The morning weekday ritual began. Hit the papers. Catch up on what happened overnight and get read-up for the show. (Every producer on our staff knows this ritual all too well.) Top Texas headline : "Legislature elects Dave Phelan House Speaker." Now, as headlines go, it would be fair to say that's not the most exciting. But as Ross Ramsey opines in the Texas Tribune today, maybe boring is just the sort of thing we could use a little more of in times like these. Although the Texas Capitol teemed with security Tuesday, prepared for the worst following riots at the U.S. Capitol last week, violence didn't materialize. Instead, it was democracy in action – if not democracy as usual, thanks to the pandemic – as the new 140-day session got underway. Another bit of good news came from from the comptroller this week: the budget shortfall will not be as monumental as many were bracing for. While Texas and the nation brace for a big transition on January 20, one takeaway is the importance of being prepared for the worst while working to ensure better days ahead. Anyone else ready to settle for a little more "boring?" Of course, in the news business, there's never a dull moment. Our producers have selected some of the biggest stories of the past week below. We encourage you to check them out, and when you're done, visit us online to keep up with the latest. Until next week, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Capitol Riot A ‘Wake-Up Call’ For US Democracy

“To sustain democracy requires constant effort because it’s a very unnatural form of government. And when you start to take it for granted, it tends to collapse.”

What You Need To Know About The New COVID-19 Variant

Precautions are still the same: wear masks, social distance, wash hands – and now, get vaccinated as soon as you’re able.

Rhetoric Professor: It’s ‘Very Reasonable’ To Conclude Trump ‘Incited’ Capitol Siege

Trump presents that loyalty to himself as the ultimate form of patriotism – even more so than to the U.S. Constitution or democracy.

State Rep. Diego Bernal On Tackling Education Funding During The Pandemic

The Democratic state representative from San Antonio says the Texas Legislature must do more than just maintain the status quo when it comes to funding public schools.

Trump Visits Texas To Autograph His Incomplete Border Wall (Texas Public Radio)
Here's What Happened Opening Day Of The 2021 Texas Legislative Session (KUT)
U.S. Capitol Attack Has Some Texas Lawmakers Feeling Wary As State Legislature Opens In Austin (KERA News)
Report: ICE Fails To Comply With Its Own COVID-19 Safety Protocols (Houston Public Media)

Hello, I’m Paul Flahive and I report about technology, entrepreneurship and business for Texas Public Radio in San Antonio. Originally I’m from the Midwest, but have bounced around a bit. I moved from Alaska to San Antonio just over nine years ago. I wasn’t sure what I would find when I went to Austin for the start of the legislative session . What I heard from lawmakers was, neither did they. Just six days before, a violent insurrection at our nation’s Capitol building resulted in five deaths and warnings of more possible issues. An event that often draws proud spouses and children were replaced by more than a hundred heavily armed and armored state troopers. “Calm but eerie,” is how one lawmaker described the day. “Calm” as there were only around 50 protesters throughout the day – some anti-vax, some Trump supporters, some Texas secessionists. Some with guns, most without. Ultimately, a lot of state troopers got a good walk around the Texas Capitol grounds Tuesday. I was pretty glad that was the case. As we look forward to the post-pandemic world, it’s clear that some of issues it exposed and fractured aren’t going away any time soon.

- Paul Flahive
@paulflahive

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