The Texas UIL Legislative Council met last week to make decisions on proposed rule changes in state academics, athletics, music and policy. The Council approved a pilot program to allow sixth graders to participate in seventh or eighth grade athletics at Class 1A and Class 2A schools when those schools do not have enough athletes to field two teams in numerous team sports.

First United Bank is reintroducing the “Make Change” initiative in each of its 17 Banking Centers following the devastating tornado that hit Perryton, Texas, on June 15. The “Make Change” campaign encourages bank customers, employees or anyone in the community to donate loose change from a cashed check or from the bottoms of pockets and purses towards helping the families and community of Perryton.

Governor Greg Abbott last Thursday signed the Save Women’s Sports Act , Senate Bill 15, passed during the 88th Regular Legislative Session into law at the Texas Capitol. Authored by Senator Mayes Middleton and Representative Valoree Swanson, the new law will protect the integrity of women’s sports by prohibiting biological men from competing against female athletes at Texas colleges and universities.

Naz FFA scores again with nine students from the FFA Chapter earning their Lone Star Degree. Students include Bryson Brockman, Chloe Birkenfeld, Kaimy Chavira, Jett Ramaekers, Riley Ramaekers, Max Snead, Jack Welps, Tanner Wethington and Will Young.

The Nazareth Swifts ended a great season and their bid for the championship title with a defeat in the semifinals against Fayetteville 4-0 in Round Rock last Wednesday. This was the Swifts third trip to the state finals.

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Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law this past weekend that prohibits financial institutions operating in the state from requiring a credit card merchant code to track the purchases of firearms and ammunition.

Governor Greg Abbott on Monday directed Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath to waive specific requirements for school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to be able to continue offering virtual instruction options for students in grades 3 through 12 through the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) for the next two school years.