Columns & Opinions

JUDGE’S COMMENTS BILL WHITMIRE

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Data centers and daily life

Milam County Judge

Wed, 04/01/2026 - 15:39

It happens quietly, without much thought. A resident checks the weather over morning coffee. A student streams a video for homework. A rancher pulls up a market report on a smartphone. A pilot files a flight plan.

‘Half picture’ art by Elizabeth Longoria, an eighth-grade Art II student at Rockdale Junior High School.

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Just a whole lot of this and that

Kyle Cooke

Wed, 04/01/2026 - 15:39

Ihad a bit of a shock last week when I received an email for a legal notice that is 19 full pages long, as you will see in this week’s edition. At first I was just looking at the insertion order, and it didn’t quite dawn on me how many pages it was. But then reality set in.

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Accountability

News Staff

Wed, 04/01/2026 - 15:39

For years, the legal strategy against social media companies had largely focused on the content hosted on these sites, but that strategy hadn’t gained much traction in court.

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Excellence

News Staff

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:26

TEDC awards Rockdale Municipal Development District Excellence Award The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) announced the recipients of its annual Economic Excellence Recognition program for 2025. The awards were presented on Friday, Feb.

‘Half picture’ art by Kaylee Newton, an eighth-grade Art II student at Rockdale Junior High School.

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Fostering animals, childhood memories

Kyle Cooke

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:26

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE The Rockdale Animal Shelter needs our help. The shelter is at capacity and they are offering free fostering on eligible dogs. You pick the dog you’d like to foster and they will send you home with food so it won’t cost you a thing. And who knows?

Notes from the road: America’s Great 48

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Notes from the road: America’s Great 48

Editor’s Corner Mike Brown

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:26

(Late editor Mike Brown sure enjoyed traveling. Enjoy this column from 2016 about his travels. KWC.) Afew of my close friends know that last year I completed a longtime dream of mine by finally setting foot in all 48 contiguous states. “Contiguous” is a weasel word.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

News Staff

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:26

Dear editor, Are you appalled as you watch the repercussions of the war on Iran (which have been predicted by experts for decades, should the U.S. enter war with Iran) evolve?

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Sunshine Week

News Staff

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:43

Protect transparency laws that help Texans fight corruption As journalists and engaged citizens watch over our government, it’s often about the money. Are taxpayer dollars being spent wisely on social programs, road projects and employee pay?

‘Half picture’ art by Kyndall Clevenger, an eighth-grade Art II student at Rockdale Junior High School.

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Hubcap mystery has been solved

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:43

Aweek or so ago I told you about losing two hubcaps and then finding one of them. I thought the other one was a goner because Noelia and I had left town for a trip to Costco. Well, it turns out that my hubcap fell offin Noelia’s driveway and my nephew found it and put it in the garage.

On service and community

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On service and community

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:43

Last year, I wrote an article on this same subject. But the truth is, the role each of us plays in building a stronger community is too important to only revisit once. So, consider this a bit of intentional repetition as a reminder to keep service and community action at the top of our priorities.