STAAR scores show continued struggles in math, reading Texas public student scores in standardized testing continue to improve since the pandemic, but more than half of those taking the test still struggle with math and just under half read below grade-level, the Texas Tribune reported. Students in grades three through eight tookContinue Reading
Lawmakers push $15K teacher raises A group of House Democrats is proposing a $15,000 raise for the state’s teachers and a 25% raise for other state employees by using some of the state’s record budget surplus. State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, announced the bill last week and was joined byContinue Reading
Hispanic Texans likely largest demographic group The U.S. Census Bureau released its latest estimate, which indicates Hispanic residents in Texas make up more of the state’s population than white residents. The new population figures from the American Community Survey indicate Hispanic Texans comprise 40.2% of the state’s population last year,Continue Reading
Mail-in ballot applications rejected at high rate Mail-in ballot applications for the March 1 primary are being rejected by almost 40% — largely because of a missing ID number, which is now required after a new voting bill passed the Legislature last year.The Houston Chronicle reported that nearly four in 10 HarrisContinue Reading
Key Voting Dates The following are key dates for the 2022 Primary Election on March 1: Voter Registration Deadline Monday, January 31 Early In-Person Voting Begins Monday, February 14 Last Day to Return Mail-In Ballot Application Friday, February 18 Early In-Person Voting Ends Friday, February 25 Primary Election Day Tuesday,Continue Reading
By Glenn Melancon The Covid 19 vaccine has been a lifesaver for millions of Americans. Nearly 59% of Americans over 12 have taken advantage of this pro-life drug. The unvaccinated patients account for nearly all deaths and hospitalizations. Unfortunately, we live a region of the country that still believes liesContinue Reading
Taking a stand on vaccine mandates, Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur and Marion County Sheriff David Capps issued a joint statement saying that county employees “will not be required by Marion County to adhere to any vaccine mandate or any other mandate that would infringe on your individual liberties andContinue Reading
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker notified the Jimplecute today that the upcoming Citizen Action and Diversity Committee meetings will be postponed until further notice due to COVID-19 concerns being expressed by the Community. Baker said he would meet individually with the subcommittees established at the inaugural meetings last month, and wouldContinue Reading
JISD School Board decided to let parents and students make the call on whether or not to wear facemasks and gave employees five extra “local” days to help them navigate the COVID pandemic. “I believe that mandating masks for our kids is not necessarily the answer,” said Rachael Cooner duringContinue Reading
According to a press release issued today by Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur, the vaccine clinic being held at Heritage Baptist Church has swapped from the Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccine to the Pfizer vaccine starting today. The clinic is open to the public, and is a “walk-up” clinicContinue Reading
By Chris Paddie, HD9 Happy Easter! I hope you got to spend sometime with your families last weekend as we celebrated the resurrection of Christ! The House took Good Friday off so the members could return home and spend some time with their families, but we will be back andContinue Reading
Marion County Judge Leward J. Lafleur announced early Wednesday morning the details on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines the county will receive in April. Marion County will be receiving 500 Johnson & Johnson vaccines on April 8, 2021. A link has been posted on the Marion County website (www.co.marion.tx.us)Continue Reading
According to a press release issued by Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur, those who received a COVID-19 vaccine shot on March 4, will be able to get their 2nd shot on April 1. The shots will take place at the Jefferson Visitors Center, 305 E. Austin St., and each personContinue Reading
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur announced Friday afternoon that Marion County will be receiving 500 Johnson & Johnson vaccines later in next week. This is the single-shot vaccine. LaFleur said to continue to watch for more information as it becomes available. Appointments will begin being taken as soon as theContinue Reading
By Jennifer Middleton, Jimplecute The Jefferson Independent School District’s Board of Trustees took no action on the subject of delinquent taxpayers during their regular meeting on March 9. A motion was proposed to address the business relationships between the district and delinquent taxpayers, but was withdrawn without a vote afterContinue Reading
By Poynter News The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disappointed a lot of people when it issued its new guidelines on what fully vaccinated people can now do safely. The CDC did not change its guidelines on travel, meaning the new guidelines are not a green light for youContinue Reading
The U.S. Small Business Administration has some key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which will be available for a limited amount of time to ensure America’s smallest businesses get exclusive access. If you are a small business owner with fewer than 20 employees, or are self-employed; there isContinue Reading
Texas Tribune Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he will end Texas’ statewide mask mandate next week and will allow all businesses to operate at full capacity. “It is now time to open Texas 100%,” Abbott said from a Mexican restaurant in Lubbock, arguing that Texas has fought the coronavirusContinue Reading
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur announced early Tuesday morning how residents can register for the next round of COVID-19 vaccines available in Marion County. “We just received the final information from the Department of State Health Services,” said LaFleur, “and I wanted to get this out as soon as possible.”Continue Reading