Columns & Opinions

‘All about me’ poster by Hutch Hamrick, a seventh-grade Art I student in Rockdale Junior High School.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Our family’s thoughts go to our Noelia

News Staff

Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:49

My sister-in-law, Noelia, had visited her mom in Mexico last week because she had been ill. She returned last Friday, but her mom passed away on Sunday night. So we are sad for her around the house. She was 91 so she lived a good, long life and was a wonderful mother and grandmother.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Jane Goodall

News Staff

Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:49

In the last of her more than two dozen books, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, published in 2021, Jane Goodall wrote about discovering as a young woman that she had a gift for public speaking and a responsibility to use it.

Kyle’s Kitchen KYLE COOKE

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Crockpot recipes = cool kitchen

News Staff

Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:49

Well, it's fall in Texas, and you know what that means. Absolutely nothing. It's still 95 degrees outside. So here are some easy crockpot recipes that won't heat up your kitchen. As I always say, thighs are better for crockpot recipes because you can't really overcook them.

Hidden in Christ with God GREG NICHOLS

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Your God is way too small

News Staff

Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:49

J.B. Phillips, an influential Anglican clergyman authored a book in 1953 that is still used today in Bible classes and for personal edification: Your God Is Too Small. The book attempted to expose inadequate conceptions of God, and suggest ways in which we can find the real God for ourselves.

He told me to tell you that KEN ANSELL

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Churches in decline

News Staff

Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:49

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Most churches are in decline. Mark Clifton, who is with the Southern Baptist Church, Revitalize and Replant ministry says, “There is nothing about a dead and dying church that glorifies God.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Social media is a plague

News Staff

Wed, 10/01/2025 - 09:52

We can start to cure it by making platforms liable for content they host From violent, graphic images to dangerous misinformation, social media platforms amplify the worst elements of the world we live in.

‘All about me’ poster by Krystina Graybeal, seventh-grade Art I student in Rockdale Junior High School.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

A night out with Rockdale’s Finest

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 10/01/2025 - 09:52

Have crickets shown up at your house or business? We are lousy with them at The Reporter. So much so that our advertising salesperson, Deborah, asked us at lunch today what purpose do crickets serve? To die and stink was all I could think of.

Bribery of a public official in Texas

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bribery of a public official in Texas

Judge’s Comments Bill Whitmire

Wed, 10/01/2025 - 09:52

First off, there has not been any of this in Milam County and this article does not suggest that there is. In a recent town hall meeting, I was asked what constitutes bribery of an elected official so I thought I would address that issue.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

LOOKING BACK 10-20-40 YEARS AGO

News Staff

Wed, 10/01/2025 - 09:52

10-20-40 YEARS AGO 40 YEARS AGO… Friday was a special night for the Big Blue Band’s featured soloists Rene Drummond and Lynn Yakesch as they tuned up on Central Texas television screens thanks to Channel 6, KCENTV which taped the Rockdale- LaVega football game for delayed broadcast Saturday.

Art by Alia Macarthur, a freshman at Rockdale High School (created while an eighth-grader).

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The government’s website isn’t so scary

Falling Far From The Tree Kyle Cooke

Wed, 09/24/2025 - 10:52

Idid something the other day that was a little scary but also, I hope, something that works out well for me. On September 6 I turned 62 so I went ahead and applied for my social security.