Cooper State Park Superintendent Aron Maib had a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey April 28th
April 28, 2026 – Cooper State Park Superintendent Aron Maib visited on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey April 28th, 2026. Aron and John Mark chatted about the improved pier going in at Cooper State Park, what type of fish the lake at Cooper State Park is most known for, activities planned at Cooper State Park for the month of May, 2026, and much more. Be sure to check out this interesting segment of A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey and maybe plan your May.
North Hopkins Cemetery to Hold 2026 Memorial Service May 24th
April 28, 2026 – The North Hopkins Cemetery will hold it’s 2026 Memorial Service on May 24, 2026, beginning at 11:00am. The event will be held at the Cemetery Chapel in Birthright on HWY. 19 North. Everyone is invited to attend. If you can’t attend, you may donate to help with the upkeep of the cemetery and chapel. Please mail donations to North Hopkins Cemetery, C/O Charlene Stewart, 2153 FM 3236, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482. All help is appreciated.
SH 154 Broadway Bridge Closure Scheduled in Hopkins County
April 28, 2026 – PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials have announced the upcoming closure of the SH 154 Broadway Bridge in Hopkins County for construction.
The project is scheduled to begin June 1, 2026. During this time, the Broadway Bridge will be fully closed for 21 days under a proposed 24-hour work schedule.
The contractor for the project, THK Construction LLC, was awarded a contract with 286 working days, weather permitting. The Broadway Bridge is one of seven locations included in this contract, with work taking place across Hopkins and Franklin Counties. The total contract amount is $2,279,664.82.
Work at the Broadway Bridge will consist of resurfacing the bridge deck and approaching roadways to address spalling and potholes in the existing concrete pavement.
To provide advance notice to motorists, barricades will be set in place by May 1, one month prior to construction, to alert the traveling public of the closure and designated detours. Advance warning signs will also be installed ahead of the shutdown.
During this period, TxDOT urges drivers to exercise caution. Motorists who travel frequently in this area are asked to pay special attention to all barricades, traffic controls, and signs, and to reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. Motorists should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems. TxDOT also asks drivers to remain alert to road crews while navigating through the construction zone.
ETAMU Robotics Scores Division Runner-Up Finish at VEX U World Championship
April 28, 2026 – This was the robotics club’s first appearance at the VEX U World Championship
COMMERCE, TX, April 28, 2026— East Texas A&M University’s Lion Pride Robotics Club came up just short of a shot at a world title, finishing as runner-up in the VEX U Research Division at the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Mo., on Monday, April 27.
The team, which consists of Dharsan Raviselvam, Zach Pittman, Bradyn Hamm and Vaden Wood, competed in the tournament for the first time. VEX U Worlds featured more than 100 teams from across the world at America’s Center in the Gateway City. Lion Pride Robotics qualified for VEX Worlds after winning the Texas VEX University Robotics Competition in late February. The team entered the event last weekend as the No. 1-ranked college/university team in Texas and ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. standings and the top 20 in the world.
VEX Robotics is a robotics platform intended for students from elementary school through college to make robotics and STEM education more accessible worldwide. A subsidiary of Greenville, Texas’ Innovation First International, the VEX Robotics Design System is the world’s leading classroom robotics platform.
VEX Robotics competitions are played in a specific “game” unique to each academic year. The game for 2025-26 was “Push Back,” which saw two teams, or “alliances”–consisting of two robots each–attempting to reach a higher score than the other by scoring blocks in goals, controlling zones within goals, clearing loaders and parking in defined zones at the end of the match.
In VEX U competitions, each match consists of a 30-second autonomous period, during which the robots move and act only on sensor inputs and preprogrammed commands, and a 1-minute and 30-second driver control period, during which team members pilot the robots. The matches are quick, fierce and full of opportunities for unique and varied strategy.
At VEX U Worlds in St. Louis, the 120 qualified teams were randomly placed in three divisions: Research, Design and Opportunity. Lion Pride Robotics, designated “Team ETAMU” and placed in the Research Division, had a dominant run through most of their qualifying matches, going 9-1-0 and losing only to Auburn University’s AUBIE2 team. Following qualification matches, the top 16 teams were selected for the elimination round. ETAMU was seeded seventh out of the top 16 finishers.
In the elimination rounds, Lion Pride Robotics took down CSUNR from California State University, Northridge, UPSP1 from Paraguay’s Spark Academy and RIT from the Rochester Institute of Technology on its way to the Research Division Finals, facing off against AUBIE2 in a rematch of the Lions’ only defeat of the weekend.
