Texas’ “One Pill Kills” Multimedia Campaign Garners Over 1.5 Billion Impressions
October 10, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas’ “One Pill Kills” multimedia awareness campaign garnered over 1.5 billion impressions since September 2023—nearly double the projected amount—through advertising on social media, podcasts, digital displays, billboards, and other media. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will continue this successful campaign through August 2025.
“Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug crisis our state—and our nation—has ever encountered,” said Governor Abbott. “As part of our ‘One Pill Kills’ campaign, I announced last year a statewide multimedia initiative to educate Texans on the dangers of fentanyl and raise awareness to help save lives. Through HHSC’s ongoing efforts, we have been able to reach millions of Texans through social media, billboards, TV and radio, and other media to remind people that just one pill laced with fentanyl can take a life. Texas will continue this initiative throughout next year to ensure more Texans aren’t ripped away from their families. Working together, we will protect more innocent lives from being lost to the scourge of fentanyl.”
“We can save lives by educating people about the risks of fentanyl and the fact that even one pill can kill,” said Trina Ita, HHSC Deputy Executive Commissioner of Behavioral Health Services. “Our goal is to prevent fentanyl poisonings and keep families from losing loved ones.”
In April 2023 at his One Pill Kills Summit, Governor Abbott unveiled the new multimedia awareness initiative to educate Texans on how to prevent, recognize, and reverse fentanyl poisonings as part of the statewide “One Pill Kills” campaign.
With an additional $2.5 million to continue the campaign into FY 2025, HHSC is using digital and print media, posters, flyers, and digital signs to educate Texans, including vulnerable populations such as high school and college students, about the dangers of fentanyl. Billboards and social media are reaching a broader audience across the state, aided by public service announcements on broadcast radio and TV.
While campaign messaging will have a statewide reach, an emphasis will be placed on targeting the 19 counties with the highest reported number of fentanyl deaths. The counties are Bexar, Brazoria, Cameron, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
HHSC contracts with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to manage Naloxone Texas, a statewide program that provides education on preventing fentanyl poisonings. People and organizations can order naloxone and access response training here.
Learn more about how to keep loved ones safe at OnePillKillsTX.com.
Texas A&M Forest Service Kicks off Fifth Annual Leadership Institute
October 10, 2024 – WACO, Texas – The Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute hosted the kick-off session for its fifth cohort Oct. 8-10 in Waco, Texas. The institute is a leadership program that offers a transformative experience for participants, hoping to leave a deep and lasting effect on their ability to lead in daily environments.
The leadership institute offers a constructive and inspiring learning environment, enabling opportunities for personal growth by giving participants access to tools and speakers to strengthen their leadership skills.
“Our agency mission is to provide statewide leadership,” said Leighton Gibson, Texas A&M Forest Service Marketing and Communications Manager and Institute coordinator. “By building the capacity of our partners through leadership training, we can help strengthen their organizations and help further the overall reach and mission of Texas A&M Forest Service.”
This year’s class boasts a diverse group of 23 members from differing natural resource organizations across the state including fire chiefs, foresters and organization executive directors.
“The Institute is a remarkable and interactive program,” said Daniel Oppenheimer of Hill Country Alliance and participant. “It’s providing tools, relationships and opportunities for me to become a better leader at work and in my community.”
The vision of the institute is to establish a program that will rally existing and emerging leaders within the fields of natural resources and increase their capacities and abilities to enact meaningful change throughout the state of Texas.
One key to success for the institute is dynamic and engaging speakers. In this session, participants heard from Frank Keck about building a united team and foundations of leadership, Codie Wright de Secaira about strengths and Dr. Richard Grant about personality types.
“I find the best leaders are the most self-aware – they know who they are and where they’re going,” said Frank Keck, Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute speaker and facilitator. “Our goal is to really help leaders in different natural resource capacities to develop themselves, to invest in these leaders to make a better Texas.”
