Flowering Vines was the Topic on This Episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey
May 14, 2026 – Flowering vines was the topic on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, which features Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson. John Mark and Ronnie chatted about the different types of flowering vines you can get to grow in North East Texas, how to take care of flowering vines, what you can expect from some of these vines during the winter, and much more. Be sure to check out this interesting segment below and learn how to improve your green thumb.
Miller Grove ISD Names Lone Finalist for Superintendent Position
CUMBY, Texas — The Miller Grove Independent School District has announced Tonya Loftice as the lone finalist for its next superintendent, marking a significant step in the district’s leadership transition.
The decision was made by the Miller Grove ISD Board of Trustees following what officials described as a thorough executive search process. Loftice currently serves as the district’s secondary principal and has been a familiar presence within the school community. Board members indicated that her experience and understanding of the district’s needs set her apart as the clear choice to lead Miller Grove ISD into its next phase.
“Mrs. Loftice’s firsthand knowledge of our district and her proven dedication to student success made her the standout candidate,” said Board President Brandon Darrow in a statement. “We believe her leadership will ensure a smooth transition and continued progress for our students, staff, and community.”
Loftice brings 14 years of experience in education to the role. Before joining Miller Grove ISD, she held instructional leadership positions in Bonham ISD and Pilot Point ISD. She also served as an academic specialist in Sulphur Springs ISD, building a diverse background in both classroom support and administrative leadership.
Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Master of Education from the University of Houston. In addition, she has completed superintendent certification through the Region 08 Education Service Center, preparing her for the responsibilities of district leadership.
In a statement, Loftice expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity. “I am deeply honored to be named the lone finalist for superintendent,” she said. “Miller Grove is a special place because of the people—our staff, students, and families. I’m grateful for the trust the board has placed in me and look forward to continuing our work together to support every student.”
Loftice emphasized her commitment to maintaining the district’s focus on student achievement and community engagement, noting that collaboration will remain central to her leadership approach.
Under Texas law, a 21-day waiting period is required before a school board can officially offer a contract to a superintendent finalist. Following that period, Loftice is expected to formally assume the role.
She resides in Commerce with her husband, David, and their two daughters, Logan and Lex.
Old Saltillo United Methodist Church to Hold a Special Service May 17th
May 14, 2026 – Old Saltillo United Methodist Church is honored that Mark Miller, concertmaster and principal violinist of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, will be helping to lead the worship service this Sunday May 17th, 2026. Mark performs with the Fort Worth Symphony and other North Texas ensembles. He is a founder and president of Mount Vernon Music, a membership-based nonprofit bringing outstanding performances of chamber music to under-served audiences in East Texas. A potluck lunch will follow the church service conducted by Rev. David Larkin.
Buckle up or pay the Price
May 14, 2026 -Click It or Ticket increased enforcement May 18–31
AUSTIN – We are Texans. We wear our Lone Star belt buckles with pride, but it’s the buckle in your car or truck that matters the most. It’s the one that can save your life.
That’s why the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working with law enforcement and encouraging people to drive like a Texan — kind, courteous and safe — and always buckle up. Remember, Click It or Ticket: every rider, every time.
Lives changed in seconds
Camron Murrell of College Station was just 19 years old when he was killed in a nighttime crash on a back road off Interstate 10 in Liberty County, Texas, in 2020. He was driving with a close friend when he veered off the road and hit a tree.
Camron wasn’t wearing a seat belt, and neither was his passenger. They died instantly.
“Every time he was in my car and wouldn’t put his seat belt on, I would say ‘buckle up!’” said Camron’s mother, Priscilla Wolf. “And it may seem I was on him about it all the time, but he still didn’t listen.”
Seat belts save lives, but only when worn
In 2025, 965 people who died in traffic crashes on Texas roads were not buckled up. While that was a 10% decline from the previous year, which had 1,072 unbuckled fatalities, more lives could have been saved.
“A seat belt can be the difference between walking away from a crash and never making it home, but only if you’re wearing it,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “Whether you’re going just a few blocks or many miles, buckle your seat belt every time, day and night.”
Increased enforcement across Texas
Studies show 1 in 10 Texans do not take the simple step of buckling up — that’s more than 3 million people. Law enforcement will be increasing patrols for two weeks starting May 18, watching out for people not wearing their seat belt.
