Burn Ban Continues
February 12, 2026 – Donna Goins, the Administrative Assistant to Hopkins County Judge Newsom, reached out to KSST to inform the public of the following.
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court declares an urgent public necessity; and whereas, an emergency exists only if immediate action is required of a governmental body because of an imminent threat to public health and safety or a reasonable unforeseeable situation; the Commissioners Court finds that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of the county create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor buming; and IT IS HEREBY ORDERED by the Commissioners Court of Hopkins County that all outdoor burning is prohibited in all areas of the county for 90 days from the date of adoption of this Order, unless the restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by: (1) the Texas Forest Service that drought conditions no longer exist; or (2) the County Judge and the County Fire Marshal based on a determination that the circumstances that required the Order no longer exist.
See below for more details.
PJC African American Club Invites Community to Attend Informational Session with Texas Ranger Gregory Wilson
February 12, 2026 – Paris, Texas — The Paris Junior College African American Club invites students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to attend a special informational session featuring Texas Ranger Gregory Wilson, a Paris native and distinguished member of the Texas Rangers.
The event will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Math and Science room 101 on the Paris Junior College campus.
During the session, Ranger Wilson will share insight into his career with the Texas Rangers, discuss the role of the Texas Rangers within the Texas Department of Public Safety, and offer guidance for those interested in careers in law enforcement and public service. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear firsthand about Ranger Wilson’s journey from Paris to one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the state.
“This event is an opportunity not only to learn about the Texas Rangers, but also to engage with a hometown leader who represents service, dedication, and excellence,” said representatives of the PJC African American Club. “We are proud to welcome Ranger Wilson back to our community and campus.”
The event is free and open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and participate.
For more information, please contact Paris Junior College or the PJC African American Club.
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ETAMU Adds Elite King Ranch Cattle to University Herd
February 12, 2026 – University collaborating with one of the largest ranches in the nation
COMMERCE, TX, February 12, 2026— East Texas A&M University’s cattle herd got a significant upgrade recently as the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) accepted delivery of 30 American Cruz heifers from the King Ranch elite herd.
Introducing the American Cruz
The American Cruz is a composite breed developed by King Ranch with a focus on maternal traits, efficiency and feedlot performance. The breed combines genetics from the historic King Ranch Santa Gertrudis herd with superior individuals in the Red Angus Breed.
According to King Ranch, annual production costs for American Cruz cattle are consistently below the industry average, with feed costs 28% lower while still producing calves that grade USDA Choice+ or Prime.
“These American Cruz heifers represent our most progressive genetics and come from the same herd we use for our own replacements,” said Darrell White, King Ranch cattle manager.
He added that the American Cruz cattle were developed to thrive with minimal inputs while still producing high-quality beef.
“These cattle were bred to be efficient and maintain carcass quality without sacrificing fertility and longevity,” White said.
Integrating Into the Herd
The 30 heifers will replace underperforming cattle that were recently sold from the university’s herd. Dr. Bryan Rank, dean of CASNR, said there are several future possibilities for the new livestock.
“First and foremost, we need to focus on education and research. These cattle were developed with a focus on economically important traits,” Rank said. “Tracking the efficiency of these cattle under real-world conditions, as well as marketing their offspring as breeding stock or beef, are fantastic learning opportunities for our students. This herd, as well as our registered Angus herd, will give us many new avenues for teaching and research.”
The university’s registered Angus program, still in its infancy, is focused on developing elite breeding stock.
The King Ranch: A National Heritage
With this collaboration, East Texas A&M is working with one of the leading names in U.S. cattle ranching. Established in South Texas in the 1850s, King Ranch has grown to become one of the largest ranching operations in the United States, spanning 825,000 acres across six Texas counties. Considered the Birthplace of American Ranching, King Ranch has a storied history of combining innovation with tradition and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.
Rank said the decision to do business with King Ranch made sense on several levels.
“King Ranch and I both thought there would be some great opportunities to work together. This initial purchase is a first step that I hope will lead to future collaboration,” he said.
Heath Grigg, vice president and general manager of the Home Ranches, added that, “The direction that East Texas A&M is taking with their cattle is a real-world industry focus. We are looking forward to finding more opportunities to work together.”
What’s Next for Ag at ETAMU?
For now, the new King Ranch cattle will serve East Texas A&M students as research and educational tools for degree programs such as Animal Science and Agribusiness, as well as interdisciplinary research and teaching that will involve all majors in CASNR.
