Governor Abbott Presented With “Champion For Choice Award” Following Historic Texas School Choice Victory
October 17, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott last night accepted the John T. Walton Champion for Choice Award from the American Federation for Children in recognition of the Governor’s leadership in delivering the largest day-one school choice program in America.
“This May, I signed into law the largest day-one school choice program in America, empowering parents, not bureaucrats, to decide what is best for their children,” said Governor Abbott. “This historic legislation levels the playing field and expands educational opportunities for students across our great state. With this in full effect, Texas will become No. 1 in education and prove to the world the critical value of school choice.”
This historic movement was driven by Texas families who want educational freedom for their children, including:
- The Aly family, who watched their daughter fall behind during COVID and longed for a better option.
- Eric Richerson, a father frustrated that his child’s teacher refused to work with him to meet his son’s needs.
- Hillary Hickland, a mom who was outraged by a woke agenda being pushed in her daughter’s classroom – and who went on to run for and win a seat in the Texas Legislature.
- The family of Jeremiah Kimmel, a student with Autism from Bell County who wasn’t receiving the attention he needed in his public school.
Thousands of families like these will now have the option to choose the school that best fits their child’s needs.
The Governor closed by thanking the American Federation for Children, parents, and educators for their vision, hard work, and dedication to ensuring the next generation has the education and skills needed to succeed.
Delta County Enacts Burn Ban This Week
October 16, 2025 – County Fire Marshal
DELTA COUNTY IS CURRENTLY UNDER A BURN BAN.
The County Fire Marshal’s office is responsible for ensuring fire and life safety and to reduce the risk of fire loss to the lives and property of the citizens of Delta County. The County Fire Marshal’s office, in accordance with Texas Local Government Code 352, is responsible for conducting investigations of fires that occur in the unincorporated areas of Delta County for origin and cause. This same statute provides for the inspection of various facilities in the unincorporated areas of Delta County for fire and life safety hazards. The Fire Marshal’s office, along with other law enforcement agencies in the county, enforces environmental protection laws found in the Texas Health and Safety Code as well as the Texas Water Code.
Burn Ban Status
Delta County is currently under a burn ban.
Visit the Texas Forest Service’s website to determine the burn ban status for your county.
Outdoor Burning
Prior to outdoor burning, call Delta County 911 Dispatch at (903) 395-2146 to log your controlled burn and to determine if weather conditions permit outdoor burning.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSEQUENCES FOR OUTDOOR BURNING
View the State Law in regards to responsibility for consequences of outdoor burning.
Outdoor Burning in Texas Guide
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 352, Subchapter D, Outdoor Burning
2025 Hopkins County United Way Held Their 3rd Campaign Report Meeting October 14th
October 15, 2025 – The 2025-2026 Hopkins County United Way officials held their 3rd Campaign Report Meeting October 14th, 2025. They met at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas. KSST/Cable Channel 18 was present at this meeting and below is our coverage of that meeting. Check it out and learn how much United Way has collected so far in their 70th year of operation.
Use or Skip the Marigolds? By Master Gardener David Wall
October 15, 2025 – I’ve grown French marigolds with tomato plants for years. They’re great companion plants and can combat gardening pests. For me, they’ve always done great. Besides, everyone else uses them, so they must work; right? Unfortunately, we’re starting to learn that when planted in mass (not once every three feet) they do work, although not as successfully as we’ve always thought.
There’s a new plant to consider that apparently works far better than marigolds. The plant called Sweet Alyssum (lobularia maritima). Many of you use it in your flower beds. It’s little more than a ground cover, but acts as an emergency signal to any and all beneficial insects nearby. Its flowers are full of nectar to act as an attractant. Further, they bloom from spring well into the fall. Some say it creates an all-you-can-eat buffet!
Sweet alyssum attracts ladybugs, which love aphids, hoverflies, which love thrips and spider mites, lacewings which love caterpillars and mealybugs, parasitic wasps, which go after hornworms, and more. The long-term flowers are critical in keeping a food supply for the beneficial insects.
An additional benefit of Sweet alyssum is that it’s low maintenance. Also, it doesn’t need deadheading like marigolds. Once established, it’s drought tolerant, which shouldn’t be needed if you’re watering your tomatoes on a regular basis. It grows fast and will continue to grow and spread throughout the growing season. As a low ground cover, it can act as a living mulch.
This article was written for tomato plant and fruit protection, but it’s great for virtually any vegetables you want to grow in your gardens. It can also be used to provide protection for potted vegetables and flowers. Using it is a win-win situation.
So, where can you get Sweet alyssum? Check your local garden supply stores and/or Google it on-line.