Through the leadership institute, Texas A&M Forest Service hopes to continue to grow and support local leaders while increasing the network of natural resource professionals across the state with each class.
Over the next several months, the class will participate in monthly lunch and learns, networking opportunities and course activities. The class will graduate from the institute in April, after the second three-day session, which will have a new host of speakers and leadership trainings.
To learn more about the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute, the speakers and how to participate, visit https://tfsleadershipinstitute.org.
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Chamber Connection – October 9, 2024
By Butch Burney
If you like those 50-degree mornings we’ve been having, then you’ll love the Stew Contest hoodies, mugs and tumblers we have on sale at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
Whether you’re in the market for a Stew T-shirt, hoodie, mug, tumbler, sticker, towel or other merchandise for the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, sponsored by Alliance Bank, you can find it at the Chamber of Commerce at 110 Main Street.
Stop by the Chamber office and get your gear for the Stew Contest on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Buford Park.
Stew Tickets
Don’t stand in line at the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, get your tickets online or at any of the local banks and credit unions.
Tickets are available online at HopkinsChamber.org as well as the Chamber of Commerce office at 110 Main Street.
Tickets are $8 each for those 13 and older and free for children 12 and under, thanks to sponsorship from Signature Solar.
You also don’t want to miss the Fun Zone, sponsored by One Church, which will be free to kids to play Gellyball and enjoy bounce houses the day of the stew contest.
On Friday night, come out after the home football game to enjoy a concert by Dubb and the Luv Machines, sponsored by City National Bank.
Main Street Uncorked
Main Street Uncorked 2024 is an annual wine and music festival in beautiful downtown Sulphur Springs. Enjoy wine from some of the best Texas wineries, shop local vendors and enjoy talented musical artists.
The event starts at 1 pm and runs until 7 pm on Saturday, Oct. 12. They have two great bands lined up for entertainment throughout the day.
Tickets include participation in the wine tasting event, a souvenir glass and an insulated wine bag. Advanced tickets purchased online are $10 each (visit their Facebook page). Tickets sold at the event will be $15 each.
Help a Child
The annual Help a Child Benefit is set for Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Hopkins County Civic Center to support children in need. All proceeds go to help the children of Northeast Texas.
The big ticket item this year will include a 2024 Kubota RTV-X 4×4 diesel and bumper pull trailer. Check their Facebook page to find out locations to purchase tickets.
The event includes food, music, and live events.
Escape Room Haunted Stage
Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure at the Haunted Stage at Main Street Theatre. The Ghost’s Lock In” is not for the faint-hearted. Join us if you dare to confront the restless spirits and solve their dark mysteries.
The Escape Room adventure is set for Friday, Oct. 11, at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 12, every 90 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
For more information, call 903-885-0107 or email [email protected].
Market on Main
Join downtown Sulphur Springs for music, food, shopping and fun fall festivities during Autumn Market on Main on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What to expect:
•A wide array of artisanal crafts
•Delicious food vendors
•Live music to set the mood
•Family-friendly activities
•And so much more!
Ribbon Cuttings
The Good Eye Market at 109 Magnolia Street will have a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. We hope you can join us for this event.
Holiday Inn Express at 1521 Industrial Drive East will have a ribbon cutting at 3p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Please join us.
Leaves, Everywhere There are Leaves! From Master Gardener David Wall
October 10, 2024 – Yes, leaves are beginning to fall in mass! Every year, we ask ourselves what to do about this, trying to ign or the fact that deep down, most know there are several solutions. The literature nearly always says to mow, rake, shred, blow, and otherwise do whatever is necessary to get them off the lawn. Doing so will prevent fungi, disease, rotting, etc.
If leaves aren’t wanted on your lawn, do whatever you have to do to get rid of them. The simplest resolution is simply to mow the lawn a final time…..or two! Even so, there is something else to consider. All sorts of critters, including solitary and native bees, need a leaf covering to help survive through the winter. If you must mow, rake, shred, etc., why not pick a portion of your lawn, perhaps the fenced in, out of sight back yard, and leave the fallen leaves alone! It’s something to consider.
