CEA Lisa Sprague Chatted with John Mark Again on this Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, Texas A&M AgriLife CEA Lisa Sprague from Delta County sat down with John Mark again. The two discussed the “Walk Across Texas” Program, Fall Festival, and much more. Be sure to give it a view and see what you learn. Enjoy!
ERCOT Redesigns Mobile App to Enhance User Experience
October 9, 2024 – Austin, TX – Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) today announced the release of the newly enhanced ERCOT mobile app. The mobile app was redesigned to empower users with easy access to transparent, reliable, and real-time information on ERCOT grid conditions and operations.
“We are committed to providing reliable information on real-time grid conditions and operations that is easily accessible to all stakeholders, including the public,” said Gilbert Hughes, ERCOT Vice President, Public Affairs. “This redesign highlights that commitment. By integrating feedback from our various stakeholder groups, we have improved our app’s experience.”
Based upon extensive Market Participant (entities that participate in the ERCOT wholesale market) and public feedback, the new mobile app enhancements include improved navigation, added and expanded interactive ERCOT dashboards, a week-ahead calendar of ERCOT meetings, the ability to customize the home screen, dark mode, and the addition of educational videos explaining ERCOT’s dashboard features.
Informative welcome screens now assist new users as they navigate through the mobile app’s features.
To use these new features, current ERCOT mobile app users will need to update their app to the latest version when prompted by their device.
The ERCOT mobile app is available for download on iOS devices via the Apple App Store, and on Android devices at the Google Play Store. Read the Market Notice for more information.
Texas A&M-Commerce Name Change Still a Possibility
October 9, 2024 – After much resistance over the past several months about a possible name change of the nearby campus, that possibility of a change of the name is still being offered by the university president, Dr. Mark Rudin. The A&M System seems determined to make a change and remove “Commerce” from the name as some believe that the name of the city is confusing to those outside East Texas. The explanation by some is that some future students may not consider the local university as they may think that the word “commerce” pertains to the academic focus of this particular campus similar to words like colleges that contain the word “technical”.
As it seems the A&M System Regents Board wish to move forward on a name change, current A&M Commerce president Dr. Mark Rudin emailed the university community indicating his recommendation to the Board of Regents to change the name to “East Texas A&M University”. Rudin’s message said he’s requesting that the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents consider adding the change to the agenda of its next regular meeting, Nov. 6-8 in College Station. Rudin said that if the proposal makes it onto the agenda, a vote would occur on Nov. 7.
This information should be a welcome relief to those involved as the campus name has always included “East Texas” since its inception as East Texas Normal College in Cooper, TX in 1889. As the name changed several times over the years and always including “East Texas” finally settling on East Texas State University for it’s longest period before merging with the Texas A&M system in 1996.
Earlier this year, a proposal to rename the university Texas A&M University-Dallas was leaked in June and was acknowledged by the university in July. Public response was mostly negative and led to the idea being dropped in August.
Below is the text from the email sent out by Dr. Rudin sent October 7, 2024.
Dear Lion Family,
Our university has experienced exceptional growth and campus expansion over the past several years. It is evident from our record enrollment in the Fall 2024 semester that we serve a large geographic area in the state, providing our students with robust wrap-around services and offering academic programs that enable them to build solid careers and better lives.
Despite these successes, our university is preparing for a challenging future due to a significant decline in the traditional college-aged population in Texas and across the nation beginning in the fall of 2025. Further, Texas colleges and universities in our area are experiencing unprecedented competition from out-of-state institutions that are heavily recruiting in our backyard. Many are even establishing physical offices in our region to promote their universities. These developments are weighing on the minds of higher education leaders here and across the country.
In order to sustain the positive momentum we have achieved in recent years, we must strengthen our university’s identity. To do so, we must increase our visibility and reinforce our mission to serve the rural and urban educational needs of our region.
As you know, we have had many discussions about a proposed name change to help us with this challenge. I continue to hear from students, faculty, staff, alumni and Lion supporters who are actively advancing a number of names for consideration.
The collective sentiment is to change our institution’s name to East Texas A&M University. This choice not only broadens our regional, national and international identity but also reconnects us with our historical roots: “East Texas,” which was part of our university’s name until 1996.
