Texas School Bond Debt Surpasses $236 Billion, Raising Oversight Concerns
April 9, 2026 – AUSTIN — School bond debt in Texas has climbed past $236 billion, according to a new report that is fueling debate over how local districts finance major projects and the role outside firms play in the process. The analysis, released by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), argues that a network of consultants, contractors, and advocacy groups has become deeply embedded in the state’s school bond system. The...
Texas Highlights Rural Investment During Community Development Week
April 9, 2026 – AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is marking National Community Development Week by spotlighting millions of dollars in annual investments aimed at improving infrastructure and quality of life in rural communities. The observance, established in 1986 by the National Community Development Association, recognizes the nationwide impact of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. In Texas,...
Potential ‘Super El Niño’ Raises Questions About Texas Drought Relief
April 9, 2026 – AUSTIN — A developing weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean could become one of the strongest El Niño events in more than a century, but experts say its impact on Texas drought conditions remains uncertain. El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern defined by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can shift global weather systems. When strong enough, it can...
Texas Data Center Boom Comes With Billion Dollar Tax Tradeoff
April 8, 2026 – AUSTIN — Texas is forgoing more than $1 billion a year in tax revenue to support the rapid expansion of data centers, according to new state estimates, raising questions among lawmakers about the long-term cost of the incentive. The state will lose at least $3.1 billion in sales tax revenue over the next two years due to a longstanding exemption for data center equipment, one of the largest tax breaks currently...
Pat Groves
January 1, 1937 — April 5, 2026 Sulphur Springs Pat Groves, age 89, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away at Christus Mother Frances in Sulphur Springs on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Pat Groves was born on January 1, 1937, in Brashear, Texas, to the late Pat and Jeanette (Allen) Groves. He married Marsha (Olson) Groves in Greenville, Texas, on June 27, 1997. Pat earned a degree in law and finance and went on to build a successful career...
Dogs Tied in Yards: What is the Law?
April 7, 2026 – Texas has strengthened its animal welfare laws in recent years, placing stricter limits on how dogs can be restrained outdoors, particularly when tied up in yards. The state’s Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, which took effect in 2022, made it illegal for dog owners to chain or tether dogs in unsafe or inhumane conditions. Lawmakers passed the measure after years of advocacy from animal welfare groups who argued that...
Karin Shultz
August 1, 1939 — April 3, 2026 Sulphur Springs Listen to Obituary Karin Shultz, age 86, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away at Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation on Friday, April 3, 2026. A private family service will be held in Spooner, Wisconsin. Karin Shultz
Ronald Wilcox
October 24, 1946 — April 7, 2026 Sulphur Springs Listen to Obituary Ronald Wilcox, age 79, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away at Christus Mother Frances on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. A family-led service will be held at a later date. Ronald Wilcox
Texas Marks Child Abuse Awareness Month with Focus on Prevention and Reporting
April 8, 2026 – (AUSTIN) — April is recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Texas, with state agencies, advocacy groups, and local communities working to highlight prevention efforts and encourage reporting of suspected abuse and neglect. Throughout the month, blue ribbons and pinwheels—national symbols of child abuse prevention—are displayed at schools, government buildings, and community centers to raise awareness. Events...
Texas Investigates Camp Mystic Amid License Renewal Effort
April 7, 2026 – AUSTIN — Texas health officials are investigating hundreds of complaints against Camp Mystic as the longtime summer camp seeks to renew its license and reopen for the 2026 season. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed it has received a large volume of complaints since February related to the camp’s operations during the summer of 2025. The complaints allege potential violations of state...
