Here’s what’s up in SETX,
Beaumont woke up to a different school district this week — the state moved in, Dr. Shannon Allen said goodbye after 30 years, and new superintendent Sandi Massey hit the ground running. Meanwhile, families in Port Arthur expecting a baby got some hard news: the city's only hospital stopped delivering babies as of May 1. Chris Boone officially took the reins at Beaumont City Hall, Dr. John Hayek got the permanent keys at Lamar State College Port Arthur, and there may be a Blue Cross check with your name on it landing in your mailbox this month.
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Tailored Financial Solutions.
Let's get into it. 👇
📰 THE BIG NEWS
The State Just Took the Wheel at Beaumont ISD 🏫
On April 29, the Texas Education Agency made it official: the state is now running Beaumont ISD. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath appointed a 7-member Board of Managers and named Sandi Massey — who served as Chief of Schools during Houston ISD's own state takeover — as the district's new superintendent. Dr. Shannon Allen, who started as a 22-year-old substitute teacher at Fehl-Price Elementary 30 years ago, delivered an emotional farewell after a career that grew into one of the district's most tenured leadership runs.
The intervention was triggered by two campuses that have failed state accountability ratings for five or more consecutive years: MLK Jr. Middle School has gone 11 years without an acceptable grade, and Fehl-Price Elementary has never earned one. The new Board of Managers holds its first official meeting Tuesday, May 5. Massey is working under a 21-day interim contract pending board approval, with clear exit criteria: zero multi-year failing campuses and measurable improvements in reading and math proficiency.
💡 The bottom line: For BISD families, this is not the end of the story — it's a reset with a defined path forward, and the clock starts now.
📋 THE RUNDOWN
🏥 Port Arthur's Only Hospital Stopped Delivering Babies on May 1 — The Medical Center of Southeast Texas quietly suspended its labor, delivery, and NICU services last Thursday — and the impact is immediate. The hospital averaged fewer than one birth per day, well short of the 100 monthly deliveries needed to keep the unit financially viable. Port Arthur mothers expecting to deliver at home will now need to travel to Baptist Hospital or Christus Elizabeth in Beaumont. The hospital did open two new OB-GYN clinics in Port Arthur for prenatal appointments, but for the actual delivery, you're heading north. Read more →
🏛️ Beaumont Has a New City Manager — and He's Already Got a To-Do List — Chris Boone officially took over as Beaumont's city manager on May 1, stepping in after Kenneth Williams retired. Council voted unanimously for Boone, who helped push through the city's first infrastructure bond in 43 years ($58M) and launched an in-house economic development office. His stated targets: crime reduction, more economic investment, and continuing the $1.1 billion community improvement plan already underway. One of the first visible fruits — a Real Time Crime Center — is already operational. Read more →
🎓 Lamar State College Port Arthur Has Its Permanent President — Dr. John Hayek, who has been steering the ship as interim since January, is getting the permanent title. Pending Board of Regents approval this month, Hayek — a 30-year higher education veteran with experience at the UT System — will officially lead the college. For the Port Arthur community, a stable college president matters: LSCPA is a key workforce pipeline, and steady leadership means programs and partnerships can grow. Read more →
🗳️ West Orange Voters Said Yes to All Four Ballot Measures — In Saturday's municipal election, West Orange residents approved every proposition on the ballot: streets got their dedicated repair tax renewed (76.5% in favor), the mayor and aldermen got 4-year terms (79% in favor), vacancy rules were updated, and election scheduling was aligned with state law. It was a clean sweep, and the results signal clear community confidence in where the city is heading. Read more →
💰 Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Checks Are Finally Hitting Mailboxes This Month — If you were covered by a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health plan between 2008 and 2020 and filed a claim before November 5, 2021, a check may be on its way. The $2.67 billion settlement — resolving a 13-year antitrust lawsuit — starts distributing to roughly 6 million policyholders in May. Average payout is around $333, arriving by check, prepaid debit card, or PayPal/Venmo. Not sure if you're included? Check bcbssettlement.com or call 888-681-1142. Read more → [Consumer Affairs]
🏆 Before the State Stepped In, Beaumont ISD Celebrated Its Best — On the same night the BISD story was breaking, 26 Teachers of the Year were being honored at the district's annual Celebration of Excellence Gala. Sharon Carrington of Dishman Elementary took home Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Keisha Kirkwood from the Career and Technical Education Center earned the Secondary award. Regardless of what happens at the district level, these educators show up every day — and that deserves recognition. Read more →
📬 Which story caught your eye?
