The Season Opener of Lady Cats Basketball was November 11th
November 14, 2025 – The season opener of Sulphur Springs Texas High School Basketball was November 11th, 2025 with a game against Van. The game was played in Wildcat Gym in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this game. KSST’s Sports Director, John Mark Dempsey, called Play by Play, and Tony Flipping provided Color Commentary. Be sure to check out this game and see how your Lady Cats started the season. Go Lady Cats!
Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting to be Held November 20th
November 14, 2025 – Members: this meeting includes our annual election of officers. Your attendance in-person or via zoom is important to ensure we have a quorum for the vote.
The Hopkins County Genealogical Society is pleased to welcome Pat Chase, local author and long-time HCGS member, as guest speaker for our November meeting. Pat will share the story behind his book Jonathan Knight – Pathfinder of American Roads.
Pat has lived in Sulphur Springs for more than forty years and has served on the HCGS Board of Directors. Originally from Knightstown, Indiana, Pat’s curiosity about his hometown’s namesake led him to undertake an extensive research journey. When he discovered that no biography existed about Jonathan Knight—the man for whom the town was named—he decided to write one himself. Although the book is not about Hopkins County, it reflects Pat’s passion for history and research—values we share at HCGS.
Please join us for this program in person on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 7:00 P.M, 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs Texas. If you cannot attend in person, we invite you to join us via Zoom at 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada).
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/3hJNgncGQhC9enmyiIc4Rg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We hope to see you there!
Sulphur Springs Wildcats Started the Playoffs with a Resounding 62-9 Bi-District Win
November 14, 2025 – The Sulphur Springs Wildcats started the playoffs with a resounding 62-9 bi-disgtrict win over Dallas Kimball Thursday night at Mesquite Memorial Stadium in a game heard on KSST.
The Wildcats scored on nine of their ten possessions in the game.
Jaxson Haire rushed for two touchdowns and made a sensational catch for another score. Mason Cooper threw three touchdown passes, one to Haire and two to Jaxson Virgil. Dobson Martin rushe fpr two touchdowns, and Ky’Shawn John also scored on the ground for Sulphur Springs.
In an odd twist, Grayson Hardy scored a touchdown when he recovered a snap that sailed over the Kimball punter’s head into the end zone. Grayson scored a touchdown in exactly the same way in the first game of the season against Mesquite Poteet, also at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. The touchdown Thursday night was in the north end zone, and the touchdown on August 30 was in the south end zone, so he scored on both ends of the field.
Next, the Wildcats, now 10-1, will play the Alvarado Indians at Children’s Health Stadium in Prosper at 7:30 Friday night, Nov. 21. Alvardo demolished Fort Worth Carter-Riverside 77-0 Thursday night.
In other games involving teams in Sulphur Springs’ district, Celina blasted Dallas Pinkston 77-0 and Panther Creek bombed Dallas Carter 49-7. Paris will play DallasLincoln at Princeton Friday night.
Also Thursday night, Como-Pickton was blanked by Elysian Fields, 47-0.
CHRISTUS Health Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Flight for Life in East Texas
November 14, 2025 – Ceremony held at Mother Frances Hospital to recognize the achievement
(EAST TEXAS) – CHRISTUS Health is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Flight for Life, its trusted air medical transport service dedicated to saving lives across the region.
Established in 1985, CHRISTUS Flight for Life is a cornerstone of the region’s emergency response system. Covering more than 120,000 square miles, CHRISTUS Flight for Life operates from four strategically located bases in Longview, Mount Pleasant, Palestine and Wills Point, each serving a 150-mile radius.
The team’s helicopters respond to more than 1,500 calls annually, delivering advanced, critical care.
“Every minute counts and can be the deciding factor in whether someone survives a critical illness or traumatic injury,” said Shawn Salter, chief administrator for CHRISTUS Flight for Life. “We believe that access to critical care should not depend on geography and we are committed to bringing that care wherever it is needed.”
Each Flight for Life helicopter is staffed by a highly trained pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic, available around the clock. The aircraft are equipped with advanced medical technology capable of handling a wide range of emergencies, from neurological and cardiovascular crises to severe burns, pediatric illnesses, major trauma, and even mass casualty incidents.