There is one item you should make sure fallen leaves don’t dwell on. Fallen leave have a lot of acids in them. If they land on paint and are allowed to stay there for a relatively short amount of time, they can and will leave stains that are difficult to remove. It’s rare for the stains to be impossible to remove, but if they stay there for even a short time, they’ll probably require scrubbing. Light stains can usually be handled with most car soaps, but if they’ve been there for a while a sap-removal product may be required.
Clear-coat paint protection on your car helps keep leaf stains to a minimum, and if you drive any distance to work, 90+% will probably blow off on the way! Double check your vent intakes for leaves that get stuck, become damp, and help get rust started.
Dinner Bell for October 16, 2024
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
“At Money Law and Title, we help dreams come true by ambitiously focusing on making real estate simple. We are joy ful kingdom builders, never losing focus of our creator calling which fuels our passion to create trusted relationships that transcend business.”
The Law Firm is a real estate, civil litigation, and business service law firm engaging in business formation and counsel ing, litigation, and estate planning.
To streamline real estate transactions and closings, legal expertise is required. In 2013 Brent (Money) opened Money Law Firm. In 2016, Money Law Firm opened a title fee office. In less than four years it had closed over one-thousand real estate transactions. In 2022, the fee office transitioned into an independent agency with Law and Title combined to create Money Law and Title.
New on the horizon for Money Law and Title is a move to the spacious dark red brick building on the southeast corner of Sulphur Springs downtown and Oak Avenue. Projected date for that office relocation is the end of October. They then become Dinner Bell’s newest neighbor!
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
MENU:
King Ranch Chicken
Seasoned Pinto Beans
Tortillas
Garden Salad with Guacamole Ranch Dressing
Sour Cream Coconut Icebox Cake
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
26TH Annual Wildfire Academy Begins This Week at Camp Swift
26th Annual Wildfire Academy begins this week at Camp Swift
October 10, 2024 – BASTROP, Texas – The 26th annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (CAIWA) begins at the Camp Swift National Guard Facility in Bastrop, Texas, this week. The academy will take place October 11- 23, 2024.
Each year, firefighters travel across the state and nation to attend the academy to continue their education and earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training qualifications. The mission of Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academies, including CAIWA, is to enhance wildland firefighters’ knowledge, utilizing NWCG standards, while promoting safe and cost-effective operations.
Thirty classes are available this year that emphasize entry-level and intermediate training in wildfire suppression for firefighters and incident managers. Almost 300 students are expected to attend, representing over 93 organizations and agencies from 12 states. Additionally, All-Hazard Incident Management Team personnel from municipalities and agencies statewide will fill overhead roles, assuring the smooth progression of the academy and training within their respective emergency management roles.
“Training is considered a top priority for many fire departments and response agencies, whether local, state or federal,” said Meredith McNeil, Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Response Training Coordinator. “As an agency, we are honored to help firefighters reach their training goals and better serve their communities.”
Training tuition assistance is available to eligible departments through Texas A&M Forest Service under the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (HB 2604) and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS).
Academy partners include the Texas Army National Guard, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Weather Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Texas A&M All-Hazards Incident Management Teams and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.
The 21st annual Wildland Firefighter Memorial Service will be held Oct. 14. This service honors firefighters who have died in the line of duty while fighting wildfires.
Additional academy information is available on the Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TICC)
St. James Catholic Church Sponsors Hurricane Relief Drive
October 10, 2024 – St. James Catholic Church in Sulphur Springs is sponsoring a Hurricane Relief Drive to help those in need following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and other storms. The local church will be accepting donations at their location at 297 Texas St. in Sulphur Springs this Sunday, October 13th from 2pm until 7pm. A wide range of items are being requested for donation including bottled water, sports drinks (powdered form), baby supplies including diapers and wipes, non-perishable food items, toothbrushes and other toiletries. You can see a full list of items needed on the attached flyer below.
