Governor Abbott Celebrates Texas Stock Exchange At Governor’s Mansion
October 1, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the Texas Stock Exchange (TSXE) and the state’s historic economic milestones during a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin.
“Texas has become the home of capital in the United States,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, our great state is staking claim as a home of capital markets with the addition of the Texas Stock Exchange. This is another step that expands our financial might in the United States and cements our economic power on the global stage. The Texas Stock Exchange will ensure that businesses have access to capital and that market participants have more choices. Texas is the modern embodiment of the American Dream, where everyone has an opportunity to succeed, and the Texas Stock Exchange will ensure even more businesses have that opportunity.”
The Governor was joined at the press conference by TXSE Group Inc. Founder and CEO James Lee, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, Senator Tan Parker, Representative Giovanni Capriglione, Representative Morgan Meyer, and other business and community leaders.
World Communion Sunday is October 6, 2024, and is Discussed on this Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark had a visit from Rev. Peter McNabb and Pastor Christina Hardy. The three chatted about Terrific Tuesdays, World Communion Sunday, First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs’s plans for World Communion Sunday, and so much more. Be sure to check it out and learn what’s coming up in your community.
Free Mammography Clinic is Full, But Waiting List Available
September 30, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX –
The free mammography clinic offered to uninsured Hopkins County women over 40 is full. All sixty appointments have been claimed and, a waiting list has been created. If you missed securing an appointment, please call the Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center at 903-438-4325 to get on the waiting list.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation sponsors the clinic which is paid for with proceeds from the 5th Annual Designer Handbag Bingo and direct donations from local ladies.
This is the fifth year the clinic has been offered. The clinic is offered in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Foundation encourages all women to make an appointment for their annual mammograms. Since early detection is so important in the outcome of breast cancer, women are reminded not to skip a year.
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Fire Event Encourages Young Women to Explore a Career in Wildland Firefighting
September 30, 2024 – HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service hosted the fourth annual Sisters in Fire event on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Sam Houston State University Bearkat Camp. Twenty-three young women between the ages of 12 and 18 from across 23 Texas counties participated.
“For the fourth year, we’ve shown young women the comradery, integrity and excitement that comes with a career in wildland firefighting and natural resource protection,” said Heather Gonzales, Texas A&M Forest Service Program Specialist. “We strive to make Sisters in Fire engaging, educational and fun every year and incorporate new activities and experiences. I loved seeing the laughter and teamwork from girls who were mostly strangers only a few hours before. It’s a reminder for all of us to take a step back and appreciate the work we get to do every day in serving the state of Texas.”
Participants were split into squads, or teams, for the day and rotated through four stations. Each station introduced them to various topics and skills relating to the wildland firefighting profession, including how to suppress wildfires with fire engines, bulldozers, chainsaws and hand tools. They also learned leadership and communication skills that are critical for wildland firefighting crews.
“Starting the chainsaw was hard, but once I got it to start and got to hold it and pull the trigger, I felt so strong,” said Charlie, Sisters in Fire participant.
At this year’s event, a Fire Boss from Dauntless Air, an amphibious aircraft frequently used on Texas wildfires, made two water drops to demonstrate the vital coordination between aerial firefighting resources and ground personnel during a wildfire incident. Participants were also able to interact and board a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department helicopter—a craft commonly used to haul buckets of water to provide pinpoint water drops or conduct initial attacks on remote wildfires.
“Most people only see aircraft as a part of commercial travel, but showing these young women and their families how important and unique these firefighting aircraft are introduces them to other paths,” said Cassidy Ince, Texas A&M Forest Service Fixed-Wing Program Coordinator. “These participants may be the next generation of our fire aviation professionals, and we will lean on all of them to protect our communities in the future.”
Participants put everything they learned to the test during the final event of the day—a prescribed fire demonstration. While the instructors burned a small area of grass, the young women answered questions and applied what they learned to a real-world scenario.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, women account for a small percentage of career firefighters, including 5% of all career firefighters, 11% of volunteer fire service and 12% of federal wildland firefighters.
“Getting to show the participants how all of the skills they learned all day work together during the prescribed burn is a great feeling,” said Britney Stinson, Texas A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist. “Seeing all of the participants and their families realize how all of these firefighters from multiple states and agencies can come together, make a team, and successfully lead an event is one of my favorite parts of the event.”