In the best-of-three series, Lion Pride Robotics were victorious in game one before falling in the next two games, just missing out on the World Finals against the other division champions.
For the season, the Lions finished with an overall record of 30-5, with four of those losses coming against AUBIE2, who went on to win the World Championship on Monday.
Dr. Perry Moler, ETAMU associate professor and faculty advisor for Lion Pride Robotics, says that the team hopes to build on this success moving forward.
“Texas is already a hotbed for VEX robotics, and this result puts our name on the world stage,” Moler said. He added that the team will look toward “building consistency” in hopes of returning to Worlds next year.
Featured Photo (above): Lion Pride Robotics team members, from left, Dharsan Raviselvam, Bradyn Hamm, Zach Pittman and Vaden Wood pose with their Division Finalist trophy at VEX U Worlds. | Photo courtesy of Perry Moler
The “Big Beautiful Map” Stands Despite Challenges
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a major legal victory after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Texas’s congressional redistricting plan, clearing the way for its use in the 2026 midterm elections. The decision reverses a lower court ruling that had blocked the map, often referred to by state officials as the “Big Beautiful Map.”
The “Big Beautiful Map” is a Texas Republican-led congressional redistricting plan signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in August 2025, designed to increase GOP representation by creating five new Republican-leaning seats for the 2026 midterms.
The legal dispute began when a federal district court issued an injunction preventing Texas from using its newly drawn congressional districts, citing concerns raised by advocacy groups over potential voting rights violations. The plaintiffs argued that the map unfairly disadvantaged certain voter groups and did not comply with federal protections.
In response, Paxton’s office quickly appealed the decision, seeking emergency relief from the nation’s highest court. The Supreme Court granted a stay of the lower court’s injunction, allowing Texas to proceed temporarily with the map while the legal challenge continued. In its latest action, the Court went further by issuing a summary reversal, effectively overturning the district court’s decision entirely.
The ruling ensures that the congressional map, signed into law in August by state officials, will remain in place for the upcoming 2026 elections. This outcome is significant because redistricting determines how political power is distributed across the state and can influence the balance of representation in Congress.
In a statement following the decision, Paxton criticized the legal challenge, describing it as an attempt by political opponents to undermine a lawful process. He emphasized that the Court’s ruling affirms the constitutionality of the map and reinforces the state’s authority to manage its own redistricting efforts.
Redistricting battles have become increasingly common nationwide, particularly following the release of new census data. States are required to redraw congressional boundaries every ten years to reflect population changes, but the process often leads to legal disputes over fairness and representation.
Supporters of Texas’s map argue that it complies with all legal requirements and reflects population shifts within the state. Critics, however, maintain that the map may still face scrutiny in future legal challenges, especially as debates over voting rights continue at both state and federal levels.
With the Supreme Court’s decision now in place, Texas election officials are expected to move forward with preparations for the 2026 midterms using the approved map. The ruling marks a decisive moment in an ongoing national conversation about redistricting, judicial oversight, and the balance between state authority and federal protections in election law.
Governor Abbott Honors Fallen Law Enforcement At Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony
April 27, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott last night delivered the keynote address at the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony in honor of the heroic men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Governor awarded the Texas Medal of Honor to a family member of each of the 25 officers recognized.
“The people of Texas hold you in eternal gratitude for your brave, selfless service,” said Governor Abbott. “This memorial serves as an eternal reminder of the heroes taken from us too soon. Their lives mattered, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God bless the men and women who serve and protect our communities.”
During the ceremony, Governor Abbott reflected on the legacy of Texas law enforcement, noting that today’s officers carry forward the same proud tradition as the lawmen who helped tame the Wild West. Governor Abbott emphasized that while the role of law enforcement has evolved over time, their commitment and dedication to protecting Texans remains unchanged.
Governor Abbott was joined at the ceremony by surviving spouses, family members, and state leaders.
First United Methodist Church is now Hiring a Church Nursery Worker
April 27, 2026 – First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas, has an opening for a Church Nursery Worker. For more details, or if interested, call 903-763-2185.
Texas Leads Nation in Canine Heartworm Cases as Parasite Spreads to New Regions
April 27, 2026 – Texas has emerged as the nation’s leader in canine heartworm cases for the first time, according to new data released by the American Heartworm Society. The group’s 2025 Heartworm Incidence Map, published earlier this month, shows the highest concentration of infections in eastern Texas, highlighting a growing concern for pet owners and veterinarians.
The survey, conducted in early 2026 using data from more than 1 million heartworm tests performed in 2025, found that veterinary clinics in Texas reported an average of nearly 50 heartworm-positive dogs each. That represents a 3.78% infection rate, up from 2.97% in 2022.
