Texas Launches New Program Aimed at Increasing Sexual Assault Reporting
December 11, 2025 – A new Texas program designed to give sexual assault survivors more control over their reporting decisions is now in effect, and state leaders say it could significantly increase the number of people who seek medical care and evidence collection after an assault.
Under House Bill 1422, survivors can now receive a forensic medical exam and have DNA evidence tested without being required to immediately file a police report. The initiative, known as the Limited Consent for DNA Testing Program, removes what advocates describe as one of the most persistent barriers to reporting: fear of mandatory law-enforcement involvement.
“House Bill 1422 removes one of the biggest barriers sexual assault survivors face when deciding whether to seek help: the fear that getting a forensic exam means they must immediately involve law enforcement,” a state senator said in support of the program. “With the Limited Consent for DNA Testing Program now in place, survivors can take back some control, get critical evidence collected and tested at no cost, and decide later – on their own timeline – whether to move forward with a police report. The implementation of this program marks a historic step forward for survivor-centered justice in Texas.”
State officials and victim-advocacy groups say the program could lead to more timely evidence collection, higher reporting rates, and improved prosecution outcomes in cases where survivors later choose to report. Hospitals and sexual assault nurse examiners have been preparing for the change, which requires new protocols for handling, testing, and storing evidence.
The program represents a major shift in Texas’ approach to sexual assault response—one that prioritizes survivor autonomy and aims to reduce the number of unreported assaults across the state.
How to use the program
What you can do:
If requesting the release of the evidence and lab results to law enforcement in order to pursue an investigation, the survivor should:
- Contact the applicable law enforcement agency, based on where the offense occurred;
- Inform the agency that they are a survivor of a sexual assault, that evidence was previously collected, and was analyzed by the DPS; and
- Sign the Consent for Release of Limited Consent for DNA Testing of Sexual Assault Evidence form (LAB-209) to give DPS permission to release the lab report/kit to law enforcement. The law enforcement case number is required so that any eligible DNA profiles can be entered into CODIS.
Find out more information at this link.
Six More States Join Texas in Banning Junk Food Purchases Under SNAP
December 11, 2025 – Six additional states will soon prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from using their benefits to buy junk food, joining a growing nationwide effort to restrict purchases of soda, candy, and other nutritionally poor items. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee will adopt the new rules beginning in 2026.
They join 12 other states—including Texas, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, and West Virginia—that have already committed to redefining what qualifies as “food for purchase” under SNAP. Most states will implement the restrictions on Jan. 1, 2026, with others phasing them in later in the year.
The policy shift is part of the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, aimed at reducing chronic diseases linked to diet. Rollins said the changes represent “bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the states’ involvement, calling their participation “courageous leadership.”
While exact rules will differ by state, most will block the purchase of sugary soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy using taxpayer-funded benefits.
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service oversees SNAP, which cost just over $100 billion in fiscal year 2024 and served more than 42 million Americans. The average recipient received $190.59 per month.
Federal officials say the new restrictions are designed to encourage healthier habits, while critics argue they may burden low-income families. More changes to SNAP eligibility and work requirements are expected as the USDA continues its planned overhaul of the program.
USDA Launches New Regenerative Pilot Program to Lower Farmer Production Costs and Advance MAHA Agenda
December 11, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.
Building off the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy released in September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also investing in research on the connection between regenerative agriculture and public health, as well as developing public health messaging explaining this connection.
“Protecting and improving the health of our soil is critical not only for the future viability of farmland, but to the future success of American farmers. In order to continue to be the most productive and efficient growers in the world, we must protect our topsoil from unnecessary erosion and improve soil health and land stewardship. Today’s announcement encourages these priorities while supporting farmers who choose to transition to regenerative agriculture. The Regenerative Pilot Program also puts Farmers First and reduces barriers to entry for conservation programs,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This is another initiative driven by President Trump’s mission to Make America Healthy Again. Alongside Secretary Kennedy, we have made great strides to ensure the safe, nutritious, and affordable food our great farmers produce make it to dinner tables across this great country.”
“In September, under President Trump’s leadership, we released the MAHA Strategy Report, which includes a full section on soil health and land stewardship,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “Today’s regenerative farming announcement directly advances that deliverable. If we intend to Make America Healthy Again, we must begin by restoring the health of our soil.”
“We cannot truly be a wealthy nation if we are not also a healthy nation. Access to wholesome, nutritious, and affordable foods is a key tenet of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, which President Trump has directed this administration to execute across all government agencies,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “I commend Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for today’s efforts to strengthen our nation’s food supply.”
