Try Heavy Hitter Okra in 2025 From Master Gardener David Wall
December 15, 2024 – Many gardeners have grown okra never thinking past Clemson Spinless which are good out to 4”. While they can grow to 8”, flavor goes down and toughness goes up, making pods tough to chew and swallow! Other varieties such as Louisiana are good to 10” but will grow to 16”.
With spineless okra as a standard, pods on an individual stem are mostly 1-2. Jambalaya okra may have 4 pods at any one time. There is, however, a species called heavy hitter okra that may have 2-3 times that number at any one time. Heavy Hitter Okra (Abelmoscus esculentus) is a multi-branching species having high quality flavor, maturing quickly at 56-65 days, and holding the record for season long production in Oklahoma.
At any one-time heavy hitter can have anywhere from 20-40 pods. Season long production can be anywhere from 150 -220 pods. Stem height is 5-7’, which is standard, but branches may extend the plant diameter out to 5’. Row separation recommendation is 2-3’, but at 2’, walking between rows may be difficult. Pods can grow 6-8”, but picking recommendations are 3-4”.
Conditions for growing heavy hitter are similar to those of other okra species. You should sow seeds indoor 4-6 weeks before the last frost. In Mt Pleasant, I usually start seeds the last week of March. Our last frost is usually around 15 April, but I don’t like to transplant before 01 May. Transplanting is OK once each plant has developed 2-3 true leaves.
I have never done it, but the literature recommends loosening the soil around the roots when transplanting. You did NOT hear me say this, but after germination, I gently fertilize with miracle grow at least once a week when watering. That’s the one & only time you’ll ever hear recommend a synthetic fertilizer!
Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Investigations into Character.AI, Reddit, Instagram, Discord
Over Children’s Privacy and Safety Practices as Texas Leads the Nation in Data Privacy Enforcement
December 13, 2024 – Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched investigations into Character.AI and fourteen other companies including Reddit, Instagram, and Discord regarding their privacy and safety practices for minors pursuant to the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (“SCOPE”) Act and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (“TDPSA”).
The SCOPE Act prohibits digital service providers from sharing, disclosing, or selling a minor’s personal identifying information without permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian. The SCOPE Act also requires companies to provide parents with tools to manage and control the privacy settings on their child’s account. The TDPSA imposes strict notice and consent requirements on companies that collect and use minors’ personal data. The protections of these laws extend to how minors interact with AI products.
“Technology companies are on notice that my office is vigorously enforcing Texas’s strong data privacy laws. These investigations are a critical step toward ensuring that social media and AI companies comply with our laws designed to protect children from exploitation and harm,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The investigations follow Attorney General Paxton’s recent lawsuit against TikTok for operating in violation of the safety and privacy requirements of the SCOPE Act.
This year, Attorney General Paxton launched the largest data privacy and security initiative of any State AG office. As part of this initiative, Texas brought a major lawsuit against General Motors for illegally surveilling drivers, collecting driver data, and sharing it with their insurance companies.
In July, Attorney General Paxton secured an historic $1.4 billion settlement for the State of Texas with Meta (formerly Facebook) for unlawfully collecting and using facial recognition data—the largest settlement ever obtained from an action brought by a single State.
Statement by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller on Proposed Listing of a Butterfly a Threatened Species
December 12, 2024 – “The Biden Administration’s recent proposal to list the Monarch Butterfly as a threatened species is just the latest example of federal government overreach which cripples agriculture and rural development. Don’t be misled. This proposal isn’t about protecting butterflies. It’s about out-of-touch and out-of-control Washington bureaucrats forcing a radical agenda that punishes rural America and the people who call it home.
This designation would slap widespread restrictions on anything that might ‘disturb’ monarch habitat, making it nearly impossible to build or expand in rural areas. We’re not just talking about farmland. This will impact dairies, wind and solar farms, football stadiums, roads, airports, railways, feedlots, rural hospitals, parking lots, logging, and mining — you name it. These restrictions will hit Texas farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and consumers where it hurts, threatening the very industries that drive our state’s and nation’s economies.
This is nothing more than a parting shot from the Biden Administration, a desperate move to impose its heavy-handed, radical climate agenda on hard-working Americans before they leave office and sanity returns to our nation’s capital on January 20th. This is not a balanced approach to conservation; it’s a roadblock to growth, jobs, and prosperity, all in the name of feel-good policies. We deserve better.”
You can read more about Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller by going to this website.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Manufacturers of Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Paxton Claims False Advertising About Household Products as Safe for Families
December 12, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a groundbreaking new lawsuit against the largest manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) chemical products, 3M and DuPont, for misrepresentations and key omissions they made in advertising the safety of brand names such as Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchgard.
On May 16, 2000, 3M voluntarily agreed to phase out production of Scotchgard within three years. The organic fluorine in Scotchgard is one of approximately 75,000 chemicals registered with the EPA.
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. Exposure in humans may be associated with diseases such as cancer and thyroid disease, and PFAS contamination accumulates in animals, plants, drinking water, and human blood over time. For decades, 3M and DuPont knew about the dangers of these chemicals but continued to market their beneficial use in ordinary household products. According to the filing, “Defendants marketed products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for over 70 years and were aware of the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals for over 50 years. Despite this knowledge, Defendants continued to market PFAS products and chemicals in Texas and elsewhere as safe for consumer use, misrepresent their environmental and biological risks, and conceal risks of harm from the public.”
