The 2025-2026 Hopkins County United Way Workers Lunch was Held September 17th
September 23, 2025 – The 2025-2026 Hopkins County United Way Workers Lunch was held September 17th, 2025. The luncheon took place at the Southwest Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Various officials spoke at the event, helping continue kick off this year’s campaign. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of United Way. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this exciting event. Hopkins County 2025 United...
Good News for Texas Families: Texas A&M Tuition and Fees are Frozen for the Next Two Years
August 28, 2025 – BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Regents today approved next year’s operating budget of $8.1 billion and announced a two-year freeze on what Texas resident undergraduates pay for academics. Tuition and all academic fees will stay at current levels for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years across all of the universities of The Texas A&M University System. “Groceries, gas and insurance may be up, but not...
Keurig Dr Pepper to Acquire JDE Peet’s and Split into Two Global Beverage Powerhouses
In a groundbreaking move, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) announced it will acquire global coffee giant JDE Peet’s for €15.7 billion in an all-cash deal, forming the world’s largest pure-play coffee company. Following the acquisition, KDP will split into two independent, publicly traded companies: “Beverage Co.”—a North American refreshment beverage leader, and “Global Coffee Co.”—a global coffee champion operating in over 100 countries. A...
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...
Why Does the US Import So Much ‘Lean Trim’?
July 29, 2025 – The U.S. imports lean beef trim primarily to meet consumer demand for ground beef with specific fat-to-lean ratios—most commonly the 80/20 blend. Domestic cattle, particularly grain-fed steers raised for premium cuts, produce beef with higher fat content. This means U.S. processors often lack enough naturally lean trimmings to blend into ground beef at the desired consistency and price point. To solve this, the...
Designer Handbag Bingo Mystery Handbag Raffle Tickets On Sale
July 28, 2025 -Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Mystery Handbag Raffle is one hot ticket, and you do not need to be present to win. Tickets are on sale at HandbagBingo25.GiveSmart.com for $30 each, and only 350 will be sold. Since the event sold out in less than 9 hours, these raffle tickets could go quickly as well. The luxury handbag donated by Hazel Fielder of The Method Aesthetics is...
Hopkins County United Way Excess Allocation Check Distribution with the 2023-2024 Campaign
July 21, 2025 – This is KSST’s coverage of the Hopkins County United Way 2023-2024 Campaign excess allocation check distribution. Hopkins County United Way received contributions exceeding original allocations for the 2023-2024 Campaign, Co-Chaired by KK McKenzie and Jessica McInnis. Hopkins County United Way Board Members are pleased to distribute the additional donations to non-profit organizations that serve people in...
Federal Mandate Requires Changes to In-State Tuition Eligibility at East Texas A&M
July 21, 2025 – COMMERCE, TX, July 21, 2025— In compliance with a recent federal court order and guidance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, East Texas A&M University is making required changes to in-state tuition eligibility beginning in the Fall 2025 semester. These changes affect students who previously qualified for in-state tuition under Texas Education Code § 54.053(a)(3) but are unable to demonstrate...
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Approved Employee pay and Compensation Increases
July 15, 2025 – The Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees has approved employee pay and compensation increases for the 2025-26 school year. Teachers and librarians with two years or less experience will receive a pay hike off $3,000.. Teachers with 3-5 years of experience will get an additional $4,000.. And teachers with five or more years of experience will receive a pay boost...
