Cumby Independent School District Receives A $181,574 Grant To Train 31 Students
Cumby ISD, Paris Junior College Win State Grants to Expand Career Training
October 3, 2025 – CUMBY, Texas – Students in Northeast Texas will soon have new opportunities to train for high-demand careers, thanks to more than $1.9 million in career training grants announced this week by Governor Greg Abbott. Among the seven recipients, Cumby Independent School District and Paris Junior College were awarded funding to expand nursing and technical education programs.
Cumby ISD received $181,574 to purchase equipment that will allow 31 students to train as licensed practical and vocational nurses. The program will be developed in partnership with Paris Junior College, strengthening ties between local high schools and higher education institutions to ensure students can transition directly into the healthcare workforce.
Paris Junior College itself secured a separate $332,450 grant to train 60 students as industrial machinery mechanics, a field critical to manufacturing and industrial operations across the region. College officials said the funds will help update labs with modern equipment, ensuring graduates are prepared for today’s technical demands.
“These investments directly benefit our students and our community,” said a Paris Junior College representative. “By equipping classrooms and labs with the latest technology, we are preparing students for good-paying jobs that are available right here in Texas.”
Governor Abbott emphasized that the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants are about strengthening both education and the economy. “These grants ensure students will gain the tools and training they need to secure good-paying jobs and promising career opportunities,” Abbott said.
The Texas Workforce Commission, which administers the JET program, estimates the new grants will support training for more than 520 students across the region in fields ranging from nursing to welding to semiconductor manufacturing.
For Cumby ISD and Paris Junior College, the funds mark a major step in expanding access to career and technical education while addressing the state’s growing workforce needs.+
Learn Some Pointers on Fall Gardening on This Episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey
October 2, 2025 – Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson had a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey September 30th, 2025. Ronnie and John Mark chatted about mums, when the average first freeze is, what to plant at this time, and so much more. Be sure to check out this interesting episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee and learn some pointers on Fall gardening.
Texoma Gospel Music Association Fall Gathering to Take Place October 10th and 11th at the ROC
October 2, 2025 – The Texoma Gospel Music Association Fall Gathering Southern, Christian, Country, and Gospel Music event is scheduled to take place October 10th through 11th, 2025, at the ROC in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Admission is free. A Love Offering will be taken. Doors open at 10:00am both days. For more information, please call 940-736-7881.
This and That for October 2025 By Master Gardener David Wall
October 3, 2025 – Bayer Chemicals bought out Monsanto seven years ago and has since had to pay out billions in settlements for cancer-causing Roundup. Bayer took glyphosate out of Roundup and replaced it with a chemical even more dangerous. Now, they are trying to push legislation that would block lawsuits against pesticide makers around the country. With enough donation support, they could conceivably get laws passed allowing companies to sell cancer-causing pesticides gardeners and farmers use to kill weeds and bugs.
Marigolds have a great reputation for preventing garden insect. I’ve used them myself for several years with great result, or so I thought. Fortunately, I plant a LOT of marigolds in my raised beds. I say fortunately, because we now know that unless planted close together, as in NOT one every 3-4’, marigolds don’t provide protection, and even if planted next to each other, the protection is still limited. They probably do more good under the soil than on top. For better insect repellants of attractant to keep pests off your crops, consider nasturtiums, chives, garlic, catnip, lavender, rosemary, and chrysanthemums.
After a killing frost, clear the garden plants, leaves, etc., ASAP. Cover crops always great in your garden, but if you don’t choose that, consider cutting off cucumber, okra, & pepper plants at soil. Let roots rot to provide nutrients next spring. For tomatoes, pull them out by the roots to reduce root knot nematode damage in future crops. then, spread a quicklime coating and rake it into the soil. This adds calcium plus kills pathogens and insect pests. You can do the same with agriculture lime which has additional nutrients, but it doesn’t kill pathogens or insects. Then, spread a good coating of wood ash, which can be straight from your fireplace. Mix with water or just water it in.
Hopkins County Annual Fall Coat & Blanket Drive 2025 is Under Way
October 2, 2025 – Fall is finally here! As temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to think about staying warm—both outdoors and at home. Unfortunately, not everyone in Hopkins County has the means to stay warm and comfortable during the winter months.
