Texas Health Officials Declare End to 2025 Measles Outbreak
August 18, 2025 – The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has officially declared an end to the 2025 measles outbreak that affected communities across the state earlier this year. The outbreak resulted in 762 confirmed cases and two deaths, marking it as one of the most severe measles outbreaks in Texas in over a decade. Health officials say no new cases have been reported for more than 42 days—the equivalent of two...
Texas Rangers’ Season Outlook: Glimpses of Hope Amid Mounting Challenges
August 18, 2025 – As of mid-August, the Texas Rangers sit just below .500 with a 62–63 record, trailing in the AL West as they continue their wild-card push. EastWLPCTStrkL10GB1Philadelphia Phillies7153.573W16-4-2New York Mets6658.532W23-75.03Miami Marlins5965.476W13-712.04Atlanta Braves5668.452W58-215.05Washington Nationals5074.403L15-521.0 CentralWLPCTStrkL10GB1Milwaukee Brewers7845.634L19-1-2Chicago...
No, $1,390 Stimulus Checks Are Not Coming — IRS and Lawmakers Confirm
August 18, 2025 – Social media posts claiming that $1,390 stimulus checks are set to be distributed soon are false, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and members of Congress. The IRS confirmed this week that no new federal stimulus program has been authorized and that Congress has not approved any new round of economic impact payments. The misinformation appears to stem from viral social media posts and videos...
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. ...
