Walmart to Roll Out Digital Price Tags: Is ‘Surge Pricing’ far Behind?
March 11, 2026 – Walmart is expanding the use of digital shelf labels in its stores nationwide, a move the retailer says will improve price accuracy and streamline store operations.
The company announced that about 2,300 Walmart stores across the United States are already equipped with the electronic labels. Over the next year, Walmart plans to roll out the technology to all of its U.S. locations.
There has been concern from some shoppers that digital labels could allow “surge pricing”—where prices change rapidly based on demand, similar to ride-share apps.
However, Walmart says that is not how the system will be used. According to the company:
- Prices remain the same for all shoppers in the store
- Price changes are typically scheduled outside normal shopping hours
- The technology does not change how prices are set, only how they are displayed
Digital shelf labels replace traditional paper price tags with small electronic displays that can be updated through a centralized system. According to Walmart, the system allows store managers and corporate teams to push approved price updates electronically, reducing the need for employees to manually replace thousands of paper labels throughout the store.
The retailer says the technology helps ensure that the price displayed on the shelf matches the price charged at the checkout register. Price updates are typically scheduled outside normal shopping hours to help prevent confusion for customers while they are in the store.
Walmart officials say the digital system also supports the company’s long-standing “Everyday Low Price” strategy by helping keep pricing consistent and transparent.
Some shoppers have expressed concerns that electronic labels could allow retailers to change prices more frequently. However, Walmart says the technology does not change how prices are determined.
Instead, the company says the digital labels simply modernize how prices are displayed and updated, while maintaining the same price for all customers in a given store regardless of demand or time of day.
Learn What Cooper State Park has Planned for Spring Break on the Latest Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey
March 11, 2026 – On the latest episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Cooper State Park Superintendent Aron Maib. John Mark and Aron chatted about some of the activities planned at Cooper State Park during Springs Break, including a Fishing With The Ranger event being held March 11th, 2026, a Luck of the Irish Archery activity planned for March 12th, 2026, and so much more. Take a look at this informative segment of A Second Cup Of Coffee and plan your Spring Break!
March Burn Ban Lifted in Hopkins County, Caution Advised When Burning
March 10, 2026 – With the promise of wet weather in the forecast, Hopkins County Commissioners have lifted the current burn ban for county residents. Emergency Management Director Andy Endsley reminds county residents to continue to exercise caution when burning as the State of Texas still mandates outdoor burning to take place when winds are forecasted to be between 6mph and 23mph. As Hopkins County is forecasted to receive higher wind speeds and gusts over the next week, residents are urged to choose their timing wisely to avoid any problems.
Under Texas state law (30 TAC § 111.219), outdoor burning is only permitted when wind speeds are between 6 and 23 mph. Fires must start one hour after sunrise and end one hour before sunset, with a responsible adult present. Only authorized materials (like dry plant growth) can be burned
Juveniles Busted For Theft of Truck and Trailer
March 10, 2026 – Two juveniles have been arrested and transported to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center after a short investigation into a pickup and trailer theft reported Sunday 3/9/2026.
In a press release received from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office the details of the investigation and arrests were given.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/10/2026
Stolen Truck and Trailer Recovered; Two Juveniles in Custody — Investigation Ongoing
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX — On 03/08/2026 a truck and trailer were reported stolen from Beasley
Street in Sulphur Springs. Hopkins County Deputies located and recovered the stolen trailer on FM
2297 near County Road 1104.
Investigators from the Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force, working with Hopkins County
Investigators, located two juveniles believed to be involved. During interviews, additional suspects
were identified and a possible location for the stolen Dodge pickup was developed. The pickup was
subsequently recovered in Dallas by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Two juvenile suspects have been arrested and are currently held at the Gregg County Juvenile
Detention Center. One of the arrested juveniles had recently been arrested in connection with an
Engaging in Organized Crime investigation weeks prior to this incident.
This investigation remains active and additional arrests are anticipated. Anyone with information is
asked to contact the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 438-4040 or the Northeast Texas Auto
Theft Task Force. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Media Contact: Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer
Chief Investigator Michael Russell Phone: (903) 558-0033
Think Twice Before Purchasing High-End Items on Facebook
March 10, 2026 – Authorities are reminding consumers to be cautious when shopping online after a recent counterfeit goods investigation in North Texas revealed how widespread fake products can be on social media marketplaces.
Police in Rowlett recently seized more than 62,000 suspected counterfeit luxury items after receiving a tip about merchandise being sold during Facebook Live streams. Investigators say the products were being advertised as high-end designer brands including Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada.
According to police, the investigation began in February when detectives received information that counterfeit items were being sold online from a location in Rowlett. On Feb. 17, officers with the Rowlett Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, along with partner agencies, executed a search warrant connected to the operation.
During the search, investigators seized 62,694 suspected counterfeit items, approximately $208,000 in cash and a vehicle. Authorities estimate the street value of the seized merchandise at nearly $1 million. If the items had been authentic, their value would have exceeded $101 million.