Looking Back at the Early Years of the Foundation Gala in Advance of its 20th Anniversary
October 15, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The year was 2006, and the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation was relatively new, having begun in 1997. Jackie Voss Thornton had returned to her hometown to care for her mother a few years earlier and had been selected to serve the Foundation as its second director.
If you know Jackie, you know that she came back to town with tons of energy and a friendly personality, but she also had many years of Dallas area fundraising experience in her arsenal. Seeing how well the annual Lights of Life Christmas tree fundraiser (now known as the Snowflake Campaign) was doing, she thought back to her experiences with the annual balls and galas in the Metroplex.
Jackie recalls, “I thought a gala would be a great way to expand on the Lights of Life campaign’s success and was thinking of how we could expand on that. The Crystal Charity Ball and other Dallas fundraising balls and galas seemed like a way to have a fun event and give money to the hospital (then known as Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and operated by the Hopkins County Hospital District)”.
Sharing some of the early challenges to that idea, Jackie laughed as she recounted how some people were concerned that tickets would cost $100 each, and she planned to serve beer and wine at the event! Nevertheless, the community supported the Gala and loved it.
She also shared fond memories of Mickey Masters Barnett who worked with Jackie as the first volunteer chair. Mickey and Jackie designed the stylized tree logo that local citizens all associate with the Foundation Gala and the Lights of Life Campaign.
The first two events were held in December 2006 and 2007 at the Lodge. The successful community response necessitated a move to the Civic Center for the third Gala. It was also moved from December to January. This meant there was no Gala held in the calendar year 2008, but the January 2009 event filled the Civic Center’s exhibit hall.
Wanda Galyean served as the volunteer chair for the second Gala, Peggy and Dr. Bill Dietze chaired the third, and Pam and Tom Sellers chaired the fourth.
“The whole thing was a God thing. I asked ladies from my Church and Pilot Club to help us with the committee, and I asked everyone in town to sponsor. I asked everybody and anybody to help,” shared Jackie.
She saw herself in the cheerleader role, asking committee members to lean into their strong suits with their Gala volunteer contributions. She let them do their thing while she shared the importance of the Gala with the community.
“If someone asked why we needed to raise money for the hospital, I told them it was because we wanted to keep the hospital here. We need the hospital here and ready to help them when they need it,” shared Jackie with as much enthusiasm today as she had in 2006.
“Everybody’s heart is to make a difference for someone else today or in the community. The Gala allows them to see tangible results of their donations and efforts.”
Jackie expressed how those who have followed her in the staff role with the Foundation have continued to add and strengthen the Gala and Foundation. She was happy to know about the event’s longevity and to learn about its positive impact on Hopkins County’s healthcare, which has included funding 35 projects that cost over $3.3 million.
The 20th Gala will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with the theme, A Celebration of Twenty Years. Proceeds will be used to advance local medical offerings with $250,000 going to the Spreading Our Wings campaign to help purchase new medical equipment for the surgical wing expansion at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
A few special throwback moments are in the works to celebrate the people and outcomes of two decades of the Gala. Jackie has made plans to be there and hopes to see lots of folks from past Galas in attendance. She is also excited to meet some new community members as well!
The Hopkins County Heath Care Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. In addition to funding its own free clinics and educational programs, the Foundation also raises money for special projects at the local non-profit hospital, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, and the State special district, the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS. The funds are used by these two entities to purchase equipment or provide services that a community the size of Hopkins County would not normally have available. The Foundation does this because they believe each and every community member deserves great local health care.
For more information on the Gala, visit the website at Gala2026.Givesmart.com.
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The Foundation will celebrate its next Gala, A Celebration of Twenty Years, on January 24, 2026. Sponsorships, underwriting, and ticket information are available at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com. Please join the Foundation as they continue to improve local healthcare opportunities.
Neighboring Fannin County Institutes Burn Ban
October 15, 2025 – Hopkins County has yet to issue a burn ban this fall, but our neighboring county to the northwest issued one today. Residents of Fannin County are now prohibited from outdoor burning.
Due to dangerous conditions that could lead to fast-moving grassfires, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to implement a countywide ban on all outdoor burning. That decision came during a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Fannin County residents are asked to be particularly mindful of any equipment or outdoor work that may cause a spark or ignition source that could go unnoticed.
High winds can cause grassfires to spread very quickly and can cause firefighting to be difficult and dangerous, as well. Please help keep our county safe!
WHEREAS, in accordance with provision of Section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Fannin County Judge has found that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of Fannin County create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning; and
WHEREAS, a finding of such public safety hazard authorizes the imposition of controls on activities which tend to increase the likelihood of such fires;
BE IT THEREFORE ORDERED that the following regulations are hereby established for all unincorporated areas of Fannin County, Texas for the duration of this Order:
(1) Actions Prohibited:
A person violates this Order if the person burns any combustible material (including burn barrels for trash) or orders such burning by others.
