Governor Abbott Orders TxDOT to Enforce Roadway Safety and Compliance Standards
AUSTIN, Texas (October 8, 2025) — Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to intensify enforcement of federal and state roadway safety standards, warning that cities and counties failing to comply could face funding cuts and suspended agreements.
In a statement Wednesday, Abbott emphasized that taxpayer resources must be used solely to maintain safe and efficient roadways, not to promote political or social causes. “Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not to advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” the Governor said. “To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a consistent transportation network across the state.”
The directive instructs TxDOT to review local compliance with roadway design and safety standards, ensuring that all surface markings, traffic signs, and lighting meet federal regulations. Under these rules, any non-standard markings or symbols—including political messages, social slogans, or ideological displays—are prohibited if they do not directly contribute to traffic control or driver safety.
Governor Abbott warned that jurisdictions refusing to comply could face serious penalties, including the withholding or denial of state and federal highway funds.
TxDOT officials are expected to begin compliance assessments immediately, working with local governments to remove any unauthorized markings or signage. The Governor’s office said the initiative aims to maintain safety, uniformity, and neutrality across Texas roads while ensuring that all transportation infrastructure meets the highest safety standards.
Governor Abbott Orders DPS to Crack Down on Illegal Hemp and Vape Sales
October 8, 2025 – AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to step up enforcement against vape and smoke shops that violate state hemp and product regulations, in what he described as an effort to protect children from harmful substances.
“Texas will protect children from dangerous hemp products,” Abbott said in a statement released Monday. “Today, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to increase surveillance and enforcement of any vape and smoke shop violating Texas law. Texas will prioritize protecting our children.”
Under the governor’s directive, the DPS Criminal Investigations Division will launch targeted operations to identify shops of concern, working with local, state, and federal partners to perform inspections and collect evidence of potential violations. DPS special agents will also conduct undercover operations, seize illegal products for testing in the DPS Crime Lab, and pursue criminal charges against individuals or businesses found to be in violation of Texas law.
The move follows an executive order Abbott issued last month, directing multiple state agencies — including the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission — to take immediate steps to curb access to hemp-derived products such as delta-8 and delta-9 THC.
While federal law allows hemp products containing less than 0.3% THC, Texas officials have expressed growing concern over unregulated sales, particularly products marketed to minors. DPS says it will use all available partnerships to enforce compliance and prevent the distribution of illegal or mislabeled items.
The governor’s office emphasized that the state’s actions are meant to balance child safety with the rights of responsible adult consumers and legitimate businesses operating within the law.
Learn About the Texoma Gospel Music Association Fall Gathering on This Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey
October 7, 2025 – Ina Gore, with the Texoma Gospel Music Association, dropped by for A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey to discuss the “Fall Gathering” Gospel Festival scheduled for October 10th through 11th, 2025, at the ROC in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Ina and John Mark chat about the Texoma Gospel Music Association, Gospel Music today, Buddy Gore, and so much more. Be sure to check out this informative episode below.
The Ultimate Girls Night Out… And It’s Free!
October 7, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – Celebrate breast health with the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Monday, October 13! Johanna Hicks will lead a self-exam demonstration using a silicone prosthetic breast model in a hands-on learning experience, teaching ladies how to detect breast lumps.
Celebrate “the girls” is perfect for moms and daughters, friend groups, women’s clubs, and any other woman who wants to learn more about breast health. Door prizes and refreshments will be provided.
Self-exams and preventative screenings are powerful ways to be proactive for breast health. According to the National Library of Medicine, 25% of breast cancer diagnoses are from self-exams, 18% are accidental discoveries through other medical treatments or testing, and 57% are from screenings such as mammograms and clinical breast exams.
Stefany Walton from the Ruth and Jack Gillis Women’s Center will share information about the importance of mammograms and the Foundation’s free clinic. Uninsured Hopkins County women aged 40 and above may call (903) 438-4325 to make an appointment for a free mammogram, courtesy of the Foundation. Call Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm to schedule.
The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that has expanded local healthcare since 1997 through free programs, clinics, and educational resources while also funding equipment, construction, and programs for the local nonprofit hospital CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs and state special district Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS. For more information, follow Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on social media, email [email protected], or call (903) 438-4799.
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Can MSB Global Actually Pull Off Huge Data Center Project?
October 7, 2025 – The huge data center project in Sulphur Springs still has more questions than answers as some city residents seek to find out if MSB Global has what it takes to pull off the 3,000 MW facility. MSB Global announced (via their own website) the groundbreaking of the Matrix Data Center Campus back in June 2025 although contruction on the data center itself was not starting. Infrastructure projects for utilities has been ongoing, but these city projects are integral for any and all future commercial and residential projects that may come about on the former Thermo Mine property.