Police arrested Orlando Gonzalez Marcella on charges of trademark counterfeiting. Authorities also issued an arrest warrant for a second suspect, Aida Karina Lopez Alvarez, who remains at large.
Officials say the case highlights the growing problem of counterfeit goods being sold online, particularly through social media platforms and livestream sales. Law enforcement leaders say counterfeit operations can deceive consumers while also harming legitimate businesses and brand owners.
Consumer experts say buyers can take several steps to avoid purchasing fake goods online. Shoppers should be wary of deals that appear too good to be true, especially when luxury items are listed at dramatically reduced prices. Checking seller reviews, verifying the legitimacy of websites and purchasing from authorized retailers can also help reduce the risk.
Buyers should also be cautious when purchasing items through livestream sales or private messages, where fewer consumer protections may exist.
Authorities say the Rowlett case serves as a reminder that counterfeit operations can appear legitimate online, and consumers should take extra steps to verify products before making a purchase.
Lake Fork Fishing Cheat Charged
March 10, 2026 – A fishing tournament at Lake Fork Texas ended in controversy after game wardens say an angler was arrested for allegedly placing weights inside a bass in an attempt to increase its weight during a competition.
According to Texas Game Wardens, officials in Wood County were contacted Sunday, March 8, by organizers of the Lake Fork Lure Co. Tournament after concerns were raised about a fish presented during the weigh-in. Tournament staff became suspicious when a metal-detecting wand used during the weigh-in process alerted them to a possible foreign object inside the bass.
Curtis Lee Daniels was arrested Sunday after being exposed for cheating during a fishing tournament in Lake Fork, Texas.
After the alert, game wardens conducted a necropsy on the fish to determine whether the bass had been tampered with. During the examination, officials say they discovered three weights inside the fish’s stomach. Authorities reported that the weights showed no signs of erosion, suggesting they had been recently placed inside the fish.
Wardens say further investigation led them to search the angler’s boat, where they reportedly found additional weights matching the same style and size as those discovered in the fish.
The angler was taken into custody and charged with violating Texas fishing tournament laws. Officials said the charge was elevated because the tournament offered prize money exceeding $10,000. Under Texas law, that makes the offense a third-degree felony.
Fishing tournaments across Texas often include strict rules to prevent cheating and protect the integrity of competitive angling. Many events now use metal detectors or other screening methods during weigh-ins to detect potential tampering.
Game wardens say the case serves as a reminder that attempts to manipulate fish weight during competitions are taken seriously and can lead to significant legal consequences.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue reviewing details surrounding the incident.
There’s Still Time to RSVP to Attend the 90+ Bridges Banquet
March 9, 2026 – The 22nd Annual Sulphur Springs 90+ Bridges Banquet will be held Saturday, April 11th, 2026, beginning at 12:00Noon. The event will be held at the Sulphur Springs, Texas, Senior Citizens Activity Center. You can expect an afternoon of singing, awards, fellowship, a delicious meal, and more. Everyone always has a great, memorable, time at these events! Don’t miss out! So they know who to make certificates for, and have a head count for the meal, please RSVP by calling 903-439-3720. Invite your friends and family, but be sure to let them know how many are coming! This event is free to attend.
Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting to be Held March 19th
March 9, 2026 – You are invited to come and hear our speaker, Kenneth Sivard, on Thursday, March 19, 2026. We will meet at 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs, TX., at 7:00 p.m. or you may join us via Zoom that evening. (See the Zoom link below).
A sixth-generation McCurtain County native, Kenny Sivard joined the McCurtain County Historical Society at age fifteen. Working with the society, he has created education programs, including a Choctaw Heritage Festival. He assisted Dr. Lewis Stiles in marking the Choctaw Trail of Tears route across McCurtain County. He is active in preservation and restoration efforts in downtown Idabel and on behalf of the Barnes-Stevenson House in Idabel and the Howell, Harris Mill and Waterhole Cemeteries. He worked for the OHS at Fort Towson Historic Site and Honey Springs Battlefield and is finance manager for the James Hodge Auto Group.
Kenny’s presentation entitled “Choctaw Involvement in the Civil War,” will discuss the actions taken by the Choctaw Nation’s government in the years prior, during and after the American Civil War. This program will also explore environmental, social, economic and political factors that shaped the actions of the Choctaw government during this era in American history. In the course of the presentation, we will also explore the lives of some of the leading men and women who lived in the Choctaw Nation during this time period.
Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 19, 2026 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/jAU5WT5OQEKeF3vzcQx7gg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Spreading Our Wings Update
March 9, 2026 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is working with the local non-profit hospital, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs (CMF-SS), to raise funding to outfit the hospital’s surgical wing.
Recent gifts to the campaign bring the total raised or pledged to almost $900,000. Donations are accepted via several means, including cash, donor-advised funds (DAF), pledges, and other assets.
Two DAF gifts came through Morgan Stanley Gift and Fidelity Charitable. Two cash gifts were also recently received.
