David Martin Davies

On Nov. 3, during the General Election, Texans will cast a vote for U.S. Senator.

Republican incumbent John Cornyn is seeking re-election, but who will challenge him from the Democratic Party? That will be decided with a party run-off election.  

In downtown San Antonio, in Alamo Plaza, there is a statue of Teddy Roosevelt on horseback. A wayward tourist might be confused by seeing the 26th U.S. president presented at the historic Texas battleground. However, T.R. is here not to fight for Texas independence, but fighting for Cuba’s independence in the Spanish-American war with his band of volunteers, the Rough Riders, which were formed in San Antonio.  

Just when we’re getting comfortable with the idea of supporting businesses and resuming our pre-pandemic lives, we might have to hold on to that burgeoning self-reliance borne of sheltering-in-place.  News reports this week are heralding the arrival of a second wave of coronavirus in Arizona, Florida and Texas, raising alarms as new infections are now pushing 2 million cases throughout the United States. Texas Public Radio commentator Yvette Benavides takes a look at our efforts to abandon quarantining and a potential second wave. 

The Texas Rangers are a legendary law enforcement agency but the lawmen have a dark side that has been virtually covered up in the telling of Texas history. Is it time to set the record straight?

The COVID-19 pandemic has delivered a stunning blow to the economy. Millions of Americans are finding themselves out of work. Millions of other Americans are being told they are essential workers – even though previously they were seen as low skilled and low paid.

This week the Texas Supreme Court handed down a decision on the contentious issues of voting in person during a pandemic.

This week federal law enforcement officers in riot gear fired rubber bullets and tear gas containers at protesters outside the White House. On the White House grounds President Donald Trump adopted a defiant stance while directing state governors to "dominate the streets" and warning if they didn’t he would deploy the United States Military and "solve the problem for them."

Gov. Greg Abbott is trying to restart the Texas economy with the relaxation of social distancing guidelines and allowing many businesses to reopen to the public.

For weeks Texas has been locked down due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The efforts to implement social distancing and slow the spread of the deadly virus forced schools and many businesses to close. This also drove political campaigns to freeze just as Texas was gearing up for one of the toughest general elections in decades. But now that Governor Greg Abbott is allowing more businesses to open their doors, what is happening with political campaigns and their efforts to persuade potential voters.  Are the candidates ready to get back on the stump, shake hands and kiss babies?

Like everyone else, singer-songwriter Joe Ely has struggled to find a new normal in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Playing live is not possible, of course, much to the disappointment of his many fans who appreciate Joe Ely on the stage — his energy, his musical talent and the joy he exudes when he performs.