Abbott Meets With US Ambassador Delegation
January 14, 2026 – Governor Greg Abbott met Tuesday at the Governor’s Mansion with several U.S. ambassadors to discuss transatlantic security cooperation, Texas’ growing defense and manufacturing sectors, and opportunities to promote American industry abroad. The meeting included U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Joseph Popolo, U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose, and U.S....
The Topic on This Second Cup Of Coffee is the Hello, Dolly! Production Being Held January 16th – 18th
January 14, 2026 – Shining Star Productions cast members Brad Cummings, Jacob Harris, and Larissa Hyde dropped by for A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey to chat about the production of Hello, Dolly!, which is being presented at the Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium January 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2026. John Mark and the actors discussed what you can expect from this fabulous musical, what all went into putting this...
Hopkins County Issues 90-Day Burn Ban
January 13, 2025 – During the regular meeting of the Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday, a unanimous vote upheld the temporary burn ban. The 90 day extension prohibits all outdoor burning until April 13, 2026 unless the burn ban is lifted by the court before expiration. Hopkins County is already designated as being in the Moderate Drought category as are Delta, Franklin, Lamar and Titus counties. Red River...
Dallas Dart Could End
January 13, 2026 – Voters in several Dallas-area cities could soon reshape the future of regional public transportation as at least five North Texas communities prepare to ask residents whether they want to withdraw from Dallas Area Rapid Transit. There were two deadly shootings on DART trains or at stations in late 2025. These unfortunate events sparked increased anxiety among the public and prompted DART to enhance its...
Commissioner Miller Calls Upon State and Federal Legislators to Protect Vital Farm and Ranchland from Data Center Expansion
Calls for the Creation of Agriculture Freedom Zones January 12, 2026 – AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers. His proposal centers on creating federal or state-designated Agriculture Freedom Zones, or AFZs, which would use targeted tax incentives to guide data center development into appropriate...
Proposal Would Increase Hemp License Fees
January 11, 2026 – Texas state health officials have proposed sweeping changes to hemp regulations that include dramatic increases in licensing fees, prompting warnings from industry members that the rules could effectively shut down small, in-state businesses while favoring large, out-of-state operators. Under proposed rules published by the Texas Department of State Health Services, manufacturer licenses would rise from $250...
Hopkins County Judge Newsom Enacts Burn Ban on Hopkins County January 9th
January 9, 2026 – ORDER PROHIBITING OUTDOOR BURNING WHEREAS, Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Judge finds that conditions in the county’sunincorporated areas pose a public safety hazard worsened by outdoor buming, and the TexasForest Service confirms drought conditions; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas ofHopkins County from the order’s date, unless terminated earlier by...
Neighboring Hunt County Institutes Burn Ban
January 9, 2026 – Hopkins County has yet to issue a burn ban this fall, but our neighboring county to the west issued one today. Residents of Hunt County are now prohibited from outdoor burning. Hunt County residents are asked to be particularly mindful of any equipment or outdoor work that may cause a spark or ignition source that could go unnoticed. High winds can cause grassfires to spread very quickly and can cause...
Governor Abbott Announces $30,000 Reward For Information On Commissioner Betancourt Shooting
January 8, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to the arrest of Reynaldo Mata-Rios. Eddy Betancourt was found deceased on December 27, 2025, and on the following day, the McAllen Police Department issued a warrant for Mata-Rios’ arrest for murder. Betancourt was the vice chairman of the Hidalgo...
‘Cedar Fever’ Time Once Gain
January 8, 2026 – North Texans battling runny noses, itchy eyes, and relentless sneezing may have a familiar culprit to blame this time of year: mountain cedar. Often mistaken for a lingering cold or the aftermath of holiday gatherings, mountain cedar allergies typically peak during the winter months, especially from December through February. The tree, also known as Ashe juniper, releases large amounts of pollen that can travel...
