2026 Big Tex Boot Design Contest Presented by Lucchese
By State Fair of Texas | October 22, 2025 | It’s time to hang up Big Tex’s old boots and design a new pair! The 2026 Big Tex Boot Design Contest officially kicks off today, October 22, 2025. In 2023, Big Tex got a brand-new pair of custom Lucchese boots, designed by previous contest winner Jessica Bonilla of Irving, Texas, and now he wants to give another loyal Fair fan the opportunity to design his next pair that he’ll debut at the 2026 State Fair of Texas.
In 2023, the contest was narrowed down to five designs, with Bonilla’s design coming in as the top choice. As the first-place winner, Bonilla received the opportunity to work with the State Fair of Texas and Lucchese Bootmaker to put the finishing touches on her boot design before her design was brought to life on Big Tex’s size 96 boots. While these boots are very special to Big Tex, he’s ready to refresh his wardrobe with a whole new pair. The 2026 Big Tex Boot Design Contest, presented by Lucchese Bootmaker, gives Fair fans the chance to design the biggest, best-known pair of boots in the Lone Star State.
It’s time to get creative and submit your best design. All you need to do is draw, paint, or illustrate your design on the templates provided at BigTex.com/DesignMyBoots and submit them with an entry form to the State Fair of Texas. The winning design will be announced on March 2, 2026. Who knows? It just might be yours.
The contest opens today, October 22, 2025, and the deadline is January 31, 2026, so get to designing! All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, January 31, 2026, to be considered.
The 2025 Fall Festival Parade Marched Through Sulphur Springs October 18th
October 23, 2025 – The Hopkins County 2025 Fall Festival Parade managed to beat the rain as it marched through Sulphur Springs, Texas, October 18th, 2025. Below is KSST’s/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this exciting parade. KSST’s James Terry provided Play by Play, and Color Commentary, for the Fall Festival Parade.
Learn About Fat Squirrel Week and How You Can Vote on This Second Cup Of Coffee
October 22, 2025 – Voting ends October 24th, 2025 for the best Fat Squirrel during this week, which is Fat Squirrel Week. Cooper Lake State Park Supervisor Aron Maib visited on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey to talk about “Fat Squirrel Week.” Aron and John Mark also chat about the Fall Hike Cooper Lake is going to host October 25th, 2025. Supervisor Aron Maib also talked about the lake levels at Cooper Lake, fiber optics being installed out at Cooper Lake State Park, and much more. Be sure to check out this funny segment and learn how you can vote for Cooper Lake’s chubby squirrel, Bingus. Be sure to vote by October 24th, 2025!
Attorney General Ken Paxton Arrests 35 Illegal Aliens for Immigration Violations Through Partnership with Trump Administration
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Criminal Investigative Division has detained and turned over for deportation 35 illegal aliens through its Section 287(g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”).
“Through our partnership with the Trump Administration, Texas is a safer place. Every illegal must be found, detained, and deported,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The invasion of illegal aliens encouraged by the Biden Administration represented one of the greatest threats to national sovereignty in our history. We will defend the American homeland by deporting the illegal aliens threatening to alter the fabric of our country.”
Recently, the Criminal Investigative Division encountered and detained 35 illegal aliens across the state in multiple metropolitan areas. These foreign nationals were then processed for removal by ICE in accordance with federal immigration law.
Immediately after President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term, he issued an executive order to defend the American people against the illegal aliens invading from across the world. Section 11 of that order called for the Secretary of Homeland Security to authorize state and local law enforcement entities to perform the functions of immigration officers as authorized under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
In February, Attorney General Paxton became the first law enforcement official in Texas to enter into a new 287(g) agreement during President Trump’s second term. This agreement enables trained members of the Office of the Attorney General to perform immigration law enforcement functions.
This press release was originally posted here.
Headed North? New Oklahoma Laws Target Drunk Drivers
New Oklahoma Law Expands Felony DUI Criteria Starting November 1
October 22, 2025 – A new Oklahoma law taking effect November 1 will significantly toughen penalties for driving under the influence, expanding the criteria for what qualifies as a felony DUI offense.
Oklahoma casinos say 80% of their patrons are from the Lone Star State.
Under the revised statute, individuals can now face felony charges even for a first-time DUI, depending on the level of impairment, the presence of minors in the vehicle, or if the offense results in injury or property damage. Previously, felony DUI charges were typically reserved for repeat offenders or cases involving serious injury or death.
It has been estimated that residents from Texas and the DFW area spent over $2.5 billion every year at border state casinos.
Law enforcement officials say the goal is to deter dangerous driving behavior and reduce alcohol-related crashes, which remain a leading cause of fatalities on Oklahoma roads. “This law sends a strong message,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Mark Reynolds. “Driving impaired, even once, can have life-changing consequences — including prison time.”
First-time offenders under the new law could face up to five years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and mandatory participation in substance abuse programs.
State officials are urging residents to plan ahead, use designated drivers, or rely on ride-share services. “It’s not worth the risk,” Reynolds added. “We want people to get home safe — and keep others safe, too.”
