Comptroller Office’s Has Full Authority to Stop Taxpayer Funds from Going to Schools Illegally Tied to Terrorists or Foreign Adversaries
January 25, 2026 – Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a formal legal opinion confirming that the Texas Comptroller’s Office holds full and exclusive authority to block taxpayer funds from going to private schools that are illegally tied to terrorist organizations or foreign adversaries under the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program.
The opinion was issued in response to a request concerning the scope of authority held by the TEFA administrator, Comptroller Kelly Hancock, particularly regarding the eligibility of private schools seeking to participate in the state’s school choice program. Paxton’s opinion makes clear that decisions related to disqualification based on violations of other laws rest solely with the Comptroller’s Office.
“The people of Texas deserve the highest assurance that no taxpayer dollars will be used, directly or indirectly, to support institutions with ties to a foreign terrorist organization, a transnational criminal network, or any adversarial foreign government,” the request stated.
Paxton’s opinion points to language in Senate Bill 2 that allows schools to be excluded from TEFA participation if they violate “other relevant law[s].” As an example, the opinion notes that any institution found to be providing material support to a designated terrorist organization would automatically be ineligible for the program.
“Let me be crystal clear: Texans’ tax dollars should never fund Islamic terrorists or America’s enemies,” Paxton said. “The Comptroller’s Office has always possessed exclusive authority under the TEFA framework to stop any school illegally tied to terrorists or foreign adversaries from accessing taxpayer dollars, and this opinion affirms that authority.”
The attorney general also said his office is prepared to defend any lawful action taken by the Comptroller to prevent abuse of the program by terrorist groups or hostile foreign governments, including the Chinese Communist Party.
The opinion further clarifies that delays in approving certain Christian or private schools, which have been noted in public reporting, are unrelated to the legal interpretation outlined in the opinion. Authority over eligibility determinations and the timing of approvals rests solely with the Comptroller’s Office, not the Office of the Attorney General.
CHRISTUS Health Urgent Care Sulphur Springs Will be OPEN Today
Good morning,
CHRISTUS Health Urgent Care Sulphur Springs will be OPEN today, January 24th, from 8am to 12pm.
Jury Duty Originally Scheduled for January 26th Has Been Cancelled
January 23, 2026 – According to Hopkins County Deputy Clerk, Elsie Torres, the Jury Duty that was scheduled for Monday, Jan 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM for the Hopkins County Clerk’s Office has been cancelled. Judge Ginn has made the decision to cancel the trial due to inclement weather forecasted.
How To Make An Appointment with the Tax Aide Program
January 23, 2026 – The AARP Foundation Tax Aide program is ready to help with your taxes. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance to those who qualify, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide, and are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. They will be doing taxes on Tuesdays and Saturdays beginning February 3 until April 14. Tuesday times are 9:30-1:30 and Saturday times are 9:30-12:30.
To make your appointment online, go to the Sulphur Springs Public Library website. If you prefer to make your appointment in person, drop by the library and they are happy to help you. You can also call the Library, 903-885-4926 to make an appointment. Please pick up the envelope with important forms to complete before your appointment.
School Closing Como Pickton CISD
January 23, 2026 – Como and Pickton Communities,
According to the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team and National Weather Service, winter storm conditions are not expected to arrive in Hopkins County until Friday evening between 6-8 PM. Therefore, CPCISD WILL be in school all day Friday with regular hours.
Due to anticipated ice, snow, and extremely low temperatures on Saturday and Sunday, CPCISD will be closed on Monday.
A decision regarding school on Tuesday will be made Monday afternoon.
Please be sure your phone numbers are up to date in Ascender, as we will continue to send text alerts. continue to monitor CP Facebook posts and text alerts for updates.
Our goal is to give families time to prepare and make arrangements ahead of time and most importantly, to keep our students, staff, and families safe.
Sincerely, Lydia Walden
Brine Operation Scheduled for Bridges, Major Roadways
January 23, 2026 – TxDOT prepares for possible winter weather
PARIS – Due to the possibility of winter weather, TxDOT crews began brine operations on Interstates 30 and US 75, this week.
All bridges and overpasses across the nine-county district are also scheduled to receive an application of brine, which is a solution consisting of salt and water designed to help prevent ice and snow from sticking to surfaces. The Paris District includes Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Rains and Red River Counties.
“We prepare for the worst when it comes to winter weather scenarios,” said Paris District Engineer Noel Paramanantham. “If you see our mobile convoys on the roads, we ask motorists to slow down, keep a safe distance and give them room to work.”
Additional brine operations are tentatively scheduled to take place along the same areas if needed, based on the weather forecast.
In the event of hazardous conditions on the road due to weather, motorists are urged to stay home if possible. But if you must drive, please use extreme caution. Motorists are advised to buckle up, stay alert and slow down. You should allow for at least three times more space than usual between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Visit DriveTexas.org or call 1-800-452-9292 for around-the-clock updates on highway conditions.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Paris District PIO Kristen Prater at [email protected] or call (903) 737-9213.
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Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Wide-Sweeping Investigation into Unlawful Financial Incentives Related to Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
January 22, 2026 – Attorney General Ken Paxton opened a landmark investigation into the multi-level, multi-industry scheme that has illegally incentivized medical providers to recommend childhood vaccines that are not proven to be safe or necessary. The wide-sweeping investigation will analyze an incentivization framework that has historically forced Texas kids to receive over 70 shots from birth to age 18 in order to continue receiving medical care.