Saving Lives One Car Seat at a Time
October 10, 2024 – By Lauren Macias-Cervantes – EL PASO – Dozens of adults across the state are heading back into the classroom to help keep children safe on Texas roadways.
The most recent set of graduates completed a 32-hour course over four days in El Paso to earn a National Child Passenger Safety Certification.
“We do have people thinking ‘how hard can it be to install a car seat’,” said TxDOT Lead Instructor Monica O’Kane. “This is a college level course. One vehicle could have 4-5 seatbelt systems; seatbelt systems can be broken; we can have children of the same age with different heights, weights, developmental levels, vehicles, and car seats. All of that information is taken into consideration for teaching the technicians how to properly install a car seat to avoid a fatality if involved in a crash.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nationwide, 46% of all car seats are misused, putting children at unnecessary risk if they’re in a crash. That means car seats are not being used correctly nearly half the time. O’Kane has seen it first-hand.
“I’ve been a technician and an instructor for over a decade and my best guesstimate is that I have installed or checked about 7,000-8,000 car seats by now and unfortunately, personally I’ve only seen three people do it correctly,” she said.
O’Kane says top mistakes include early transition to next seat up, not properly attaching seat to the vehicle, loose harness, and chest clip position.
The class — made up of first responders, community advocates, parents and grandparents — learned lessons, and put their new skills to the test with a public car seat safety check.
“This is very rewarding. We can tell people not to drink and drive, we can recommend it,” O’Kane said. “We can recommend not to use their cell phone when they drive but this job is something that when a car drives up, and you teach that parent or caregiver to do the right thing – it’s instant gratification and you know that they are leaving safer than they arrived.”
The instructor takes safety seriously and has made it a family priority. Three out of five of her children are certified CPS technicians and after this latest class her husband, son-in-law and future daughter-in-law are too.
“I took the course because I think it’s important to know how to properly transport our two new grandchildren,” said Tom O’Kane. “With my new certification I can serve the community by educating them on the proper installation of car seats. I feel empowered and ready to pass on my knowledge to those in need of this service for their family members.”
The 30-year veteran Marine, now Border Patrol – Special Operations Group member, joins thousands certified across the nation to teach caregivers to save lives a car seat at a time.
New Mexico State Trooper David O’Kane said he enrolled in the course to advance his education and experience with seatbelts and car seats.
“I feel like I just completed another college course because of how challenging it was,” he said. “There is much more to the proper use and installation of car seats and a seatbelt. I’m bringing this knowledge back to the county where I patrol and instead of just giving tickets for no car seats, I’m going to help that family or single mother with car seat education I was taught in this course. I am really hoping I can make a difference and save a child’s life.”
The first responder isn’t the only one hoping the new training will make a difference in their everyday roles. Culberson County Constable Olivia Legarreta is the first tech in her county.
“I took the class because we don’t have anyone to educate our community,” she said. “There are a lot of children in my community who are not properly secured in their car seats. I’ve responded to accidents where children didn’t survive because they were not in a car seat and that’s something that is hard to get past, it’s something you can never unsee. I’m hoping to educate parents about the importance of having their children in their car seats.”
She wants to involve their Justice of the Peace and educate deputies at the sheriff’s office.
“Taking an hour out of your day to come see one of us, it might save you a lifetime full of heartache,” Monica O’Kane said. “That one hour for your loved one, for your child, your grandchild, for your nephew, for your niece – it’s worth it for every child that you bring to us. It’s something that takes a little bit of time but that’s going to be a lifelong lesson for your family.”
TxDOT offers FREE car seat checks year-round to save children. Visit
to find the nearest TxDOT office where you can schedule a car seat check-up.