Texas law requires all drivers and passengers to buckle up or face fines and court costs up to $200. Children younger than 8-years-old must be in a child car seat or booster seat unless they’re taller than 4 feet 9 inches. If they aren’t properly secured, the driver faces fines up to $250 plus court costs.
A campaign proven to save lives
Click It or Ticket is one of the most effective traffic safety initiatives in history. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the Texas campaign has saved more than 8,600 lives, prevented 157,000 serious injuries and resulted in $35 billion in economic savings since its launch in 2002.
The Click It or Ticket campaign 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.
More Texas Lawmakers Urge Pause on Massive Transmission Project Amid Growing Questions
May 14, 2026 – A growing number of Texas lawmakers are calling for a pause on one of the largest proposed energy infrastructure projects in state history, raising concerns about cost, transparency, and whether the effort is even addressing the state’s most urgent energy needs.
In a newly signed letter, 25 state legislators are requesting a formal meeting with the Public Utility Commission of Texas to discuss the proposed construction of three extra-high-voltage 765-kilovolt transmission lines. The lines would stretch from East Texas to the Permian Basin, a region known for its vast oil and gas production and rapidly increasing electricity demand.
Originally introduced as the “Permian Basin Reliability Plan,” the project has expanded significantly since its legislative approval. Lawmakers now estimate the total cost could reach between $90 billion and $100 billion, making it one of the most expensive grid expansion efforts ever proposed in the state. Critics argue that such a price tag would ultimately fall on consumers, potentially increasing the average homeowner’s electricity bill by about $200 annually.
At the heart of the debate is a fundamental question: what is this infrastructure actually for?
Supporters say the transmission lines are needed to move large amounts of electricity across Texas and improve grid reliability, particularly as demand surges in energy-producing regions. However, skeptics argue that building more transmission alone does not solve reliability issues if there isn’t enough dependable power generation feeding into the grid.
Some lawmakers and energy analysts contend that investing in new power plants—such as natural gas, coal, or nuclear facilities—would provide more consistent and dispatchable energy, especially during extreme weather events. They suggest that without parallel investments in generation, the transmission lines may primarily serve large industrial loads rather than everyday consumers.
That has led to increasing speculation that part of the demand could be tied to energy-intensive operations like data centers or industrial-scale computing facilities, which require enormous and constant electricity supply. While no official plan has confirmed this as the primary driver, the scale and routing of the project have fueled those questions.
The controversy has also taken on a geopolitical dimension. Records from the Public Utility Commission show that one proposed route would cross land owned by Sun Guangxin, a Chinese billionaire with reported ties to the Chinese Communist Party. His company has reportedly requested that the transmission line be rerouted to avoid property near a residential structure on the land.
Sun has acquired roughly 7 percent of the land in Val Verde County since 2015, prompting concern among state officials. In response to similar issues, Texas lawmakers passed legislation in 2025 restricting land purchases by individuals and entities linked to countries deemed hostile to U.S. interests.
For critics, the routing issue underscores broader concerns about oversight and planning. They argue that a project of this magnitude should involve greater public input and clearer justification, especially given its potential long-term impact on land use, energy policy, and consumer costs.
As pressure mounts, the requested meeting with regulators could become a pivotal moment in determining whether the project proceeds as planned—or faces significant revision or delay.
Application Submitted For Data Center Power Station
May 14, 2026 – Chevron is seeking a massive Texas tax break for a natural gas power plant tied to the exploding energy demands of artificial intelligence data centers, according to a new report from Mother Jones. The project, led by Chevron subsidiary Energy Forge One, would supply electricity directly to a proposed data center campus in West Texas that could ultimately serve Microsoft.
The company is applying under Texas’ Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program, which allows large industrial projects to sharply reduce their local school property tax obligations. State documents indicate Chevron could save more than $227 million over a decade if the deal is approved.
Behind-the-meter (BTM) gas plants are on-site power generation facilities built directly at the site of high-demand users, such as data centers, to provide electricity directly without relying on the public utility grid. These systems, frequently used in AI data center development to bypass multi-year grid connection delays, use natural gas turbines to offer reliable, on-demand power in months rather than years.