The Sisters in Fire event was hosted in cooperation with Texas A&M Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and Kansas Forest Service.
“Getting to not only work with other women with careers in the outdoors but to teach other young women is phenomenal,” said Kimberlee Peterson, Texas A&M Forest Service Woodland Ecologist. “Getting to see these young women realize they can have a career in natural resources is my favorite part of the event every year.”
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Hopkins County Announces Fire Prevention Week
September 30, 2024 – During a special session of the Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court held Monday morning, a proclamation was read announcing “Fire Prevention Week” to take place October 6th through October 12th. Fire Prevention Week was established nationally to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. In 1871. That fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The jGreat Chicago Fire began on October 8th, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.
President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9th falls.
This years theme for Fire Prevention Week in Hopkins County is “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You”
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley stressed to the public the importance of Fire Safety all year, but wanted to highlight the importance during Fire Prevention Week. Endsley said, “this is a great time to be reminded to make sure you have working smoke detectors throughout your home.”
Breyers Ice Cream Settles Class Action Lawsuit
September 30, 2024 – If you have purchased Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream over the past eight years, you may be eligible for a cash payment as tha company has agreed to an $8.85 million settlement without admitting any wrongdoing. The settlement was reached in response to a class action lawsuit against the owner of Breyers and Conopco, Inc, an advertiser. The lawsuit alleged the ice cream was labeled “vanilla” as if its flavor came only from the vanilla plant, but the ice cream also contained flavoring from non-vanilla plant substances.
Although the two companies named in the lawsuit deny any wrongdoing, they have set up a settlement fund containing $8.85 million to compensate customers.
Cash settlements will be awarded to anyone who submits valid claim forms by February 19, 2025. Valid claims with proof of purchase will receive $1 per product (no limit), and valid claims without proof of purchase will receive $1 per product (limit 8 per household). Click on the link below for a claim form.
Vanilla Ice Cream Settlement Claim Form
The court also ruled that the companies must develop a new product formula that does not include vanilla derived from non-vanilla plan sources within 12 month of the settlement’s finalization.
Coast Guard Interdicts 5 Lancha Crews, Seizes 900 Pounds of Illegal Fish off Texas Coast
September 29, 2024 – CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard interdicted five meixco based lanchas and seized 900 pounds of illegally caught fish in federal waters off southern Texas, Sunday.
A lancha is a fishing boat used by Mexican fishermen that is approximately 20-30 feet long with a slender profile, having one outboard motor.
Boat crews from Coast Guard Station South Padre Island and Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson, in coordination with Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi aircrews, located and stopped a total of 23 Mexican fishermen engaged in illegal fishing north of the Maritime Boundary Line.
After interdicting the lanchas, Coast Guard personnel seized 900 pounds of red snapper and shark, along with fishing gear and highflyers on board the vessels. Coast Guard crews detained the Mexican fishermen, brought them ashore, and transferred the detainees to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel for further processing.
“Our Coast Guard crews remain committed to eliminating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in our nation’s sovereign waters,” said Lt. Shane Gunderson, commanding officer, Station South Padre Island. “Through highly coordinated response efforts with our federal and state partners, we will continue to combat this environmental and economic threat.”
A lancha is a fishing boat used by Mexican fishermen that is approximately 20-30 feet long with a slender profile, having one outboard motor, and is capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 30 mph. Lanchas are frequently used to transport illegal narcotics to the U.S. and illegally fish in the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone near the U.S./Mexico border in the Gulf of Mexico.
If you witness suspicious activity or illegal fishing in state waters (from land to 9 miles offshore), please contact “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious activity or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450.
Paxton Will Continue Defending Texas Election Integrity Law Even After Ruling Blocks Investigating Vote Harvesting Schemes
September 30, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will immediately move to block a ruling that struck down a major element of Senate Bill 1, a key Texas election integrity law passed in 2021. A federal district court ruled Friday that a portion of the law was unconstitutional.
SB 1 increased safeguards to prevent ballot harvesting and instituted additional protections ensuring free and fair elections. However, a federal district court judge ruled that such provisions of the law violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The judge also banned the Office of the Attorney General from opening investigations into instances of election fraud under the portion of election code enjoined by the decision.