Your action items this week!
✅ Check if you have a Blue Cross check coming — Were you covered by BCBS between 2008 and 2020 and filed a claim before Nov. 5, 2021? Payments start this month. Verify your eligibility at bcbssettlement.com or call 888-681-1142.
✅ Get your Ali Siddiq tickets before Saturday — The Houston storytelling comedian performs at Jefferson Theatre this Saturday, May 9, at 7 PM. Tickets at axs.com. It will sell out.
✅ Follow the BISD Board meeting on Tuesday, May 5 — The new Board of Managers holds its first official session. This is where Sandi Massey's contract gets formally approved and the new direction for the district takes shape. Watch for updates at bmtisd.com.
✅ Head to BB's Tex-Orleans on Calder Ave — The Houston-born Cajun-Creole seafood spot just opened at 2325 Calder Ave (former Park on Calder). Crawfish season is not over yet. See Food Corner for the full story.
✅ Running a small business or thinking about starting one? — Tailored Financial Solutions offers bookkeeping, CFO-level guidance, and financial clarity for local entrepreneurs. tailoredfinsolutions.com 💰
📅 COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.
THIS WEEK
Apr 29–May 3: Port Neches RiverFest | 600 Grigsby Ave, Port Neches. Five-day festival with F1 powerboat races (Thunder on the Neches), carnival rides, car show, live music, fireworks, fishing tournament, and BBQ cook-off. Wed $10; Fri–Sat $15; weekend pass $30. pnriverfest.com
May 1–7: Shop Local Week | Orange. The Orange Chamber is rallying residents to discover new local favorites and support small businesses all week — with prizes for participants.
May 6 (Wed): Texas Farm Bureau Ribbon Cutting | Beaumont. Celebrate the grand opening of their new Beaumont location. Details at bmtcoc.org.
May 7 (Thu): Cajun & Creole Acoustic Jam | American Legion Hall, 922 Nederland Ave, Nederland. 6:30–8:30 PM. Free. Bring your instrument or just pull up a chair — players circle up every 1st and 3rd Thursday.
May 8 (Fri): Cajun Classic Golf Tournament | Beaumont. Annual charity golf fundraiser benefiting Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Foundation programs. Contact BHSET Foundation for details.
May 8 (Fri): Riceland Psychiatry Clinic Ribbon Cutting | Beaumont. The newest Riceland Health facility opens its doors — expanding mental health access in SETX. Details at bmtcoc.org.
MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON
May 8 - Night at the Museum @ 7 pm
May 15 - Dreamgirls @ 7 pm
THIS WEEKEND
May 8 - 10: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical | Port Arthur Little Theatre, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd, Port Arthur. Percy Jackson comes to life on stage.
May 2: St. Michael's 15th Annual Mediterranean Festival | St. Michael's, 690 N 15th St, Beaumont. Greek and Middle Eastern food, pastries, live music, dance performances, and church tours starting 11 AM. Free admission. stmichaelmedfestbmt.com
May 9 (Sat): Beaumont Farmers Market | Athletic Complex, 6525 College St, Beaumont. 8–11 AM. Fresh produce, local vendors, and a good Saturday morning habit.
May 9 (Sat): Ali Siddiq (Stand-Up Comedy) | Jefferson Theatre, 345 Fannin St, Beaumont. 7 PM. Houston storytelling legend, guaranteed sold-out energy. Tickets at axs.com.
May 9 (Sat): Beaumont Renegades vs. Washington Wolfpack | Doggett Ford Park, Beaumont. Local pro football — come out and support your home team.
May 10 (Sun): Mother's Day 💐 — Take your mom somewhere special in SETX this weekend.
