Opinion

My sister took me to task. “You know I was not being mean about your dress, don’t you?” She meant the dress that she had said made me look like a car wash—the part of the car wash where the flappy things slap the car dry.

Many leaders elected this November won by saying that families will be better off in the years ahead than the years behind. Voters voiced their rejection of more of the same. In 2024 exit polling, 80% of voters agreed that if we want policies that work better for families, we need different kinds of leaders than we have now making these decisions. Families expect to see real progress: voters want a government working with and for them - not one stirring more polarization. Our collective call is to find common ground and deliver solutions that respond to the concrete needs of families.

This year had a lot of ups and downs for me. This past spring, I felt about as low as I have felt about my writing since I started.

“It’s not what you eat between Christmas and New Year’s that counts, it’s what you eat between New Year’s and Christmas.” I’ve had this mantra in my head because my husband, Peter, and I have been trying to keep our weight in check. Peter is doing it for sensible reasons.

Americans celebrating New Year’s on January 1, 1925, were just as excited about their futures as we are today, 100 years later. What was in store a century ago for the year ahead? Find out with this short, fun quiz.

The American Southwest is cementing its position as the nation’s most business-friendly region, and a groundbreaking legal development in Texas may soon add another compelling reason for companies to relocate here. As corporate entities and individuals continue their mass migration to states like Texas, Arizona, and Nevada – drawn by low taxes and sensible regulations – an innovative approach to mass tort litigation tested in Texas could make the region more attractive.

It is an unusual living situation, in many ways. My husband, Peter, and I spend almost half the year down in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

As 2024 comes to a close, Texans are turning the page to a new year — and a new chapter of opportunity. Our latest Texas Voter Poll reveals a shared determination to tackle challenges together, fueled by growing optimism about our state’s economy and future Texas has long been a symbol of immense opportunity. Last year, nearly 612,000 people moved to Texas, while about 478,000 moved out, according to the latest Census Bureau numbers. This dynamic growth brings challenges: a booming population, rising demands for energy and water, and the need for an education system that prepares our workforce for tomorrow’s jobs.