Abbott, USDA Secretary Rollins Announce $750 Million Screwworm Protection Facility in Texas
Austin, TX — August 15, 2025 — In a major step to safeguard American agriculture, Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $750 million federal investment to build a Domestic Sterile Screwworm Production Facility in Edinburg, Texas. The facility will combat the northward spread of the New World screwworm (NWS), a dangerous pest threatening U.S. livestock. “Texas agricultural producers...
Governor Abbott Announces Special Session #2
August 18, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation identifying 19 agenda items for Special Session #2 that begins at 12:00 PM, Friday, August 15. “Delinquent House Democrats ran away from their responsibility to pass crucial legislation to benefit the lives of Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “Because of their dereliction of duty, Texas families and communities impacted by the catastrophic Fourth of...
Dinner Bell Menu for August 20, 2025
August 17, 2025 – The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal. The City National, the oldest bank in continual service in Sulphur Springs, was chartered in 1889 and has locations in Hopkins, Wood, Rains, Van Zant, Gregg, Upshur, Cass, Morris and surrounding counties. It...
A Message of Inspiration From the Author of Living Loved, August 17, 2025
Hey friends, I am absolutely enjoying digging deep in the life of David as I prepared the message for this mornings radio show! And listen friends, it just hit me about David the Shepard Boy. It hit me that as Samuel was anointing David, the young Shepherd Boy, with oil to be King one day, that God selected David. He says that he looks at the heart of men, not the outward appearances. It didn’t hit me that God...
“Doc” Dr. I.L Balkcom IV
Funeral service for “Doc” Dr. I.L. Balkcom, IV, age, 73, of Tyler, Texas will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs, Texas with Rev. C.J. Duffey officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Dr. Balkcom passed away at his home in Tyler on Thursday,...
China Accounted for 8% of Foreign Buyers in Texas Real Estate Market Ahead of New Law
August 15, 2025 – Austin, TX — A new report by Texas Realtors shows that international real estate activity in Texas is on the rise, with foreign buyers purchasing more homes across the state in 2025. Overall, foreign residential property purchases increased by 9% compared to the previous year. Mexican buyers led the way, accounting for 30% of international purchases, while both Canada and China each made up 8% of the market....
Hayride, Presentation on Insects and Moth Night at Daphne Prairie
To All, a Reminder! From the Northeast Texas Native Prairies Association of Texas: August 23rd Evening Hayride & Prairie Walk, Insect Presentation, Dinner & Black Light Moth Night Please join us at Daphne Prairie for a wonderful evening of exploring the insects of native prairies, hearing a presentation on Insects of the Prairie, a free dinner, and a night of moth observations with black lights at Daphne Prairie. ...
Texas Game Wardens Near Conclusion of ‘Ghost Deer’ Case with 24 Suspects, 1,400 Charges Filed Statewide
Aug. 14, 2025 – AUSTIN – The Texas Game Warden investigation known as “Ghost Deer” has reached a possible conclusion after two additional suspects turned themselves in on felony charges. This brings the total number of individuals implicated in the case to 24, with approximately 1,400 charges filed across 11 Texas counties. Ken Schlaudt, 64, of San Antonio, the owner of four deer breeding facilities and one release...
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Applauds EPA Action to End Harmful Diesel Exhaust Fluid Shutdowns
August 15, 2025 – AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their decisive action in issuing new guidance that protects farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems without compromising environmental protection standards. What is DEF? DEF is a non-toxic solution of...
Celebrity Judges Announced for 2025 Big Tex Choice Awards
By Bridget Browning | August 14, 2025 With the Fair season in full swing, that also means it’s time to crown the next winners of the 21st Annual Big Tex® Choice Awards. It’s no easy feat to make it to this point, considering there were 76 total entries submitted. These were then whittled down to 30 semi-finalists. Now, it all comes down to the final 15 that will compete live in the final round at this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards...