The ability to bring critical care to patients quickly can mean the difference between life and death. For people in remote communities or in situations where ground transportation would take too long, air medical transport bridges the gap between an accident scene and specialized hospital care.
“At the heart of this program are the absolute best medical professionals you will find. People who have answered to call to provide services where needed most,” Salter said. “Every crew member who have come before and serve today, this milestone is not possible without their commitment to service.”
Over the years, hundreds of nurses, paramedics and pilots have served on the Flight for Life team, building a culture of professionalism, courage and compassion.
Chad Soloman, a flight nurse with CHRISTUS Flight for life for 11 years, said those experiences will stay with him forever.
“I have so many stories from the years. It is almost so hard to recall just one,” Soloman said. “But every story always had one thing in common: that we were there in a time of need and we were able to save someone’s life who may not have survived if we had not been there as quickly as we were. “
In the 40 years since its founding, CHRISTUS Flight for Life has not only expanded its reach but also its capabilities. Advances in helicopter technology, communications and onboard medical equipment have transformed the way emergency medicine is delivered in flight. Today, the team works closely with regional hospitals, first responders and emergency management agencies to ensure seamless coordination of care.
Salter says the anniversary is a time to celebrate, but also to look forward.
“We’re proud of our history, but our focus remains on what’s next as we continue to invest in technology, training and partnerships that will allow us to serve our communities even better.”
As Flight for Life enters its fifth decade, the program’s mission remains the same as it was back in 1985: To provide rapid, expert, compassionate care when every second counts.
“Whether it’s in the middle of the night or in the middle of nowhere, our team is ready,” said Salter. “Forty years later, that commitment to saving lives is as strong as ever.”
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Commissioner Sid Miller: Federal Government Must Act Immediately for Farmers and Ranchers
November 14, 2025 – AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today reacted to the end the federal government shutdown and called on all agencies to resume federal programs and services without further delay.
“The end of this shutdown is a welcome relief for our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities who’ve been carrying the load without the federal support they rely on,” said Miller. “Now that Washington is getting back to work, I expect every agency to move quickly to reopen offices, process critical programs, and clear the backlog that’s been building on the backs of hard-working Americans. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get this country moving.”
Commissioner Miller commended President Donald Trump and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins for supporting efforts to prioritize essential services and for underscoring the importance of American agriculture in the reopening plan. “President Trump has shown time and again that he’s willing to stand up for the men and women who put food on the table, and Secretary Rollins did everything possible to maintain essential services for agriculture producers who were disrupted by the Schumer shutdown.” Miller said.
Eleven Sulphur Springs Ladycats Volleyball Players Have won All-District Honors
November 13, 2025 – Eleven Sulphur Springs Ladycats volleyball players have won all-district honors.
Senior Raine Johnson was named the district Most valuable player.
Sophomore Peyton Taylor is the MVP libero, or defensive specialist.
Freshman Maggie Thopson was named Newcomer of the Year.
Named to the all-district first team are sophomore Preslee Hardy, junior Harper Hodge and senior Madison Jeter.
On the second team are sophomore Alani Pruitt, sophomore Sophie Shaack and freshman Kylee Harrison.
Named honorable mention players are junior Claire Thompson and sophomore Presley Smith.
Members of the all-state academic team are Rainey Johnson and Madison Jeter.
On the all-district academic team are Peyton Taylor, Preslee Hardy,Harper Hodge, Alani Pruitt, Kylee Harrsison, Maggie Thompson, Presley Smith and Sophie Schaak.
The Ladycats, under Head Bailey Dorner, won the district championship, compiled a 31-10 record and won a bi-district playoff match.
Government Shutdown Over: Same for THC in Texas
November 13, 2025 – A provision in the recently passed federal spending bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump, includes a significant ban on most consumable hemp-derived THC products. The measure effectively closes a “loophole” in the 2018 Farm Bill that had legalized hemp items containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. The new restrictions will take effect one year after enactment, giving businesses little time to adapt.
Legal hemp products would be limited to a total of 0.4 milligrams per container of total THC or any other cannabinoids with similar effects.
Texas hemp retailers say the ban threatens to devastate a thriving $8-billion industry that has supported thousands of jobs across the state. Shops that sell delta-8, HHC, and other hemp-based THC products—currently legal under state law—say the federal change could wipe out entire product lines overnight.
