Dallas to Houston High-speed Rail Project Finds New Support
April 23, 2025 – The long-delayed high-speed rail project connecting Dallas and Houston has found new leadership under Texas investor and Republican donor John Kleinheinz. His firm, Kleinheinz Capital Partners, recently acquired a controlling interest in Texas Central, the company spearheading the project. This transition follows the Trump administration’s decision to revoke a $64 million federal grant and terminate a...
Texas House Bill Set to Give You The Same Right As Your Horse, Hog, Heifer…
April 22, 2025 – House Bill 3219, introduced by State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R–Nacogdoches), proposes allowing Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription. The bill was heard in the House Public Health Committee yesterday, drawing both support and opposition. Proponents argue the measure empowers patients and pharmacists, giving Texans greater access to medications they believe could be beneficial. It’s...
Texas Ends Remote Work Option for Government Employees
March 7, 2025 – The State of Texas has officially ended remote work for government employees, following a broader push by President Donald Trump to bring federal workers back to in-person offices. On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order requiring federal employees to return to onsite work, citing the need for efficiency, accountability, and better public service. Texas leaders quickly followed suit,...
It’s Not Your Imagination, Assaults on Teachers Are On The Rise
March 5, 2025 – Assaults on teachers in Texas have surged by 18% over the past two school years, with more than 3,500 staff members injured by students, highlighting growing concerns about safety in schools. The increase in violent incidents has placed immense pressure on educators, administrators, and lawmakers to address the underlying causes and implement effective preventative measures. Educators report facing physical...
Low Vaccine Rates Blamed for West Texas Measles Surge
February 11, 2025 – In late January 2025, health officials in Gaines County, West Texas, reported an outbreak of measles, with 15 confirmed cases predominantly among school-aged children. Gaines County is noted for its high rate of vaccine exemptions; nearly 1 in 5 incoming kindergartners in the 2023-24 school year had not received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The initial cases were identified in unvaccinated...
What Happened to Joann Fabrics?
February 2, 2025 – Joann Fabrics, a prominent fabric and craft retailer established in 1943, has faced significant financial challenges in recent years, leading to two Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings within a single year. The first filing occurred in March 2024, attributed to declining sales and shifting consumer behaviors post-pandemic. Despite restructuring efforts that eliminated approximately $500 million in debt, the company...
Paris Junior College Introduces new Vice President to Help Student Success
New PJC vice president pursues passion to help students succeed June 28, 2024 – For many years, Paris Junior College has been transitioning beyond being an “open door” college where everyone is welcome towards a primary focus of successful completion for every student. A major step on this path has been taken with the hiring of Dr. Lisa Elliott as Vice President of Student Access and Success. Her arrival at PJC on...
Texans face a bigger burden than ever to pay rent, study finds
By Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune Jan. 25, 2024 – Texas renters are under more pressure from the state’s high housing costs than ever, according to a Harvard University study released Thursday. More than half of the state’s 4.2 million renter households spend too much of their income on keeping a roof over their heads and the lights on, a report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies shows. Some 51% of Texas renters...
Sulphur Springs Leader Joe Bob Burgin Named As Chair Of Statewide Texas Healthcare Trustees Board
(Austin, Texas) – Joe Bob Burgin, board member of the Hopkins County District and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Northeast Texas (TMFNT) Board of Directors, has been elected Board Chair of the Texas Healthcare Trustees (THT). A statewide non-profit organization, THT provides education, training, and resources to those serving on governing boards of hospitals and health care systems in Texas. “We are excited to have Joe Bob serve on...
Texans Owed Millions In 2019 Tax Refunds, Deadline July 17
April 13, 2023― The Internal Revenue Service announced today that nearly 1.5 million people across the nation have unclaimed refunds for tax year 2019 but face a July 17 deadline to submit their tax return. The IRS estimates almost $1.5 billion in refunds remain unclaimed because people haven’t filed their 2019 tax returns yet. The average median refund is $893 for this year, and the IRS has done a special state-by-state...