Contracts have been signed for land leases between the City of Sulphur Springs and MSB Global, again reported through MSB Global’s website and YouTube Channel. Information about the timeline and availability of the project remains unclear even on MSB Global’s own website. The first phase of the project is supposed to be open (up and running) by September 2026. That 800 MegaWatt first phase would undoubtably need an enormous amount of electricity to run, as MSB Global has stated they would need to build their own natural gas-fired generator to power the facility. KSST News has not seen any plans for that part of the project.
As with most emerging technologies, a track record of the companies or players in the ever-expanding, AI-driven data center boom has been tough to source. National news sources seem to report daily that a new huge data center is to be built somewhere in the United States with Microsoft, Oracle, or Meta behind the expanisions. MSB Global touts that it is these same companies that will be needing space in their new facility.
The big question is about money. The project would be enormously expensive, even without land costs. The overall investment could top $50 billion. Tax abatements will certainly be negotiated as the City of Sulphur Springs has hired a consultant to work out the details of how much tax revenue the facilty and equipment owners would need to contribute.
MSB Global may have realized they have put the “cart before the horse” as they recently announced some project overview meetings and a public construction site visit but quickly cancelled those events due to “unexpected high level of interest”. The City Hall meetings were only to include select groups including end users, investors, data center operators, developers, and engineers. KSST News and other press outlets were not invited to these meetings, but to the cancelled public site visit.
It remains to be seen if MSB Global has the financial backing in place to complete the project or if they are waiting to bring online the hyperscalers (customers) they claim they will need to fulfill the entire project.
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 normally announced around the 15th of October, but the data needed to calculate the annual adjustment comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and that office has had many of it’s workers furloughed during the government shutdown.
Social Security recipients can rest assured that their benefits are in no danger of being delayed due to the govenrmental shutdown as Social Security benefits have a permanent funding source and aren’t linked to Congress’ annual budget.
Feral Hogs By Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson
October 7, 2025 – After a recent invasion and attack of my blueberry and blackberry areas, I have learned the hard way about these creatures. To begin, a group of hogs is called a sounder, and each sounder can number from a few to several dozen or more.
Feral hogs are the most prolific large mammal in North America. Hog population in Texas is estimated to be 2-3 million and growing. Females can have as many as 3 litters of 4-6 pigs in only 14 months, with some litters being larger if food is readily available. To simply stabilize the current number of hogs, 70% of the current population must be removed (killed) each year.
Hogs can range from 1 to 5 square miles in search of food. Being omnivores, hogs will consume insects, roots, shoots, leaves, and tubers of plants, but have also been known to attack young livestock and deer fawns.
When rooting, a single hog can destroy 6.5 square feet of soil in one minute. A sounder of 20-30 hogs can easily destroy several acres of pasture in one overnight visit. A June 2025 Texas Farm Bureau report said damage is estimated to cost landowners $871 million last year in Texas.
Controls include hunting, trapping, and poison baits that use warfarin.
Grace Methodist Church Breaks Ground on New Church Home in Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs, Texas — September 24, 2025 — Grace Methodist Church marked a significant milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for its new church home, drawing approximately 150 people to celebrate this next chapter in the church’s history.
The congregation of Grace Methodist Church currently worships at 876 Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. The new facility—located on the land where the groundbreaking took place—will provide a permanent spiritual home for the thriving church community.
The event was a beautiful evening of worship, fellowship, and gratitude. Children, youth, and adults participated. Several speakers shared inspiring remarks about what God has done for Grace Methodist. Referring to John 1:16, Pastor Ed Lantz offered a heartfelt message to God and the community, saying, “We are the recipients of grace upon grace upon grace.”
Grace Methodist Church is known for its warm, welcoming congregation—people dedicated to serving God and their neighbors. This new building represents the next step in fulfilling their mission, vision, and their ethos: We believe God planted Grace Methodist to nurture generational and intergenerational relationships, to be formed by God’s Word, to hear the call of God upon our lives and be led by the Holy Spirit to respond as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to experience and live out scriptural holiness – loving God and loving our neighbors.”
Construction of the new church will be led by Paradigm Construction, a respected firm known for its quality craftsmanship and commitment to community projects.
For more information about Grace Methodist Church, visit https://ssgmc.org (https://ssgmc.org/) or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GraceMethodistChurchSulphurSprings
Grand Champion Steer Sells for $200,000
October 6, 2025 – The 77th Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction stole many hearts at this year’s State Fair of Texas. The Auction kicked off on Friday, October 3, with the sale of the Grand Champion Market Steer. This year’s prize-winning steer was purchased by longtime State Fair donor, Frank Deel and Family with their generous bid of $200,000 a new record for the State Fair of Texas. Prior to the event, donor Roger Perry was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate his significant contributions to the organization.
