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Major lanes of shipping for Middle East oil now dead center in the war zone. The modern conflict between the United States and Iran did not begin with missiles or airstrikes. It began with mistrust. In 1953, the CIA backed the overthrow of Iran’s elected prime minister, reinstalling the Shah and cementing decades of resentment among many Iranians. That resentment boiled over in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution. The U.S. Embassy hostage crisis severed diplomatic ties, and re

Cartel Chief dies by the hands of the Mexican Military and all hell breaks lose. Is this the real war on drugs? It is no secret that Mexico and parts of South America remain primary sources of illegal narcotics flowing into the United States. In recent months, President Donald Trump has framed U.S. policy not as a traditional war on drugs but as a direct campaign against the cartels themselves. That shift in focus appears to have produced a dramatic and unprecedented result:

Texas Press Association Every year, the Texas Press Association holds its annual Better Newspaper Contest—a long-standing industry tradition that many community newspapers take seriously. For some, it’s about recognition. For others, it’s validation. For me, it’s about something deeper. I spent this weekend combing through everything Robertson and Hardin County printed in 2025. It took the better part of two days, and for good reason: if you’re going to submit work to be judg

Budweiser leads the field for 2026 Super Bowl commercials. From singing toilet seats and prostate cancer screenings to a man made of Pringles and a flying horse (sort of), this year’s Super Bowl commercials both hit and missed the intended spot. You got it — it’s time for my annual Super Bowl commercial review, complete with my top picks of the year and a few that should’ve stayed on the cutting-room floor. A little history first. I’ve been writing this column for more than 2

------------------------------ Still, deadlines are a necessary evil in the newspaper business, right up there with ink-stained hands, coffee that’s been reheated three times, and explaining—again—that we do not control the mail. With that said, the newspaper’s deadlines are returning to their original footing, and for once, the change actually makes sense. The reason is simple: the newspaper now has the opportunity to once again be a Wednesday publication. If you’ve been aro

I went rolling through the internet the other night. I do that sometimes, and I’m sure most of us have fallen down an internet rabbit hole at one time or another. This particular rabbit hole landed me on a local Buy, Sell and Trade Facebook page that represented itself as Robertson County. That caught my attention. My son Roy uses these pages all the time. I’ve overheard him complain more than once about how hard it is to tell what’s actually local and what’s coming from outs

Texas 2026 Election Calendar The 2026 election cycle in Texas is not a single day circled on a calendar. It is a long, deliberate process that unfolds over nearly an entire year, governed by firm deadlines that reward preparation and punish inattention. For Texans who want their voices heard, understanding the election calendar is just as important as casting a ballot. The process formally begins on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, when voters become eligible to apply for a ballot by

Trump with senior officials watching the Venezuela operation from Mar-a-Lago. The United States entered 2026 projecting unmistakable power on the global stage, flexing American military muscle in a way not seen in years. While many readers have followed the headlines out of Venezuela, the speed and scope of recent events warrant closer examination. What unfolded in early January was not a diplomatic standoff or a slow-burning proxy conflict, but a direct U.S. military operati

Every year seems to pass a little faster the older I get. The funny thing about that realization is that newspapers force you to confront time head-on, every single week. From the headline banner on page one that shows the issue number and publication date, to the date stamped across every inside page, time is always staring back at me. I change those dates weekly, and every time I do, it gives me a brief moment of pause to reflect on what just passed. As I strip away last we

U.S. forces interdict suspected smuggling vessel — U.S. military personnel board a low-profile vessel in open waters during a counter-narcotics operation as a U.S. Navy ship stands watch in the background, part of expanded maritime enforcement targeting drug trafficking routes. For decades, Americans have heard politicians talk about a “war on drugs.” Most of the time, it meant tougher sentencing, crowded prisons and endless speeches, while the drugs themselves kept flowing.

Actor, Producer and Director, Rob Reiner I remember clear as a bell watching All in the Family with my parents in the 1970s. My father even named the family dog Meathead, after the nickname Archie Bunker constantly hurled at Michael Stivic, the liberal son-in-law played by Rob Reiner. It was meant as an insult, shorthand for someone Archie believed was dead from the neck up. What made the joke work, of course, was that Michael was anything but stupid. He was educated, articul

State of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott I realize that my playing devil’s advocate on the recent announcement that the State of Texas has partnered with Turning Point USA to allow schools to create clubs may offend some of my readers. I apologize, and perhaps I’m not so much playing devil’s advocate as I am issuing a bit of a warning. First, some background: Texas has launched a partnership with Turning Point USA to establish chapters of the conservative organization on every high sc

My wife asked me, when I first considered publishing the registered sex offender list from the Texas Department of Public Safety, whether I truly thought it was a good idea. She has a way of making me look at issues from every angle, which usually means I take longer to make decisions — something that often keeps me from reacting too quickly. She said, “You are going to create a controversy with this,” and I assured her she was correct. This would create controversy — but for

Fewer and few of these iconic coins will slowly be removed as the penny has seen it's final days. The United States has officially ended production of the penny, closing more than 230 years of circulation for the one-cent coin that once played a central role in daily commerce but has now become a costly and impractical relic. The final pennies were struck Wednesday at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, bringing to an end a denomination introduced in 1793. Once capable of purchasi

Jerry Angelle About six weeks ago, I proposed adding a new feature to this newspaper: a clear, accessible listing of registered sex offenders living in and around Hardin County. The idea was simple, but important. Yes, most people can go online to the Texas Department of Public Safety website and search the statewide registry. But the reality is that many in our community either do not know how, do not have the access, or never think to check. Newspapers—especially community

It never fails—before every local election, someone will accuse a local newspaper of being biased for one candidate or another. Like clockwork, the accusations start about four weeks before Election Day, and they always sound the same. As a local newspaper publisher, I’ve been accused by entire political parties and by individual candidates. I’ve been told I promote one person more than another, or that I’m targeting someone unfairly. It’s a good thing I’ve developed a thick

With almost 175k Subscribers, The Real Slim Sherri is a YouTube streamer that is now on tour that has been named the “Gen X Takeover.” Sherri has taken the Gen X rhetoric to a new stage, a live stage as a comedian and has audiences rolling in the isles. I do wonder if she has a garden hose on stage or uses bottled water. I’m part of Generation X, and if you spend any time on social media, you know exactly what that means. Our greatest collective pastime seems to be posting vi

Texas registered sex offender, Terrance Kennard Freeman, 31 of Hearne, smiling for the TxDPS cameras as he complies to sex offender...

From 1991, a photo of the I Can’t Believe it’s YOGURT! building as it sat the morning after fire fighters cleared the scene. Inside the...

Political activist, Charlie Kirk "Assassination is the premeditated murder of a person, often a public figure like a political leader,...