“These American Cruz cattle provide experiential learning opportunities across the college when we consider economically important traits such as efficiency, longevity, and other real-world variables in the cattle industry,” Rank said.
For more information on the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, visit the college’s webpage.
Photo: Jason Connel, East Texas A&M Office of Marketing and Communications
Heart Month: CHRISTUS Health Highlights Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation
February 12, 2026 – (EAST TEXAS) – During Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, celebrated annually during the second full week of February, CHRISTUS Health is shining a spotlight on one of the most underutilized yet life-saving treatments for heart disease: cardiac rehabilitation.
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of patients survive heart attacks, heart surgery or cardiac events each year. Yet studies consistently show that only about 20–30% of eligible patients enroll in cardiac rehabilitation programs, despite overwhelming evidence of their benefits.
“Cardiac rehab is not just about getting patients back on their feet, it’s about giving them the tools to live longer, healthier lives,” said Britney Caldwell, registered nurse in cardiac rehab at CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs. “It’s one of the most effective secondary prevention strategies we have in cardiovascular care.”
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program done on referral from a physician that combines exercise training, education and counseling to reduce stress and improve recovery. Evidence shows that patients who complete cardiac rehab experience up to a 30% reduction in hospital readmission and live longer than those who do not participate.
Chassity Hall, a respiratory therapist at CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs, says barriers such as lack of awareness, limited referrals, transportation challenges and misconceptions about safety continue to prevent patients from enrolling. Cardiac Rehabilitation Week aims to address these gaps by educating both patients and providers on the critical role rehab plays after a cardiac event.
“Many patients think rehab is only for severe cases, but it’s really a bridge back to normal life,” Hall said. “When we explain that each small step in rehab strengthens both heart and lungs, patients start to see it as an opportunity, not an obligation.”
Beyond physical recovery, cardiac rehab addresses mental and emotional health, an often-overlooked aspect of heart disease recovery. Depression and anxiety affect a significant percentage of cardiac patients, and participation in rehab programs has been shown to improve emotional well-being and confidence.
“Patients often come in fear of exercising again,” said Kyle Kiser, a registered nurse in cardiac rehab at CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs. “Through structured, supervised programs, they regain strength and confidence while learning how to manage risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and stress.”
As health care systems continue to emphasize prevention and value-based care, cardiac rehab stands out as a proven solution that saves lives and reduces costs. During Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, providers encourage patients, caregivers and clinicians to recognize cardiac rehab not as an optional add-on, but as a vital part of recovery.
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Texas Regulators to Require Data Centers, Crypto Miners to Report Water Use
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas utility regulators will begin requiring data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations to report their water usage, as state leaders move to better understand how fast-growing technology industries are affecting Texas’ already strained water resources.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) plans to ask qualifying facilities statewide to begin sharing water-use data within a defined reporting timeframe, marking one of the first coordinated efforts to track how much water large-scale computing operations consume.
Data centers and crypto-mining facilities have expanded rapidly across Texas in recent years, drawn by relatively low energy costs and a business-friendly regulatory environment. While much attention has focused on their electricity consumption, water use — needed primarily for cooling systems — has remained largely unmeasured at the state level.
Regulators say collecting consistent data will help inform long-term water planning, infrastructure investments, and drought preparedness.
“Texas is experiencing unprecedented growth, and we need a clearer picture of where and how water is being used,” a PUC official said. “This reporting will give policymakers better tools to protect water supplies while supporting economic development.”
The new reporting requirement is expected to apply to large-scale facilities that exceed certain capacity thresholds. Officials emphasized that the measure is intended to improve transparency, not restrict operations.
Water experts have warned that clusters of data centers in drought-prone regions could place additional stress on local water systems, particularly during extended dry periods.
Industry groups say many companies already track internal water usage and are prepared to comply, but they want assurances that proprietary information will be protected.
State officials say the data will be used to support broader efforts to ensure Texas has sufficient water supplies for communities, agriculture, and industry as population and economic growth continue.
Attorney General Paxton Sues Snapchat
For Deceiving Parents, Endangering Texas Kids by Exposing Them to Addictive Features, and Serving as a Breeding Ground for Obscene Conduct
February 12, 2026 – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Snap, Inc. (“Snapchat”) for failing to adequately warn parents and consumers about inappropriate material on the platform and the app’s addictive design.