How to Plan for the 2024 Red River Rivalry; What to Know Before You Go
October 10, 2024 – State Fair or Texas – A time-honored tradition at the State Fair of Texas, the Allstate® Red River Rivalry between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners, has been played at the State Fair since 1929 – making 2024 the 95th consecutive neutral ground showdown. As of 2024, these two esteemed schools are now housed under the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC), making for an even more anticipated match up after being named the top rivalry matchup in the SEC after conference realignment. With a 2:30 p.m. Central Time kick-off, THE STATE FAIR IS URGING FANS TO ARRIVE EARLY to make sure they have plenty of time to go through security, not only into the fairgrounds but also into Cotton Bowl® Stadium for the game, and enjoy the State Fair of Texas along the way. The State Fair is also urging fans to be aware of updated safety and security measures – including a new bag policy – for the State Fair of Texas® and the Clear Bag Policy for Cotton Bowl Stadium by visiting BigTex.com/KnowBeforeYouGo.
COTTON BOWL STADIUM RENOVATIONS
The single largest investment in Cotton Bowl Stadium’s history – an estimated $140-MILLION, TWO-YEAR RENOVATION PROJECT – is currently underway that honors the Stadium’s celebrated legacy and distinctive architecture with sweeping enhancements, elevating the fan experience. While visiting the State Fair of Texas and attending the Allstate Red River Rivalry this year, you will notice that Cotton Bowl Stadium is currently undergoing these exciting renovations. While these upgrades promise to elevate future events, we appreciate your understanding as we work through the construction phase. Please keep an eye on signage to ensure a safe and smooth experience during your visit. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we create an improved experience for all fans.
Improvements to Cotton Bowl Stadium include widening concourses and adding escalators, increasing fans’ comfort level while entering and exiting the stadium. This will also include renovations to concessions and restrooms, plus increasing the number of hospitality areas and premium environments, which will enhance the speed of service for fans during events. The first phase of renovations to the west side of the stadium is to be completed by September 2025. The city is also scheduled to finish a second phase of significant renovations to the east side of the stadium by September 2034.
The University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma have agreed to a contract extension with the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas that will keep the historic Allstate Red River Rivalry football game at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas through 2036.
NEW TRADITION
Introducing a vibrant new tradition to the State Fair of Texas: the RED RIVER RIVALRY FLAG! In addition to the lights on the Top o’ Texas Tower and decorative lighting throughout the fairgrounds – like those shining on the Hall of State, Tower Building, and along Nimitz Dr. and First Ave. – fairgoers can now marvel at the massive flag featuring the previous year’s winner of this iconic college football rivalry, proudly displayed on the State Fair Midway near the 500-foot-tall Top o’ Texas Tower. This dynamic tribute celebrates the fierce competition between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners and celebrates the bragging rights of each year’s winner. Depending on the outcome of the 2024 game, the flag for the winning team will be raised after the game – around 6:30 p.m. Join us in honoring the spirit of rivalry and college football fan pride. Leading into the game the following year, the prior year’s winning flag will be displayed ahead of the game until a new winner is crowned with the historic Golden Hat Trophy. Keep an eye out for the flag each year to see who reigns supreme!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Below are a few reminders for those attending the game at the State Fair of Texas on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024. All times are Central Time.
- Due to a 2:30 P.M. LOCAL KICK-OFF, larger crowds may already be out enjoying the Fair, so plan your travel to the fairgrounds accordingly.
- THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS WILL OPEN EARLY – AT 7:00 A.M. – to allow fans to arrive and enjoy the Fair before game time, so plan your travel to the fairgrounds accordingly.
- All game tickets include admission to the most iconic pre-game party of the year on game day, the State Fair of Texas!
- As a reminder, your game ticket will be your ticket to enter the State Fair and Cotton Bowl Stadium. Be sure to download your game tickets and save them to your phone before arriving at the fairgrounds in case of any connectivity issues due to the large crowds.