Protecting Soil and Reducing Production Costs
In response to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, Congress created the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help people help the land and improve conservation of the nation’s soil and water resources.
This action led to improved soil health and natural resources management which, in turn, has led to increased productivity. Between 1948 and 2021, total U.S. farm production increased 190% while total farm inputs—such as land, labor, and water—decreased 2% in the same period.
However, current conservation programs at USDA have become overly burdensome and farmers are bogged down with red tape whenever they try to adopt soil health and regenerative agriculture practices. Even with the improved soil health since the creation of NRCS, USDA data shows that farmers recently reported that 25% of acres had water-driven erosion concerns and 16% of acres had wind-driven erosion concerns.
The Regenerative Pilot Program directly addresses these challenges by cutting administrative burdens for producers, expanding access to new and beginning farmers, and boosting yields and long-term soil resilience across operations.
About the Regenerative Pilot Program
Administered by NRCS, this new Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. The initiative highlights USDA’s commitment to putting Farmers First and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.
In FY2026, the Regenerative Pilot Program will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water, and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this first year of regenerative agriculture projects.
Producers can now bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process and increasing flexibility for operations. The program is designed for both beginning and advanced producers, ensuring availability for all farmers ready to take the next step in regenerative agriculture.
Chief’s Advisory Council
To keep the Regenerative Pilot Program grounded in practical, producer-led solutions, NRCS is establishing the Chief’s Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Council. The Council will meet quarterly, with rotating participants, to advise the Chief of NRCS, review implementation progress, and help guide data and reporting improvements. Its recommendations will shape future USDA conservation delivery and strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors.
Public + Private Partnerships
There is a growing desire among private companies to fund conservation practices that improve natural resources management. This announcement unlocks new opportunities for USDA to leverage existing authorities to create public-private partnerships within NRCS conservation programs. These partnerships will allow USDA to match private funding, in turn stretching taxpayer dollars further, and bringing new capacity to producers interested in adopting regenerative practices.
Companies interested in partnering with USDA NRCS in the Regenerative Pilot Program can email [email protected] for more information.
How to Apply
Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for consideration in FY2026 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process.
Governor Abbott Announces Texas Will Opt In to Federal School Choice Tax Credit Program
December 11, 2025 – Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that Texas will participate in the new Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program established under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, positioning the state to expand parental choice in education beginning in 2027.
“Texas has delivered on its promise to bring education freedom to every Texas family,” Abbott said in a statement. He noted that the program allows Texans to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit—up to $1,700 per year—for donations to qualified scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). Contributions exceeding that amount may be carried forward for up to five years.
Under the federal initiative, students from families earning up to 300% of the local median income can apply for scholarships through SGOs. Funds may be used not only for private school tuition but also for a range of educational expenses, including tutoring, transportation, and special-needs services. States must formally opt in, and Texas will join the program when it launches in January 2027.
Abbott emphasized that partnering with the Trump administration will “increase the opportunity for families to choose the educational setting that works best for their child,” calling it a major step toward empowering parents statewide.
The announcement comes months after Abbott signed Senate Bill 2, which created the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program. TEFA allows eligible students to direct state funding toward approved educational providers and services. With $1 billion allocated for the 2026–2027 school year, officials say it will be the largest first-year education savings account launch in the nation.
State leaders say the combination of TEFA and the new federal tax credit program will significantly broaden school choice options, giving Texas families more control over their children’s educational paths.
Winter Depression on the Rise as Shorter Days Bring Seasonal Challenges — Experts Urge Texans to Hold on to Hope
December 10, 2025 – As Texas approaches the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year — mental health professionals say cases of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are beginning to climb, mirroring national trends. Shorter daylight hours, colder weather, and reduced time outdoors all contribute to what is commonly known as “winter depression,” a condition that affects millions each year.
The winter solstice for Sulphur Springs, TX, which is the shortest day of the year, occurring around December 21, 2025, at 9:03 AM, marking the start of winter with the least daylight (around 10 hours, 7 minutes) and longest night, as the Earth’s tilt puts the Northern Hemisphere farthest from the Sun.
SAD is a form of recurrent depression triggered by seasonal changes, most often beginning in late fall and peaking during the winter months. According to clinicians, the lack of natural sunlight disrupts the body’s internal clock, lowers serotonin levels, and interferes with melatonin production, all of which can worsen mood and energy levels.
“People often don’t realize how drastically the loss of daylight impacts their mental health,” one therapist explained. “The brain is extremely sensitive to light. When we lose that natural cue, it affects everything from sleep patterns to overall motivation.”
Symptoms often include persistent sadness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawal from social activities. While SAD can affect anyone, individuals with a history of depression may be more vulnerable during the winter months.
Mental health providers emphasize that the condition is treatable — and temporary.
“This time of year can feel heavy, but it will pass,” a licensed counselor said. “We remind our patients that the solstice marks a turning point. Every day after gets a little brighter.”
Experts recommend several strategies to manage symptoms, including daily exposure to sunlight, maintaining consistent sleep schedules, exercising regularly, and using light therapy boxes under professional guidance. For many, reaching out to friends, family, or counselors can also provide much-needed support.
“Hope is one of the most powerful tools we have,” another specialist noted. “Even in the darkest weeks of winter, there is light ahead.”
With the solstice just days away, health professionals encourage Texans to be patient with themselves, seek help when needed, and remember that brighter days — both literally and emotionally — are on the way.
Wildlife Health Alert: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Multiple Areas Throughout Texas
December 10, 2025 – AUSTIN —Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges caution as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is circulating among wild birds across the state as waterbirds and waterfowl migrate and congregate on their wintering grounds.
Detected in all 50 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, HPAI is a highly contagious zoonotic virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. It can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination.
What is Avian Influenza:
Avian Influenza, caused by influenza type A viruses, is a contagious viral disease that poses a major threat to the poultry industry and animal health. Migratory waterfowl and other waterbirds are a natural reservoir for this disease.
There are many strains of the virus that vary in severity based on the species affected. These strains are put into two general classifications— low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI). LPAI generally causes only minor illnesses and occurs naturally in migratory waterfowl. HPAI spreads rapidly and has a high death rate in birds.
Additionally, select mammal species are highly susceptible to HPAI including domestic cats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, mountain lions and black bears.
Due to the ease of transmission, TPWD recommends wildlife rehabilitators remain cautious when intaking wild animals with clinical signs consistent with HPAI and quarantining animals to limit the potential for HPAI exposure to other animals within the facility. Backyard poultry may infect or be infected by contact with wild birds. If a wildlife rehabilitator suspects HPAI in an animal, contact TPWD within 24 hours of intake.
Clinical Signs and Transmission:
Clinical signs include neurological disease such as incoordination or stumbling, lethargy, trembling, seizures, lack of fear of people, coughing and sneezing and sudden death, though birds infected with HPAI may not always have outward signs of infection. The virus may spread in a variety of ways, including through contact with infected wild and domestic birds as well as by contaminated equipment, clothing and shoes of caretakers.
For mammals, transmission occurs primarily through the consumption of infected animal carcasses and contaminated equipment.
Currently, the transmission risk of avian influenza from infected birds to people remains low, but the public should take basic protective measures if contact with wild animals cannot be avoided. Public and health care professionals can find more information about HPAI in humans from the Texas Department of State Health Services. If you have contact with an HPAI-positive animal and develop signs of illness, immediately contact your health care provider and let them know about the exposure.
Prevention:
The public can assist in interrupting HPAI transmission by limiting all unnecessary contact with wild birds. Bird feeders and water sources should be cleaned at least every two weeks with a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Change water in birdbaths every few days and regularly remove wet feed and seed from feed and water sources. Discourage the congregation of waterfowl around food, water sources and backyard flocks.
Game bird hunters should consider precautions such as:
- Disposing of carcasses properly
- Wearing gloves when processing
- Avoiding consumption or processing of any sick bird
- Cleaning and disinfecting tools between carcasses
- Cooking meat to proper temperatures
If you encounter a wild animal with signs consistent with HPAI, contact your local TPWD wildlife biologist.
Additional Resources:
- United States Department of Agriculture- Avian Influenza
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza - Texas Animal Health Commission- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/avianinfluenza.html - Center for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/ - Hunters- Protect your Poultry and Pet Birds
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf - Manage Wildlife to Prevent Avian Influenza
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fs-manage-wildlife-prevent-ai.508.pdf - Avian influenza- American Veterinary Medical Association
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza
The Lions Club Annual Christmas Parade Marched Through Sulphur Springs December 5th
December 10, 2025 – The 19th Annual Sulphur Springs, Texas, Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade took place Friday, December 5th, 2025, with much joy and celebration. Numerous local businesses, organizations, groups, marching bands, and clubs participated in the joyous Holiday parade. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this festive event. KSST’s James Terry provided commentary for the parade.
