KTBB News, Weather, Talk

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) — A data security incident earlier this year at the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital (NMH) may have disclosed patients’ personal information to an unauthorized party, the hospital reports.
Nacogdoches High School names new head football coach

According to the hospital, a cyber-attack on Jan. 31 compromised its computer network and information systems. Law enforcement was immediately notified and an investigation began, determining that an unauthorized party may have had access to personal patient information.

The following patient information may have been accessed:

Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Social security number
Date of Birth
Medical record number
Medical account number
Health beneficiary number
Possible photograph image, if taken

The hospital reports that it is not aware of the misuse of anyone’s information from the incident, as of Tuesday.

Following the re-securing of the computer network, the hospital reinforced and enhanced its security.

“NMH takes the security of all information in its systems very seriously and wants to assure its patients that it has taken steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future,” the hospital said. “This includes implementation of remediation measures to prevent recurrence, to strengthen NMH’s network security, enhancing NMH’s cyber preparedness through additional awareness training, and updating NMH’s procedures.”

The hospital notified its patients by mail, including information on steps to protect their information. Anyone looking for additional information or recommendations on protecting personal information should visit the NMH website at nacmem.org, the hospital advises.

“We sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience that this matter may cause its patients and remain dedicated to protecting patients’ personal information,” the hospital said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it scrutinizes all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to a senior Homeland Security official.

The development comes just days after the new Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, was sworn in last week to lead a department that was steeped in controversy during Noem’s tenure but also central to President Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. News of the pause was first reported by NBC News.

The official also said that warehouse purchases that were already made are also being scrutinized.

When asked about reports of the pause, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that “as with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals.”

The Department also noted that Mullin said during his confirmation hearing that he wanted to “work with community leaders” and “be good partners.”

Mullin inherited a $38.3 billion plan to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds by acquiring eight large-scale detention centers, capable of housing 7,000 to 10,000 detainees each, and 16 smaller regional processing centers.

The plan was hatched during Noem’ s tenure but immediately ran into intense opposition around the country by residents and communities opposed to such large Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in their neighborhoods.

Many objected on moral grounds to ICE’s presence in their neighborhoods, while others questioned whether the facilities would be a drain on local resources, such as sewer and water systems.

So far, 11 warehouses have been purchased in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah, with the federal government spending a combined $1.074 billion.

But lawsuits are pending in three of the states. Meanwhile, the capacity of at least one warehouse has been scaled back. Plans initially called for a warehouse in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise to be used as a 1,500-bed processing site, but Homeland Security now plans to cap occupied beds at 542, Surprise Mayor Kevin Sarter said during a news conference on Monday.

In many cases, mayors, county commissioners, governors and members of Congress learned about ICE’s ambitions only after the agency bought or leased space for detainees, leading to shock and frustration even in areas that have backed Trump.

The warehouse plan ran into challenges from the start. Eight deals were scuttled in places like Kansas City, Missouri, when owners decided not to sell.

Pressed on the lack of information during his confirmation hearing, Mullin acknowledged there had been issues.

“We’ve got to protect the homeland and we’re going to do that,” Mullin said. “But obviously we want to work with community leaders.”

Mullin, who took over and expanded his family’s plumbing business before representing Oklahoma in the U.S House and Senate, said that “one thing I do know is construction.”

He noted that most municipalities don’t have the capacity in their infrastructure for waste and water.

“So, it’s important that we’re talking to the communities and if we’re having additional needs, we can work with the cities,” he said at his confirmation hearing earlier this month.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Kansas City, Missouri.

MORRIS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — An out-of-state corporation recently broke ground in Naples as the start of a large-scale natural gas-based generation facility that encompasses over 100 acres of Morris County.

The Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) is set to begin construction of its 850-megawatt facility in the summer as a two-turbine plant, with full operation expected by 2029.

According to the corporation, it evaluated potential sites in Arkansas before selecting the Morris County location. The AECC’s President and CEO Vernon Hasten said Morris County’s proximity to natural gas pipelines and transmission is its “primary factor” in location selection.

“The facility in Morris County, Texas, is crucial to maintaining reliable energy resources,” Hasten said. “AECC continues to develop proven, readily dispatchable power generation technologies to provide our members with reliable, affordable electricity.”

The facility is part of the AECC’s plan to address the company’s wholesale generation needs.

The plant’s location within the Southwest Power Pool regional transmission organization’s footprint accordingly supports reliability, according to the AECC.

“This new state-of-the-art asset will be one of the lowest-emitting and most efficient simple cycle natural gas generation stations in AECC’s fleet,” the AECC said.

The AECC provides services to more than 1 million members, including those in upper East Texas counties such as Bowie County.

HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas (KETK)– Miller Grove ISD Superintendent Dr. Linda Rankin announced on Tuesday that she will be resigning from her position at the end of the current school year.

During her time at Miller Grove, Rankin has helped the district improve its finances, increasing its fund balance from $2.07 million to $3.01 million, and securing a $1.2 million grant to acquire three air-conditioned buses, according to the board of trustees.

Under her leadership, Rankin oversaw the construction of an additional agriculture classroom and the installation of a new greenhouse facility while also prioritizing campus safety by strengthening security protocols and training initiatives.

Rankin said she will remain fully committed to supporting the district’s students, staff and community over the final few months of her tenure. Rankin also said she will work closely with the board of trustees to ensure a successful transition for the next superintendent.

“Serving the Miller Grove ISD community has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Rankin said. “Our students have always been at the heart of every decision I’ve made. They mean so much to me, and it has been a privilege to watch them grow, achieve, and succeed. I will always cherish the time I’ve spent with them and will continue to be one of their biggest supporters in all they do.”

Rankin’s final day with the district will be July 1.