News

I was a little worried about what might become of our traditions of decorating, since the “COVID thing” has caused some disruptions. But “never fear,” for Forney is looking rather “FALLISH.” Maybe some of you will recognize your areas.

According to Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday spending reached historic heights in 2019. Online spending on Cyber Monday totaled $9.4 billion in 2019, which marked a $1.5 billion increase in total spending from the year prior. A global pandemic figures to compel even more shoppers to shop online in 2020, though economic uncertainty and high rates of unemployment may make it hard for some online retailers to exceed their Cyber Monday sales figures from 2019. Though holiday shopping belts might be tightened in 2020, small businesses with e-commerce capabilities and strong online presences should not let that get in the way of their efforts to capitalize on Cyber Monday. In recognition of the struggles small businesses have faced during the pandemic, many local governments have emphasized the importance of supporting locally owned small businesses. Communities across the country have answered that call in many ways, and chances are strong locals will continue to do so this holiday season. Small business owners who are ready to meet consumer demands this holiday season, even if those demands are not as great as in holiday seasons past, can capitalize on what figures to be a unique time for shoppers and businesses alike.

The COVID crisis has caused virtually unparalleled peril—but at the same time an opportunity to learn new ways of interacting with one another.

Freedom is as precious as life itself. But its true value is rarely appreciated by people unless it is either threatened or lost.

I barely remember not being a mom. Even more so, I barely remember my first six months as a mom. I blame it on three things: shock, overwhelming responsibilities and sleep deprivation – not necessarily in that order.

Chuck flap, rib-eye filet, tomahawk steak, Denver or Sierra cuts, flat irons and tri tips – the landscape of the local grocery meat case is changing when it comes to beef cuts, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Volunteering is a fun and rewarding endeavor. Millions of people across globe serve as volunteers, which is a testament to just how rewarding being a volunteer can be. Understanding how to be a good volunteer is the first step toward making the experience enjoyable and effective.

It’s never fun to think about the possibility of getting sick or hurt, losing a home, needing extended medical care, or even dying, but these are extremely important topics to confront when planning your financial future.

E-cigarette users, including teenagers, may be lulled into a false sense of security when they light up. One common misconception about e-cigarettes is that they are not addictive like traditional cigarettes. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, e-cigarettes, like regular cigarettes, contain nicotine, a highly addictive stimulant. In fact, Johns Hopkins notes that some research suggests nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Perhaps most disconcerting is that some e-cigarette products may contain even more nicotine than traditional tobacco products. That’s due to the availability of extra-strength e-cigarette cartridges that contain higher concentrations of nicotine. In addition, Johns Hopkins notes that some products allow e-cigarette users to increase the voltage of their products, which delivers them a larger dose of nicotine. While the American Lung Association notes that the number of high school students who reported smoking in the last 30 days declined by as much as 74 percent between 1997 and 2015, that does not necessarily means that teens are avoiding nicotine. A recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office found that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students increased by 900 percent between 2011 and 2015, while the same report indicated that one in five high school students and one in 20 middle students used e-cigarettes in 2018.

From live cattle entering a packing plant to the consumer’s kitchen table, a Texas A&M AgriLife-led research project aims to develop an accurate way to predict potential contamination with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, throughout the food supply chain.

Saturday was a day to remember. My son TJ came up from Austin to go to Game 6 of the new Globe Life Park in Arlington. For a couple of years, I looked forward to seeing the Texas Rangers play in the new ballpark. As I have said before, I bought four, twenty-game season tickets to see the Rangers this season. But COVID sidelined our plans and the Rangers played the 2020 season in an empty stadium.

Russell “Rusty” Wilson will become the new Mesquite Fire Chief on Nov.1 and will oversee 206 firefighters and seven stations for a fire department that responded to nearly 19,000 calls for service in 2019.

Born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, Isela Woolverton excelled in school despite a difficult home life and soon found herself enrolled in her first year of college. As she began to look at the opportunities around her, Isela decided the best of those opportunities for her was in the U.S. Navy. With no military background and no real swimming experience, this was to be a challenge for her, but this tenacious young lady would not be deterred. She ultimately became a Yeoman Petty Officer Third Class in the United States Navy.