Opinion

Premiums rise as ACA open enrollment begins The window for signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is now open through January 15, with most Texans expected to pay considerably higher premiums, The Texas Tribune reported. Federal subsidies that reduced premium rates will expire at year’s end without congressional action.

Come January, I will have served over 31 years as a member of the Alpine Police Department and 4.5 years as the chief of police for the City of Alpine. I want to thank the men and women, both civilian and sworn, of the Alpine Police Department for their support over the years.

“Every bad situation will have something positive to offer if you look for it. Even a broken clock has the right time twice a day.” — Author unknown You’re the newspaper guy, aren’t you?” That question came at a social function last week.

W Shame on the Alpine Avalanche for failing to cover the October 18, 2025, No Kings Rally held in Alpine. A newspaper’s duty is to fairly and truthfully cover the news of importance to the community at largenot to just cover events with which the paper agrees or supports.

Shutdown could halt SNAP for 3.5 million Texans The continuing federal shutdown means food benefits provided to 3.5 million Texans could be cut off in November, The Texas Tribune reported. Of those affected, nearly half are children.

Early voting began Monday across Texas with voters deciding the fate of 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, as well as local races for city and school board, bond measures, and tax proposals. The Houston Chronicle reported that many of the propositions intend to lower property taxes for homeowners and businesses. There are two proposed changes to the homestead exemption.

Texans will vote on 17 propositions, and of those, eight have direct and far-reaching impacts for rural Texans, ranchers, and landowners. Cattle Raisers PAC supports the following proposed state constitutional amendments: Propositions 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, and 17. Early voting begins October 20, 2025, and ends October 31, 2025. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” — Old saying attributed to many sources. I first heard it from my grandfather.

Redrawing the state’s congressional maps, though being challenged in court, has drawn 114 Republican candidates in the state’s 38 districts with nearly two months left until the filing deadline, the Houston Chronicle reported.

This fall semester marks a remarkable milestone for Sul Ross State University. Across our campuses in Alpine and Eagle Pass, we are welcoming 30 new faculty members who have joined us in our mission to provide exceptional higher education throughout the Big Bend and Middle Rio Grande regions.