Texas Hemp and THC Bill In Limbo
June 18, 2025 – With just days remaining until the signing deadline, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has not publicly indicated whether he will approve or veto Senate Bill 3, a highly controversial measure that would ban products containing THC, including hemp-derived items like Delta-8 and Delta-9. The uncertainty has left the state’s booming legal hemp industry in limbo, as businesses, consumers, and industry advocates anxiously await Abbott’s decision.
The bill has been aggressively championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has pushed for stricter regulation of THC products, arguing they pose safety risks and bypass the state’s restrictions on marijuana. Patrick’s office has applied significant political pressure on Abbott to sign the bill, framing it as a matter of public health and law enforcement.
On the other side, the legal hemp industry—which has grown into a multibillion-dollar sector in Texas—is fighting to preserve access to THC products that have become widely available in stores since the federal legalization of hemp in 2018. Industry leaders warn that the ban would shutter thousands of small businesses, eliminate jobs, and push consumers toward illicit markets. Supporters of the industry also argue that hemp-derived THC products provide therapeutic benefits and that Texans should retain the freedom to purchase them legally.
Governor Abbott’s silence on the issue has only intensified speculation. He has historically walked a careful line on cannabis-related legislation, supporting limited medical use while opposing broader legalization. Whether he sides with Patrick’s hardline stance or responds to industry and consumer pushback remains to be seen.
If Abbott neither signs nor vetoes the bill by the deadline, it will automatically become law, potentially triggering swift legal challenges. For now, Texas businesses and consumers are left in a state of uncertainty, awaiting the governor’s next move.
Cooper Lake Supervisor Aron Maib On Second Cup Of Coffee
June 18, 2025 – Cooper Lake State Park Supervisor Aron Maib stopped by for a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey to chat about what’s going on at Cooper Lake. John Mark and Aron discussed the new improvement construction projects planned for the park such as a new fishing pier, new roofs, and much more. They also talked about the Skin and Skulls event and Art in the Park both taking place at Cooper Lake on June 21st. They also discussed the Stargazing Event planned for June 28th, 2025. The two discussed the water level at the lake as well, and so much more. Be sure to check out this episode below and learn what’s happening at Cooper Lake State Park!
Brian Crump ED of CANHelp On Second Cup of Coffee With John Mark Discuss Give Back Day and Back to School Fair
June 18, 2025 – Brian Crump, the Executive Director of CANHelp, sat down and had a Second Cup Of Coffee chat with KSST’s John Mark Dempsey. The two talked about CANHelp’s fundraiser Giveback Day with Dutch Bros in Sulphur Springs, Texas, taking place June 20th, 2025. The two also discussed CANHelp’s Back to School Fair coming up August 7th, 2025, at the ROC downtown Sulphur Springs. They talked about how registration for the backpacks is underway right now. Watch this episode of KSST”s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey below and learn how you can participate in the Giveback Day and what you need to do to register for the Back to School Fair. “Together we CAN Help!”
Real Lives, Real Losses of Drunk Driving
June 17, 2025 – One quarter of the total traffic fatalities in Texas in 2024 were DUI-alcohol related
PARIS – Marcus Nalepa and his 8-year-old daughter Kelsey were on the way to her softball practice in League City when their lives changed forever.
Just feet from Kelsey’s elementary school, a drunk driver slammed into the family car at a stop light. Kelsey suffered brain injuries and died two days later.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is sharing Kelsey’s story to remind Texans that every life on the road is a friend, a family member and a neighbor who deserves the same respect we would show them in person.
A family’s plea
“It’s not hard to make arrangements ahead of time,” said Nicole Nalepa, Kelsey’s mother. “There are so many other alternatives to help prevent a tragedy—like the one that happened to my family—from happening to yours.”
TxDOT put a sign near the site where Kelsey died that reads, “Please don’t drink and drive. In honor of Kelsey Nalepa who was killed in 2017.” The family continues to plead with Texans not to drink and drive and hopes the sign can make a difference.
“If that sign saves one family, it is well worth it in my opinion,” Marcus Nalepa said.
