Social Security Recipients Will Receive Two Checks This October
October 7, 2025 – Due to November 1st falling on a Saturday, the Social Security administration will send those checks to recipients on October 31st. This means those recipients that received a check on October first will have received two checks in the month of October. The current governmental shutdown could also mean a delay in the release of Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The annual COLA is...
Hopkins County United Way Shared First Pledge Total to Date at Their First Meeting October 1st
October 2, 2025 – The Hopkins County United Way Executive Secretary, Susan Berning, reported to KSST that they held their first meeting of 2025 on October 1st, 2025. Susan was very pleased to report Campaign pledges after the United Way’s first Report Meeting total $11,773!! Sounds like our Hopkins County United Way is off to a good start for their 70th year. Hopkins County needs to come together and help this great...
Starbucks to Close At Least 20 Stores in Texas Under “Back to Starbucks” Restructuring
October 1, 2025 – As part of its sweeping “Back to Starbucks” strategy, Starbucks announced this week it will shutter a number of underperforming coffeehouses across the United States — including at least 20 in Texas — as the chain seeks to reset its in-store experience and improve its financial footing. In a letter to employees, CEO Brian Niccol reiterated that the company has been “carefully reviewing our North America...
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...
