Opinion News
OPINION: The 'Christian Nationalist' Label Will Not Stick
As a political observer and sometimes activist, I am accustomed to others' efforts to label their opponents. This is standard practice for politicians and the media, who know that disparaging the proponents of ideas they do not like is a way to avoid debate.
By Tim Dunn | Apr 26, 2024
OPINION: Distemper aftermath requires community call to action
This weekend, Midland Animal Shelter’s distemper crisis will end.
By City of Midland Strategic Communications Officer Stewart Doreen | Apr 19, 2024
Latest News
OPINION: Midland Health Department looks out for well-being of all citizens
By Dr. Whitney Craig | Feb 27, 2024
Midland Health Department is more than just shots.
OPINION: Nurturing young minds: Striking a balance in our public libraries
By Michele Allen | Feb 16, 2024
Concerns have emerged within our community regarding the accessibility of sexually explicit content in the children's section of our local library.
OPINION: It’s time for a new full-service hotel downtown
By Grant Billingsley | Jan 19, 2024
In 1928, the year before the Great Depression, Clarence Scharbauer opened the Hotel Scharbauer at the corner of Loraine Street and Wall Street in downtown Midland.
OPINION: Hotel Santa Rita is the next step for Midland to continue to invest in itself
By Kaes Van’t Hof | Jan 19, 2024
The Hotel Santa Rita project is slated to be a 135-room, full-service hotel that will continue the revitalization of downtown Midland.
OPINION: Maybe in Midland-Odessa: Addressing speculations while building a better community for us all
By Kevin Dawson | Jan 18, 2024
I recently found myself with my first “you’re famous” moment the other day while shopping at Lowe’s. A young couple who recently moved to Midland from Houston came up to me and said, “Hey, you’re the Maybe in Midland-Odessa guy. We love your page and to see all the new places coming and work you’re doing to make things exciting.” It was quite the moment for me.
OPINION: Investing in ourselves benefits the entire Midland community
By Jeff Beard | Jan 18, 2024
I've been fortunate to call Midland home for nearly 40 years, and one of the aspects I appreciate most about this town is its commitment to getting things done. Rooted in the resilience and determination of our founding families, this tenacity has been a constant thread throughout our history. Midland is not just a community; it's a community that invests.
OPINION: New downtown hotel will be a nod to Midland’s past and future
By Kevin Dawson | Jan 17, 2024
When I think about the history of Midland and all the business deals that have happened over the decades, I can’t help but think of what it was like when the rush of opportunities became available to develop and grow Midland back then. I imagine businessmen, bankers, entrepreneurs, oilmen, cattle ranchers, and the like meeting at the Scharbauer Hotel in downtown Midland. Meeting in the lobby or hotel bar hammering out deals while hammering down drinks like a Western version of “Mad Men.” Even after the Scharbauer Hotel was torn down and replaced with what was once the Midland Hilton and seeing deals down in the late 70s and early 80s before the “bust.”
OPINION: Midland investors on the verge of bringing a 4+ star hotel location to anchor downtown
By Dan Hord, Jack Harper, and Michael McWilliams | Jan 16, 2024
Downtown Midland has been transformed over the past decade. Catalysts for the revitalization include Centennial Park, the Bush Convention Center, and community and corporate investments.
OPINION: A Firemen's Pension Solution Is Coming
By Patrick Payton | Dec 8, 2023
By now, most Midlanders are aware of the issues facing our city’s Firemen’s pension program.
Opinion: New school buildings are coming—now It’s time to focus on students
By Patrick Payton | Nov 18, 2023
The vote on funding new school facilities in Midland is in and history has been made. A historic bond was passed, and a new generation of motivated young leaders is ready to build families and businesses in Midland.
2023 MISD Bond: Let’s Invest in Education, Not Just Infrastructure
By Rachel Walker | Nov 2, 2023
You can support your local public schools without supporting MISD’s proposed $1.4 billion bond. For the sake of our current public school children and those in the future, our priority has to be improving their educational outcomes.
My thoughts on MISD funding issues
By Patrick Payton | Sep 6, 2023
Much has been published about my comments in a recent interview relating to our Midland Independent School District (MISD).