The investigation will examine whether pediatric medical providers, insurance companies, vaccine manufacturers, or other entities engaged in deceptive or unlawful conduct by failing to disclose financial incentives connected to their administration of childhood vaccines. The investigation comes as children across the state are expelled from pediatric practices and denied medical care based on their vaccination status. Doctors’ wages, bonuses, and even employment often hinge on the number of vaccinations they administer.
As part of the investigation, Attorney General Paxton is issuing over 20 Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”) to some of the largest medical providers, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country, including entities like UnitedHealthcare and Pfizer.
“I will ensure that Big Pharma and Big Insurance don’t bribe medical providers to pressure parents to jab their kids with vaccines they feel aren’t safe or necessary,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Alongside President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s significant efforts to ensure safety when it comes to childhood vaccines, my office will fight to protect kids’ health and uphold transparency in the medical industry. Together, we will Make America Healthy Again. Texans deserve to have full faith in the recommendations of their medical providers—particularly when it involves the health of their children. I will not tolerate a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to healthcare recommendations. Any provider or entity whose medical guidance is fueled by financial incentives from an insurance company, Big Pharma, or otherwise will be exposed.”
President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are already implementing important reforms regarding childhood vaccines, highlighting the Trump Administration’s commitment to Gold Standard Science as opposed to the Biden’s Administration’s policy of pushing as many possible shots into as many arms as possible. Attorney General Paxton is committed to furthering the momentum of parental choice in childhood vaccination decisions.
Governor Abbott Calls On CFISD To Sever Ties With CAIR-Sponsored Islamic Games
January 21, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) regarding the New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR NJ) sponsorship of the 2026 Houston Islamic Games taking place at taxpayer-funded facilities.
“It has come to my attention that Bridgeland High School intends to offer public school facilities to host the 2026 Houston Islamic Games,” reads the letter. “Be aware I recently designated ‘the Muslim Brotherhood and its successor organization CAIR’ as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations under state law. You cannot invite such dangers through the front doors of our schools. Texans deserve immediate action to curb the spread of Islamic extremism, and public facilities funded by their tax dollars will not be utilized to host terrorist related groups.”
At the direction of the Governor, CFISD must immediately preserve all records and communications concerning this event and confirm with the Office of the Governor within seven days that any negotiations or agreements for the event are terminated. Should CFISD fail to comply, the Governor will direct the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to immediately seize and uncover any communications district employees may have regarding CAIR, any attempts to conceal CAIR’s involvement, and any agreements or financial statements related to the proposed event. TEA will immediately refer its findings to the Texas Attorney General to pursue legal action.
Read the Governor’s letter here.
Governor Abbott continues to take action to uphold the rule of law and defend Texas communities from threats posed by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, including:
- Requesting that U.S. Secretary Bessent suspend CAIR’s tax-exempt status
- Directing DPS to launch criminal investigations into the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR
- Designating the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations
- Ordering investigations into Sharia Courts
Hopkins County Judge Newsom Issues Declaration of Local State Of Disaster
DECLARATION OF A LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER
WHEREAS, The County of Hopkins, Texas, beginning Friday, January 23, 2026, is under threat of widespread and severe damage, injury, and loss of property, or the imminent threat thereof, resulting from a forecasted winter storm, including but not limited to:
wintry mix, sleet, snow, recurring precipitation,
prolonged freezing temperatures, and accumulative ice; and
WHEREAS, The County Judge of Hopkins County has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins County is expected to experience conditions that may cause widespread and severe damage, including loss of property to the County and its citizens, including but not limited to:
damaged homes, buildings, roads, bridges, parks and playgrounds;
downed powerlines, extended power outages, food spoilage, fallen trees,
hazardous debris, and
WHEREAS, Such conditions may threaten public health, safety, and welfare and require the utilization of all available County resources;
THEREFORE, I, the County Judge of Hopkins County, Texas, do hereby authorize the use of all available and necessary public resources of Hopkins County and its incorporated cities to respond to this disaster; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF HOPKINS COUNTY, TEXAS:
- That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Hopkins County, Texas.
- That the Hopkins County Emergency Management Plan is hereby activated and
implemented.
- That this local state of disaster shall continue unless and until terminated by order of the
Commissioners Court of Hopkins County, Texas.
- That this declaration shall take effect immediately upon issuance.
UK Bans Popular ‘Jolly’ Candy
January 21, 2026 – Health officials are calling for tighter restrictions on food imports after popular American sweets, Jolly Ranchers, were found to contain potentially harmful chemicals linked to petrol.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent food safety alert warning consumers not to eat certain Jolly Rancher products sold in the UK. Tests revealed the presence of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), substances considered unsafe for human consumption. MOAH are industrial contaminants commonly associated with petroleum products and can pose serious health risks if ingested over time.
The sweets, manufactured by US-based company The Hershey Company, are not authorised for sale under UK food safety regulations. While Jolly Ranchers are not officially distributed in the UK, they are often imported and sold through independent retailers, discount shops, and online marketplaces.
The FSA said the affected products present “a food safety risk” and has instructed local authorities to take action to remove them from sale. Health officials are now urging stronger enforcement measures to prevent unauthorised confectionery products from entering the UK market in the first place.
Food safety experts warn that MOAH compounds may contain carcinogens and should not be present in food at any level. “These substances are not permitted in food products sold in the UK,” an FSA spokesperson said, stressing that consumer safety must come before commercial demand.
The alert has renewed calls for stricter import controls and clearer accountability for retailers selling non-compliant products. Campaigners argue that gaps in enforcement allow unsafe foods to reach consumers, particularly children, who are the primary market for such sweets.
Consumers who have already purchased Jolly Ranchers are advised not to eat them and to dispose of the products safely. The FSA has said it will continue to monitor the situation and work with enforcement bodies to prevent further sales.
