News

Use caution when searching for financial aid assistance

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As the June 30 federal FAFSA deadline is here, many students are searching and applying for grants and scholarships to fund their college education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition of approximately $22,000 at 4-year institutions. This creates a challenge for prospective college students which is made more difficult by scammers looking to take advantage of students and parents searching for financial aid opportunities.

Feeding Texas Network backs major hunger-fighting wins during 2023 Legislative session

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With support of the Feeding Texas network of food banks, the Texas Legislature passed several new laws that will prevent hunger for Texans experiencing food insecurity. “This year’s legislative session was our most successful since Texas food banks came together as a network over 20 years ago to engage state lawmakers in the fight against hunger,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas.

Senate passes tax bill as second special session begins

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The Texas Senate on the first day of the Legislature’s second special session unanimously passed a tax bill last Wednesday that increases the homestead exemption and includes a pay hike for teachers, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The first special session ended with the Senate and House unable to agree on how to provide property tax relief.

Weekly Roadwork Report – July 2-8

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• SL255–FromFM1520 to US 271, constructing highway, County Road 2120 detoured • SL179-FromSH11to US 271. Seal coat operations, lane closures Morris County • I-30 – Eastbound at Exit 178, US 259, ramp rehabilitation.

Help, we’re being robbed!

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Honeybees are opportunists. The scout bees fly out of the hive each morning and use their sense of smell to locate nectar sources. They take a sample back and “dance” for other honeybees in order to recruit more foragers to their found source of carbohydrate. The dance communicates the resources’ proximity to the hive and the sugar concentration; closer, more, and better wins more recruits. This works well when there are lots of nectar sources – primarily flowers – and when every bee is busy collecting the nectar and storing it as honey to survive the winter.

Want to exchange jobs?

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One of our adult children recently texted that the youngest grandchild had thrown up several times overnight and was dreadfully out of sorts. Everyone in that home was sleep deprived and off-kilter. We suggested extended playtime for the grandchild in shallow water with plastic toys. Our adult child asked, “What are you planning to do this morning?” The grandmother (Sue) answered, “Picking black- and blueberries for two hours and fighting caterpillars. Want to exchange jobs?” “NO!”

Let freedom ring

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TRIBUNE PHOTO / CHRISTIE BURNETT TRIBUNE PHOTO / CHRISTIE BURNETT COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO.

Crabb named finalist at FBLA Nationals

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21 members of the Mount Pleasant ISD Future Business Leaders of America middle level, grades fifth through eighth, competed at the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia from June 25 to June 30, with one member named a national finalist.