The debate over how to compute high school graduation rates distracts from Texas' impressive accomplishments, writes Michael Marder, a physics professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz writes that the United States should ban flights from Ebola-stricken African countries, and state Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, denounces subpoenas of pastors' sermons in Houston. 

Dennis Borel of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities says it's time for a real discussion about disability issues in Texas, and Adrian Farrell, the new consul general of Ireland in Texas, explains why his country is setting up an outpost in the Lone Star State.

Adam Briggle of the Denton Drilling Awareness Group and Ed Ireland of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council face off over whether Denton voters should approve a ban on fracking in city limits.

Anna C. Dragsbaek of The Immunization Partnership writes that there are several other preventable public health threats in Texas right now that are far more menacing than Ebola — and that Texans would be wise to pay close attention to them.

Wayne Thorburn, a former executive director of the Texas Republican Party, writes that speculation over what a majority-Hispanic population will mean for Texas politics has ignored the fact that decades from now, “Hispanic” may not mean what it does today.

Calvin Tillman, the former mayor of DISH, writes that it's time for real eminent domain reform in Texas, and Houston artist J.J. Harris explains how the oil and gas industry is helping the city's arts scene thrive. 

State Rep. Bennett Ratliff, R-Coppell, says Texans should beware of a possible new entitlement program in disguise, and Mark Miller, the 2014 Libertarian nominee for railroad commissioner, lays out how he would fix the state's oil and gas regulator.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza explains how start-up culture is changing Mexico, and Laura Huffman of the Nature Conservancy writes about a new future in store for the Gulf of Mexico.

State Sen. José Rodríguez says U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is telling a big lie about the border, and Rio Grande City Mayor Ruben O. Villarreal explains why he welcomes the National Guard to his town.

Does high-speed rail make sense for Texas? Peter LeCody of Texas Rail Advocates writes that it does and plans are moving ahead faster than most people realize, while Bernard L. Weinstein of SMU says the economics simply don't add up.

Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin on why the indictment of Gov. Rick Perry doesn't matter, and Progress Texas PAC Director Glenn Smith on why it does.

Sexual assault has emerged as a potentially potent new issue in the governor's race.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz writes that the immigrants in the current border debate deserve better than President Obama. And U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, lays out what's next for Washington after Congress and the president failed to agree on a solution.

As the first phase of the latest legal fight over Texas' new abortion regulations comes to a close, the fate of one of the law's key provisions hangs in the balance.