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...
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...
Texas A&M Forest Service Awards $4 Million for Community Forestry Projects
June 26, 2025 -COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Eighteen Texas municipalities, schools and non-profit organizations were awarded grant funding through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Community Forestry Grants program this month, totaling over $4 million. Established in 2022, the Community Forestry Grants program provides funding to help Texans address local challenges through urban forestry investments and develop nature-based solutions that...
Texas Wins 12th Gold Shovel Award For Outstanding Job Creation, Business Investment
June 18, 2025 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas being recognized with the state’s 12th Gold Shovel Award by Area Development magazine for outstanding achievement in job creation and capital investment in 2024. Texas has now been recognized with a Gold or Silver Shovel in each of the 20 years of the award program. “Texas again wins gold for attracting job-creating business investments...
John Mark and Dr. Steeber Chat About the Last Legislative Session on this Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Dr. Deana Steeber. The two had an interesting conversation about the last Texas Legislative Session, and how the results affect the Texas education system. They talked about Sulphur Springs teachers, the latest grade Sulphur Springs ISD got, funding for the Texas Education system, and much more. Be...
Alliance Bank Donates Medically Equipped Golf Cart to Sports Medicine Program at CHRISTUS
May 15, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – Alliance Bank, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, and the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation have joined forces to protect the health of local student athletes. Alliance Bank has donated a medically equipped golf cart to the Sports Medicine program at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation worked with Alliance Bank and...
Paris Junior College’s TRIO Upward Bound Student Ethan Dao Selected for Prestigious Gates Scholarship
May 13, 2025 – Paris, Texas – Paris Junior College’s TRIO Upward Bound program is celebrating a tremendous milestone: student Ethan Dao has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship. This elite, full-ride scholarship is awarded to just 300 exceptional high school seniors nationwide each year, out of thousands of applicants. Dao’s selection is a testament not only to his academic excellence, drive, and...
East Texas Giving Day on April 29th is the Topic on This Second Cup Of Coffee
CANHelp’s Executive Director, Brian Crump, stopped by for A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. John Mark and Brian chatted about “East Texas Giving Day” which will be held April 29, 2025. They also talked about CANHelp’s back to school fair, and so much more! Be sure to watch this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee and learn some deadlines coming up!...