“I will immediately move to block this unacceptable ruling so Texas can continue to defend its elections from bad actors seeking to undermine the ballot box,” said Attorney General Paxton. “A ruling—weeks prior to an election— preventing my office from investigating potential election violations is deeply troubling and risks undermining public trust in our political process.”
Governor Abbott Calls For Statewide Day Of Observance To Honor Victims Of October 7th Terrorist Attacks In Israel
September 30, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation calling for a statewide moment of silence at 7:00 AM CDT on October 7, 2024, to honor the victims whose lives were tragically taken due to the acts of war committed by the brutal terrorist organization Hamas and in remembrance for those who are still held hostage to this day. Additionally, the Governor will lower the Texas and U.S. flags to half-staff on Monday, October 7th, 2024, and asked religious leaders to light a candle at their next service in observance of this solemn day.
“In observance of the one-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th terrorist attacks, I ask all Texans to join me in a moment of silence to remember the men, women, and children who were brutally murdered or injured during acts of war committed by Hamas and for the seven Americans still held hostage,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas will always stand with the State of Israel and the Israeli people as they continue to defend their freedoms in the face of pure evil. Cecilia and I continue to pray that this war will be brought to a swift, victorious conclusion for the Jewish community and the State of Israel.”
View the Governor’s proclamation.
Stay Safe, Hunt Smart: Texas Game Wardens Provide Archery Season Tips
Sept. 27, 2024 – AUSTIN – Texas’ 2024 archery-only hunting season for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and mule deer is set to begin Sept. 28 and will run through Nov. 1. Before Texans start filling their freezers, Texas Game Wardens have some tips for hunters to keep in mind before they hit the woods, high plains or fields.
Safety is Paramount
Hunters should always make safety a top priority for hunters, no matter the season.
While bows and crossbows are not firearms, they should still be treated like they are when an arrow is on the bow’s string or a bolt is cocked on a crossbow. Always keep them pointed in a safe direction and remember while handling that arrow broadheads are very sharp.
“The number one injury we see with archery hunters is people falling out of tree stands,” said Kurt Kelley, Wood County game warden. “I recommend anyone hunting off the ground wear a safety harness, use a safety line while climbing and maintain three points of contact.”
Licensing, Hunter Education and Archery-Specific Requirements
In addition to having a valid hunting license, hunters must have an archery endorsement to hunt during the archery-only season. Hunters 17-years-old or older must have completed their hunter education certification, unless they have elected to participate in the one-time deferral or were born before Sept. 2, 1971. Hunters under 17 may hunt alone if they have completed their hunter education certification. If not, they and anyone using the deferral, must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is hunter education certified or exempt.
Hunters must have proof of a valid hunting license and hunter education while hunting.
Species Identification and Antler Restrictions
If hunting in an area where mule deer and white-tail deer are present, species identification and knowledge of regulations for each is very important. Some Texas counties have antler restrictions while others don’t (13-inch spread or wider for white-tail deer; 20-inch spread or wider for mule deer). Hunters may also harvest antlerless white-tail deer during the archery-only season but may not harvest antlerless mule deer.
“Mule deer in some areas of the Panhandle offer hunters a pretty high percentage of success due to lack of pressure,” said Ryan Hunter, Potter and Randall County game warden. “With them being fairly common to see, I encourage hunters to do their research ahead of time. Know the bag limits, restrictions and be able to distinguish between the two deer species open for hunting.”
Public Land Hunting
There are multiple types of public land available for archery hunters. The managing authority for each property sets specific requirements, so be aware of those before going hunting.
To hunt on property owned or leased by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), an Annual Public Hunting Permit is required in addition to standard licensing requirements.
Those hunting on TPWD property are required to wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material, including orange headwear and at least 144 square inches appearing on both chest and back during daylight hours. Even if hunter orange is not required to hunt other public property, it can be beneficial to wear as other seasons can run concurrent with archery season and additional hunters can be in the woods.
Hunters should also be aware of other regulations surrounding baiting, hunting blinds, alcohol consumption and more.