The lawsuit alleges that creators of Snapchat knowingly misrepresented the app’s safety to parents and consumers by promoting it as safe for children and with “12+” age ratings on app stores. This was done while simultaneously frequently exposing users to dangerous and mature content that includes profanity, sexual content, nudity, and drug use. The lawsuit cites that multiple other features of the app, including “Snapstreaks” or other incentives to use the app daily, also cause harm to young minds due to the addictive nature of the features.
“I will not allow Snapchat to harm our kids by running a business designed to get Texas children addicted to a platform filled with obscene and destructive content,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Parents have a fundamental right to know the dangers of the apps their kids are using and not be lied to by Big Tech companies. This lawsuit will hold Snapchat accountable for illegally undermining parental rights, deceiving consumers, and for putting children in danger.”
This lawsuit follows legal actions that Attorney General Paxton has taken against several Big Tech and social media companies, as well as similar suits against TikTok and Roblox.
Commissioner Miller Announces the $100 Million AgLink Continuity Grant Bolstering Food and Fiber Resilience
February 11, 2026 – AUSTIN – Today, Commissioner Miller, the Texas Department of Agriculture(TDA), and the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority (TAFA) announced the AgLink Continuity Grant (AgLink). AgLink will provide critical assistance for eligible agricultural processing and storing facilities in danger of closure due to revenue loss caused by natural disasters—preserving jobs, ensuring continuity of services, and strengthening the supply chain.
AgLink provides the working capital needed to stabilize operations, preserve jobs, and ensure continuity of services during periods of disaster-related revenue loss. Grants in amounts of up to $500,000 will be awarded through a competitive evaluation and selection process. Applications are expected to open mid- to late February 2026.
“Our ability to feed and clothe the nation depends on a strong supply chain—and that includes our processors as well as our producers,” Commissioner Miller said. “The AgLink Continuity Grant is going to strengthen the safety net for all of Texas Agriculture. Strengthening food resiliency protects our food supply and helps keep grocery costs down for Texans.”
The new grant is funded through a major reinvestment in Texas agriculture under House Bill 43, backed by the Texas Department of Agriculture and introduced by State Representative Stan Kitzman. Passed in the Texas 89th Legislative Session as HB 43, AgLink will use state funding to deliver a comprehensive package of support for farmers, ranchers, and processors who routinely face weather extremes, natural disasters, and unpredictable economic pressures. AgLink was created to close critical gaps in assistance and provide support across every segment of the agricultural sector.
AgLink will support critical agricultural processing and handling businesses, including cotton gins, grain elevators, grain warehouses, and rice dryers. When natural disasters such as drought, wildfire, flood, or winter storms strike, these operations often experience significant reductions in raw materials delivered for processing or marketing, resulting in severe financial strain.
Unlike agricultural producers, many of these facilities are ineligible for crop insurance or traditional disaster assistance. Yet their ability to continue operating is essential for producers to market, process, and sell their commodities, and closure of these facilities can leave gaps in the agricultural supply chain that remain long after disaster recovery is complete.
“The 89th Legislative session was one of the strongest ever for Texas agriculture,” Commissioner Miller said. “From historic investments into water conservation to expanded financial support for our farmers and ranchers, we fought hard, and the Legislature delivered. When critical processing or marketing operations shut down, even temporarily, producers lose affordable local access. The AgLink Continuity Grant ensures these businesses stay open, resilient, and ready to serve when producers need them most.”
For information on eligibility, application deadlines, or to sign up for updates and notifications, owners and operators of handling and processing facilities are encouraged to visit the TDA website.
MLK Church of Christ to Hold Coat and Grocery Giveaway February 14th
February 10, 2026 – MLK Church of Christ in Sulphur Springs, Texas, will have a coat and grocery giveaway on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The event begins at 8:00am. The church is located at 154 MLK Drive, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
CHRISTUS Health opens new emergency care center in Mount Pleasant
February 10, 2026 – MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas – CHRISTUS Health celebrated the opening of its new emergency care center in Mount Pleasant with a ribbon cutting and blessing on Monday.
Located at 130 Tankersley Road, the 36,000-square-foot facility features both an emergency department and dedicated clinic space, each bringing expanded, compassionate and exceptional care to the community.
“Today is about extending into a community, about expanding access and brining more services and jobs to Mount Pleasant,” said Chris Glenney, senior vice president for CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas. “This entire facility represents our commitment to Mount Pleasant and Titus County, and we are excited to be here, ready to service.”
Opened today, the CHRISTUS Health Mount Pleasant emergency care center features 13-beds with four triage bays, an onsite laboratory and full-service imaging including CT, ultrasound and X-ray.
