Data Centers Transforming Texas’ Electricity Market
By Paige Feild | October 16, 2025 | With electricity prices climbing nationwide and state regulators warning of “lower system stability,” Texas is confronted with the high costs of serving data centers while protecting local communities and resources. Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) spokesperson Trudi Webster told Texas Scorecard that the Public Utility Commission of Texas has started rule-making “with the...
Prop 4 On November Ballot Will Prop Up Texas’ Water Infrastructure
October 17, 2025 – With the November 2025 election approaching, Texas voters will consider Proposition 4, a constitutional amendment intended to steer billions into statewide water infrastructure efforts—just as the state grapples with explosive growth in data centers and their consequential water demands. Proposition 4 would direct up to $1 billion per year of existing sales tax revenues—after the first $46.5 billion is...
Governor Abbott Presented With “Champion For Choice Award” Following Historic Texas School Choice Victory
October 17, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott last night accepted the John T. Walton Champion for Choice Award from the American Federation for Children in recognition of the Governor’s leadership in delivering the largest day-one school choice program in America. “This May, I signed into law the largest day-one school choice program in America, empowering parents, not bureaucrats, to decide what is best for their children,”...
Delta County Enacts Burn Ban This Week
October 16, 2025 – County Fire Marshal DELTA COUNTY IS CURRENTLY UNDER A BURN BAN. The County Fire Marshal’s office is responsible for ensuring fire and life safety and to reduce the risk of fire loss to the lives and property of the citizens of Delta County. The County Fire Marshal’s office, in accordance with Texas Local Government Code 352, is responsible for conducting investigations of fires that occur in...
Gayland Fitzgerald Berry
Funeral Service for Gayland Fitzgerald Berry, age 56, will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Cherry Grove Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service at North Caney Cemetery. Gayland passed away on October 15, 2025 in Longview, Texas. Full obituary forthcoming. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks...
Patricia Ann Ballard
July 5, 1943 — October 14, 2025 Sulphur Springs Patricia Ann Ballard, age 82, of Sulphur Springs, Texas passed away on October 14, 2025 at Christus Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Patricia Ann Womack Ballard lived a life filled with love, faith, and service to her family, her church, and her community. A devoted member of the Church of Christ, League Street, Patricia’s life...
Charles Lloyd Palmer
August 29, 1937 — October 14, 2025 Sulphur Springs Graveside service for Charles Lloyd Palmer, age 88 of Sulphur Springs, Texas will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Aiguar Cemetery in North Hopkins with Doyle Hayes officiating. There will be no formal visitation. Mr. Palmer passed away on October 14, 2025 at Hopkins Court. Charles was born on August 29, 1937 in Wichita Falls, Texas to William (Bill) and Cressie...
Jeanette O’Neal
Jeanette O’Neal, beloved aunt, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025, at Caraday of Mount Vernon. ...
Neighboring Fannin County Institutes Burn Ban
October 15, 2025 – Hopkins County has yet to issue a burn ban this fall, but our neighboring county to the northwest issued one today. Residents of Fannin County are now prohibited from outdoor burning. Due to dangerous conditions that could lead to fast-moving grassfires, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to implement a countywide ban on all outdoor burning. That decision came during a regular meeting of Fannin County...
Texas Data Center Boom Looks to Natural Gas For Power
October 15, 2025 – Texas’ data center boom is pushing the state closer to new natural gas generation as the only fast, reliable way to meet unprecedented power demand`s. With AI compute farms and hyperscale server hubs sprouting up across the state, industry and grid operators are raising concerns about whether existing electricity infrastructure can keep up. Many data center developers are already opting to build their own...
