State Fair of Texas Announces Attractions, Entertainment Lineup, and Weekend Rodeos for 2025 Fair
By Bridget Browning | August 1, 2025 | The State Fair of Texas is excited to announce the free entertainment lineup for the 2025 State Fair. Hundreds of activities are spread throughout the fairgrounds during all 24 days of the State Fair, free with your admission ticket. Celebrating all things Texan is central to the State Fair’s nonprofit mission and providing entertainment that appeals to our diverse mix of fairgoers – for the...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Launch of New Modernized Child Support System to Strengthen Services for Texas Families
August 1, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the successful launch of ChAMP—short for Children Are My Priority—a new case management and customer service system designed to modernize the operations of the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division (“OAG-CSD”). The new system officially launched on June 12, 2025, replacing a 30-year-old legacy platform with a secure, cloud-based solution that improves...
Boil Water Notice for Brashear Water Supply
July 31, 2025 – Due to an undetermined source of turbidity (cloudy water), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Brashear Water Supply Corp public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all...
Texas Classrooms Will Have 10 Commandments on Display
July 31, 2025 – Senate Bill 10 mandates that all Texas public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments on a 16-by-20-inch poster that is clearly legible and visible. Schools are not required to spend public funds to comply with the law, they are permitted to purchase or print the posters if they choose. Posters, that comply with requirements, can be donated as well. Numerous legal challenges have been brought against SB...
In School Suspension No Longer Capped at Three Days
July 31, 2025 – Under House Bill 6 (HB 6), Texas schools now have expanded authority to assign students to in-school suspension (ISS) for extended periods. Previously, ISS was capped at three consecutive days. With the new law, students can remain in ISS for as long as school officials determine appropriate, provided the placement is reviewed every 10 school days. Supporters of the measure argue that it gives schools more...
Latest THC Bill Moves to Texas House
July 31, 2025 – Senate Bill 5, authored by State Senator Charles Perry (R–Lubbock), aims to significantly restrict the availability of THC-containing hemp products in Texas. Passed by the Senate on a 20-9 vote, the bill would ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of consumable hemp products containing any form of THC, including delta-8 and delta-9 variants. However, it would still permit the sale and use of products...
August 2nd Marked Down Market Boasts Huge Vendor List
July 30, 2025 – Marked Down Market on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in downtown Sulphur Springs brings together a huge roster of vendors from across Northeast Texas. Hosted between Alliance Bank and CNB on Gilmer Street, the event runs from 9 AM to 4 PM CDT. Marked Down Market will be a great opportunity for back-to-school shopping, especially for families looking to stretch their budgets. Expect over 10 boutiques, local artisans,...
TAX-FREE Weekend Coming Soon
July 30, 2025 – In Texas, the annual back-to-school tax‑free weekend is scheduled for August 8–10, 2025. During this three-day period, qualifying purchases like most clothing, footwear, backpacks, and school supplies priced under $100 per item are exempt from both state (6.25%) and local (up to 2%) sales tax. Eligible items include everyday wear, shoes, book bags, and standard school supplies—though high-cost accessories like...
July Deadline For College Tuition Plan Here
July 30, 2025 – Parents in Texas have until July 31 to enroll their newborns in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund at 2024-25 pricing. The plan allows families to prepay future tuition and required fees at Texas public colleges and universities, locking in current rates and protecting against rising education costs. To qualify for this pricing, children must be under one year old by the July 31 deadline. Contributions to the Texas...
Why Does the US Import So Much ‘Lean Trim’?
July 29, 2025 – The U.S. imports lean beef trim primarily to meet consumer demand for ground beef with specific fat-to-lean ratios—most commonly the 80/20 blend. Domestic cattle, particularly grain-fed steers raised for premium cuts, produce beef with higher fat content. This means U.S. processors often lack enough naturally lean trimmings to blend into ground beef at the desired consistency and price point. To solve this, the...
