Pandemic forecasters in Texas say the state’s current surge of omicron infections and hospitalizations is likely to get much worse before it gets better, with hospitalizations expected to continue climbing for at least three weeks if social behaviors don’t change and slow the trend.

ANALYSIS

The rapidly spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus has upended the holiday season for many Texans and forced the cancellations of thousands of flights.

Here are a dozen highlights from 114 columns in 2021 on the storm, redistricting, the state’s finances and on issues that could figure into this next round of elections.

When the Llano County Library shuts down for three days this week, starting today, it won’t be for the holidays.

Texas has a problem that’s bigger than the stories in the books at the school library.

A structure fire had three different departments responding to the event on Saturday evening.

AUSTIN — Texas’ highest court for criminal cases Wednesday struck down a law that allows the attorney general to unilaterally prosecute election cases.

ANGLETON — A Brazoria County grand jury has determined no charges are warranted against District Clerk Rhonda Barchak or her staff after hearing evidence of the office's jury assignment process during her tenure.

City councils a nd school boards in Texas are full of Republicans and Democrats, even if those people take office after nonpartisan elections in which they don’t fly those party flags.

Texas’ largest corporate tax incentive program is set to expire at the end of next year after lawmakers opted against renewing it for the first time in its 20-year history.

MIDLAND — Following Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent guarantee the lights will stay on this winter, Texas energy regulators and the oil and gas industry tried to assure Texans on Wednesday the state’s power grid is ready for colder weather.

Undocumented immigrants haven’t killed 72,808 Texans during the last two years, like COVID-19 did through Dec. 2. Immigrants haven’t brought that kind of danger to the state in the last 20 years, for that matter.

LAKE JACKSON — A Brazoswood football player attacked at a party over the weekend is breathing on his own, his brother says. Meanwhile, police say they have identified those involved in his attack and that charges against them are pending.

It’s very difficult to win a statewide election in Texas if your party’s candidate in the top race isn’t winning or at least in a very close race. Down-ballot candidates sometimes wail about the amount of attention and money heaped on the people at the top of the ticket. But unless the peopl…

The order from the three-judge panel stated there had been “no concrete, or actual or imminent, injury as a result of the enforcement” of Abbott’s executive order.

AUSTIN — A federal judge Wednesday blocked a Texas law that seeks to restrict how social media companies moderate their content and was championed by Republicans who say the platforms are biased against conservatives.

State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who helped write the law to overhaul school funding in Texas, will not seek reelection.

DALLAS — On a Sunday night in October, weeks after her landlord served her eviction papers, a pain formed in Daniela Hernandez’s chest.

AUSTIN — U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, announced Monday he is running for attorney general, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton, in the already crowded primary.

This afternoon a male student was struck by a vehicle at the Angleton Junior High School on the intersection of Downing and Henderson Road after school.

This afternoon a male student was struck by a vehicle at the Angleton Junior High School on the intersection of Downing and Henderson Road after school.

Brazoria County Precinct 3 were advised that Houston PD vehicle pursuit with Houston Police Department south on 288 near CR 58 at approximately 2:48 p.m. this afternoon.

WEST COLUMBIA — Three Columbia High School students were arrested taken into custody after the district received a tip about a firearm being brought onto campus, Columbia-Brazoria ISD officials said.

Disabled, elderly and non-English speaking voters risk disenfranchisement under Texas’ new voting law passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice claims in a lawsuit filed Thursday challenging the legislation known as Senate Bill 1.

Book bans don’t really work, except in politics.

AUSTIN — A Republican state lawmaker has launched an investigation into Texas school districts over the type of books they have, particularly if they pertain to race or sexuality or “make students feel discomfort.”

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