Camp Mystic Will Not Open for 2026
April 30, 2026 – Camp Mystic announced it will not reopen for the upcoming summer season, citing the ongoing grief of families and continuing investigations into last year’s tragedy at the longtime Hill Country camp.
Previously, the camp had planned a partial reopening for 2026 at its Cypress Lake location, but this was met with significant backlash from the public and families, according to Facebook posts and reports.
In a statement released this week, camp leadership said the decision was made after careful consideration of the emotional toll still felt by campers, staff, and the broader community. “Our hearts remain with the families who continue to mourn,” the statement read. “We believe this is the appropriate time to step back and allow space for healing.”
The camp, which has operated for decades as a summer destination for girls, has been at the center of scrutiny since the incident last year. While officials have not released full details publicly, multiple investigations remain active, including reviews by state authorities and independent safety experts.
Parents and alumni expressed mixed reactions to the announcement. Some said the pause is necessary out of respect for those affected, while others worry about the long-term future of an institution that has served generations of families.
Local leaders in Kerr County acknowledged the camp’s deep ties to the area and said its absence will be felt both emotionally and economically. Summer camps in the region typically draw hundreds of families and seasonal staff, contributing significantly to local businesses.
Camp Mystic officials did not provide a timeline for reopening but indicated they are cooperating fully with investigators and reviewing internal policies and safety procedures. “Our priority is ensuring that any future path forward reflects the highest standards of care and responsibility,” the statement said.
As the investigations continue, families impacted by the tragedy say their focus remains on remembrance and accountability, underscoring the lasting impact of the events that led to the camp’s closure this summer.
Governor Abbott, HHSC Announce $99 Million In Federal Funding For Rural Hospitals To Recruit Workers
April 30, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will distribute $99 million in federal funding to support rural hospitals across the state, aiming to strengthen workforce recruitment and retention in underserved communities.
The funding is part of the state’s Rural Texas Strong plan and will back a new initiative titled “Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor and Team.” State leaders say the effort is designed to address persistent staffing shortages that have strained rural health systems for years.
“Accessible care for all Texans is vital for the sustained success of our state,” Abbott said in a press release. “This grant will provide rural hospitals with the tools they need to retain and recruit the next generation of health care workers.”
The initiative allows hospitals and providers to use the funds in several ways, including developing scholarship programs for local high school students interested in health care careers, offering relocation and signing bonuses to attract providers, and establishing new residency training programs in partnership with academic institutions.
HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth emphasized the broader impact of the investment on rural communities.
“Strong rural health care systems are essential to the well-being of families and communities across Texas,” Muth said. “This investment supports the doctors, nurses and care teams who serve rural Texans every day.”
Eligible licensed rural health providers will be able to apply for the funding through a competitive grant process. Applications are due by May 27, according to HHSC.
The $99 million allocation represents part of a larger $281 million first-year award Texas received through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Rural Health Transformation Program. The initiative is fully federally funded and includes six programs aimed at improving access to care in rural areas.
State officials estimate Texas could receive approximately $1.4 billion over five years through the program, contingent on meeting federal requirements.
Officials say additional updates, including public notices and procurement opportunities tied to Rural Texas Strong, will be shared through state communication channels and procurement websites.
The funding marks one of the largest recent investments in rural health care workforce development in Texas, reflecting ongoing concerns about provider shortages and hospital sustainability in less populated regions.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Goes On Record About Mexican Wolves
April 30, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) issued a public statement this week addressing growing public concern about the transport of Mexican gray wolf through the state, emphasizing that no wolves have been released in Texas and there are no plans to do so.
The clarification comes amid increased attention and speculation tied to reports of wolf movement. TPWD officials said that while wolves may be transported across Texas as part of federal conservation efforts, the state is not a release site for the species.
According to the agency, such activity is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The binational program moves wolves between the United States and Mexico to improve genetic diversity and support the long-term survival of the population.
