Residential Users Set to Pay for ‘Grid Strengthening Plan’
November 2, 2025 – The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) is sounding the alarm over a massive statewide transmission line initiative it says could raise energy costs for Texans for years without proper oversight or approval.
“The cost burden is being unfairly shifted to ordinary consumers, rather than large industrial users and data companies that stand to benefit most.”
Originally pitched as a regional grid-strengthening plan, the Texas 765-kilovolt (kV) Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP) has since evolved into a multibillion-dollar statewide project led by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) in April 2025, the project adds three 765kV Extra-High Voltage (EHV) lines in the Permian Basin and two more lines linking Texas’ western and eastern grid loops.
In a September letter to the PUCT, the TPPF urged regulators to halt the project’s eastern portion, citing the absence of public hearings and legislative consent. “Decisions with high-level policy tradeoffs should not be left to ERCOT alone,” the group wrote, calling the move “unprecedented.”
Critics argue the plan echoes the 2005 Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) project, which has cost Texans roughly $650 million annually in ongoing expenses. The TPPF warns that the STEP project could exceed those costs, potentially adding more than $200 a year to the average residential bill—nearly a 50 percent increase from current rates.
Supporters say the upgrade is essential to connect new renewable energy projects and to serve the rapidly expanding network of data centers that rely heavily on stable power. Data centers, which can consume as much electricity as small cities, have surged across Texas, intensifying pressure on the grid and increasing transmission demand.
Still, the TPPF contends that the cost burden is being unfairly shifted to ordinary consumers, rather than large industrial users and data companies that stand to benefit most. The foundation is urging lawmakers to revisit ERCOT’s cost-allocation methods before construction begins, warning that without reform, the STEP project could “lock in a new era of energy austerity” for Texas households.
GSC Enterprises, Inc. Raises $105,000 for Local and Regional Charities at Annual Tournament
October 31, 2025 – SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX – On October 27, 2025, GSC Enterprises, Inc. hosted its 37th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Golf Clubs at The Tribute in The Colony, Texas. This year’s event raised $105,000 to support local and regional organizations that make a lasting impact in their communities.
Funds from the tournament benefited Morgan’s Mercy Mansion, Lake Country CASA, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, Community Chest, GSC Benevolence Fund, Sulphur Springs Independent School District Education Foundation, and Heroes Ranch.
“We are humbled and thankful for the generosity of our network of vendor and community partners,” said Ryan McKenzie, President and CEO of GSC Enterprises, Inc. “Their kindness means the world to these local charities and to all of us at GSC.”
Since its inception, GSC’s annual charity golf tournament has continued to grow in both participation and community impact, uniting corporate partners, employees, and local organizations in a shared mission of giving back.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Finalizes Historic Settlement with Google and Secures $1.375 Billion from the Big Tech Giant for Violating Texans’ Privacy Rights
October 31, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Google has signed the historic $1.375 billion settlement agreement with the State of Texas, marking the conclusion of two of the largest data privacy enforcement actions ever brought by a single state against the tech giant.
“This historic $1.375 billion price tag for Google’s misconduct sends a clear warning to all of Big Tech that I will take aggressive action against any company that misuses Texans’ data and violates their privacy,” said Attorney General Paxton. “If Big Tech thinks they can get away with abusing user data and illegally spying on Texans without consequences, I will make sure they are proven wrong. This monumental settlement is a testament to my office’s commitment to taking on the biggest companies in the world and securing victory on behalf of Texans.”
Attorney General Paxton previously sued Google for unlawfully tracking and collecting users’ private data regarding geolocation, incognito browsing activity, and biometric identifiers. The settlement obtained by Attorney General Paxton for these combined abuses far eclipses that of any other one state’s settlement against Google for similar claims, with the largest single-state settlement to date outside of Texas being $93 million. Additionally, a forty-state coalition secured $391 million in its privacy case against Google, which is almost one billion dollars less than what Attorney General Paxton secured for Texas alone. Attorney General Paxton thanks Norton Rose Fulbright, who served as outside counsel to the Office of Attorney General.
This settlement follows Attorney General Paxton’s $1.4 billion settlement with Meta (formerly Facebook) for illegal biometric data collection and his $700 million and $8 million settlements with Google for anticompetitive and deceptive trade practices.