To meet this need, the Hopkins County community—through CANHelp—is kicking off the Annual Fall Coat & Blanket Drive 2025. Together, we can make sure everyone in our community stays warm this winter.
We are accepting new and gently used coats (all sizes) and new blankets beginning October 1st through Friday, November 21st.
Drop-off Locations:
CANHelp • AnyTime Fitness • TownCountry Clean • First Baptist Church • Central Baptist Church • First United Methodist Church • Journey Baptist Church • The Way Bible Church • St. James • Seymore Bible Church • Shannon Oaks Church • Luvin the Lyrik’s • Independence Baptist Church • Deep Routes • Guaranty Bank • Brashear Baptist Church • Grace Fellowship • SSMS (NJHS)
At CANHelp, donations are even easier—you can simply drive through and drop off items anytime from 8 AM – 8 PM at our drop-off barn located on the Davis Street side of our office:
613 Gilmer St., Sulphur Springs, TX
The Hopkins County Annual Fall Coat & Blanket Drive is a simple and meaningful way for individuals, families, schools, and organizations to come together to help our neighbors in need.
If you know someone who needs a coat, please send them to CANHelp.
We would also like to thank our sponsors and community partners for continuing to support this drive and helping our community thrive.
Hopkins County United Way Shared First Pledge Total to Date at Their First Meeting October 1st
October 2, 2025 – The Hopkins County United Way Executive Secretary, Susan Berning, reported to KSST that they held their first meeting of 2025 on October 1st, 2025. Susan was very pleased to report Campaign pledges after the United Way’s first Report Meeting total $11,773!! Sounds like our Hopkins County United Way is off to a good start for their 70th year. Hopkins County needs to come together and help this great organization go beyond their goal of $170,000.00. Together we can do it! Lets show everybody that Hopkins County is a great neighborhood to be a part of!
Governor Abbott Announces Task Force To Crack Down On Repeat Offenders
October 2, 2025 | Houston, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the Texas Repeat Offender Program (TxROP), a joint task force between state and local law enforcement that will further crack down on violent crimes committed by repeat offenders throughout the Houston area.
“Today, we are putting violent repeat offenders on notice,” said Governor Abbott. “We are coming for you. We are going to target you, arrest you, and put you behind bars where you belong. This is a Texas-sized effort by both the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement at every level to crack down on dangerous repeat offenders in the Houston area. Our goal is simple: every Houstonian deserves to walk the streets, take their kids to school, open their businesses, and go shopping or dining without fear.”
In collaboration with the Houston Police Department and federal law enforcement partners, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will place a renewed focus on repeat offenders who are prone to violent criminal acts. Law enforcement will be empowered to identify offenders and prioritize field operations to ensure compliance with any court-ordered conditions and arrest those terrorizing Texas communities.
DPS will utilize assets from the Air Operations Division, Homeland Security Division, and Criminal Investigations Division to support troopers in conducting this operation. These assets will be used in coordination with local and federal partners to support intelligence-gathering, tactical, and covert operations.
In June, Governor Abbott signed the strongest bail reform package in Texas history to protect Texans by keeping violent, repeat offenders behind bars. That package included:
- Senate Bill 9 (Huffman/Smithee) gives prosecutors the ability to appeal bad bail decisions made in cases involving the most heinous crimes and repeat felons. This law also ensures only elected judges may reduce the amount or conditions of a bail set by an elected judge.
- Senate Bill 40 (Huffman/Smithee) prohibits the use of public funds to pay a nonprofit organization that will then post bail for criminals.
- House Bill 75 (Smithee/Huffman) ensures transparency in the initial stages of a criminal case, requiring magistrates provide a written explanation on why they determined an arrest was made without probable cause.
- Senate Joint Resolution 5 (Huffman/Smithee) is a constitutional amendment that will require a judge to deny bail to a defendant charged with the most heinous crimes — such as rape, murder, human trafficking — when the state proves the defendant is a threat to public safety or will not show up for trial.