Which event are you hitting up? Reply and let us know! And if there's an event we missed, send it our way for next week's issue. 🎉
🍽️ FOOD CORNER
🦞 BB's Tex-Orleans — Beaumont
Courtesy of BB’s Tex-Orleans
Houston's beloved Cajun-Creole seafood institution has officially crossed the Sabine into our backyard. BB's Tex-Orleans opened its 12th location this spring at 2325 Calder Avenue — the former home of The Park on Calder — bringing its boiled crawfish, Creole-spiced plates, and full bar to a space that was built for a crowd: 3,200 square feet inside with room for 70, and a 5,000-square-foot patio that seats 175. If you've driven to Houston for it, those days are over.
📍 2325 Calder Ave, Beaumont (at the former Park on Calder) - NOW OPEN!!
🤤 Had a great meal somewhere in SETX lately? Reply and tell us — we feature reader picks.
🏢 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Tailored Financial Solutions
Most business owners feel like they're doing okay. But feeling and knowing are two very different things.
When this real estate investor came to us, they had no clean books, no cash flow visibility, and no real financial system in place. They were running their business on gut feel. So we got to work, cleaned up their books, eliminated duplicate expenses, and built a full budget for their next project.
The result? A confirmed 25% profit margin they didn't even know existed.
Your numbers have a story. Let Tailored Financial Solutions help you read it.
Find us at www.tailoredfinsolutions.com
Follow Tailored Financial Solutions on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
This section is sponsored by Tailored Financial Solutions. Want your business featured here? Email us at [email protected].
🌲OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
🐚 Beachcombing for Ivory Tusk Snails on the Texas Coast
If you've been meaning to get down to the Gulf, this is a good week to go with your eyes open. Recent spring storms have pushed clusters of ivory tusk snails — slim, smooth, finger-shaped shells about the size of your pinky — onto the tide line along the Texas coast. They're easy to walk past: most beachcombers mistake them for fish bones or bits of plastic. But look closer and you'll find small, tapered white shells in neat drifts near the waterline. Scaphopods, technically — a group of mollusks that Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest once used as currency.
Head to Sea Rim State Park (Jefferson County) or the beaches near Sabine Pass for the closest Gulf access from the Golden Triangle. Low tide is your best window — bring a mesh bag, walk slow, and look where the foam settles. One local beachcomber recently gathered nearly 40 in a short stretch.
🏕️ What's your favorite outdoor spot in the Golden Triangle? Reply and tell us — we'll feature the best ones in a future issue.
💼 JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Beaumont-Port Arthur area's unemployment rate held at 5.3% in March — roughly 9,700 residents still looking for work, putting the region among the higher jobless rates in Texas. With the Medical Center of Southeast Texas opening two new OB-GYN clinics in Port Arthur and Riceland Psychiatry launching in Beaumont this week, healthcare hiring is one of the stronger local sectors to watch right now.
🏥 Healthcare Positions — Port Arthur & Beaumont
The Medical Center of Southeast Texas's two new OB-GYN clinics in Port Arthur are actively building staff. Baptist Hospital and Christus Elizabeth are also taking on additional maternity patients — which means staffing needs are live.
How to apply: check mcsetx.com and christushealth.org/careers for current RN and clinical support openings.
💼 General SETX Openings
Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas posts current openings across industries — manufacturing, healthcare, education, and skilled trades.
How to apply: Browse the full board at setworks.org or stop by a local office in Beaumont or Port Arthur.
🌿 Tailored Lawn Care
Looking for outdoor work this spring? Tailored Lawn Care is hiring for local routes. Good steady gig with a local company.
Call or text Frederick: (409) 365-4887
💼 Hiring in SETX? Send us your job listing and we'll include it — free for local businesses. Just reply to this email.
📣 Your Turn
Who's your go-to for Cajun food in SETX? Now that BB's Tex-Orleans is on Calder, does that change the answer?
See you next week neighbor 📍,
The What’s Up SETX Team
🔗 Share the love — Forward this email to a neighbor or share this link
🤝 Want to advertise with us? Get in touch at [email protected]
🚀 Building a new business? Email us, we'd love to hear your story.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @whatsup_SETX
🙋♂️ Hitting reply? We’re real people over here and we love to say hi!