For all of the reasons I mentioned above, and in the interest of transparency, I am announcing here that I will formally request that The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents consider changing our university’s name from Texas A&M University-Commerce to East Texas A&M University.
The consideration process will include the following steps:
· I will submit a letter to Chancellor Sharp requesting that the name change proposal be included as an agenda item at their upcoming meeting, held on November 6-8, 2024.
· I will also submit a request for financial support from The Texas A&M University System for costs associated with the name change. Note that the System has indicated their willingness from the beginning of this process to help with any expenses associated with a name change.
· If accepted as an agenda item, the name change proposal will be added to the Board of Regents’ official agenda approximately one week before the meeting.
· If the name change is on the agenda, the Board of Regents will vote on the proposal on November 7, 2024.
If the Board of Regents approves the name change, it will take effect immediately upon the vote. However, we will request a six- to eight-month grace period to ensure a smooth transition, allowing us to make requisite branding changes.
I recognize there will be questions associated with this proposed name change. We’ll keep you updated as we move forward with this initiative.
Thank you for your support of our university.
Warm regards,
Mark Rudin
President
Concert and Authentic Mexican Food on Saturday at 1PM
October 9, 2029 – Come out and help Jesus Es El Camino celebrate the continued construction of their new Worship Center. There will be Christian Music and plenty of mexican food. Be sure to try the hand made Garnaches. Proceeds go to the building fund.
It all happens in Saltillo on Saturday October 12, 2024 starting 1PM.
Governor Abbott Announces 9th Annual Texas HireAbility Campaign
October 9, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities is partnering with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for the ninth annual Texas HireAbility campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. The Governor also issued a proclamation declaring October 2024 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Texas.
“Each October, we celebrate Texas’ diverse workforce that employs nearly two million Texans with disabilities across our state and helps power our strong economy,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is the land of opportunity where anyone can succeed. Only in Texas can a young man have his back broken in half and rise up to become Governor of the greatest state in the nation. Through Disability Employment Awareness Month and Texas HireAbility, we will build a bigger, better Texas for everyone who calls our great state home.”
“The Texas Workforce Commission supports Texans of all abilities,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Initiatives like the Texas HireAbility campaign help Texans with disabilities and employers maximize their success in the Texas workforce.”
“The strength of the Texas workforce depends on the diversity, skills, and talents of all Texans,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC supports career pathways to empower individuals of all abilities with opportunities to find meaningful careers and energize the Texas economy with their talents.”
“Being inclusive is important because we have a diverse community in Texas, and our workforce should reflect that,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “Initiatives like Texas HireAbility encourage employers to partner with the Texas Workforce Commission to strengthen their outreach and accommodations for people with disabilities.”
The Texas HireAbility Employer Forum on October 30, 2024 at the Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus will share the latest practices in accessibility and disability inclusion with employers. The Forum also features the Lex Frieden Employment Awards to recognize individuals and businesses that make significant contributions to advancing disability inclusion.
Through Texas HireAbility, TWC and its partners will participate in events across the state in October to promote awareness about disabilities. Activities include job fairs and hiring events for employers and job seekers of all abilities.
TWC launched the We Hire Ability program to recognize businesses and organizations with a workforce of at least 10% people with disabilities. Employers who have shown a commitment to creating an inclusive workforce may apply or be nominated.
Hopkins County United Way held Their Second Meeting of the Current Campaign October 8th and the Donations are just Marching In
October 8, 2024 – The Hopkins County United Way held their second meeting of the season Tuesday, (the 8th), and the donations are continuing to march in. KSST was present at this meeting. Everyone sat at a conference table at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The volunteers went around the room sharing what businesses and organizations had turned in their donation packets. Many volunteers reported many packets had been turned in. As each volunteer went around the room and made their reports, the others cheered them on.
As Executive Secretary Susan Berning added up the totals, the Campaign Volunteers, that wanted to, submitted their names for the drawing of door prizes, and three winners were drawn. Afterwards, when the numbers were all added up, Campaign Chair Lyndsay Palmer called for a symbolic drum roll as she announced the grand total of the campaign for this meeting, and for up to this point. After all was said and done, Lyndsay and Susan were very pleased to announce pledges reported at this meeting total $13,609.23, bringing the pledge total to $31,474.22.