Archery-Only Counties and County-Specific Ordinances
Hunters need to know which county they are hunting in and follow all state, local and federal regulations.
Texas has four archery-only counties: Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall. These counties allow crossbows to be used during the general white-tailed deer season, Nov. 2 — Jan. 5, but hunters may only use a compound, recurve or longbow during the archery-only season.
Hunters should also keep in mind that county and city municipalities may set their own ordinances such as no archery hunting within city limits or on property smaller than 10 acres.
“Regulations are updated from time to time and can sometimes be complex, especially in counties with unique requirements,” said Daron Blackerby, Grayson County game warden. “If there’s anything you’re unclear on after reviewing the regulations in the Texas Outdoor Annual, call the game warden for the county you will be hunting in. We’re here to help.”
Preparation and Equipment Maintenance
It’s a good idea to carry basic survival gear like a first-aid kit, tourniquet, GPS, compass, zip ties, rain gear and enough water and food to get you through a day or two in case you get lost.
Know your equipment and practice with it regularly. Wardens recommend keeping bows in good working order and wearing proper safety equipment like arm guards.
“Don’t buy a new bow at the beginning of September and then hunt with it opening morning,” said Randy Stovall, Nacogdoches County game warden. “Practicing with it regularly will not only improve accuracy but can also help prevent accidents.”
Ethical Hunting Practices
Ethical hunting should be the goal of every hunter. This includes knowing the target and the area around it, avoiding rushed shots or shots outside effective range, knowing equipment and ensuring quick, humane kills. Waiting at least 30 minutes before tracking a deer is also recommended.
“While we know hunters always try to do their best, sometimes things happen and a shot doesn’t turn out as intended,” said Zack Fisher, Childress and Hall County game warden. “In those cases, it’s a good idea to have contact information for someone with a blood tracking dog. That way, if a deer runs far and you need help tracking it, you are prepared and will stand a greater chance of recovering the animal.”
Weather and Terrain Challenges
Texas weather is often unpredictable, especially during archery season. Some parts of the state may still be hot while others could experience unexpected cold snaps. Temperature swings can happen quickly, so don’t be caught unaware and without proper gear. Warmer temperatures can also be a concern post-harvest. Have a processing plan in place ahead of time to prevent meat spoilage.
Additionally, if participating in a spot-and-stalk style hunt, do your research ahead of time and familiarize yourself with the terrain and challenges that may arise.
Retrieving an Animal
It is not uncommon for deer shot with a bow to travel immediately after being shot, which can mean leaving the property you have permission to hunt. Going onto someone else’s property without permission from the landowner is trespassing, even if it is to retrieve your deer. If the deer crosses multiple properties, permission is needed from each landowner before entering the property.
“It’s a misconception that game wardens can go onto private property to retrieve a deer for you,” said Ryan McGinley, Comal County game warden. “I suggest hunters mark the fence or property line where the deer crossed and then use one of the outdoor apps that provide property owner information or go knock on the door of a house if you see one to ask for permission. Getting to know neighboring landowners preseason is also helpful.”
Harvest Reporting, Check Stations and Carcass Disposal
In certain counties, white-tail deer must be tagged and reported within 24 hours of harvest via the Texas Hunt & Fish app or online. For digital license holders, execution of a digital tag serves as completion of mandatory harvest reporting in applicable counties.
Hunters who harvest white-tail or mule deer within designated Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) areas must comply with mandatory testing requirements at a TPWD designated check station within 48 hours of harvest. Hunters that are within the voluntary testing areas are strongly encouraged to have their harvest tested so biologists can monitor the potential presence or spread of CWD.
Statewide carcass disposal requirements must also be followed to help reduce the risk of unintentional transmission of CWD.
Get Outside!
All in all, archery hunting is a unique challenge that the whole family can participate in while spending time outdoors, something game wardens also enjoy.
“I hope hunters know that as game wardens, we aren’t out to get them and are here to help,” said Kelley. “If you blatantly do something wrong on purpose, we will address that, but if you’re trying to do the right thing, we want to help educate you and help you enjoy the outdoors just like we do.”
Many of the tips above focus on regulations and the issues wardens commonly come across in the field. All hunting regulations for this year’s hunting season can be found in the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app or at OutdoorAnnual.com.
