Whooping Cough Cases Skyrocket in Texas
November 12, 2025 – Texas health officials issued a formal alert Monday after confirming that the number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases this year has quadrupled compared to the same period last year. Through October, the state has reported more than 3,500 cases, a dramatic surge from the approximately 1,900 cases recorded in the prior year.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is through vaccination.
This spike represents the highest level of pertussis seen in Texas in over a decade, with around 85 percent of infections occurring in children. Infants under the age of one face the greatest risk of severe complications: a third of those infected may require hospitalization.
Experts attribute the uptick to multiple factors. Vaccination rates among school-age children have declined, and immunity from earlier shots fades over time. Medical providers also suggest that increased awareness and testing may help explain part of the rise. “Immunity wanes, and families are behind on booster shots,” said a pediatric infectious disease specialist in San Antonio.
The bacterial illness begins with mild cold-like symptoms but can quickly escalate to intense, prolonged coughing fits, vomiting, and difficulty breathing — especially in the very young. With school and holiday gatherings ahead, officials warn the risk of spread may increase.
Health authorities are urging parents, caregivers and pregnant women to ensure that they and their children are up to date on pertussis vaccinations (the Tdap booster) and to watch for persistent coughs. With this recent surge, public health officials say the situation remains urgent and unpredictable.
‘Passing The Trash’ in Texas Schools
November 12, 2025 – Across Texas public schools, concerns are resurfacing over what specialists call the “passing the trash” practice—where educators accused of misconduct quietly resign or are reassigned rather than facing accountability, only to take up new roles elsewhere. Advocates say the trend leaves students vulnerable and undermines trust in the system.
Despite earlier reforms, recent reports found that some school districts continue to miss required steps, allowing individuals previously flagged for improper conduct to remain in education settings. Evidence suggests that gaps in reporting and inconsistent oversight still allow misconduct to slip through the cracks.
In response, the Texas Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 571, which tightens enforcement by requiring all school personnel—including contractors—to be screened through a centralized “Do-Not-Hire” registry. The law also lowers the window for mandatory district reporting of misconduct from seven business days to just 48 hours.
While the legislation marks a significant step, critics say implementation will determine its success. They warn that without robust audits, independent oversight or transparent public disclosure, the same patterns may continue. Parent advocacy groups urge school boards to adopt stronger internal procedures and more transparent hiring practices to ensure that once flagged, an educator cannot simply shift to another campus.
For many Texans, the reforms arrive long overdue—after years of seeing trusted schools handle allegations internally and fail to follow through. With the new law in place, the hope is that the phrase “passing the trash” becomes a relic of the past.
A Veterans Day Observance Was Held Downtown Sulphur Springs Texas November 11th
November 12, 2025 – On Veterans Day, November 11th, 2025, the Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357 and KSST’s Veterans Voices‘ Judge Advocate Bob Kerr, presented a Veterans Day Ceremony on Celebration Plaza in downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas. The event was well attended by the public. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this Veterans Day program. KSST is very thankful for all our Veterans. We owe them all much respect.
Get Ready For Deliciousness – Empty Bowls Thursday at 6PM
November 11, 2025 – We’ll be live-fire cooking a delicious organic dinner to support Fruitful Harvest Food Pantry. Your ticket proceeds go directly to pantry, who serve over 100 families each week. While important work happens every year, this year it is especially critical to help our neighbors in need.
To ease confusion, the actual event starts on Thursday, November 13th, at 6pm. This post was created on November 11th, 2025.
Come to 420 Park St in Sulphur Springs. Cravers Community Garden welcomes you. Get your tickets here.
Your ticket allows you to select an artisan bowl to keep that has been painted by Sulphur Springs HS students. If you do not need a bowl, please bring a bag of groceries for the Pantry and we will feed you for free.
This is a fabulous program & we are thrilled to be the host for our town.
The empty bowl is a powerful symbol of hunger and food insecurity – it represents the many people who have an empty bowl and nothing to eat.
At Empty Bowls events, participants select a handcrafted bowl as a reminder that, while theirs has been filled, someone else’s remains empty, reinforcing the mission to fight hunger in local communities.