The proposed facility would be located near Pecos in the Permian Basin and initially generate about 2,500 megawatts of electricity — enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. But unlike traditional power plants, the electricity would bypass the public grid entirely and flow straight to an adjacent AI-focused data center through what is known as a “behind-the-meter” arrangement.
Critics argue the arrangement highlights a growing contradiction in the AI boom: tech companies are pledging sustainability while increasingly relying on fossil-fuel infrastructure to secure reliable electricity. Environmental groups warn the plant could emit more than 11 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, making it one of the larger industrial emissions sources in the region.
Chevron says no final agreement with Microsoft has been completed and maintains the tax incentives apply only to the power facility, not the data center itself. Microsoft has separately promised to pay a “full and fair share” of local taxes in communities where it builds data centers.
The debate arrives as Texas lawmakers from both parties begin scrutinizing the enormous public subsidies flowing to AI infrastructure projects, especially as electricity demand and consumer power prices continue rising statewide.
Connor Cemetery to hold Memorial Day Homecoming May 24th
May 13, 2026 – Memorial Day Homecoming will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Connor Cemetery, 3621 County Road, Dike, Texas, off Farm Road 69 North. Meeting to begin at Noon. Come early to visit with friends and family. Hopkins County Stew will be served after the Annual Meeting. Bring your own bowls and a covered dish to share. Everyone is welcome.
Bibleway Lighthouse Church will Present a Special Message May 17th
May 13, 2026 – Donna Blades Albert will be preaching a special Service at Bibleway Lighthouse Church Sunday, May 17th, 2026, at 11:00am. Sunday School begins at 10:00am with Praise and Worship at 11:00am. The Church is located on CR 4591. Go North on Hwy. 19, turn Right on Mahoney Road, and go straight to FM 3236, and turn Left. Go until you see CR 4591 and turn Left. The Church is located on the Left. Watch for Church signs.
Possible Home Invasion Shooting Results in Death
May 13, 2026 – Hopkins County Sheriff Office deputies responded to a call on County Road 4779 of Suspicious Activity. Before deputies could reach the residence another call came in at the same address of a Shooting. Upon arrival deputies reviewed Ring Camera footage showing an individual yelling and striking the front door of the home. The video also showed the individual, identified as Buck Clary, breaking the glass on the door and reaching inside the door. The homeowner, who has not yet been identified, discharged a firearm through the door striking Clary. Hopkins County EMS transported Clary to the local emergency room where he died from the gunshot wound.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Beef Prices Defy Efforts to Lower Them
May 13, 2026 – The administration of Donald Trump is refining a set of executive actions aimed at easing high beef prices in the United States, according to a White House official on Tuesday. The measures, initially expected earlier in the week, have been delayed as policymakers “fine-tune” details intended to address ongoing supply shortages.
The U.S. is the world’s largest beef producer and consumer, yet it is also a top importer and exporter. As of 2026, the U.S. is increasing beef imports to manage domestic consumer prices, with 2025 imports reaching $13.75 billion, while 2026 exports have declined to $9.3 billion, driven by high demand for imported lean, grass-fed trim for ground beef.
At the center of the effort is a plan to expand beef imports and provide additional federal support to American ranchers working to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd. The U.S. herd has fallen to its lowest level since 1951, driven by years of drought, rising feed costs, and market incentives that encouraged ranchers to send cattle to slaughter rather than retain them for breeding.
Despite easing prices for some grocery staples like eggs and milk, beef remains stubbornly expensive. Retail beef prices have risen more than 16% since Trump returned to office in January 2025, making it a key symbol of persistent food inflation as the summer grilling season approaches.
Market signals reflect the strain. On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, June live cattle futures edged higher Tuesday, while feeder cattle contracts slipped slightly, underscoring volatility in supply expectations.
Previous steps, including tariff reductions on imports from Brazil and Argentina, have done little to curb rising prices. Demand continues to outpace supply, fueled by population growth and steady consumer appetite for beef.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects the U.S. will import a record 5.8 billion pounds of beef in 2026, highlighting the scale of the shortfall. Officials say the administration’s forthcoming actions are intended to provide both immediate relief and longer-term stability in the domestic beef market.