Wildlife experts note that the Mexican gray wolf is one of the rarest subspecies of gray wolves in North America. Carefully managed transfers are a routine part of recovery efforts aimed at reducing inbreeding and strengthening the species’ resilience in the wild.
TPWD encouraged residents seeking more information about the transport program to contact federal officials directly. The agency also urged the public to rely on verified sources as interest in the species continues to grow.
State officials reiterated that Texas is not part of the designated recovery zones for Mexican gray wolves, and there are currently no plans to change that status.
Sulphur Springs High School UIL Academic Team has won the Regional Championship
April 29, 2026 – The Sulphur Springs High School UIL academic team has won the regional championship.
The Wildcats academic team totaled 321 points to second-place Lindale’s 296 ½.
In all, 21 Sulphur Springs students will be advancing to the State UIL Academic Meet, at UT Austin, May 18 – 19.
First place winners are: the Journalism team, including first-place individual winners Abigail Bautista, copy editing, and Anderson Grimes, headline writing; the Current Issues team, including the individual first-place winner Jason Prom; the Literary Criticism team; the Social Studies team; the Spelling and Vocabulary team, including first-place individual winner Brooks Burgin; and in the One-Act Play, Emma Boatman, best performance.
Abigail Bautista qualified for the state meet in five categories.
Other individual state meet qualifiers are: Justin Chen, Charlie Knechtel, Dylan McKinney, Jessica Reed and Grayson Wall.
The full list of UIL academic team honors is on the SSISD Facebook page.
Sulphur Springs Wildcats Golf Team Placed Fifth at the State 4A Tournament
April 29, 2026 – The Sulphur Springs Wildcats boys golf team placed fifth at the state 4A tournament at the Legends Golf Club in Kingsland northwest of Austin Monday and Tuesday.
The Wildcats team of Gage Gideon, Luke Nicodemus, Luke White, Nick Burney and Tatum Tran shot a two-round total of 618 behind the state champ Lubbock Cooper Liberty’s total of 584.
Gage Gideon led the Wildcats with a two-day score of 149. Other two-day scores were Luke White, 150; Nick Burney, 156; Luke Nicodemus 166; and Tatum Tran, 166.
It was the Wildcats’ fourth straight appearance in the state tournament under head coach Jeremy DeLorge. The Ladycat golfers will play in the state tournament next week, Monday and Tuesday, May 4-5 also in Kingsland.
Florida Blocks Animal Imports From Six Texas Counties
April 29, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Sid Miller is weighing in on new emergency animal import restrictions announced by Florida, calling the move “understandable” as concerns grow over the spread of the New World screwworm near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Florida officials issued the rule on April 24, temporarily limiting the import of warm-blooded animals from six South Texas counties deemed “high risk” due to their proximity to recent detections of the pest in Mexico. The affected counties include Zapata County, Jim Hogg County, Starr County, Hidalgo County, Webb County, and Brooks County.
In a statement, Miller acknowledged Florida’s concerns, noting the state’s history as the epicenter of the nation’s last major screwworm outbreak roughly a decade ago. “This isn’t a distant risk,” he said, pointing to the parasite’s ability to devastate livestock, wildlife, and even pets.
The New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, poses a serious threat to the agricultural economy. Texas officials say the impacts are already being felt. Ongoing restrictions on cattle imports from Mexico have disrupted supply chains, reduced meatpacking capacity, and contributed to rising prices for consumers.
Miller emphasized that current federal efforts, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, include plans to expand sterile fly programs to suppress the pest’s spread. However, he warned that relying on a single long-term solution is not enough.
“We need every available suppression tool in play, now,” Miller said. “Our livestock, wildlife, pets, and consumers don’t have time to spare.”
Florida’s emergency rule is expected to remain in place as officials monitor the situation, highlighting growing national concern over the potential resurgence of the destructive parasite.
