NEWS
Governor Abbott expands third Special Session agenda

“Working with Speaker Phelan and his House leadership team, the Speaker and I reached an agreement on school choice for Texas families, and I am expanding the agenda for Special Session #3,” said Governor Abbott. “The legislation will create an Education Savings Accounts program with universal eligibility for all Texas schoolchildren and will be entirely voluntary for families and schools to participate. Participating students will be eligible for approximately $10,400 per year in their Education Savings Account, administered by an education organization overseen by the Texas Comptroller on behalf of the parents and students participating in the program. We will also provide billions more in public education funding to boost Texas’ top-notch public school system, including teacher pay raises, while staying within the constitutional spending limit. This bill will codify recommendations made by the Teacher Vacancy Task Force, the Commission on Virtual Education, and the Commission on Special Education Funding. Importantly, the STAAR Test will be phased out to be replaced with an improved assessment system.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation expanding the Special Session #3 agenda for universal school choice to include additional school finance, such as teacher pay raises, school safety, and special education. The expanded special session agenda follows productive discussions with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan.
This is the next step in the legislative process to deliver school choice to Texas parents and students who deserve the freedom to choose the education that best fits their learning needs. I look forward to working with both chambers of the Texas Legislature on getting this legislation to my desk to sign into law.”
Key aspects of the legislation to expand school choice in Texas include:
- Universal eligibility for all K-12 schoolchildren in Texas.
- Voluntary participation – parents, students, and schools choose whether they want to participate.
- Students will receive approximately $10,400 per year in their Education Savings Accounts.
- Phases out the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test.
- Students participating in the program will have the option of taking a norm-referenced test or STAAR test to ensure the program achieves good educational outcomes.
- Billions more in funding for Texas public schools for the biennium, including teacher pay raises and school safety.
NEWS
Pedestrian vs. vehicle crash kills woman

A 42-year-old woman from Henrietta was killed in a pedestrian vs. vehicle accident at 3:30 p.m. on June 6 on U.S. Highway 287 near N. Butler Road.
The Department of Public Safety report states Car Dianne Chitwood was driving a 2015 Honda Accord northwest on U.S. 82. She was having mechanical issues and had stopped the vehicle on the left shoulder, partially in the left lane.
Chitwood had exited the vehicle and stood in the left lane to inspect the Honda. A second vehicle, a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Kymberly Michelle Riddle, 61, Laramie, WY was also traveling northwest on U.S. 82 and struck the pedestrian and vehicle one.
The DPS report states Chitwood was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained during the crash. Riddle was uninjured. The crash remains under investigation.
NEWS
Casey Hall arrested after appeal bond was revoked

Texoma’s Homepage reported former 97th District Attorney Casey Hall was arrested in Sulphur Springs after her appeal bond was revoked. Click on the above link to read the story.
NEWS
Bowie City Council meets on June 10

The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on June 10 in the council chambers.
The meeting opens with the city manager’s report on meetings with the engineers on the Rock and Pillar Street repairs, budget preparation and substation transformer work.
In new business there will be resolution for allocating funds for a park enhancement project from 4B funds to build pickleball courts in Pelham Park. A pair of planning and zoning recommendations for a replat will be reviewed. Public comments conclude the agenda.
-
NEWS3 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS2 years ago
Suspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS2 years ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS3 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint