Phones Down, Eyes Up, Texas
April 3, 2026 – Distracted driving a leading cause in Texas crashes
PARIS – Whatever’s on the phone, it can’t be as important as what’s in front of you on the road. Pay attention behind the wheel — it can save a life.
Unfortunately, drivers sometimes forget their fellow Texans and drive distracted. The Estelle family in Tarrant County knows all too well how losing focus can lead to a deadly crash.
“The hardest thing a mother has to do is look at her children in coffins,” said Dee Davila-Estelle.
Davila-Estelle and husband Kevin Estelle were driving home with their family when a distracted driver on their phone hit them at 70 mph. Two of their three children died in the tragic—but preventable—crash.
The family is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to remind everyone to focus on the road and drive like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe.
The deadly reality of distracted driving
Distracted driving was the second-most common factor in Texas traffic crashes last year, contributing to more than 86,000. No matter how tempting it may be to reply to a text or scroll social media while driving, nothing is more important than your life and the lives of everyone else on the road.
- The number of motor vehicle traffic crashes in the Paris district in 2025 that involved distracted driving (distraction, driver inattention, or cell phone use) totaled 1,492. These crashes resulted in 12 fatalities and 85 serious injuries.
- Counties in the Paris district: Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Rains, Red River.
- In Paris in 2025, there were 84 traffic crashes that involved distracted driving (distraction, driver inattention, or cellphone use), resulting in no fatalities and 2 serious injuries.
Anything that takes your eyes off the road can be distracted driving, including changing a song, adjusting navigation or eating.
“When you’re behind the wheel, you should be completely focused on just one thing: driving,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Road hazards and obstacles require quick thinking and reaction time, and just a few seconds can be the difference between life and death. I promise that text message or bite of food can wait.”
What TxDOT is doing
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and TxDOT is reminding Texans to always stay focused on the road when driving. The agency is reaching out through commercials, billboards and a mobile exhibit featuring a driving simulator that brings the dangers of distracted driving to life.
The goal is to educate Texans not only on the dangers of distracted driving, but also on distracted driving laws. When it comes to texting behind the wheel, Texas law is clear: Anyone caught reading, writing or sending a text while driving faces a fine of up to $200.
Avoid distractions with these simple steps
- Stay focused – Keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
- Stash your phone – Put your phone out of reach while driving. Use your phone’s settings to block texts or calls until you arrive at your destination.
- Pull over – If you must send a message, make a call or do anything else that might distract you, come to a complete stop in a safe place first.
Talk. Text. Crash. is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
Great Value Chicken Nuggets Suspected Lead Contamination
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers’ freezers.
The chicken nuggets were produced on Feb. 10, 2026. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view labels]:
- 29-oz. plastic bags containing approx. 36 “GREAT VALUE FULLY COOKED DINO SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with “BEST IF USED BY” date “FEB 10 2027,” lot code” 0416DPO1215,” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.
These items were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide. FSIS is continuing to investigate this issue. Please check back frequently as additional products could be added.
The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner.
Lead is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and young children because it can harm developing brains and nervous systems, sometimes causing lasting problems. There is no safe amount of lead exposure. Guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration provide an interim reference level (IRL) of 2.2 micrograms. The amount of lead found in these nuggets could be as much as five times higher than this IRL for children. Health experts also say these nuggets may be a risk for women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on the health effects of lead consumption.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact John Patrick Lopez, Vice President, Strategy, Communications & Government Affairs, Dorada Foods, at [email protected]
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to [email protected]. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF
Centennial Time Capsule Moves to Palo Duro Canyon State Park
April 3, 2026 – AUSTIN — The Centennial Time Capsule, which encompasses 100 years of Texas State Parks history, is on the move once again, as it roams the Lone Star State for 50 years on a quest to visit every park. This time, it is moving to Palo Duro Canyon State Park after its recent stop over the winter at Davis Mountains State Park.
The time capsule houses one object from every state park and support program. It has now visited four parks, each for six months at a time.
The time capsule will be on display at the state park located in Canyon to greet visitors until it is moved to its next destination.
“Having the Texas State Parks Time Capsule here at Palo Duro Canyon State Park is something we’re really excited about,” said park Superintendent David Fischer. “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect the canyon’s deep natural and cultural history with the future of our State Park system. The canyon has always been a place where stories are shared and passed down, and this capsule adds a new chapter to our legacy. We are proud to serve as stewards, share this piece of history with park visitors, and see the future generation open it in 2074 to see what we have left behind.”
Guests are invited to view the capsule and make their own memories while it’s at Palo Duro, leaving a piece of their story for the generations who will one day view its opening.
