucher version

Wed, 02/26/2025 - 5:00am

Texas House members filed a bevy of education bills last week, including a proposed $8 billion investment in public education and a voucher bill that ties the amount of money spent for private schooling to the dollar amount provided to public schools. The Austin American-Statesman reported the bill, filed by Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, would increase the base level of per-student funding by $220 — from $6,160 to $6,380. Additional funds would be provided for special education, bilingual education, transportation and to rural school districts.

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Texas History Minute

Wed, 02/26/2025 - 5:00am

The Flying Tigers were one of the first American air units to fight the Japanese as World War II began. A gruff Texas native, Claire Chennault, organized the volunteer force in the months before the United States entered the war. His determination and the success of his pilots drew the attention of the world to an almost forgotten corner of the global conflict. Chennault’s Flying Tigers helped the lay the foundation for the defeat of the Japanese in China.

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TEXAS HISTORY MINUTE

Wed, 02/19/2025 - 5:00am

The Red River Expedition of 1806 was supposed to be another in a string of scientific triumphs for the United States as it explored the new territories of the Louisiana Purchase. Captain Richard Sparks, Thomas Freeman, and Peter Custis led a team along the Red River into Southwest Arkansas and into North Texas to the sourcewaters of the Red River in what is now the Texas Panhandle to learn about the local Native American tribes as well as the geography, plant life, and animal life. However, it would end in failure after a stunning betrayal.