AUSTIN — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week announced its award of $57,041,000 to the Texas Water Development Board to support the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. The funds are for loan assistance to eligible water systems for infrastructure improvements needed “to ensure safe drinking water is available to Texas residents.” The fund program was established under the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 authorizing the EPA to award capitalization grants ...

The markets rose after Fed Chief, Ben Bernanke and the Boys announced they would be purchasing more mortgage-backed securities indefinitely and keep rates low far into the year 2015. In other words, here’s QE3-Quantitive Easing part III. The Fed had been hinting all along that they would take action in order to spur along the U.S.

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry returned to Austin on Sept. 12 following a multi-day overseas trip. While in Italy, Perry addressed an annual international economic development forum. He touted Texas’ workforce, universities and business climate and encouraged investment in and trade with Texas, telling his audience, “… we’ve created a fertile environment where innovators are free to create and nurture their ideas and where government stays out of the way.

The DOW rose a bit on Friday despite all the negative news regarding U.S. unemployment. Keep in mind that unemployment is down compared to the peak in October 2009 when it was 10 percent. The numbers dropped from July’s 8.3 percent to August numbers at 8.1 percent. 96,000 jobs were added, which is a far better cry than losing 750K jobs as we were doing at the very beginning of the recession.

AUSTIN — Focus on a just-launched school year and fall sports turned east to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 28-30, and to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 4-6. Texans took prominent roles at both conventions, in which the Republican Party nominated former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and the Democratic Party nominated incumbent President Barack Obama. San Antonio mayor Juliàn Castro delivered the keynote address to the Democrats an ...

Charles Schwab, a provider of full-service brokerage services, announced today the opening of a new independent branch in Dripping Springs, Texas. The branch opened its doors on Thursday, August 23, at 333 East Highway 290 West, Suite 427. The branch will offer investors local access to a full suite of investing and personal finance guidance, tools, and products. The new Dripping Springs location is one of the first-of-its-kind Schwab franchise branches, part of a larger franchising initiative ...

The Dow ended the week at 13090.84 only after calming words from fed Chief Ben Bernanke said he and his Fed buddies were ready to buy more bonds if needed in order to keep the U.S. economy from faltering again. I do not see any major stock weakness on the horizon.

BOERNE, TX – September 1, 2012. Boerne Performing Arts will once again be bringing the world of professional performing arts to our community, providing world-class entertainment at Boerne Champion High School’s state-of-the-art auditorium and offering residents the opportunity to attend internationally acclaimed performers without leaving Kendall County. Ticket packages for the 3-concert series are available now through October 1, with prices starting as low as $75 and providing a 16-20% s ...

AUSTIN — Washington, D.C. court rulings rendered last week tossed out Texas’ (a) redistricting maps and (b) voter photo identification law. In rejecting the maps on Aug. 27, the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, said Texas “bears the burden of proving lack of discriminatory intent” and “has failed to show that any of the redistricting plans merits preclearance.” In 2011, the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature adopted what the court rejected — boundaries for four ...

Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors voted during its Aug. 20 Board meeting to amend and clarify the Co-op’s renewable energy goal, committing to achieve 30 percent of the Co-op’s energy supply from renewable sources by 2020. The Board also approved a resolution that more clearly defines PEC’s energy efficiency goal of annual reductions of 20 percent of demand growth through energy efficiency and demand management programs. The votes come after more than a year of disc ...

The Dow edged up a little higher this past Friday as Fed Chief, Ben Bernanke stated he thinks there is still space for the Fed to step in to help the economy. The Dow closed at 13157.97 as it added 100.51 points, rising for the first time during the week.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital (HCM) in Fredericksburg is welcoming podiatry and wound care specialist Angela L. Schladoer, DPM, CWS, to its medical staff. Dr. Schladoer purchased the podiatry office at 307 S. Washington Street in Fredericksburg and offers a full range of foot and ankle problems and sees patients of all ages.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital, orthopedic surgeons, and rehab professionals are teaming up to offer orthopedic and physical therapy evaluations to high school athletes on Saturdays beginning September 1. The Saturday clinics will take place at the hospital in Fredericksburg, located at 1020 S. State Hwy. 16. Park in the main lot in front of the hospital and enter through the doors marked “Admissions.” Clinic hours will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

AUSTIN — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Aug. 21 declared illegal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. While environmental groups, health activists and “clean air” industries supported the rule — an emissions-trading program adopted by the EPA a year ago — it was contested by the state of Texas, 14 other states, local governments, industry groups and a list of non-governmental plaintiffs. Following the 2- ...

The DOW rose slightly for the week and closed at 13275.20 this past Friday. Earnings reports were responsible for keeping the DOW in check. The Leading Indicators report in the S.A. Express News last week helped provide more positive news regarding our U.S. economy. The report stated that “ a measure of future economic activity recovered in July following a sharp drop in June, providing further evidence of an economy that is regaining some momentum.” The Conference Board said its index of l ...