“The Centennial Time Capsule has been a treasured presence at Davis Mountains State Park, serving as a symbol of the legacy and future of Texas State Parks,” said Superintendent Torrey Bonham. “During its time here, it has done more than commemorate history—it has inspired it. Visitors of all ages, from young stewards experiencing the parks for the first time to those connected to the enduring legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps, have engaged with the capsule and reflected on their role in preserving these special places.”
The five-foot-tall wooden time capsule weighs more than 300 pounds and was made from pecan trees harvested at Mother Neff State Park, the site widely accepted as the first Texas State Park opened to the public. It is made from solid wood and bronze and is large enough to hold more than 100 items. Sitting atop the capsule is a sculpture in the shape of Texas with all park locations marked. Additionally, there are 100 name plates recognizing all contributing parks and programs, six regional bas relief panels and a plaque on the front with a message to the future.
For the contents of the time capsule, park staff had to choose an item that would tell a story about that site, fit in a box the size of a coffee mug, survive 50 years and be strong enough to travel the roads of Texas.
“Time capsules are usually buried in the ground and forgotten until it’s time to open them, but ours will remain on display, so we wanted it to be a work of art and showcase the excellent craftsmanship of our exhibit team,” said Stephen Garrett, Exhibits Manager for Texas State Parks. “This is something totally unique and I don’t think anyone’s ever made a time capsule quite like this before. I’m proud of the thought, care and work that went into the capsule’s creation and hope park visitors enjoy seeing it as much as we did creating it.”
Memory Shortage Threatens Timeline for New Texas Data Centers
April 3, 2026 – A surge in artificial intelligence infrastructure is creating a global shortage of memory chips, raising new concerns about whether proposed data centers—including those in rural Texas—can be fully built and operational in the near term.
Industry estimates indicate that major technology companies such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Meta, Alphabet (Google Cloud), and Apple have already secured roughly 70% of the global supply of NAND and DRAM memory, committing inventory several quarters in advance. That leaves a limited share of available components for smaller cloud providers, managed service firms, and enterprise-level projects now competing for the remaining supply.
HBM most commonly refers to High Bandwidth Memory, a high-performance, 3D-stacked DRAM technology for GPUs, AI accelerators, and servers that provides massive data throughput and efficiency. It uses vertical interconnections (TSVs) to stack chips, reducing the distance data travels.
The imbalance is being driven largely by the rapid expansion of AI systems, which require significantly more memory than traditional computing. As hyperscale data centers race to build out capacity, supply chains are tightening across the semiconductor sector.
High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) is primarily needed by industries and technologies requiring extreme data processing speeds, specifically AI accelerator manufacturers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel), cloud service providers (AWS, Google, Microsoft), and high-performance computing (HPC) centers.
For Texas, where communities have increasingly pursued data center developments as economic opportunities, the shortage could complicate those plans. Even if projects receive local approval and infrastructure is in place, industry experts warn that access to critical hardware—particularly memory—may delay timelines or limit operational capacity.
Prices have also risen sharply. Memory costs have climbed between 15% and 20% in recent months, disrupting what had historically been a more predictable pricing cycle. At the same time, lead times for orders have nearly doubled, stretching from about 12 weeks to more than 22 weeks, with no clear indication of when supply will stabilize.
Investment opportunities may have dried up along with the memory shortage as well. It’s one thing to construct a data center, but without the storage hardware inside, there won’t be any data.
Our HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) business has posted many quarters of strong growth. In fiscal Q4, our HBM revenue grew to nearly $2 billion, implying an annualized run rate of nearly $8 billion, driven by the ramp of our industry leading HBM3E products. We are pleased to note that our HBM share is on track to grow again, and be in line with our overall DRAM share in this calendar Q3, delivering on our target that we have discussed for several quarters now. – MICRON Fiscal Q4 2025 Earnings Call Prepared Remarks
Unlike past shortages tied to shipping or manufacturing slowdowns, analysts say this is a structural shift in demand, not a temporary disruption. The scale of AI investment is fundamentally reshaping how semiconductor resources are allocated.
The result is growing uncertainty for smaller data center developers. While Texas remains an attractive destination due to its energy capacity and available land, the ability to secure the necessary technology may become the limiting factor.
As demand continues to outpace supply, the question is no longer just where data centers can be built—but whether they can be fully equipped to run.
Your Sulphur Springs Lady Cats Took on the Paris Lady Wildcats in Softball Action March 31st
April 2, 2026 – The Sulphur Springs, Texas, High School Lady Cats took on the Paris Lady Wildcats in softball action March 31st, 2026. The game was played at Lady Cat Park in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this softball game. KSST’s Sports Director, John Mark Dempsey, and Tony Flippin, called Play by Play and provided Color Commentary.