Susan and Lyndsay then told everyone the next Campaign Report Meeting would be next Tuesday, same time, same place. Then everyone went their separate ways for the day.
Adoption Event at Petsense in Sulphur Springs on Saturday
October 8, 2024 – Hearts of Life No-Kill Shelter in Sulphur Springs, will be at Petsense in Sulphur Springs on Saturday October 12, 2024. Stop by and see all the pets available for adoption.
There will also be several local venders, selling pet related goods.
Hearts of Life will also be giving away dog swag as well. Find out more by going to their official Facebook page.
Here are some of the dog up for adoption.
Paxton Demands Citizenship Data From Biden-Harris Administration To Investigate Potential Noncitizen Voters
October 8, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter demanding that the federal government fulfill its legal obligations by providing any information it possesses regarding the citizenship status of people who may be illegally registered to vote in Texas.
On September 18, Attorney General Paxton urged the Texas Secretary of State to request data from the federal government that would enable Texas to determine the citizenship status of certain registered voters without a State of Texas-issued driver’s license or identification card. To expedite the process of voter eligibility verification, Attorney General Paxton requested a list of the approximately 450,000 voters whose citizenship status has never been checked from the Texas Secretary of State so he could send it to the federal government himself.
While it is a crime for noncitizens to register to vote, federal law has been construed by the courts to restrict states from requiring proof of citizenship as a prerequisite for registration. However, the same federal laws also place obligations on the federal government to help states investigate and identify potential noncitizens on voter rolls. Attorney General Paxton’s request letter formally triggers these obligations.
“I demand full cooperation from the federal government to ensure that any noncitizens remaining on Texas’s voter registration rolls are identified,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The Biden-Harris Administration is legally obligated to assist States in doing so, and it is imperative that we use every tool available to uphold the integrity of our elections.”
Governor Abbott Deploys Hurricane Resources To Florida, Tennessee
October 8, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott announced that he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy Texas emergency response and recovery resources to Florida and Tennessee, following requests from the Florida Division of Emergency Management ahead of Hurricane Milton and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency for Hurricane Helene impacts.
“Texas is swiftly deploying emergency response personnel and resources to Florida as Hurricane Milton prepares to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week,” said Governor Abbott. “I also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to send additional state resources to Tennessee to assist in recovery efforts for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. America is stronger when we come together in times of crisis, and Texas will continue to deploy crucial resources to support our fellow Americans as they prepare for and recover from these destructive storms. I thank all the Texas emergency response personnel for their work in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and for answering the call to support the people of Florida as they brace for Hurricane Milton.”
The emergency response resources inbound for Florida have mobilized ahead of impact from Hurricane Milton, while the disaster recovery resources deployed to Tennessee are to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. This deployment is in addition to state emergency response and recovery resources from Texas that remain engaged in support of state and local officials across the Southeast United States following impacts from Hurricane Helene.
At the direction of Governor Abbott, TDEM has deployed the following resources to support Florida’s Hurricane Milton emergency response operations:
- Texas Division of Emergency Management: Emergency management personnel to assist with emergency response resource coordination efforts
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads and search and rescue personnel to assist with flood response efforts
The Governor also directed TDEM to deploy the following resources to assist Tennessee’s Hurricane Helene recovery efforts:
- Texas Division of Emergency Management: Emergency management personnel to support logistics and disaster finance operations
This deployment of resources is coordinated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is a state-to-state mutual aid system that enables states to provide assistance and share resources with another state in response to a disaster or emergency. EMAC members can share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy, and be reimbursed for mission-related costs. For more information, visit emacweb.org.
Governor Abbott continues to take action to support tropical weather response and recovery efforts, including:
- Deploying Incident Support Task Force personnel to North Carolina to assist state and local emergency operations centers communities impacted by Hurricane Helene
- Deploying emergency veterinary resources to North Carolina to support Helene response and recovery efforts
- Deploying emergency power generators to Georgia following Helene
- Deploying Texas A&M Task Force 1 urban search and rescue resources to Florida ahead of storm impacts from Helene
Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library to be Open October 12th
October 7, 2024 – The Hopkins County Genealogical Society announces that their library will be open Saturday, October 12th, 2024, from 9:30am to 1:00pm. The library will be open for “all your research needs.” The Hopkins County Genealogical Society hopes “you will join us!” The Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library is located at 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