Designed with accessibility at its core, the facility offers convenient access to care, streamlined check-in and extended availability so patients can get help when they need it most.
It will also have reliable, dedicated clinic space that will house providers in cardiology, electrophysiology, primary care and outpatient physical therapy, with space designated for visiting specialists.
“We are here to live our Mission, to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, something that is not just written on the wall, but is our guiding principle,” said Dr. Brian Allgaier, medical director of the emergency care center. “Our responsibility is not only to care for people and their illnesses, but to care for the whole person and to listen, to reassure and to serve with excellence and kindness.”
CHRISTUS Health Mount Pleasant will employ more than 50 full-time nurses, providers and support staff and represents a more than $30 million economic investment into the community.
Mount Pleasant represents the latest investment by CHRISTUS Health in East Texas. In the past year, CHRISTUS Health has opened a free-standing emergency department in Henderson, broke ground on a pain management and vascular center in Jacksonville, opened an emergency hospital in Palestine, a multi-specialty clinic in Sulphur Springs and will open the CHRISTUS Cancer Center in Longview in Fall 2026.
Over the past decade, CHRISTUS Health has invested more than $1 billion in Northeast Texas.
“Mount Pleasant is a tremendous community full of genuine people, and we are excited to be here,” Glenney said. “We are looking forward to serving the community and continuing our investment into affordable, accessible health care.”
Quitman, Texas-based Jackson Construction served as construction project lead, and the CHRISTUS Health Mount Pleasant clinic space is expected to open in April.
Governor Abbott, Secretary Rollins Take Action To Protect Agriculture In South Texas
February 9, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today made agricultural stops in South Texas to take proactive action on behalf of American farmers and ranchers.
In Mission, the Governor and Secretary held a roundtable discussion with Texas agriculture producers regarding recent negotiations of the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty to discuss the breakthrough agreement’s impacts on the Texas citrus industry.
“Thank you to President Trump for stepping up and doing more than any other President has ever done to enforce this treaty,” said Governor Abbott. The urgency of it was heard at this roundtable today. We have an obligation to ensure more water goes to the men and women who grow crops in our state.”
“Uncertainty over water deliveries from Mexico negatively impact South Texas especially,” said Secretary Rollins. “The State Department, USDA, and IBWC engaged our Mexican government counterparts to negotiate. Recent treaty negotiations have resulted in significant increases in deliveries and improvements in the reliability of the water cover. It’s time to make a change, and that’s what we’re working to do.”
During the roundtable, Governor Abbott and Secretary Rollins also discussed the passing of Proposition 4, a generational investment in Texas’ water infrastructure.
The Governor and Secretary were joined in Mission by Lone Star Citrus Growers President Jud Flowers, Lone Star Citrus Growers Vice President of Operations TJ Flowers, Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening, and other Texas agricultural producers.
Following the roundtable, the Governor and Secretary participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of a Domestic New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Edinburg to combat the northward spread of NWS and protect American livestock.
“America is going to take care of ourselves, including dealing with the approach of screwworm as it gets closer to our border,” said Governor Abbott. “We put together the resources necessary for Texas to provide a Texas-size response to this. We thank Secretary Rollins and President Trump for stepping forward to provide the stop gap effort essential to protecting our ranchers and our wildlife.”
“The Trump Administration continues to bring the full force of the federal government to fight New World Screwworm,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This sterile fly dispersal facility was a high priority project, and our team delivered it in record time. This new facility is a monumental achievement for our domestic preparedness efforts, but we are also diligently working to stop the spread of screwworm in Mexico, conduct extensive trapping and surveillance along the border, increase U.S. response capacity, and encourage innovative solutions. We will never stop fighting to protect American agriculture. USDA, through a whole-of-government approach, will continue to hold Mexico accountable to mitigating the spread of this dangerous pest.”
The Governor and Secretary were joined at the Edinburg stop by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary of Marketing & Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins, Congressman Tony Gonzales, Senator Adam Hinojosa, Representative Ryan Guillen, Representative Stan Kitzman, Representative Janie Lopez, Representative Don McLaughlin, and Nate’s Honey Founder Nate Sheets.
Governor Abbott has taken preemptive action against the northward spread of NWS by:
- Issuing a statewide disaster declaration to better equip the Texas New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Team to prevent the potential spread of the NWS
- Announcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $750 million in a new Domestic Sterile Screwworm Production Facility
- Directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team