Learn About the Next Meeting of the Master Gardeners October 23rd on This Second Cup Of Coffee
October 21, 2025 – Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson visited on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey to chat about the upcoming meeting of the Master Gardeners October 23, 2025. Ronnie and John Mark discussed what one could expect from a meeting of the Master Gardeners, the lack of rain we have been experiencing, a visit the Hopkins County Master Gardeners had with a local home owner, and so much more. Be sure to check out this informative segment of A Second Cup of Coffee and see what is going to occur at the next meeting of the Hopkins County Master Gardeners October 23rd, 2025, at 10:00am, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas!
Hopkins County Genealogical Society 2025 City Cemetery Walk to be Held November 2nd
October 21, 2025 – The Hopkins County Genealogical Society presents, “If Headstones Could Talk” 2025 City Cemetery Walk. A walk among the headstones of pioneer Hopkins County citizens residing at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery. Hopkins County Genealogical Society members will bring these pioneer Hopkins County citizens back to life through stories, costumes, and props. The guided tour will be held at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery November 2nd, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Cost is a $10 donation. Reserve your spot by calling 903-885-8523, or by stopping by 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Hopkins County EMS Now Carries Whole Blood in the Field
October 21, 2025 – Program made possible through partnership with the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas — Hopkins County EMS has taken a major step forward in prehospital emergency care with the introduction of whole blood transfusion capability in the field. This advancement was made possible through the generous support of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation which positions the service among a select group of EMS agencies in Texas able to provide this lifesaving treatment before patients reach the hospital.
Whole blood contains red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, which are all vital components that work together to carry oxygen, restore blood volume, and promote clotting. For patients suffering from severe trauma or hemorrhage, early transfusion can dramatically improve survival rates and reduce complications.
“The ability to carry and administer whole blood is a tremendous advancement for both our service and our community,” said Brent Smith, Hopkins County EMS Director. “When a patient is bleeding severely, every minute counts. Having whole blood available in the field allows us to deliver critical care faster and save more lives.”
By equipping the EMS service with whole blood, Hopkins County EMS can begin transfusions immediately for patients experiencing life-threatening blood loss, whether from motor vehicle collisions, farm or industrial accidents, or other major trauma and medical emergencies. This capability is especially significant for rural areas, where transport times to definitive care can be longer.
“This initiative represents the kind of forward-thinking healthcare the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation strives to support,” said Kayla Price, Executive Director of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Hopkins County EMS to bring this lifesaving resource to our residents.”
The Foundation’s funding made it possible to acquire the specialized equipment, training, and supply chain logistics required to store and administer whole blood safely in the field.
About Hopkins County EMS
Hopkins County EMS provides emergency medical services to the citizens of Hopkins, Delta, Franklin and Rains County with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassion. Its team of paramedics and emergency medical technicians are highly trained to deliver advanced prehospital care and continually seek new ways to improve patient outcomes.
About the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation is dedicated to improving healthcare services and resources in Hopkins County. Through community donations and partnerships, the Foundation supports local medical facilities, technology, and programs that enhance the quality of care for all residents.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Wants Voters To Prove Citizenship
October 21, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading a coalition of 14 state attorneys general in a push to reshape federal voter-registration rules by filing a joint comment with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The filing supports a rulemaking petition from the America First Legal Foundation (AFL) that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship on the federal voter‐registration form.
Paxton argues that the current system, which relies primarily on a voter’s self-attestation of citizenship, lacks sufficient protections to guard against ineligible registrations. The coalition’s comment urges the EAC to amend its regulations under the National Voter Registration Act so that states can verify citizenship and maintain accurate voter rolls.
In his statement, Paxton said: “It’s imperative that only eligible U.S. citizens are registering and voting in our elections … Every illegal vote dilutes the voice of law-abiding American citizens.” The comment also references Executive Order 14248 — issued earlier this year — which directs federal agencies to preserve the integrity of American elections.
The coalition argues that proof-of-citizenship requirements would not only enhance public confidence in electoral outcomes but also reduce administrative burdens on states tasked with cleaning up inaccurate or ineligible registrations. The rulemaking process now awaits the EAC’s response to the petition.
Tariffs Are Increasing the Cost of Fertilizer
October 21, 2025 – A new analysis reveals that tariffs under the administration of Donald Trump are already shifting fertilizer supply chains and increasing costs for U.S. agricultural customers. The report shows that between April and September, imports of potash from countries targeted by new levies fell by about 31 percent, while imports from Canada—mostly exempt under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)—declined more modestly at around 12 percent.
The increase in input costs will ultimately be passed to the consumer in the form of higher costs for groceries.
Importers appear to be pivoting toward sources not yet subject to baseline tariffs; for example, the analysis notes an uptick in imports from Russia, which was not hit by the initial 10 percent tariff. The shift reflects how importers and farmers are adapting to heightened trade barriers by sourcing from lower-tariff countries, but that adjustment comes at a cost.
Industry experts say the changes are forcing higher input costs down the supply chain. Analysts warned that tariffs on potash, a critical nutrient input that the U.S. imports heavily—especially from Canada—could generate price increases of more than $100 per ton. Additional research notes that fertilizer input costs already make up a large share of farm operating costs in the U.S., and disruptions or tariff-driven changes in sourcing can compound price pressure.
While the study underscores the immediate effects of the tariff regime on fertilizer trade flows and costs, it also signals potential broader inflationary impacts for the agriculture sector and food supply chain.
Agricultural groups are urging the administration to reconsider the tariffs, warning that continued volatility could further strain U.S. producers heading into the 2026 planting season.