“These companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use around families and children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Texas is taking action to penalize these companies and hold them accountable for deceiving Texans into buying consumer products without vital information.”
Attorney General Paxton has been at the forefront of holding companies responsible for exposing people to dangerous “forever chemicals.” Texas previously sued the manufacturers of a product containing PFAS called Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) for its harmful effect on Texas lands and waters. Today’s lawsuit marks a new stage in PFAS litigation.
The Lanier Law Firm and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP are serving as outside counsel.
Legislation Filed Mandating Schools Inform Parents of Employee Misconduct
If passed, it would go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
December 11, 2024 – Emily Medeiros – A new measure has been filed in the Texas House that would require public schools to inform students’ parents and guardians when a district employee has been charged with certain criminal offenses.
Incoming State Rep. Hillary Hickland (R-Belton) filed House Bill 1551, which requires that public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools notify parents or guardians of enrolled students when an employee at their children’s specific school is charged with certain criminal offenses. These offenses include those that would require the individual to register as a sex offender; the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor; as well as murder and child endangerment charges.
According to the measure, the district must include in the notice the employee’s name and position, whether the employee continues to be employed by the school or district, the length of the employee’s employment, the offense they are being charged with, and a statement that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The notice may not reveal the victim’s identity but allows the school to release relevant facts regarding the case.
Hickland told Texas Scorecard that “Parents have a right to know what is happening in their children’s schools especially when it comes to safety and transparency.”
Texas Family Project President Brady Gray told Texas Scorecard that Hickland’s proposal is common sense and should be a regular practice in schools.
“The measure by Representative Hickland would bring transparency to public schools and empower parents to make the best decisions for their children,” said Gray. “This is a common sense measure that should be the practice of every public school and should not require legislative action. However, in the absence of virtuous leadership, Texas Family Project applauds any and all efforts to defend Texas kids.”
This article originally appeared here.
Cooper Lake Supervisor Aron Maib Chatted About Christmas in the Park on This Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, Cooper Lake State Park Supervisor Aron Maib visited with John Mark. The two chatted about Christmas in the Park coming up December 13th and 14th. The two also discuss the kid’s fishing day at Cooper Lake coming up on December 21st, a traditional hike held on New Year’s Day, and a lot more. Check out this exciting episode to learn what’s coming up at Cooper Lake State Park.
The 2024 Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade Marched Through Sulphur Springs December 6th
December 11, 2024 – The 2024 Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade marched through downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas, on Friday, December 6, 2024. The event went off without any problems and was a big hit. Below is KSST’s coverage of the Christmas Parade. KSST’s James Terry offers commentary throughout the exciting parade. Be sure to check it out! Merry Christmas!
Wildcats Played Liberty-Eylau in Basketball December 3rd at Wildcat Gym
December 10, 2024 – Sulphur Springs High School Wildcats played Liberty-Eylau in basketball competition December 3rd, 2024, in Wildcat Gym in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Below is KSST’s coverage of this exciting game. Sports Director John Mark Dempsey called Play by Play and Tony Flippin returned to provide Color Commentary. Be sure to check out the exciting action below. Lady Cats take on Hooks December 13th, 2024 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, beginning around 6:15pm. KSST will bring you the game live on 1230AM, and streaming on our YouTube channel. Video playback of the game will air on Cable Channel 18 and will be available on YouTube at a later date and time.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library to be Open December 14th
December 10, 2024 – The Hopkins County Genealogical Society announces that their library will be open Saturday, December 14th, 2024, from 9:30am to 1:00pm. The library will be open for “all your research needs.” The Hopkins County Genealogical Society hopes “you will join us!” The Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library is located at 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Some Recent Photo Ops With Gala Sponsors
This year’s Gala proceeds will help purchase an MRI upgrade for CMF-SS which will benefit the entire community.
For sponsorships and tickets visit LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com
Guaranty Bank & Trust is once again supporting the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala slated for January 25, 2025. They know that great local healthcare is good for the entire community.
Gathered with the Gala chairs, the Burgin family are representatives of the bank. From left to right are Joe Bob Burgin, Linda Burgin, Brad Thomas, Brandon Williams, and Teffany Burgin.
The fundraising goal for the 2025 Gala is $260,000.
Jay Hodge Chevrolet was squalling its tires to quickly support the Foundation’s 19th annual Gala! Not only is the dealership sponsoring the event, but it also donated a luxury designer bag for the Silent Auction. Representatives of the dealership gathered with the Gala chairs for a big check photo. Pictured left to right are Bill Owens, Teffany Burgin, Jay Hodge, Linda Burgin, and Joe Bob Burgin.
The Gala theme this year is Serendipity by the Sea.
A big shout out to The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram for helping the Foundation get the word out about the Serendipity by the Sea Gala. The Gala chairs meet with the newspaper leadership in appreciation of their gift-in-kind. Photographed are (l-r) representing the News-Telegram, Faith Huffman and Stephanie Page along with Gala Chairs Linda and Joe Bob Burgin.
The Gala will be held on January 25, 2025 at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