- OPENING AT 7:00 A.M.:
- State Fair Will Call opens at 7:00 a.m. The Will Call booth is located just outside of the fairgrounds at 816 S. Second Ave., across from the Music Hall at Fair Park.
- Official State Fair parking lots are located at Gates 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15. All gates will open at 7:00 a.m.
- The Fair encourages fans to take exit 48A towards Haskell Avenue off I-30 for quicker parking lot access.
- Rideshare (taxi, Uber, Lyft, Alto, etc.) drop-off and pick-up will be located at Gate 1, which is located at Gurley Ave & S. Haskell Ave. (4200 block of Gurley Avenue).
- Coupon Booths and Online Coupon Pick-up Centers will open at 7:00 a.m.
- Purchase coupons ahead of time at BigTex.com and skip the long lines. Pick up your coupon orders at a Hospitality Center instead of a Coupon Booth. Be sure the original purchaser is present, as well as the matching driver’s license and credit card used on the order. Guests will not be able to redeem their coupon vouchers if all requirements are not met.
- Hospitality Centers and Information Booths will open at 7:00 a.m.
- OPENING AT 8:00 A.M.:
- Outdoor concessions, in addition to concessions inside the Tower Building Food Court, will open at 8:00 a.m.
- The State Fair of Texas Midway will open at 8:00 a.m.
- SEC NETWORK: The State Fair of Texas is thrilled to welcome the SEC NETWORK LIVE FROM THE RED RIVER RIVALRY for the first time. Fans can join the audience in front of the HALL OF STATE INSIDE THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS on FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE PAUL FINEBAUM SHOW STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. and on SATURDAY MORNING FOR MARTY & MCGEE STARTING AT8:00 A.M. followed by SEC NATION STARTING AT 9:00 A.M., all Texas time. Fans are urged to arrive early.
- To kick off the weekend, on Friday, October 11, The Paul Finebaum Show presented by Johnsonville celebrates #FinebaumFriday from 2:00-6:00 p.m. CT from the SEC Nation set in front of the Hall of State inside the State Fair of Texas, as well as on SEC Network and ESPN Radio.
- Marty & McGee presented by Old Trapper starts your Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 a.m. CT from the same site location at the State Fair of Texas and network, as well as on SEC Network and ESPN Radio.
- SEC Nation presented by Regions Bank will be at the State Fair of Texas on Saturday, October 12 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. CT as well as on SEC Network and is available for streaming through the ESPN App.
- Fans may bring flags and signs that celebrate the Red River Rivalry for this live show through State Fair gates up until 9:00 a.m. No vulgar signs, .com, .net, .org, political, or religious signs are allowed. They must be discarded in a trash receptacle after the show before enjoying the Fair and/or entering Cotton Bowl Stadium. The State Fair of Texas reserves the right to confiscate and discard inappropriate signage.
- For more details on sign regulations for SEC Nation, please visit https://www.secsports.com/championships/sec-nation#faq.
- OPENING AT 9:00 A.M.:
- All exhibit buildings, outdoor exhibits, and indoor concessions (except the Tower Building, which opens earlier) will open at 9:00 a.m.
- OPENING AT 12:30 P.M.
- Gates to the Cotton Bowl will open at 12:30 p.m. Beat the crowds and enter the stadium early for pre-game excitement. Concessions stands inside the stadium will be open.
- Cotton Bowl Stadium is being renovated to improve the overall fan experience, so please look for special directional signage throughout the grounds to assist with guiding you to your gate into the stadium. While you won’t notice many changes to the fan experience this year, the work done so far is to prep for updates to be made over the next year ahead of the 2025 Allstate Red River Rivalry.
- Cotton Bowl Gates A, C, G, and L will have the highest capacity.
- BARSTOOL SPORTS: The State Fair of Texas is excited to welcome the Barstool College Football Show LIVE from the Red River Rivalry for the first time. Fans can join the audience for the BARSTOOL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOW hosted by Kayce Smith, Dave Portnoy, Dan Big Cat Katz, and Brandon Walker, with Big Ev, on the State Fair Midway – near the Top o’ Texas Tower on the Thrillway portion of the Midway – AT 12:30 P.M. TEXAS TIME.