Hunters for the Hungry Donates New Deer Processing Trailer to East Texas Food Bank
October 31, 2025 – TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank unveiled a new deer processing trailer this week, donated through the Hunters for the Hungry program — a statewide effort that turns harvested deer into meals for Texans in need.
The mobile trailer, showcased Wednesday, will help streamline the process of collecting, cleaning, and storing venison donations from area hunters during deer season. The program is a partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Feeding Texas, which coordinates distribution to local food banks and pantries.
“Venison is a lean, high-protein meat that makes a real difference in the lives of families facing hunger,” said an East Texas Food Bank spokesperson. “This trailer allows us to expand our reach and safely handle more donations.”
Hunters can donate legally harvested deer at participating processors, where the meat is inspected and packaged for distribution. Last year alone, Hunters for the Hungry provided over 800,000 servings of venison statewide.
Officials say the new trailer will be stationed at community events and used across East Texas to boost food supplies for rural pantries. “It’s a win-win,” said TPWD’s outreach coordinator. “Hunters get to give back, and families get quality protein.”
Commissioner Miller Statement on Keeping Commitment to Texas Kids
The following statement may be attributed to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller:
October 31, 2025 – “At the Texas Department of Agriculture, our mission to serve the children of Texas never stops. I want to assure parents, teachers, and school nutrition teams across our state that Texas school meal programs will continue to operate without interruption despite this damaging Schumer government shutdown.
Texas families can count on us. Whether it’s in a big city cafeteria or a small-town lunchroom, no child will be left to wonder if there’ll be a meal waiting for them at school. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with USDA, Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Trump Administration, and our local partners to make sure every student in Texas is fed. This is a promise we’ve made, and one we will keep.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has instituted safeguards to ensure that Texas school meals will keep being served and that meal reimbursements will continue to be paid to our school districts on schedule. Texas schools will keep serving healthy breakfasts and lunches and our students will keep getting the nutrition they need to learn and grow.”
The United Way Reported They’ve Reached 60% of Their Goal at Their 5th Campaign Meeting October 28th
October 31, 2025 – The 2025-2026 Hopkins County United Way held their fifth Campaign Report Meeting October 28th, 2025, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where they reported they have reached 60% of their Campaign Goal! Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this fun meeting. You can still donate by mailing your donation to … P. O. Box 735, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75483, or online at www.hcuw.org/give … or through venmo or PayPal…
Texas Manufacturing and AI Boom Hinges on Access to Affordable Water
October 30, 2025 – As the Trump administration pushes forward with policies to revive U.S. manufacturing — including tariffs, regulatory reform, and easier credit — Texas is once again in the spotlight. The state’s vast land, strong energy infrastructure, and central location make it an attractive hub for industry. But one key question looms large: Can Texas deliver enough affordable water to fuel its manufacturing future?
Water has emerged as a defining constraint — not just for traditional manufacturing like paper, chemicals, and metals, but also for the rapidly growing data center and semiconductor sectors. With the rise of AI and cloud computing, sprawling data centers in North Texas and the Austin area now consume millions of gallons annually for cooling. That puts them in direct competition with other industrial and municipal users.
Unlike electricity, there is no universal cost per gallon for industrial water. Each new source — whether a drilled well, a dammed river, or recycled wastewater — requires investment. Economically, the return on that investment depends on how much value each gallon produces. A dollar’s worth of notebook paper, for example, may require two gallons of water, while the same two gallons could yield up to ten dollars’ worth of semiconductor chips.
This efficiency gives tech manufacturers more flexibility in site selection. Semiconductor plants, like the new Samsung and Texas Instruments facilities, can operate profitably even with higher-priced, treated water, often recycling much of what they use. Meanwhile, water-intensive paper and chemical industries tend to favor East Texas, where rainfall is abundant and water is cheaper.
For Texas to sustain growth in both heavy industry and high-tech sectors, ongoing investment in water infrastructure and recycling technology will be critical. The state’s economic future — and its role in the national manufacturing revival — may depend as much on the flow of water as on the flow of capital.
