A pparently, the coffee bar is a new thing in home improvement and suddenly a necessary home amenity. It’s probably not all that new or necessary, at least not for us. We don’t live in a big city and rarely check out home décor trends these days.

I n the coming weeks we will resume our overview of Christianity’s growth and development in the second and third centuries. We have noted that all but one of the early apostles (John) were martyred in the first century.

T he Cabinet of the U.S. Executive Branch has evolved since its establishment under George Washington with just four members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.

T exas 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.

I t’s been a tough summer for some farmers, homeowners’ grass, landscaping, and gardens. What hasn’t burned up has been eaten by hungry deer or bugs. The decently rainy spring helped those who planted early and enjoyed abundant produce and flowers.

Capital Highlights F orecasters for the National Weather Service are anticipating a more active hurricane season this year because of record-warm ocean surface temperatures, the Texas Tribune reported. Hurricane season runs through the end of November.

A sk me how to get rid of nausea. Zap it with adrenalin. Back story: Weird things happen to me at 3 a.m., my personal witching hour. Years ago, I reacted badly to medication after a minor procedure. My blood pressure dropped precipitously and so did I – at 3 a.m. Scared Zack to death when I went down. Ambulance ride to ER. After the drug wore off, I was right as rain – which we need badly. You can consider this segue to rain as foreshadowing.

I n 1973, 423 of the 434 members of the U.S. House of Representatives professed to be Christian.

A n unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported. A survey conducted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children of about 1,600 child care programs indicated 44% were likely to close their doors without additional funding. Federal pandemic relief funds ended for most centers in June.

E very once-in-a-while, I write a “public service piece.” When I think of an idea for a column but can’t get to my computer, I sometimes text or email the idea to myself. I just found one of those ideas from January 2022. I think the info’s still helpful, and it gives me a chance to brag on our local clinic and physician. So here goes, and if it’s helpful to even one person, I’ll have done my job.