With 442 steers competing in the Youth Market Steer Show this year, earning the Grand Champion title was no easy feat. After hundreds of steers and hours of judging, the final decision was made; Harper Hale from Miami FFA, age 15, took home the grand prize for her winning steer, “Buttercup Fletcher.”
Elizabeth Norwood from Ellis County 4-H, sold her Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer to State Fair of Texas Concessionaires and Midway Ride Operators for $50,000.
The Grand Champion Market Barrow, owned by Weston Lackey of Haskell FFA, sold to the Briscoe Carpenter Families for $35,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow, owned by Zachery Ky Blount from Kerr County 4-H, sold to The Chambless Family Foundation for $25,000.
The Grand Champion Market Lamb, owned by Stratley Strube of Tom Green County 4-H, sold to the Amy and Les Ware Foundation for $31,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, owned by Reagan Miller from Denver City FFA, sold to Dee and Bob Ruckman for $15,000.
The Grand Champion Market Goat, owned by Hayzen Halfmann of Glasscock County 4-H, sold to Oncor®, Sherry Bartholow, and Roger Perry for $53,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat, owned by Alexis Guthrie from Marion FFA, sold to Wayne and Laura Williams for $15,000.
Isabel Coufal of A&M Consolidated FFA sold her Grand Champion Market Broiler to FI Assets for $28,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Broiler, owned by Levi Titzman from Walker County 4-H, sold to PegasusAblon for $12,000.
An annual tradition since 2015, full-time employees of the State Fair of Texas pitch in to purchase an animal at Auction. Continuing that tradition for the 10th year in a row, nearly the entire State Fair team pitched in to bid $19,000 on a Market Steer owned by Lynnleigh Read from Wise County 4-H, as well as an additional $7,000 on a Market Steer owned by Copper Popelka from Hockley County 4-H. Because the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs truly embody the State Fair’s mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement, the team feels very passionate about contributing to these students.
Supported by community leaders and local businesses, the annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction is a representation of the extreme dedication put forth by the youth exhibitors participating, along with the planning and efforts of the passionate individuals who organize the event. The Auction is considered the heart and soul of the State Fair’s nonprofit mission pillars of agriculture and education. The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction brings families and friends together for an occasion that benefits the community in addition to providing fairgoers with some good old-fashioned fun. More than 2,600 entries from around the state competed for one of the coveted 604 spots in the Auction this year. The students who earn a spot in the Auction get to sell their animals to the highest bidder. Students then receive a previously determined maximum payment – or premium – for their animal, with excess proceeds put towards supporting more Texas students through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program. The Program benefits students who have competed in youth livestock events at the State Fair, as well as students attending high schools in the Fair Park area. Through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs, the State Fair has awarded more than $21.4 million in auction awards and scholarships since 2018.
The State Fair of Texas congratulates all the students who participate in its youth livestock competitive events and is happy to support them in their pursuit of higher education through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program. Save the date of the 2025 Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction on Friday, October 4, 2026.
The State Fair is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive any government funding or support. Its nonprofit purpose is funded through the proceeds from the annual State Fair of Texas event. The net proceeds from the Fair are used to help preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations – to help put on the next great State Fair of Texas. Help support the Fair’s mission of celebrating all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment by attending the State Fair of Texas, running through Sunday, October 19.
Clear Skies and Cool Breezes Expected for Uncorked Wine, Music & Art Festival in Sulphur Springs
October 6, 2025 – SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas – Festivalgoers can expect clear skies and comfortable autumn weather for this year’s Uncorked: Wine, Music & Art Festival, set for October 10 and 11 in downtown Sulphur Springs.
According to the National Weather Service, both days are forecast to be sunny and mild, with highs in the upper 70s and evening temperatures dipping into the low 60s — ideal conditions for outdoor tastings, live performances, and art displays. Light winds and low humidity will add to the perfect setting for one of Hopkins County’s most popular fall traditions.
Hosted by the Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance, Uncorked brings together Texas wineries, musicians, and artists for a weekend of local flavor and creativity. More than a dozen regional wineries will showcase their best vintages.
Live music will fill Celebration Plaza on Saturday, featuring local bands and acoustic acts. Visitors can also browse handmade art, pottery, and jewelry from regional artisans. Organizers say this year’s lineup emphasizes both community and quality.
“This event really captures what makes Sulphur Springs special — great people, great wine, and a great atmosphere,” said an event coordinator. “The weather looks like it’s going to cooperate perfectly, which always makes Uncorked even better.”
Admission is free for general festival activities, with wine-tasting tickets available for purchase at uncorkedSStx.org. Proceeds help fund downtown beautification projects and support local artists and small businesses.
With beautiful weather on tap and plenty to see, sip, and enjoy, Uncorked promises a memorable weekend for residents and visitors alike — a true toast to East Texas fall.