Commissioner Miller Praises FDA’s Emergency Authorization of New Screwworm Treatment for Dogs
October 30, 2025 – AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is commending the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for issuing the first-ever Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for an animal drug, calling it “a major win for animal health and the American people.”
The authorization, announced this week, allows veterinarians to use a new treatment targeting New World screwworm (NWS) infestations in dogs. The parasitic larvae, which burrow into the flesh of animals, pose a severe threat to both domestic pets and livestock.
Credelio is a brand of prescription-only, chewable oral medication used for the treatment and prevention of flea and tick infestations in dogs and cats.
“This is exactly the kind of no-nonsense leadership Texans can count on,” Commissioner Miller said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m proud to see the FDA, under the steady hand of Commissioner Makary and the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., making history by issuing the first-ever Emergency Use Authorization for an animal drug.”
The newly authorized treatment, which can be administered to both adult dogs and puppies, is expected to be deployed immediately to veterinarians in southern states, where screwworm cases occasionally emerge.
Miller praised the Trump administration for acting “decisively” to protect both family pets and agricultural livelihoods. “The New World screwworm is a dangerous pest, but with the strong leadership of the Trump Administration and hardworking folks back home, Texas agriculture will come out stronger than ever,” Miller said.
The New World screwworm, once eradicated in the U.S., remains a recurring threat through imported animals and wildlife migration from Latin America. Federal and state agriculture officials have long considered it a top-tier biosecurity concern.
More details about the FDA’s emergency authorization and distribution guidance for veterinarians are expected in the coming days.
New Financial Literacy Course Coming for Texas High School Students
October 28, 2025 – In a major education shift, all Texas public high school students will soon be required to complete a dedicated half-credit course in personal financial literacy. The law, signed earlier this year as House Bill 27, mandates that students entering ninth grade in the 2025-2026 school year earn this credit before graduating.
The move reflects growing concern that many young adults reaching age 18 are equipped to manage student loans, credit cards and budgeting not with proficiency, but with uncertainty. “Maybe this happened to you. You were 18 years old, and your parents suggested you start to build your credit profile,” reads a typical anecdote. The new requirement aims to give students the foundational skills they need to make informed financial decisions early.
Under the legislation, school districts must provide resources or approved curricula that meet the Texas Education Code’s personal finance standards — topics include budgeting, credit scores, interest, saving and investing. Supporters say the requirement will help shift students away from learning financial lessons the “hard way.”
Critics caution that a single half-credit course may not be enough to fully prepare students for the complexities of modern finance — but agree it’s a meaningful step forward. Educators are now preparing to roll out the course in the 2026-2027 academic year for full implementation.
As Texas joins a growing number of states mandating financial education, students will now face a curriculum requirement that connects classroom learning to real-world experiences — whether saving for a first car, avoiding predatory loans or understanding how college choices affect long-term credit.
Your Local Grocery Store Needs SNAP
SNAP Cutoff Threatens to Hit Texas Grocers Hard
October 29, 2025 – The suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for an estimated 3.5 million Texans could ripple far beyond the families who rely on the aid. Economists and industry experts warn that grocery stores—especially small, locally owned ones—will face sharp revenue declines if the federal government shutdown continues into the weekend.
According to the National Grocers Association, SNAP recipients account for roughly 12% of all grocery sales nationwide. In Texas, that translates to about $614 million in spending each month, much of which flows directly into neighborhood food stores.
“When those benefits run out, it’s going to have a significant impact on store sales, product demand, and eventually jobs,” said Gary Huddleston, grocery industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association. “Smaller grocers in rural and low-income areas will feel it first and hardest.”
Each month, SNAP funds—about $400 per recipient—are loaded onto debit-style cards, triggering grocery restocking schedules statewide. If those funds stop, retailers could be left with unsold perishables and tightening margins.
Large chains like H-E-B and Kroger are better positioned to absorb short-term shocks, but independent grocers in South, Southeast, and West Texas may struggle to stay afloat. Economists warn the cutoff could worsen food deserts, areas already lacking access to affordable groceries.
As the shutdown continues, grocers are bracing for difficult decisions—layoffs, reduced inventory, and potential closures—if federal funding doesn’t resume soon.