(2) Exceptions:
This Order does not apply to outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for (1) firefighter training, (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline, or mining operations, (3) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code.
(4) This Order also does not apply to any burns that are conducted in accordance with a plan that has been approved by the natural Resources Conservation Service or by the directors of the Fannin Soil & Water Conservation District.
(5) US-Forest Service employees with RXB2 Burn authority for Caddo Grasslands only.
(6) Welding, including cutting and grinding with the following restrictions: areas 10 ft. radius altered with the fire retardant or non-combustible material, fire fighting capability of 100 gallons of water, fire watch with cell phone, winds less than 20 mph, call into the County Judge or Commissioner AND Local Fire Department (closest to work location), to provide work location address before work begins.
(7) NTMWD may burn within the permanent water area of the Bois d’ Arc Lake with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins
(8) UTRWD may burn within the permanent water area of Lake Ralph Hall with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins.
Sheriff: 903-583-2143
Emergency Management: 903-640-8484
County Judge: 903-583-7455(3) Enforcement:
(a) Upon notification of suspected outdoor burning, the fire department assigned to the location of the fire shall respond to the scene and take immediate measures to contain and/or extinguish the fire.
(b) As soon as possible, a duly-commissioned peace officer shall be sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire.
(c) This Order may be enforced in accordance with section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code. An offense based on a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.
(4) Duration:
This order shall remain in effect from the effective and extended dates listed below, and shall continue upon determination by the Commissioners Court, either by its own action, or through the County Judge as its authorized agent, in which the circumstances referred to herein no longer exist, whichever is earlier.
So ordered and effective immediately this 14th day of October, 2025 for 7 days.
In Texas, local governments are empowered to take action on the behalf of those they serve. When drought conditions exist, a burn ban can be put in place by a county judge or county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety.
A burn ban means no outdoor burning is allowed, except in an enclosure that contains all flames and/or sparks. Non-commercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbeques, are still allowed. Any outdoor welding and/or other “hot work” must be performed in accordance with fire code requirements.
As of this posting, there is no significant precipitation in the 7 day forecast.
Texas Data Center Boom Looks to Natural Gas For Power
October 15, 2025 – Texas’ data center boom is pushing the state closer to new natural gas generation as the only fast, reliable way to meet unprecedented power demand`s. With AI compute farms and hyperscale server hubs sprouting up across the state, industry and grid operators are raising concerns about whether existing electricity infrastructure can keep up.
Many data center developers are already opting to build their own gas-fired power plants on campus, rather than wait years for grid interconnections. These plants can ramp up instantly and offer a predictable supply—advantages that wind, solar, or batteries often can’t match for heavy continuous loads. Some new projects claim they will rely heavily on renewables, but for now, most are leaning into gas to avoid delays and stability risks.
The shift raises important questions about Texas’ energy trajectory. For years, the state has celebrated its growth in wind and solar, but the rise of data centers is tilting the balance toward fossil fuels in the near term. The state’s energy planning is being tested: Can grid upgrades, transmission expansion, and cleaner technologies keep pace with both industrial demand and decarbonization goals?
If Texas is going to remain a top destination for data infrastructure, policymakers and industry must work hand in glove to coordinate power supply, streamline permitting, and invest in technology that can bridge the gap between scale and sustainability. Without that, the race to build compute may drive a parallel race toward more gas generation—just to keep the lights on.
Abbott Announces $278 Million Loan for Freestone County Power Plant Ahead of Data Center Boom
October 15, 2025 – Governor Greg Abbott has announced a new Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) loan to support construction of a 460-megawatt natural gas power plant in Freestone County, part of Calpine Corporation’s new Pin Oak Creek Energy Center. The $278.3 million low-interest loan—covering 60% of the $464 million project—marks the fourth TxEF agreement since the program began earlier this year.
Set to begin operation before summer 2026, the plant will add critical dispatchable power to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. Governor Abbott said the investment will “keep prices affordable and ensure continued reliability for all Texans.” Public Utility Commission Chairman Thomas Gleeson noted that TxEF-backed projects have now brought nearly 1,800 MW of new generation online statewide, with more expected as 13 additional projects undergo review.
The facility, located near Calpine’s existing Freestone Energy Center, will serve the ERCOT North Load Zone, which includes the growing Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Calpine Executive Vice President Caleb Stephenson said the plant is designed to start within minutes—providing stability during peak demand periods.