Debate Emerges Over Islamic Content in Texas Social Studies Curriculum
April 2, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — A renewed debate over what should be taught in Texas classrooms is taking shape as the State Board of Education (SBOE) prepares to review potential updates to social studies standards.
Muslim advocacy groups are expected to push for expanded inclusion of Islamic history and perspectives, arguing that current curriculum proposals do not adequately or accurately represent the role of Islam in world history. At the same time, conservative activists are mobilizing opposition, raising concerns about what they describe as ideological influence in public education.
The discussion centers on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the state standards that guide what students learn in public schools. Because Texas is one of the largest textbook markets in the country, decisions made by the SBOE often have national ripple effects.
At a recent forum hosted by the Texas Coalition on Human Rights and the River Oaks Islamic Center, speakers argued that proposed curriculum standards risk promoting what they called “exclusionary and Islamophobic narratives.” Organizers encouraged community members to engage with the SBOE process and advocate for what they view as a more balanced and inclusive approach.
On the other side, groups like the True Texas Project are urging Texans to oppose any changes they believe go beyond objective historical instruction. Fran Rhodes, a leader with the organization, warned that upcoming agenda items could open the door to what she characterized as increased lobbying for Islamic-related content in classrooms.
Patriot Mobile, a Texas-based company known for supporting conservative causes, is sponsoring transportation for residents to travel to Austin and testify at the SBOE meeting. Company leadership says the goal is to ensure that curriculum decisions remain grounded in what they consider factual, unbiased history.
Debates over curriculum content are not new in Texas. Past SBOE discussions have included disputes over how topics such as religion, race, and American history are presented in classrooms. These debates often reflect broader cultural and political divisions.
The SBOE is expected to hear public testimony before making any final decisions. As the process unfolds, both supporters and critics of the proposed changes are preparing to make their case, underscoring the continuing influence of education policy in shaping public discourse.
Dallas Native Serves Aboard Future Navy Warship
April 1, 2026 – By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Seaman Apprentice Dante Hannans, a native of Dallas, Texas, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Bougainville, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Hannans graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Dallas.
“I learned that you are the artist of your life’s portrait,” Hannans said. “You have the paintbrush in your hand and if your work isn’t valued, change the gallery.”
Hannans joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Hannans serves as a quartermaster.
“I joined the Navy for career opportunities and the chance to travel around the world,” Hannans said.
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Hannans has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“In my short time in the Navy, being named Sailor in the Spotlight when I was temporarily assigned to another command has been my proudest accomplishment,” Hannans said.
As Hannans and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is having the bravery to do what so many others cannot or will not do,” Hannans said.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Hannans is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my little brother, Tre, for being one of my biggest supporters and for being a second opinion when I need help in life,” added Hannans.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Texas Rangers Broadcast Time Delayed Today
April 1, 2026 – The Texas Rangers Broadcast for the game on Wednesday April 1th will be slightly delayed. KSST will join the Rangers already in progress, just after the noon news, at 12:56 PM.
Sulphur Springs Dairy Queens Opt Out of DQ Texas App Points Earning
April 1, 2026 – Some Sulphur Springs residents may enjoy a deal on a dipped cone or a Dude Sandwich, but earning rewards points at local Dairy Queen restaurants is for now a thing of the past. As the DQ Texas loyalty app has been updated, the two Sulphur Springs locations have chosen to not participate in the foreseeable future for their customers to earn points towards rewards. The DQ Texas App rewards loyal Dairy Queen customers by calculating points on purchases and allowing customers to redeem those points on future purchases through discounts and free items. When questioned at the store level, the explanation is that the stores “do not have the proper scanners.” The official response from DQ Texas is: We are sorry but you will no longer be able to earn points from the Sulphur Springs locations. Each DQ is individually owned and operated, and this location is not set up to award points. They are a non-integrated location. You can still use the APP at this location but only to get the rewards offered on the APP, if the DQ is participating.
The explanation from the corporate level seems to indicate that the Sulphur Springs stores may not participate in future App specials. There is a Free Spicy Dude Sandwich deal on the App currently (with purchase of fries and drink) but it is not clear if local stores are honoring this deal. So for those of you that enjoy a deal on a Dilly Bar, you may have to pay full price for the sweet treat until the local restaurants join the other Dairy Queens in the full implementation of the DQ Texas App.
Both Sulphur Springs Dairy Queen locations owned and operated by Hometown Boys, LLC. based in Lindale TX.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library to be Closed April 3rd
March 31, 2026 – The Hopkins County Genealogical Society announces that their library will be closed Friday, April 3rd, 2026 in observance of Good Friday. The library will reopen for “all your research needs” Monday, April 6th, 2026, at 9:30am. Come in and look for those ancestors you have wondered about for so long. The Genealogical Society wishes everyone a blessed weekend and a very joyful Easter. The Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library is located at 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