Despite the risk, some drivers still choose to drink
Most people know that drunk driving is dangerous, yet there were more than 1,000 deaths in Texas from DUI/alcohol-related crashes in 2024. That means three Texans were lost every day because a driver ignored the risks.
- In the Paris District in 2024, there were 6,217 traffic crashes, resulting in 102 fatalities and 447 serious injuries.
- In the Paris District in 2024, there were 341 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in 26 fatalities and 65 serious injuries.
- In the Paris District during the 2024 July Fourth holiday time period, there were 8 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in no fatalities and 2 serious injuries.
“Making the choice to drive drunk instead of finding a sober ride home can and does lead to serious consequences,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “No one wants to live the rest of their life knowing they caused the death of another person on the road, and no one is impervious to the dangers of driving impaired.”
TxDOT’s Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign and the traveling Faces of Drunk Driving video exhibit will showcase first-person testimonials from drunk-driving offenders and survivors. These emotional stories demonstrate the real, tangible consequences associated with drunk driving and remind Texans that every choice on the road can impact friends, families and neighbors.
Increased law enforcement period
Timed with the official start of summer and the Fourth of July weekend, TxDOT’s Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign is aligned with an increased law enforcement effort to keep Texas roads safe. From June 26 through July 13, officers will be on a heightened lookout for drunk drivers to reduce DUI crashes, injuries and fatalities across the state.
Drive Sober. No Regrets. is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
Relive the Excitement of the 64th Annual Dairy Fest Pageant with KSST’s Coverage of the Event
June 17, 2025 – Relive the excitement, joy, and wonder of the 64th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant with KSST’s coverage of the exciting event down below. Experience the laughter, sweat, and tears of the climax of the 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival as you go “Udder The Big Top!” See Coryn Young perform one last time as the 2024 Queen. Watch the excitement as Lucy McKenzie is crowned the new 2025 Dairy Festival Queen! And, if you’ve never been to a Dairy Festival Pageant, watch this and learn why you MUST attend next year! It wasn’t just a show, it was… an experience!
Pain Relief ‘Stem Cell Injection’ Scams Now Moving Across The Country
June 16, 2025 – Across Texas and the nation, people are increasingly falling prey to aggressive marketing schemes offering unproven stem-cell injections, often presented at free steak dinner seminars. These events, advertised via flyers and mailers, promise life-changing results for chronic pain, joint issues, and even neurological conditions — all without FDA approval or credible scientific backing.
Stem cell therapy can be expensive, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 or even higher, depending on the treatment and the patient’s condition, and it’s often not covered by insurance.
The lure typically starts with a complimentary meal at a local steakhouse, where presenters, sometimes dressed as medical professionals, make bold claims about the miraculous healing potential of stem-cell treatments. They often present ‘patients’ that have made miraculous recoveries, but can not offer real statistics or evidence in the form of double-blinded studies. Attendees, many of whom are elderly or suffering from chronic pain, are told they can regain mobility, eliminate discomfort, and avoid surgery, all through costly injections that may not contain viable stem cells at all.
While some clinics offer stem cell injections for pain relief, they are often not FDA-approved and may be considered experimental.
Experts and regulators warn these sales pitches are often misleading or outright fraudulent. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple advisories about such clinics, stressing that many of these so-called treatments are unproven and potentially dangerous. Yet the market continues to grow, driven by people who are “desperately willing” to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for hope.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends caution regarding stem cell interventions for arthritis and other joint injuries, as there is not yet strong evidence of their effectiveness for these conditions.
Consumer protection agencies caution Texans to be skeptical of medical claims made at such events and to consult licensed physicians before pursuing stem-cell therapies.
Honorary Chairs for Spreading Our Wings Campaign Announced
June 16, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – Honorary chairpersons for Spreading Our Wings, the campaign to fund the expansion of the surgical services wing at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, have been announced. Long-time community leaders and hospital supporters, Sharon and Charles Helm will be serving in this role with the fundraising initiative.
In this volunteer role, the Helms will be assisting with plans and marketing for the project. They have been vocal about their great experiences with CMF-SS physicians, the need for a strong, local hospital, and their desire to see CMF-SS become a regional hospital. For the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s 2025 Gala, Sharon and Charles provided a video presentation sharing the life-saving care they have each been provided by CMF-SS providers.
