Texas Attorney General Probes Streaming Giants Over Alleged Payola Practices
April 24, 2026 – AUSTIN — Ken Paxton has launched a sweeping investigation into major music streaming platforms over allegations of potential payola schemes that could be distorting competition in the digital music industry. The probe targets several leading services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. The investigation centers on whether these companies engaged in undisclosed financial...
Mount Vernon Residents Seek to Eliminate Unfair Permit Costs for Food Venders
MOUNT VERNON — A growing number of residents are calling for change as concerns mount over a city ordinance requiring vendors to pay a $55 daily fee to sell within city limits. Critics say the rule, in place for eight years, disproportionately impacts small-scale sellers, including farmers, church groups, and elderly residents offering homemade goods. “Food trucks in our community [Mt Vernon, TX] are being charged $400 just to...
Vic Tyrone Johnson
Vic Tyrone Johnson, age 54, of Sulphur Springs TX, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026. He was born on October 9, 1971, in Sulphur Springs TX, to Cartritus C. Johnson Sr. and Freddie Moore Johnson, and biological father Ronald R. Gardner. Throughout his life, Vic, was known for his kind heart, sense of humor, dedication to family, love for all children, hardworking nature and care for his community, and he made a lasting...
For Some City Councils, A Vote for Data Centers Means Getting Voted Out
April 23, 2026 – Voters in two Midwestern communities sent a clear message this week: concerns over environmental impact and transparency can outweigh promises of economic growth tied to large-scale tech projects. In Festus, Missouri, all four city council members who supported a proposed AI data center were voted out of office. The project had been pitched as a potential source of tax revenue, but many residents argued the...
First Round of School Vouchers Reach Texas Families
April 23, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Greg Abbott on Wednesday marked the first distribution of Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) funds, with more than 42,000 families set to receive financial support aimed at expanding school choice across the state. The program, administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts under Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, is designed to give parents greater flexibility in selecting...
20th Anniversary Gala Has a Few Seats Available
April 23, 2026 – Sulphur Springs, TX – As of this writing, there are seats still available for the 20th anniversary Gala coming up on May 9. Those interested in attending should act now to secure their tickets by visiting Gala2026.GiveSmart.com. As always, the community has graciously provided its support through volunteer time, ticket purchases, sponsorships, monetary donations, prizes, and other valuable help. This assistance...
Nikii Whitehead
March 14, 1961 — April 21, 2026 Lone Oak Memorial service for Nikii Whitehead, age 65, of Lone Oak, Texas, will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Mrs. Whitehead passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Full obituary to come. With our condolences.
HHSC Announce $60 Million In Federal Funding To ‘Make Rural Texans Healthy Again’
April 23, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will distribute $60 million in initial federal funding to rural hospital districts, launching a new effort aimed at improving health outcomes across underserved communities. The funding, part of the state’s broader Rural Texas Strong plan, will support the “Make Rural Texans Healthy Again” initiative. The program...
Dennis Ray Jordan
June 11, 1939 ~ April 22, 2026 (age 86) Funeral Service for Dennis Ray Jordan will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Wesley United Methodist Church. Dennis passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at his residence. Dennis was born June 11, 1939, in Mahoney, Texas, to Hester Ray and Mary Lucille Jordan. He married Paula Berry on March 28, 1980. Between them, they had five...
Paxton Wins Another Battle for Ten Commandments in School
April 20, 2026 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a legal victory this week as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld Senate Bill 10, clearing the way for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms across the state. In a statement following the ruling, Paxton called the decision “a major victory for Texas and our moral values,” emphasizing his office’s role in defending the law. “My...