Paxton Investigates Trucking Schools
April 29, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Ken Paxton has launched a sweeping statewide investigation into several commercial trucking schools accused of certifying unqualified drivers, including individuals who may not meet English-language requirements mandated by federal law.
The probe, announced by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, targets five companies: EP Texas Trucking School, Trucker Certified LLC, Fast Track CDL LLC, CDLCALL.COM LLC, and Lindenwood Education System. Civil Investigative Demands have been issued to gather documents and determine whether the schools violated state or federal regulations.
Federal rules require commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read traffic signs, communicate with the public, respond to officials, and maintain required records. Investigators say preliminary findings suggest some schools may be ignoring those standards.
According to the Attorney General’s office, one school allegedly told prospective students that English proficiency was not necessary to complete its program and advertised services primarily in Spanish. Several of the entities under investigation are also suspected of misrepresenting their certification status, raising concerns about deceptive business practices.
Officials also flagged unusually short training programs. Some schools reportedly offer CDL courses lasting as little as 20 days—far below the typical industry range of three to seven weeks. Regulators warn that such compressed timelines may not provide adequate instruction or evaluation for safely operating large commercial vehicles.
“These actions pose a significant risk to public safety,” Paxton said in a statement, emphasizing that improperly trained drivers operating 18-wheelers could endanger motorists across Texas highways.
The investigation is being pursued under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which prohibits misleading or fraudulent business conduct. If violations are confirmed, the companies could face penalties, injunctions, or other enforcement actions.
The schools operate in multiple regions, including El Paso, Odessa, Amarillo, Garland, San Antonio, and Arlington, and may be supplying drivers to major freight corridors such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
State officials say the investigation remains ongoing, with a focus on protecting both aspiring drivers from fraudulent training programs and the public from unsafe conditions on the road.
Cooper State Park Superintendent Aron Maib had a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey April 28th
April 28, 2026 – Cooper State Park Superintendent Aron Maib visited on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey April 28th, 2026. Aron and John Mark chatted about the improved pier going in at Cooper State Park, what type of fish the lake at Cooper State Park is most known for, activities planned at Cooper State Park for the month of May, 2026, and much more. Be sure to check out this interesting segment of A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey and maybe plan your May.
North Hopkins Cemetery to Hold 2026 Memorial Service May 24th
April 28, 2026 – The North Hopkins Cemetery will hold it’s 2026 Memorial Service on May 24, 2026, beginning at 11:00am. The event will be held at the Cemetery Chapel in Birthright on HWY. 19 North. Everyone is invited to attend. If you can’t attend, you may donate to help with the upkeep of the cemetery and chapel. Please mail donations to North Hopkins Cemetery, C/O Charlene Stewart, 2153 FM 3236, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482. All help is appreciated.
SH 154 Broadway Bridge Closure Scheduled in Hopkins County
April 28, 2026 – PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials have announced the upcoming closure of the SH 154 Broadway Bridge in Hopkins County for construction.
The project is scheduled to begin June 1, 2026. During this time, the Broadway Bridge will be fully closed for 21 days under a proposed 24-hour work schedule.
The contractor for the project, THK Construction LLC, was awarded a contract with 286 working days, weather permitting. The Broadway Bridge is one of seven locations included in this contract, with work taking place across Hopkins and Franklin Counties. The total contract amount is $2,279,664.82.
Work at the Broadway Bridge will consist of resurfacing the bridge deck and approaching roadways to address spalling and potholes in the existing concrete pavement.
To provide advance notice to motorists, barricades will be set in place by May 1, one month prior to construction, to alert the traveling public of the closure and designated detours. Advance warning signs will also be installed ahead of the shutdown.
During this period, TxDOT urges drivers to exercise caution. Motorists who travel frequently in this area are asked to pay special attention to all barricades, traffic controls, and signs, and to reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. Motorists should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems. TxDOT also asks drivers to remain alert to road crews while navigating through the construction zone.
