Michael Marks

There was a time when signing your kid up for soccer or softball didn’t take a big investment. But in recent years, the financial commitment required for some youth sports has grown dramatically. Parents now regularly spend thousands of dollars each seaso... See more

About 300 years ago, Spanish missionaries abandoned a site in what’s now Jackson County, in the middle of Texas’ Coastal Bend. Mission Nuestra Señora del Espiritu Santo was part of a struggle between the French and Spanish for control of the region, as we... See more

The spread of a virus that sickened dozens of horses and spooked the equine community now appears to be subsiding. The outbreak stemmed from the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals, held in Waco, Texas, in early November. Some of the horses that atten... See more

Ranchers and hay producers in more than 20 counties have reported a new pest damaging their grass. The pasture mealybug is an invasive insect that originates from Australia. It’s recently been found in fields from the Rio Grande Valley to east of Houston.... See more

Growing cotton can be a tough way to make a living in 2025. Global demand has waned for several years, thanks in part to the rise of synthetic fibers. At the same time, high prices for supplies like fuel and fertilizer cut into farmers’ bottom line. Resea... See more