Take an issue that's full of sometimes-complicated details like Texas public school finance, throw in an element of urgency like the need for better transportation solutions in Dallas-Fort Worth, add a healthy helping of local interest spiced with some controversy and you have the perfect assignment for Mike Norman to examine in depth. Mike is a 28-year veteran of the Star-Telegram staff. He is the newspaper's editorial director for Arlington and Northeast Tarrant County.

E-mail: mnorman@star-telegram.com

Tom Horton is a kinder, gentler Frank Lorenzo

| |Thursday, Feb. 09, 2012

Employees of American Airlines, meet today's softer, kinder, gentler version of Frank Lorenzo. You know him as Tom Horton, your company's CEO since its parent, AMR Corp., filed bankruptcy papers Nov. 29.Read more

Testing has become a 'perversion,' Texas education chief Robert Scott says

| |Thursday, Feb. 02, 2012

“The heart of the vampire,” Robert Scott says — and his points are well-taken.Read more

The Catholic Church and Rick Perry forgive Newt

| |Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Why don't all people have the same access to redemption from sin?Read more

Natural gas price free-fall can't be good for North Texas

| |Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

Barnett Shale drilling and the local economy are facing the darker side of the boom/bust cycle.Read more

Gas drilling's waste has become Fort Worth's problem

| |Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012

Thursday night's meeting in an office building adjacent to Alliance Airport won't be for the fainthearted. It'll be for people who want to take part in a difficult community decision.Read more

Ample supply of U.S. natural gas spurs debate about exports

| |Thursday, Jan. 05, 2012

Industry wants to tap overseas demand but needs Washington approvalRead more

'Fractivists' spur Pennsylvania's gas debate

| |Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011

No disrespect meant for North Texas environmental activists who oppose Barnett Shale natural gas drilling and the hydraulic fracturing that comes with it, but people with similar views in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale are strong enough to have been given a name: "fractivists."Read more

Record number of Texas school districts sues state for funding

| |Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

The bright faces of the 83rd Texas Legislature won't be elected until November, but already they have troubles.Read more

Fort Worth disposal well 'pilot' won't fly

| |Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

The Fort Worth councilman wants to continue a citywide ban with one notable exception.Read more

Fort Worth's Mallard Cove shows neighborhood power

| |Thursday, Dec. 08, 2011

Barnett Shale: Determined, disciplined neighbors defeat a natural gas industry plan.Read more