FDA Approves Drug to Combat Flesh-Eating Screwworm Amid Outbreak
October 2, 2025 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted conditional approval for an injectable drug to help fight the reemergence of the New World Screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that has resurfaced near Texas’ southern border.
The drug, called Dectomax-CA1 (doramectin injection), is designed for use in cattle to both treat and prevent infestations of the screwworm, which feeds on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. The FDA said the drug has been proven safe and has a “reasonable expectation of effectiveness,” though full approval will require additional data.
Doramectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug used in veterinary medicine to treat and control internal and external parasites in livestock like cattle, swine, sheep, and deer. It is a macrocyclic lactone derived from the soil organism Streptomyces avermitilis and is available as an injectable solution or pour-on formulation.
The announcement follows months of warnings from ranchers and agricultural officials about the risks posed by the parasite. The screwworm, once eradicated from most of the Americas in the 1960s through eradication programs, has recently reappeared. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed an infestation only 70 miles from the border city of Laredo, raising alarms across the livestock industry.
Doramectin is not approved for use in humans.
Texas cattle producers say the approval is critical for protecting herds and preventing the spread of the parasite northward. “Without effective treatment, screwworms can devastate livestock populations and cause massive economic losses,” one ranching association spokesperson said.
The FDA noted that Dectomax-CA1 can prevent reinfestation in cattle for up to 21 days. The agency emphasized that the approval is limited to specific uses in beef cattle, young dairy cattle, pregnant cows, newborn calves, and bulls.
Agricultural leaders welcomed the move but stressed that ongoing vigilance is necessary. “This is a vital tool, but it must be part of a broader strategy to keep the screwworm contained,” said a Texas agriculture official.
For now, the new drug offers ranchers and veterinarians their most promising line of defense against a parasite many had hoped was gone for good.
YouTube Faces Backlash Over Univision Drop: Paxton Weighs In
October 1, 2025 – YouTube is facing mounting pressure to reverse the removal of Univision from its base-level streaming package starting September 30, 2025. The Spanish-language network, one of the most-watched channels among Latino audiences in the U.S., could be shifted to a higher-priced tier or dropped altogether, according to industry reports.
Attorney General Ken Paxton is sending a letter to YouTube urging the company to reverse its reported plan to drop Univision from its base-level streaming package on September 30, 2025.
Community leaders, advocacy groups, and viewers are urging YouTube to reconsider, warning that the move would disproportionately affect Latino households that rely on Univision for news, sports, and cultural programming. “Univision is not just entertainment—it’s a vital source of information for millions of Spanish-speaking families,” one advocacy group said in a statement.
The dispute reportedly stems from contract negotiations between YouTube and TelevisaUnivision over carriage fees. If no agreement is reached, subscribers could lose access to popular Univision shows and coverage of major events, including soccer matches and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Latino organizations argue that eliminating Univision from the base package undermines diversity and representation in media. They are calling on YouTube to maintain the channel as part of its standard offering.
SNAP Recipients to See Benefit Increase Starting October 1
October 1, 2025 – Families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see larger monthly benefits beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual cost-of-living adjustment.
The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four will rise to $994, an increase of $19 from last year’s allotment of $975. Single-person households will now receive up to $298, while families of eight can qualify for as much as $1,789.
The USDA makes yearly adjustments to SNAP benefits based on the Thrifty Food Plan, which measures the cost of groceries and reflects inflation. Officials say the change is meant to help families better cover food expenses as prices remain high across much of the country.
But the modest increase comes alongside new federal work requirements for certain recipients. As of Sept. 1, 2025, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)—those ages 18 to 54 without children—must meet a 20-hour weekly threshold through work, education, training, or volunteering. Individuals who fail to meet the requirement may be limited to just three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period.
And the rules will soon expand. Beginning Nov. 1, 2025, the work mandate will also apply to adults ages 55 to 64, parents whose youngest child is at least 14, veterans, and some former foster youth.
Advocates say the added benefits are welcome but worry that stricter eligibility rules could push vulnerable households off the program. “A $19 increase for families is important, but it won’t make up for the number of people who may lose access entirely under these new requirements,” one food policy expert said.
SNAP currently supports more than 3.6 million Texans, providing a vital safety net for families struggling with rising food costs.