Heartworm, a potentially fatal disease spread by mosquitoes, has traditionally been most prevalent in warm, humid regions such as the Gulf Coast. However, the latest findings show the parasite expanding into cooler and drier areas previously considered low risk. Newly affected regions include parts of southern California, southwest Colorado, and even southern Maine.
“This survey underscores how resilient and adaptive heartworm transmission can be,” said Dr. Marisa Ames. “We’re now seeing cases in places where they were once rare or nonexistent.”
Beyond Texas, other states with high case counts include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Notably, the survey found no state in the U.S. to be completely heartworm-free.
Experts point to several factors behind the spread, including increased movement of infected dogs through adoption programs, rising populations of wildlife carriers like coyotes, and extreme weather events that boost mosquito populations. Additionally, lapses in preventive care and pet relocation to higher-risk areas have contributed to the trend.
Despite the concerning rise, veterinarians emphasize that heartworm disease remains largely preventable with routine medication. The AHS continues to urge pet owners nationwide to maintain consistent prevention, as the parasite’s expanding footprint makes vigilance more important than ever.
Evening Market on Connally Coming Up May 9th
April 24, 2026 – A group of business owners in Sulphur Springs are joining together to put on a evening market on Connally St on May 9th, 2026. The pre-Mother’s Day event will have a variety of offerings, but will partially focus on what Moms might like.
One local business in particular will be selling homemade macarons.
A macaron is a delicate French meringue-based confection made from almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, sandwiched with a filling like buttercream or ganache. Known for its smooth, domed top, ruffled “foot,” and flat base, it has a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior, with a wide variety of flavors and colors.
Ellarie’s, owned by Jessica Ammerman, considers these french confections a specialty. KSST had a chance to talk with Jessica Ammerman about baking macrons, and some of the events her business will be a part of.
Jessica and her husband Marcos moved to the Sulphur Springs area a few years ago. She is excited for the opportunites that lie ahead for business and growing family. “Baking macarons is a passion of mine and it made sense to start this business because there aren’t any quality ones available in a 60 mile radius.”, said Jessica.
They have a small property here in Sulphur Springs with their own flock of chickens. Macarons require eggs, and Jessica says her hens are on year around duty.
She also makes her own fillings and only uses a small amount of food coloring in the shells to help keep the flavors separate and easy to identify. Besides, if you make a macaron frog, it really needs it to be green.
At the Connally Collective event Jessica will be selling a selection of macrons. There will be pre-made boxes you can grab and go. A case filled with various flavors will also be available so you can choose your box, customized for that special Mom in your life.
On May 2, she will be partnering with Deep Routes for a Mother’s Day Tea featuring mini macarons.
Since mid February, Ellarie’s macarons are available at Clementine & Co
They are currently available at Haystacks new coffee bar window on Main.
Ellarie’s will also be partnering with Flowerland for Mothers Day with macarons available on May 7th.
Texas Attorney General Claims Victory as Federal Appeal Dropped in Gun Rule Case
April 27, 2026 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is declaring a significant legal victory after the federal government moved to dismiss its appeal of a court injunction blocking a controversial firearm regulation introduced during the Biden administration.
The rule, issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), sought to broaden the definition of who qualifies as a firearms “dealer” under federal law. Critics argued that the expanded definition would have required many private individuals who occasionally sell firearms to obtain federal licenses and conduct background checks, or risk civil and criminal penalties.
For decades, federal law has distinguished between licensed dealers and private sellers, allowing certain non-commercial firearm transactions without the same regulatory requirements. Opponents of the rule, including Paxton and a coalition of states, contended that the ATF exceeded its statutory authority by effectively rewriting that distinction without congressional approval.
In 2024, Paxton led a multistate lawsuit challenging the regulation. A federal court granted a temporary restraining order, followed by a broader injunction preventing enforcement of the rule in states involved in the lawsuit. The court indicated the regulation likely conflicted with federal law, raising concerns that it could shift the burden onto gun owners to prove lawful conduct.
The case took a new turn when the U.S. Department of Justice under the Trump Administration opted to drop its appeal of the preliminary injunction. The decision effectively leaves the injunction in place and halts further defense of the rule in court.
Paxton praised the move, stating that the outcome protects constitutional rights under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and prevents what he described as federal overreach into lawful private firearm sales.
Supporters of the original rule had argued it was intended to close loopholes and ensure more consistent background checks, while opponents maintained it imposed undue burdens on law-abiding citizens. With the appeal now dismissed, the legal challenge appears resolved for the time being, though broader debates over firearm regulation and federal authority are expected to continue.