Texas faces rising electricity consumption, driven in part by rapid data center expansion and new AI computing facilities that require constant high-power availability. ERCOT projects that demand could reach 218 gigawatts by 2031, making investments in fast-start natural gas plants increasingly vital.
The Texas Energy Fund, created by the Legislature and administered by the PUC, offers competitive low-interest loans to add new, reliable power to the state’s grid. As Texas continues to balance its economic and technological growth with grid stability, projects like Calpine’s Freestone County plant represent a key step in strengthening the state’s energy foundation for the future.
Ionic, Nscale Deal Highlights AI Growth as Texas Data Center Boom Accelerates
October 15, 2025 – A major lease agreement between Ionic Digital and Nscale is boosting Texas’s rising role in AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Under a contract announced in mid-October 2025, Nscale will lease the full 234-megawatt capacity of Ionic Digital’s Cedarvale facility in Ward County. The agreement is a 10-year, triple-net lease valued at about $2 billion, giving Ionic steady revenue while allowing it to monetize existing infrastructure rather than relying solely on Bitcoin mining.
Under the deal, Nscale will deploy approximately 104,000 NVIDIA GB300 GPUs to support Microsoft’s AI services. The site’s power load is expected to expand over time, with options for adding more capacity.
Wider Data Center Trend in Texas
This deal is only one example of rapidly growing data center investment across Texas. A few other recent highlights:
- In Shackleford County, Vantage Data Centers is planning a massive new AI-campus (called “Frontier”) spanning roughly 1,200 acres with a projected 1.4 gigawatt capacity.
- In San Antonio, Vantage is also building several large data centers on the city’s far West Side — a 432,800 sq. ft. facility planned for 96 MW capacity is expected to break ground in October 2025 and be completed by mid-2027.
- In Ector County (in the Permian Basin), the joint venture Texas Critical Data Centers (TCDC), led by New Era Energy & Digital and Sharon AI, is advancing a 250 MW AI/HPC campus, including infrastructure engineering, land acquisition, and behind-the-meter power planning.
Behind-the-meter (BTM) power planning involves designing and implementing on-site energy systems, such as solar panels, battery storage, or microgrids, to power a facility directly. This type of planning aims to reduce energy costs, improve reliability during outages, and increase energy independence by minimizing reliance on the traditional electric grid. Effective BTM planning includes assessing factors like available space, site conditions, local utility rate structures, and integrating these systems with an energy management system for optimization.
Implications and Challenges
With all this growth, Texas’s power grid and regulatory framework are coming under increased scrutiny. For example, ERCOT projects that peak electricity demand could approach 218 gigawatts by 2031, driven in large part by data centers among other large-load users.
There’s also growing conversation around sustainability: energy sourcing, cooling systems, and environmental permitting are rising in importance. Some companies are pursuing onsite power, behind-the-meter generation, and streamlined permits.
Texas is clearly in the center of a major shift toward AI infrastructure and data center expansion. The Ionic/Nscale lease is a signal that infrastructure owners are rethinking business models (from crypto mining to AI hosting), while broader projects indicate Texas will increasingly see compute power and energy demand rise—along with the challenge of balancing economic potential with sustainable practices.
Target and Walmart Push Back on New Retail Theft Laws, Citing Self-Checkout Losses
October 14, 2025 – Large retailers including Target and Walmart are pushing back against a newly proposed law aimed at curbing retail theft by increasing oversight and regulation of self-checkout lanes. The proposed legislation would require stricter rules for self-checkout systems, including more staff monitoring, item caps, and possibly removing access to some kiosks altogether.
Retailers argue that while theft is a growing concern, self-checkout remains popular with customers as a convenience tool. They claim the law would raise operational costs and potentially lead to longer lines or reduced availability of self-checkout options.
The data supports some of their concerns: theft rates are significantly higher at self-checkout compared with traditional cashier-staffed lanes. Self-checkout shrinkage (losses due to theft or error) tends to average 3.5% to 4% of sales, while traditional checkouts typically lose less than 1%. Reports show many incidents involve “skip-scanning” (failing to scan items properly or intentionally) and mis-scanning — often mistakes or abuse by shoppers. Some studies estimate self-checkout sees up to four times more shrink than staffed lanes.
In response, Target has already begun implementing limits — for example, most of its stores now limit self-checkout to 10 items or fewer, paired with more staffed lanes for larger purchases. Walmart has selectively removed or reduced self-checkout kiosks in some locations experiencing high theft.
Supporters of the new law argue that stronger regulation is necessary to stop organized retail crime, which has exacerbated shrinkage across the industry. Opponents say that while theft must be addressed, the legislation should balance consumer convenience and cost. As the debate unfolds, both Target and Walmart are bracing for adjustments, both at the checkout and in lobbying efforts around the bill.
