Here’s what’s up in SETX, 

The U.S. Energy Secretary made it to Sabine Pass this week — Chris Wright toured Golden Pass LNG and personally thanked the workers keeping America's energy exports at record highs. Meanwhile, the Golden Triangle is still shaking off Monday night's storms, which knocked out power for 14,000+ customers across the lakes area. On a lighter note, we've got a sushi spot in Nederland you should know about, a couple of great weekend plans, and a heads-up on a BISD school vote happening today. ⚡

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Tailored Financial Solutions.

Let's get into it. 👇

The U.S. Energy Secretary Came to Sabine Pass And He Had a Message 🏭

On May 15, Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to the Golden Pass LNG facility in Sabine Pass to tour the terminal, address hundreds of workers and contractors, and deliver a message directly from President Trump: a "huge thank you" to the people powering the country. It wasn't a photo-op. Wright called the work happening here "transforming our country, transforming the economy and the security of our country, and ultimately transforming the world." Golden Pass had just hit its first LNG production milestone in April — one of the biggest moments in the facility's history.

U.S. LNG exports are at record highs nationally right now, and a significant portion of that infrastructure runs through SETX. Cabinet-level visits to this part of Texas don't happen often — when the Energy Secretary books a trip to Sabine Pass, it's because the work here actually matters at a national scale.

💡 The bottom line: The people running the pipes and terminals in Southeast Texas aren't just doing local work. They are driving national energy strategy, and Washington is paying attention.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.

THIS WEEK

MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON

THIS WEEKEND

COMING UP

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. 🎉

If your sushi game in SETX has mostly been grocery store rolls, Yuka Sushi is the upgrade. Located on Memorial Blvd in Port Arthur, they run a sit-down all-you-can-eat format — table service with a server, not a buffet line — and a full bar to go with it. Sushi, sashimi, signature rolls, and classic Japanese dishes are all on the menu, with lunch specials running daily through 4 PM. And yes: your birthday gets you free all-you-can-eat.

📍 8680 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX 77642

🤤 Had a great meal somewhere in SETX lately? Reply and tell us — we feature reader picks.

In 2025, Emily Rhine started an informal, free networking group for marketing professionals across Southeast Texas because there wasn't one.

The group meets regularly at local spots around the Golden Triangle and the conversations are open: AI in marketing, what's actually working, business development, shared challenges. Every industry is welcome from financial services to construction to entertainment. No dues, no strict agenda. Miss a meetup? No worries, you're always welcome at the next one.

Members have built real connections and launched ideas that grew out of these conversations. It's a genuinely good group of people doing interesting work across SETX. If you work in marketing and want a community to grow with, this one's worth checking out.

👉 Reach out to Emily Rhine on LinkedIn if you work in marketing and want in.

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This section is sponsored by Tailored Financial Solutions. Want your business featured here? Email us at [email protected].

May is one of the best months to fish Sabine Lake before the summer heat shifts the bite, and right now the conditions are solid. Speckled trout are active in the shallower flats and around the Intracoastal, redfish are holding near the marsh edges and grass lines, and flounder are showing up in the channels. It's the kind of month where an early morning trip rewards you before the sun gets aggressive. If you've been meaning to get out on the water, this is your window — late June and July are a different story.

For current bite reports, check Texas Parks & Wildlife at tpwd.texas.gov or ask at your local bait shop. Gulf Coast Marina and Mid-County bait shops are good starting points for real-time intel.

🏕️ What's your favorite outdoor spot in the Golden Triangle? Reply and tell us — we'll feature the best ones in a future issue.

With the region's energy sector in the national spotlight and Entergy ramping up infrastructure investment, the Golden Triangle job market heading into summer is worth watching. Construction and contractor crews tend to follow big capital projects — if you're in the trades, keep an eye on the Orange County and Mid-County corridors as the new power station work ramps up.

💼 Tax Professional Lead — Tailored Financial Solutions | Remote
Detail-oriented tax pro needed for a growing local firm. Fully remote. Ideal for a CPA, enrolled agent, or experienced tax preparer looking for flexible work with real local roots.
How to apply: Apply: tailoredfinsolutions.com | [email protected]

👷 Blue-Collar Skilled Trades — Port Arthur / Sabine Pass

Patriot Security EOC is hiring 60+ positions across Port Arthur and Sabine Pass. Strong market region-wide for welders, operators, and industrial support roles. Ask about openings at your nearest WorkForce Solutions SETX location or check local job boards.

🏥 Healthcare Careers — CHRISTUS Southeast Texas | Beaumont

CHRISTUS is actively recruiting clinical and support staff heading into summer — registered nurses, technicians, and patient care roles are in demand.

How to apply: Apply at christushealth.org/careers

👩‍🏫 Teachers & Support Staff — Vidor ISD / Lumberton ISD / Hardin-Jefferson ISD

Three area school districts are running job fairs this week with on-the-spot offers — Vidor ISD has 20–30 openings (teachers, sped, bus drivers, custodial, food service), Lumberton and H-J ISD are seeking teachers, aides, transportation, and nutrition staff. Show up ready. Details →

🤝 Community Relations Coordinator for What’s Up SETX

We're looking for a local SETX connector — part community ambassador, part relationship builder. If you're already in the room at networking events and love sharing good news about this region, this role is for you.

Interested? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]

💼 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.

Looking for outdoor work this spring? Tailored Lawn Care is hiring for local routes. Good steady gig with a local company.

💼 Hiring in SETX? Send us your job listing and we'll include it — free for local businesses. Just reply to this email.

Did you know Golden Pass LNG had already hit its first production milestone before the Energy Secretary's visit? What do you think about the role SETX plays in U.S. energy?

See you next week neighbor 📍,

The What’s Up SETX Team