To show their support for the Spreading Our Wings initiative, the Helms were early donors to the campaign and have given generously.
CEO/President of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, Paul Harvey said about the Helms, “We are so pleased that Sharon and Charles are willing to assist us with the Spreading Our Wings campaign. They understand what we are trying to do here, and with their experiences and knowledge, they can help us make the advancements with this campaign to better serve this community.”
To learn more about the campaign, visit SpreadOurWings.GiveSmart.com.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is running the fundraising campaign for the benefit of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, so all or part of donations may be tax-deductible. Donors should consult their tax preparer for more information.
For more information contact the Foundation at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
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Harley-Davidson Softails Recalled
June 16, 2025 – Harley-Davidson Motor Company is recalling more than 82,000 bikes due to an issue that increases the potential of a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting.
The mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break on certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles, the federal agency said in a recall notice dated June 12, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.
The possible malfunction can lead to a risk of crash or death, officials said.
Harley-Davison had not reported any deaths or injuries in connection to the issue, as of early June.
Some vehicles included in the recall were previously repaired under recall 23V591, and will need to have a new remedy completed. Here’s what to know about the recall, including which years are affected and how to remedy the issue.
The recall affects the following 82,117 Harley-Davidson Softail bikes:
- FLDE: 2018-2019
- FLHCS: 2018-2024
- FLHC: 2018-2021
- FXLRS: 2020-2024
- FXLRST: 2022-2024
- FLHCS ANV: 2018, 2023
- FXRST: 2022
To view additional details about the recall, visit the report here.
Texas Capitol Evacuated Saturday Due to Credible Threat
June 16, 2025 – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) evacuated the Texas Capitol on Saturday in response to what officials described as a “credible threat” directed toward the state government. The evacuation took place just hours before a planned “No Kings” protest was set to begin on Capitol grounds.
Law enforcement officials quickly secured the area and began investigating the source of the threat. DPS later confirmed that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident. Authorities have not yet released detailed information about the suspect’s identity or the nature of the threat, but they emphasized that the response was taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure public safety.
The “No Kings” protest, which was expected to draw a significant number of participants, was organized to challenge what protesters describe as overreach by state leadership. The event was ultimately postponed as law enforcement continued their investigation and worked to clear the area.
In a statement, DPS said, “The safety of Texans, state employees, and visitors is our highest priority. We acted swiftly to protect the public and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
As of now, officials have not indicated whether the suspect had ties to any known groups or whether the threat was directly related to the protest. The Capitol remained closed for several hours before being reopened to the public later in the day.
Authorities said they will release additional details as the investigation progresses and reassured the public that security measures at the Capitol remain heightened.
Texas Senate Bill 38: New Protections for Property Owners Against Bad-Faith Tenants and Serial Squatters
June 16, 2025 – Texas has taken decisive action to protect property owners with the passage of Senate Bill 38, a law designed to address the growing challenges posed by bad-faith tenants and serial squatters. Under this new legislation, eviction cases can now be handled more efficiently, reducing the time and financial burden landlords often face when attempting to reclaim their property.
One of the most significant features of Senate Bill 38 is the ability to expedite the eviction process. The law allows courts to issue summary judgments in clear-cut cases, enabling property owners to win their cases without the need for lengthy trials. This provision is particularly beneficial in situations where the evidence is undeniable, saving time for both the courts and landlords.
Supporters of the bill argue that the existing eviction system is often exploited by serial squatters and bad-faith tenants who delay proceedings to remain in properties rent-free for extended periods. These delays not only harm individual property owners but can also result in financial strain, unpaid property taxes, and unnecessary maintenance costs.
Senate Bill 38 aims to streamline the adjudication process and eliminate unnecessary obstacles that prevent landlords from regaining control of their properties. By removing procedural inefficiencies, the bill offers much-needed relief to Texas property owners while preserving fair legal protections for tenants who act in good faith.
Lawmakers who supported the legislation emphasized that the bill is about restoring balance and ensuring that property rights are respected. With Senate Bill 38 now in effect, Texas landlords can pursue evictions more swiftly, minimizing financial losses and deterring serial squatting practices that have become a growing concern in many parts of the state.