Some Texans Receive Portion of November SNAP Benefit
November 11, 2025 – In Texas, monthly SNAP benefits for November began arriving Monday, but only partial payments are being issued due to the federal government shutdown. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) confirmed that households scheduled to receive benefits between November 1–10 should see payments loaded to their Lone Star cards today, while those with later issuance dates will receive partial benefits on their usual date.
Enrollees are receiving up to 65% of their normal monthly allotment, a reduction driven by limited federal funding and a recent memo from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Some households have reported very low payments, such as only $16 for a two-person household.
While the USDA had earlier announced it would issue only 50% of typical benefits, recent updates revised that cap upward — but full benefits remain suspended.
Texas continues to await further federal guidance before resuming full payouts.
Governor Abbott Celebrates United States Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday
November 10, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott today joined Texas Marines, service members, and veterans to celebrate the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) 250th birthday during a ceremony at the Texas Capitol.
“We must remember that we are the mightiest country in the world because we have the mightiest military in the history of the world,” said Governor Abbott. “Marines play a crucial role in the story of our people, protecting our rights and liberties for a quarter of a millennium. On this momentous 250th birthday, we salute our Marines past and present who embody their timeless motto, semper fidelis.”
During the celebration, Governor Abbott presented USMC Retired Colonel Joe McPhail with a Texas flag that was flown over the Texas Capitol and a proclamation celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps. The Governor then joined Colonel McPhail in the cake-cutting ceremony, cutting the USMC 250th birthday cake with a Marine Corps Officers sword. At 104, Colonel McPhail is the oldest living F4U Corsair pilot, having served two deployments to the Pacific during WWII and one to the Korean War and earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
The Governor was also joined at the ceremony by USMC Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Dawsley, Texas Veterans Commission Secretary and Marine veteran Chuck Wright, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman and Marine veteran Joe Esparza, Round Rock High School JROTC Marine Color Guard, singer Monty Warden, and Fox 7 Austin anchor Mike Warren.
Good News Celebrates 35 Years
November 10, 2025 – Good News! is celebrating 35 years in business in Sulphur Springs, TX! From the humble 900 square foot building on Main Street to the 10,500 square foot building in the Spring Village Shopping Center on Broadway, God has certainly blessed Good News! It was originally called Words of Life and then Thee Christian Bookstore. Since 2004 the name of the Christian bookstore has been Good News! Through a fire in Windsor Plaza in 2003 to a flood in The V F Outlet Mall in 2021, two of the bookstore’s other locations, God has continued to sustain His work!
On November 15th, 2025, Good News! will have the 35 year celebration! There will be drawings for up to 35 % off your purchases and Free Giveaways throughout the day! There will also be 5 authors in Good News! signing their books and free refreshments will be served! Everyone is invited and so welcome to come!
God Bless you.
Sens. Cruz, Hyde-Smith, Capito Push to Restore Trust in USPS Amid Rising Mail Theft
November 10, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coalition of Republican senators is renewing efforts to crack down on nationwide mail theft and restore public confidence in the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
As of July 13, 2025 the cost of postage increased to 78 cents for first class mail.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R–Texas), along with Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R–Miss.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R–W.Va.), introduced the Upholding a Secure Postal System (USPS) Act, legislation that would direct the U.S. Comptroller General to deliver annual reports to Congress on mail theft trends and the security of postal property. The reports would continue for five years and be shared with the Senate Homeland Security and House Oversight Committees.
Cruz said the move responds to a growing concern among Texans who rely on dependable mail delivery. “Mail theft has become a growing concern for Texans who depend on a reliable postal service,” he said. “This bill will bring us one step closer to restoring trust in the USPS.”
Hyde-Smith emphasized that postal theft has moved beyond casual porch piracy to organized schemes targeting USPS infrastructure. “This legislation will force the Postal Service to truly assess losses and threats to the sanctity of our postal system,” she said.
Sen. Capito echoed that sentiment, saying the measure would “increase accountability at the Postal Service” and help protect residents frustrated by theft and delivery delays.
Rep. Randy Weber (R–Texas–14) introduced companion legislation in the House, citing mail theft in his Houston-area district — even calling it a “persistent problem” and “sometimes an inside job.”