Recent donations for naming opportunities have included a gift from Walt and Jessica Gamblin to name a surgical room, which is currently under renovation. In addition, Gabriela Camacho/Omega Hydration and Wellness has secured the naming opportunity for two nursing stations and a private consultation room.
Jim and Sherry Moore provided a gift for general support, as did a DAF from Fidelity Charitable directed by Carol Vernon. Gifts have also been received in memory of Jim Russell.
In addition to running the campaign, the Health Care Foundation is also a donor to the project. The Foundation donated proceeds of the 2024 Gala to assist with construction costs and, more recently, donated funds for a blanket warmer. Proceeds from the May 9 Gala will help pay for new medical equipment.
“We are so thankful for the donations the community is providing to this Campaign. It means a great deal to our staff to know that they are being supported by the very people they dedicate their lives to helping. We have something special going on in Hopkins County healthcare, and it is truly a blessing to all of us,” shared CEO/President of CMF-SS Paul Harvey.
The campaign has already celebrated the construction halfway point with a Blessing and Dedication held on Friday, January 23. Speakers expressed genuine gratitude to those supporting the new wing, in particular to the donors.
Making comments during the event, Spreading Our Wings Honorary Chair Charles Helm shared, “Today, you are going to be impressed with this renovation and expansion to help our surgical needs. Currently, towns and cities around us are struggling to provide quality healthcare for their area. At the same time, CHRISTUS is thriving in Hopkins County. They are growing their facilities, like we are celebrating here today, and bringing in more quality doctors to complement the great doctors we already have. They are creating more healthcare services and have long-term plans to grow by just recently buying 44 acres next door. CHRISTUS has funded millions of dollars for the community by supporting our indigent care and other projects. Simply said, CHRISTUS is a class act that most hospitals should model themselves after.”
The crowd enthusiastically endorsed Helm’s comments with a rousing round of applause. This soft opening marked the end of construction on the new square footage added by enclosing space above a parking area and the beginning of the renovation of the original surgical area. The new space is now in use and serving patients.
Donations of any amount are welcome. Naming opportunities are available at varying gift levels. To learn more about the campaign, visit SpreadOurWings.GiveSmart.com or call 903- 438-4799.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. The Foundation’s purpose is to create more local healthcare opportunities for the community. It provides free healthcare clinics, education, and a free closet of supplies for women with breast cancer. Additionally, the Foundation assists CMF-SS and the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS with fundraising.
Honorary Spreading Our Wings Campaign Chair Charles Helm shares comments at the Blessing and Dedication of the new part of the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Charles and wife, Sharon, made the first gift toward the campaign and have often expressed their hope to see the hospital evolve into a regional hospital. They are serving as Honorary Chairpersons of the Campaign.
If you would like to receive a campaign packet, contact the Foundation office at 903-438-4799 or email
[email protected].
PR 10 Photo 2: The longest serving medical provider at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, Dr. James Doughtie, made comments during the soft opening of the new part of the hospital’s
surgical wing held on Friday, January 23. His emotional comments signify the true dedication and love
he has for the community and this hospital.
To learn more about the Spreading Our Wings Campaign to benefit the surgical wing expansion at CMF-
SS, visit SpreadOurWings.GiveSmart.com
PR 10 Photo 3: The soft opening of the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs’ surgical
wing expansion was well attended by community members, volunteers, donors, and medical staff.
Attendees were eager to see the new space, since the week after the ceremony, the area would be in
use by patients.
Naming opportunities and general donations are being accepted to help outfit the new space. Go to
SpreadOurWings.GiveSmart.com to learn more.
Chinese New Year Lanterns Blamed for Two Homes Destroyed
March 9, 2026 – Fire officials in Mesquite say an airborne floating lantern is believed to have sparked a large residential fire that destroyed two homes Friday night.
The Mesquite Fire Department responded to the blaze around 8 p.m. in the area of Peachtree and Bruton roads. When firefighters arrived, they found two nearby homes fully engulfed in flames. Crews worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to additional houses in the neighborhood.
Despite their efforts, both homes were declared a total loss. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.
Investigators believe the fire began when a floating lantern—often released during celebrations—drifted into the area and became caught in a tree. According to fire officials, the lantern likely originated from the Balch Springs or southeast Dallas area before traveling into Mesquite.
As the lantern descended, officials say it became entangled in branches. The lantern’s small fuel cell, which typically contains flammable oil or other combustible materials used to keep the lantern aloft, may have fallen to the ground and ignited a fire that quickly spread to the nearby homes.
The incident comes as some communities are wrapping up celebrations connected to the Chinese New Year, when floating lanterns are sometimes released as part of festivities.
Mesquite fire officials say the incident highlights the dangers associated with floating lanterns and similar items that involve open flames. In a statement, the department urged residents to celebrate responsibly and avoid activities that could lead to uncontrolled fires.
“Floating lanterns, fireworks, open burning and even discharging firearms within city limits can pose serious fire hazards,” officials said.
The Mesquite Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying who released the lantern involved in the fire. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 972-216-6316.
