Break In The Blackmon Cold Case Comes At Last
The murder of Geradline Blackmon was cold for decades, now the missing piece in the case may have been found. July 8, 2025 – Law Enforcement gathered at the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center today to welcome William Doyle Magness back to Sulphur Springs, TX. William Doyle Magness, age 60. Magness has officially been charged with the 1996 murder of Blackmon. Magness was living in Midlothian, TX at the time of his arrest. He...
CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General Ken Paxton is Warning Texans to be Aware of Scammers Amid the Catastrophic Flooding in Texas
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a consumer alert to protect Texans against bad actors looking to take advantage of the devastating flooding in Texas by perpetrating scams. “There are no words for how wrong it is that morally bankrupt people are trying to take advantage of Texans by using this tragedy to scam them. Anyone engaging in these scams will face the full force of the law, and I will not rest until they are brought to...
Are You Ready for a New Political Party?
July 7, 2025 – Elon Musk is reportedly laying the groundwork for a new political force in American politics: the “America Party.” Designed to appeal to the growing number of voters disillusioned with both major parties, the America Party positions itself as a centrist movement grounded in pragmatism, innovation, and national renewal. According to Musk and emerging sources close to the initiative, the party’s...
EDC ED Chris Brown had a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey Recently to Chat About Business News in Sulphur Springs
July 4, 2025 – Hopkins County Sulphur Springs Economical Development Corporation Executive Director Chris Brown dropped by and had A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. The two chatted about Liberty Trailers and their ribbon cutting, a possible business prospect looking at the area across from JB Weld to place a new home, the new interest in the thermal mine, and so much more! Be sure to check out this episode and learn...
CHRISTUS Health announces contract extension with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas through July 31
Keeps CHRISTUS hospitals, physicians in network while negotiating long-term agreement (IRVING, Texas) – CHRISTUS Health announced today it has reached a month-long contract extension with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) that ensures continued in-network access to CHRISTUS Health hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physicians through July 31. The interim agreement allows additional time to reach a long-term contract with...
Federal Grand Jury has Indicted a Sulphur Springs Woman in Connection to the Death of a Juvenile
July 1, 2025 – A federal grand jury has indicted a Sulphur Springs woman in connection to the death of a juvenile who overdosed on a drug called N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene. Twenty-four-year old Diamon Leann Yates is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance resulting in death. The case was the first instance of the drug being identified in Texas and the seventh in the U.S. Because it was the first...
Cruz and Cornyn Want Space Shuttle Back in Texas
June 30, 2025 – Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn are making a renewed push to bring the Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston by embedding their initiative—the “Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act”—into the sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” now advancing through the U.S. Senate. The legislation, a key part of President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, includes broad tax cuts, infrastructure investments, and nearly $10 billion in...
State Fair of Texas Wins; No Guns at the Fair
June 30, 2025 – A Dallas County judge has dismissed Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit challenging the State Fair of Texas’ firearm ban, handing a win to organizers and the City of Dallas. On June 24, Judge Emily Tobolowsky granted summary judgment in favor of the fair and the city, effectively ending the lawsuit before it reached trial. Paxton had argued that because the State Fair is held on city-owned Fair Park, licensed...
County Extension Agent Mario Villarino Dropped by for a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey
June 30, 2025 – Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension County Extension Agent Mario Villarino-Gutierrez dropped by to be a guest on KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. John Mark and Mario chatted about hay and it’s importance to the cattle industry, the need to provide enough calcium to your vegetable plants, the 4H members that graduated this year, and so much more! Be sure to check out...
Texas Budget Surpluses May Be Coming to an End
June 30, 2025 – After several years of record-breaking surpluses, Texas lawmakers may soon face tighter fiscal conditions. According to budget analysts, the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds and a slowdown in sales tax revenue growth could constrain the Texas Legislature’s ability to fund major initiatives in the coming years. Texas benefited from massive federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with surging...