Como-Pickton CISD Names Lydia Walden as Lone Finalist for Superintendent
December 9, 2025 – The Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees announced at last night’s board meeting that Lydia Walden, long-time district administrator, has been named the Lone Finalist for Superintendent. Walden has served in education for 42 years, with 26 of those years dedicated to CPCISD. She and her husband, Eric, reside in Sulphur Springs and are the proud parents of four grown children and grandparents to seven.
“I just want to say thank you for all the support, and thank you for the belief in me,” Walden said. “To the board … I am deeply honored and humbled and want to say thank you for trusting me with this enormous responsibility and the care of our CP students and staff.”
Walden shared that her focus remains on maintaining high expectations while ensuring that every student receives the support they need to succeed. “Every decision we make must lift students. When we lead with purpose, collaboration, and heart, schools become places where every child sees possibility — and every educator feels valued,” she said.
Before serving as Interim Superintendent, Walden was CPCISD’s Assistant Superintendent. Her 42-year career includes roles as a teacher and/or administrator in Mt. Vernon, Sulphur Springs, Garland, and Highland Park ISD before returning to Como-Pickton to serve as Assistant Superintendent.
“This district and community mean so much to me, and I look forward to continuing our shared commitment to doing what’s best for our students, staff, and stakeholders who make CPCISD such a special place,” Walden said.
By law, she is expected to officially assume the superintendent role following the required 21-day waiting period.
Texas Landowners Can Receive Up to $80,000 to Reforest Their Property
December 9, 2025 – Texas landowners now have a new financial incentive to restore forests on their property, thanks to the Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative, a statewide program designed to strengthen natural ecosystems and reduce wildfire risks. Officials announced this week that eligible landowners can receive as much as $80,000 in cost-share assistance for reforestation projects.
The initiative, created through a partnership between the Texas A&M Forest Service and several conservation groups, aims to boost forest health across regions damaged by drought, wildfire, and invasive pests. Funding can be used for site preparation, soil work, seedling purchases, planting costs, and early maintenance needed to help young trees establish strong roots.
Program coordinators say the effort is not only about restoring tree cover but also about improving water resources, increasing wildlife habitat, and creating long-term economic benefits for rural communities.
“This is one of the most ambitious reforestation support programs Texas has ever launched,” officials said in the announcement. “Our goal is to help landowners bring forests back to life in areas where they’ve been lost.”
Both small and large property owners are encouraged to apply, though projects must meet specific conservation guidelines. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until funds are allocated, and demand is expected to be high.
More information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, is available through the Texas A&M Forest Service website.
Food Industry Groups Sue Texas to Block New Warning Labels on Synthetic Ingredients
December 9, 2025 – A coalition of major food and beverage trade groups filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to halt a new Texas law that would require warning labels on products containing certain synthetic food additives. The American Beverage Association, Consumer Brands Association, National Confectioners Association, and FMI – The Food Industry Association – jointly lodged the suit, calling the proposed labels “false and misleading,” according to Reuters.
The legislation would mandate that affected products carry a prominent statement reading: “WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom.”
But the groups argue that none of those jurisdictions have formally designated the listed ingredients as “not recommended for human consumption,” and therefore the warning falsely implies a level of international disapproval that does not exist.
“The listed ingredients have been used safely in American foods and beverages for decades,” the associations said in their complaint. They contend the law forces companies to tell Texas shoppers something that is “simply not true,” creating unnecessary alarm and damaging consumer trust.
Industry leaders also warned the measure would drive up costs. Companies would be forced either to reformulate products or redesign packaging specifically for the Texas market, potentially affecting supply chains nationwide. Some of the ingredients targeted by the law, the plaintiffs note, have already been restricted or banned at the federal level, further complicating compliance.
The lawsuit comes amid heightened national scrutiny of U.S. food ingredients, particularly synthetic color additives. Since taking office, President Trump’s administration has moved to phase out petroleum-based dyes. In April, the FDA announced plans to revoke authorization for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, and said it intends to remove several FD&C dyes from the food supply by next year—a claim questioned by consumer advocates who say the agency has not begun formal rulemaking.
States have also taken action. West Virginia banned seven synthetic dyes in school food earlier this year, prompting its own industry lawsuit.
Texas officials have not yet responded publicly to the new challenge.