The bill marks Cruz’s continued focus on USPS oversight after raising alarms in 2023 over theft reports in the Galveston area. If passed, it would compel the Postal Service to report publicly on both mail theft trends and its prevention measures — a step back toward transparency and reliability in one of the nation’s oldest public institutions.
SSHS Wildcats Took on Panther Creek in Football Action at The Star in Frisco, Texas November 7th
November 10, 2025 – The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcats played the Frisco Panther Creek Panthers in a fierce football game at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Both teams were playing for second place in the District. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this nail biting game. KSST’s Sports Director, John Mark Dempsey, called Play by Play and Tony Flippin provided Color Commentary. You don’t want to miss this thrilling, action packed, game! Go Wildcats!
The Magic and Chemistry of Fall Foliage Color
November 9, 2025 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The transition of trees’ colors from lush green to a variety of warm tones annually marks the changing of seasons, often inducing strong anticipation for a chance to catch a glimpse of the magic.
The chemistry
While fall colors appear as magic to our eyes, it is really a product of color and chemistry.
Trees’ leaves contain pigments that play critical biological roles while also reflecting colors like green, yellow, orange and even brown.
“During a tree’s growing months, chlorophyll dominates the color makeup of the leaf, creating various shades of green,” said Kimberlee Peterson, Texas A&M Forest Service Woodland Ecologist. “Beyond its color and perception to the human eye, chlorophyll is an essential molecule in the photosynthesis process.”
As heat stress or cool temperatures occur, the chlorophyll and green appearance of leaves are destroyed, allowing other pigments to emerge. Although these pigments begin to appear under changes in the environmental conditions, they were present in the leaf all along.
When pigments such as carotenes, xanthophyll and anthocyanin emerge, they often create the notable fall colors of red, orange, yellow, crimson and purple.
Some Texas-native species contain anthocyanin, a key compound in shading chlorophyll later in the growing season to prevent excessive light energy absorption. The formation of this pigment is dependent on an accumulation of carbohydrates in the tree, the genetic properties of the tree and environmental factors.
Texas-native trees containing anthocyanin include sassafras, sweetgum, bigtooth maple, red oak, Tupelo and sumac. The fall colors produced by anthocyanin are often more vibrant because the red pigment is intentionally produced to block sunlight.
Some trees do not contain anthocyanin but instead have carotenoids which are responsible for helping trees absorb light energy for dormancy and protect leaves from sun damage after the photosynthesis process is complete in autumn. They can create red, orange and occasionally yellow pigments in the fall.
Carotene and xanthophyll are subcategories of carotenoids.
Carotenes produce fall colors of red, orange and occasionally yellow. Texas-native trees like black hickory, pecan and elm have contain levels of carotene.
Xanthophyll typically produces yellow and orange pigments; however, red, pink and purple pigments may also develop. Texas-native trees like ash, American beech and river birch contain high levels of xanthophyll.
Timing and conditions
As any fall color enthusiast knows, a tree’s fall colors are never promised—some years they may produce a swatch of perfect mosaic patterns while other years they suddenly drop their leaves with little to no transition.
“Fall colors are nearly unpredictable,” said Peterson. “The destruction of chlorophyll and transition into the emergence of fall pigments closely depends on environmental factors including temperature, light and water. Fall colors can even be influenced by environmental factors from six to nine months prior to fall.”
Where to see fall colors in Texas
While Texas’ fall may not resemble that of an east coast fall, there are still many opportunities to view trees’ chemical magic.
“East Texas is characterized by soft and hardwood trees, which can offer a patchwork of fall colors,” said Peterson. “Central Texas water basins, however, are comprised of bald cypress, cottonwood and sycamore trees, which often display a more unified transition to fall.”
For Texans farther west, Peterson recommends destinations such as the Lost Maples State Natural Area, home to a protected stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples. As of Oct. 31, 2025, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reported that fall colors will emerge at the Lost Maples State Natural Area soon.
While the rest of the country is at or past its peak fall, Texas’ peak fall foliage remains one of the latest in the nation. The Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction map provides resources for tracking fall foliage across the country.
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