Commissioner Miller Applauds USDA Payment Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
January 1, 2026 – AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement of payment rates under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, calling the move a timely boost for producers facing rising costs and market uncertainty. In a statement released Tuesday, Miller said the program provides much-needed clarity and support as farmers plan for the 2026 growing season. The USDA,...
Toyota ShareLunker Program Launches 40th Anniversary Season on New Year’s Day
January 1, 2026 – ATHENS – New Year’s Day 2026 will launch the 40th season of the Toyota ShareLunker Program, another major milestone for Texas’ highly acclaimed and storied largemouth bass selective breeding and stocking program. Since 1986, anglers from throughout the state and nation have gone fishing on Texas lakes and cast their lines in hopes of landing a Legacy Class largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more. During the...
Commissioner Miller Celebrates U.S. Shrinking Inflation and Agricultural Trade Deficit
December 30, 2025 – AUSTIN — Commissioner Sid Miller recently celebrated the Trump Administration’s recent economic reports showing declines in core inflation and a forecasted reduction in the agricultural trade deficit next year. The combination points towards a sharp economic turnaround for both American agricultural producers and consumers, with Texas’s robust economy and agricultural production leading the way. The Trump...
Governor Abbott Announces Historic $1.4 Billion In Federal Funding Secured For ‘Rural Texas Strong’ Projects
December 29, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Texas will receive a historic investment of over $1.4 billion in federal funding over five years to improve rural health care throughout the state. “Rural Texans across the state will benefit from this historic federal investment. We will strengthen our rural hospitals, expand access to critical mental and physical health care, and help reduce chronic...
Paris District Road Report for December 29, 2025
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Franklin, Delta, Lamar, Red River, Hunt and Rains Counties for the week starting December 29, 2025. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades, and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they...
It’s Time to Hang it up By Master Gardener David Wall
December 11, 2025 – It is with great regret that my gardening articles have now come to an end. After 700+ articles, I’ve run out of things to say. I started these articles back in 2011, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s time to end it. In fact, I tried to end it last year, but some newspapers requested an additional year. I thank each of you who have published and read...
Hopkins County Sheriff Warns Public About Cryptocurrency Scams
December 26, 2025 – The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about increased activity in scams involving money transfers through cryptocurrency ATMs. In a recent Facebook post, HCSO shared the following information: STOP CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS Protect yourself and your loved ones! Cryptocurrency scams are on the rise. If someone asks you to pay a fine, “fix” a computer virus, or keep an...
Some Student Loan Borrowers Set To Receive Wage Garnishment Letters
December 26, 2025 – The Trump administration said on Tuesday that it will begin garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who are in default early next year. The Department of Education said it will send notices to approximately 1,000 borrowers the week of January 7, with more notices to come at an increasing scale each month. Millions of borrowers are considered in default, meaning they are 270 days past due on their...
Commissioner Miller Celebrates Passage of Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
December 24, 2025 – Commissioner Miller oversees the nation’s top USDA Healthy School Meals Incentives program in Texas and is a longtime champion of health and nutrition improvements in Texas schools as the pioneer of Texas’s Farm Fresh Initiative. The following statement may be attributed to Commissioner Miller following the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025: “Make America Healthy Again...
GO TEXAN Pavilion Tops $1 Million in Sales at State Fair of Texas Despite Attendance Decline
December 23, 2025 – AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that sales at the GO TEXAN Pavilion surpassed $1 million during the 2025 State Fair of Texas, marking one of the strongest years in the program’s history despite a significant drop in overall fair attendance. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, the GO TEXAN Pavilion generated $1,001,453 in total sales this year. The pavilion, sponsored...
