By Sahar Chmais Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order Tuesday, May 18 that prohibits governmental entities in Texas from requiring or mandating mask wearing. The rule is effective immediately. Governmental entities include counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities ...

By Sahar Chmais Employees at firms with 14 or fewer employees currently cannot file a sexual harassment claim with the Texas Workforce Commission. This may soon change if Senate Bill 45 gets signed by Governor Greg Abbott. Under the current law, legal protections against sexual harassment in the wor...

By Sahar Chmais Images of people panic-fueling have gone viral after news broke out about Colonial Pipeline’s temporary shut down, affecting gas stations in Eastern states. As the news spread, some people wondered if Texas will be next.  No, it will not. The Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch contacted g...

By Sahar Chmais A cannabis decriminalization bill, House Bill 441, passed the Texas House of Representatives with 88-40 votes on Friday, April 30. HB 441, introduced by State Representative Erin Zwiener, would lower the penalty for possession of one ounce or less of cannabis to a Class C misdemeanor...

By Sahar Chmais Texas will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after receiving the greenlight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is an important tool in our fight against COVID-19, and the scientific review over the last 11 ...

By Sahar Chmais  A bill that incentivizes nature-based infrastructure passed in the Texas House on April 21. HB 2350 was introduced by District 45 Representative Erin Zwiener and encourages nature-based infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The bill targets communities seeking...

By Sahar Chmais  HAYS COUNTY - First, she sued the two Hays County Court at Law (CCL) judges, then she amended her lawsuit to include the Hays County commissioners.   Judge Millie Thompson, CCL #3 Judge, continues her pursuit in appointing a court coordinator of her choice by amending her lawsuit to...

Staff Report Following Governor Greg Abbott's  Executive Order (GA-34) to lift the mask mandate in Texas, Hays County officials encourage residents to continue practicing safety precautions as COVID-19 has not disappeared. Effective on Wednesday, March 10, all businesses of any type may open to 100%...

By Sahar Chmais  BUDA -- As the owners of Amici, an Italian food truck, were delivering free, warm meals to people in the middle of the Texas snow storm, they came to terms that they may need to sleep in their van for a few nights. “We don’t have a 4x4,” said Elpida Sarna, co-owner of Amici. “It was...

By Sahar Chmais There is no doubt that this year’s 87th Legislative Session looks nothing like years prior. Yet, that did not deter Senator Judith Zaffirini, representing Senate District 21, from pre-filing 42 bills centered around medical and educational needs. “This session will be unlike any othe...