“This is a government overreach that will shut down small businesses while fueling the black market,” said one Dallas-area retailer.
Industry advocates argue that the bill’s language is overly broad and punishes responsible operators who have followed both state and federal guidelines. Supporters of the ban, however, say it closes a dangerous loophole that allowed psychoactive substances to be sold without adequate regulation.
The move reignites Texas’ ongoing debate over cannabis and hemp, with state lawmakers divided between total prohibition and tighter regulation.
Trump Signs Bill Ending Longest Government Shutdown — Texas Feels the Aftershocks
November 13, 2025 – President Donald Trump late Wednesday night signed a bipartisan funding bill to officially end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, restoring operations after weeks of uncertainty that left millions of Americans — including many Texans — in limbo.
The 41-day shutdown, which halted large portions of the federal government, had deep effects across Texas. Roughly 150,000 federal employees in the state either missed paychecks or were furloughed. Airports in Dallas, Houston, and Austin reported flight delays as TSA staffing thinned, while farmers and ranchers struggled with delayed loan and crop support payments.
Perhaps the hardest hit were low-income Texans who depend on federal nutrition programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had been operating on emergency reserves, forcing grocery retailers and families to brace for benefit interruptions. Now, federal agencies say full benefits will resume within days.
Texas Head Start centers and housing assistance programs that had closed or cut services are expected to reopen by early next week, though local agencies warn it may take time to recover.
While the shutdown’s end brings relief, economists caution that the ripple effects — from delayed contracts to consumer spending slowdowns — may linger for months, especially in Texas’ federal employment hubs and rural communities dependent on federal aid.
Whooping Cough Cases Skyrocket in Texas
November 12, 2025 – Texas health officials issued a formal alert Monday after confirming that the number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases this year has quadrupled compared to the same period last year. Through October, the state has reported more than 3,500 cases, a dramatic surge from the approximately 1,900 cases recorded in the prior year.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is through vaccination.
This spike represents the highest level of pertussis seen in Texas in over a decade, with around 85 percent of infections occurring in children. Infants under the age of one face the greatest risk of severe complications: a third of those infected may require hospitalization.
Experts attribute the uptick to multiple factors. Vaccination rates among school-age children have declined, and immunity from earlier shots fades over time. Medical providers also suggest that increased awareness and testing may help explain part of the rise. “Immunity wanes, and families are behind on booster shots,” said a pediatric infectious disease specialist in San Antonio.
The bacterial illness begins with mild cold-like symptoms but can quickly escalate to intense, prolonged coughing fits, vomiting, and difficulty breathing — especially in the very young. With school and holiday gatherings ahead, officials warn the risk of spread may increase.
Health authorities are urging parents, caregivers and pregnant women to ensure that they and their children are up to date on pertussis vaccinations (the Tdap booster) and to watch for persistent coughs. With this recent surge, public health officials say the situation remains urgent and unpredictable.
‘Passing The Trash’ in Texas Schools
November 12, 2025 – Across Texas public schools, concerns are resurfacing over what specialists call the “passing the trash” practice—where educators accused of misconduct quietly resign or are reassigned rather than facing accountability, only to take up new roles elsewhere. Advocates say the trend leaves students vulnerable and undermines trust in the system.
Despite earlier reforms, recent reports found that some school districts continue to miss required steps, allowing individuals previously flagged for improper conduct to remain in education settings. Evidence suggests that gaps in reporting and inconsistent oversight still allow misconduct to slip through the cracks.
In response, the Texas Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 571, which tightens enforcement by requiring all school personnel—including contractors—to be screened through a centralized “Do-Not-Hire” registry. The law also lowers the window for mandatory district reporting of misconduct from seven business days to just 48 hours.
While the legislation marks a significant step, critics say implementation will determine its success. They warn that without robust audits, independent oversight or transparent public disclosure, the same patterns may continue. Parent advocacy groups urge school boards to adopt stronger internal procedures and more transparent hiring practices to ensure that once flagged, an educator cannot simply shift to another campus.
For many Texans, the reforms arrive long overdue—after years of seeing trusted schools handle allegations internally and fail to follow through. With the new law in place, the hope is that the phrase “passing the trash” becomes a relic of the past.
