Governor Abbott Announces Texas Will Opt In to Federal School Choice Tax Credit Program
December 11, 2025 – Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that Texas will participate in the new Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program established under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, positioning the state to expand parental choice in education beginning in 2027. “Texas has delivered on its promise to bring education freedom to every Texas family,” Abbott said in a statement. He noted that the program allows...
Commissioner Sid Miller Issues Alert to Producers on Pasture Mealybug
December 10, 2025 – AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today issued an urgent alert to producers across the state to inspect their pastures for a newly detected and highly damaging pest: the pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei). This invasive species, never before reported in North America, has been confirmed in multiple Texas counties and is already causing significant damage to pasture acreage across...
Winter Depression on the Rise as Shorter Days Bring Seasonal Challenges — Experts Urge Texans to Hold on to Hope
December 10, 2025 – As Texas approaches the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year — mental health professionals say cases of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are beginning to climb, mirroring national trends. Shorter daylight hours, colder weather, and reduced time outdoors all contribute to what is commonly known as “winter depression,” a condition that affects millions each year. The winter solstice...
Wildlife Health Alert: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Multiple Areas Throughout Texas
December 10, 2025 – AUSTIN —Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges caution as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is circulating among wild birds across the state as waterbirds and waterfowl migrate and congregate on their wintering grounds. Detected in all 50 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, HPAI is a highly contagious zoonotic virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. It can spread...
Commissioner Sid Miller Praises Trump for $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
December 9, 2025 – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is applauding the Trump administration’s newly announced $12 billion bridge assistance program aimed at providing short-term relief to farmers struggling with trade disruptions, rising input costs, and weakened commodity markets. In a statement issued Monday, Miller said U.S. producers have been hit hard by what he described as a “massive agricultural trade deficit”...
Texas Landowners Can Receive Up to $80,000 to Reforest Their Property
December 9, 2025 – Texas landowners now have a new financial incentive to restore forests on their property, thanks to the Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative, a statewide program designed to strengthen natural ecosystems and reduce wildfire risks. Officials announced this week that eligible landowners can receive as much as $80,000 in cost-share assistance for reforestation projects. The initiative, created through a...
Food Industry Groups Sue Texas to Block New Warning Labels on Synthetic Ingredients
December 9, 2025 – A coalition of major food and beverage trade groups filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to halt a new Texas law that would require warning labels on products containing certain synthetic food additives. The American Beverage Association, Consumer Brands Association, National Confectioners Association, and FMI – The Food Industry Association – jointly lodged the suit, calling the proposed labels “false and...
Texas Parks and Wildlife: Drone-Deployed Fish Bait Now Explicitly Prohibited
December 9, 2025 – Texas anglers hoping to gain a high-tech edge on the water will have to leave their drones at home. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced this week that drones may not be used to deploy bait while fishing, citing longstanding federal laws that classify unmanned aerial devices as “aircraft.” According to TPWD, the decision follows a review of federal hunting and fishing regulations and...
Russell “Rusty” Garmon
September 4, 1975 — December 6, 2025 Winnsboro Graveside service for Russell “Rusty” Garmon, age 50 of Winnsboro, Texas will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Greenwood Cemetery with Bro. Bryan Crittendon and Bro. Raif Turner officiating. Chad Knotts, Garrett Sustaire, Gary Mobley, Randy Mobley, Mason Littrell, and Billy Huie will serve as pallbearers. Dennis Wisdom, Ronnie Green, Edgar Calderon, and Justin Arter...
James Paulie “Turk” Morgan
Funeral service for James Paulie “Turk” Morgan, age 91 of Sulphur Springs, Texas will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 12, 2025 with Dr. Jeff Gravens officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Cole Farmer, Garrett Vickey, Dylan Reed, Rodney Miller, Morgan Anderson, and Red Cross. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Mr. Morgan passed...