- Gates to the Cotton Bowl will open at 12:30 p.m. Beat the crowds and enter the stadium early for pre-game excitement. Concessions stands inside the stadium will be open.
- We remind all fans and fairgoers to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen throughout the day.
- For the safety of all game attendees, a clear bag policy is in effect for all events at Cotton Bowl Stadium within Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com/Football for more details.
- DART trains and buses will become more crowded as game-time approaches and at locations closer to Fair Park. For DART schedules, visit DART.org/StateFair.
- All guests will be screened for weapons as they enter the State Fair. Bags, purses, coolers, and similar containers are screened as well and subject to search. Please read any signage and listen to gate attendants for directions upon entry.
- A Clear Bag Policy is still in effect for football games inside Cotton Bowl Stadium.
- There is a NEW bag policy for the State Fair of Texas, which includes no bags or coolers larger than 9”x10”x12”.
- We encourage all guests to read the Fair’s Guest Code of Conduct before entering the grounds, visit BigTex.com/CodeofConduct.
- For a list of items allowed and not allowed at the Fair, visit BigTex.com/FAQ.
- For a list of prohibited items inside the Cotton Bowl, visit BigTex.com/Football.
- After the game, stick around to enjoy the fun and attractions the State Fair of Texas has to offer.
- Catch Keegan McInroe & Band on the Bud Light Stage in front of Cotton Bowl Stadium
- Enjoy fireworks at the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation at 8:00 p.m. along the Esplanade or see Dingos Rock & Roll perform at 8:00 p.m. on the Yuengling Flight Stage in the Grove on Nimitz.
- Headliner St. Paul and the Broken Bones performs on the Chevrolet Main Stage on Lone Star Boulevard at 8:30 p.m.
- The State Fair Midway is open on Saturday until 11:00 p.m.
- Note: Buildings close at 9:00 p.m., except the Tower Building, which closes at 10:00 p.m.
- For safety reasons, due to the anticipated large crowd, the nightly Kroger Starlight Parade will not occur on Saturday, October 12.
- For a map of the fairgrounds, visit BigTex.com/Map.
- For a full schedule of events, visit BigTex.com/Schedule.
- For a list of locations on the fairgrounds to watch the game, visit BigTex.com/WatchParty.
- For a list of Red River Rivalry-themed foods, visit BigTex.com/RRRFood.
All game tickets include admission to the State Fair of Texas. With more than 100 things to do every day, all included with admission, the State Fair of Texas is the best tailgate experience of the year. The 2024 State Fair runs through Sunday, October 20.
Paxton Reaches $3.5 Million Settlement in Marriott’s Customer Data Breach
October 10, 2024 – Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a settlement with Marriott International, Inc., that resolves an investigation into a breach of one of the company’s reservation databases.
The breach exposed 131 million guest records pertaining to customers in the United States and these records included contact information, gender, dates of birth, legacy Starwood Preferred Guest information, reservation information, and hotel stay preferences, as well as a limited number of unencrypted passport numbers and unexpired payment card information.
The Agreed Final Judgment entered in this case includes comprehensive injunctive terms to strengthen Marriott’s data security practices. Marriott’s information security program includes new overarching security program mandates, such as incorporating zero-trust principles, regular security reporting to the highest levels within the company including the Chief Executive Officer, and enhanced employee training on data handling and security.
“Texas law is clear that companies in possession of Texans’ personal information have a duty to safeguard that data,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “Given the frequency of cyberattacks today, it is simply unreasonable for companies to lack a comprehensive risk-based data security program. Through this settlement, customers will be much better protected. I will continue to fight for our citizens’ privacy and data security.”
Marriott will also make a $52 million payment to the 50 states participating in this settlement, including $3.5 million to the State of Texas.
