West Texas Dispatch

Today we bring you the next installment of “The Data Center Next Door”. We’ll look at growing the laws and regulations that have led to Texas being at the forefront of the industry’s growth in America.The return to the classroom has reignited debate over what’s in Lubbock’s school libraries. We’ll hear about the battle over books this hour.We’ll hear from an archaeologist who says efforts to construct additional border barriers in Big Bend are threatening historic sites.And it was the biggest crowd yet for a music festival in Potosi, that a local family created to honor one of their loved ones.

Abilene was sold on promises that data centers would transform their local economy. But some residents are wondering when the benefits will come.Abilene is putting the finishing touches on the budget for the next fiscal year, and the city council will meet next week to go over all the details. Abilene’s city manager is here to tell us more.The new school year is underway in Abilene. Students returned to their classrooms, and AISD’s new superintendent will give us his take on the year ahead.One of the hottest spots for live music in the Big Country is Brownwood. We’ll check in on that city’s music scene.

2026 is not the year the U-S gets a new Farm Bill passed. A Senate committee failed to advance the most recent proposal. Advocates for the agriculture industry are not happy as they anticipate yet another extension.Meanwhile, Texas cotton growers are working to deal with a decline for their crops. We’ll hear how they plan to fight for their sustainability.And a plant-based protein operation is expanding in Schleicher County – we’ll hear about the company’s plans for a major investment in the aqua-farming facility.Are you ready to slow down in school zones? Crashes in school zones were up more than 10-percent last year, and officials are hoping that drivers are ready slow down and keep their attention on the road to turn that trend around.

Abilene voters will be asked to enter the fray between city officials and fire fighters. The firefighters want to move the contract negotiations to collective bargaining-and binding arbitration. The president of the firefighters’ association is here to tell us why.The backlash against the rapid expansion of A-I infrastructure in Texas continues–Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on new projects until wide-ranging audits can be conducted. We’ll hear from one of his biggest critics on the issue Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.Remember party-lines–the telephone kind? Well your grandma probably does. It was a good way to stay informed before you could scroll. We’ll bring you a memory of that early form of social connection.And summer’s almost over…in between vacations and screentime and hopefully a little reading–some kids have kept busy in ways that deepen their creativity and enhance their confidence.

The state’s elected officials - and their challengers - are laying out their ideas about the future of A-I infrastructure in the Lone Star State.During their recent West Texas campaign swing Democrats came together to voice their concerns about the state’s A-I data center boom.City officials are seeking input on naming some of Abilene’s community spaces. We’ll hear more about the proposed new names and how to be part of the process.The annual bike race through the Buffalo Gap countryside had racers peddling on some of this summer’s hottest days. We’ll tell you about this year’s Tour de Gap.Dozens of kids and teens in Brownwood have spent their summer developing their creativity and learning new routines. The Lyric Theater is now presenting the culmination of their hard work.

Dozens of Texans have been hit by a parasite that has spread through raw produce. We’ll have the latest information on the outbreak from a West Texas expert.Democrats have been on a West Texas road trip– as they try to build excitement for their candidates heading to the November election. We’ll tell you about their stop in Abilene.Zebra mussles are invasive and continue to spread –they have reached new parts of West Texas, and experts want the public to help fight them.We’ll check in on water levels after last week’s storm system pushed all kinds of bodies of water -and reservoirs- over their banks.The Abilene Zoo celebrated a major milestone over the weekend. We’ll hear about the wild birthday party.

Officials and communities all over Texas are pulling in the reins on the expansion of A-I Data Centers. This weekend, Texans will join with other people across the U-S to amplify a message of resistance to the wild-west approach to building America’s A-I infrastructure.The City of Abilene is working on plans to deal with forever chemicals in the water supply. Monitoring recently revealed that P-FAS levels exceed federal maximums. We’ll get an update from a city water official.Over the years, one home in Wylie has sparked a lot of curiosity and a lot of conversation. We’ll bring you the story.And we’ll hear from the annual Children’s Business Fair–where the young entrepreneurs develop more than a business plan.

As we observe the nation’s 250th birthday…we’re looking back at the history of Texas and Abilene. Last week we talked through the state’s timeline up until the 1880s…today we pick up the story with the founding of Abilene.More than 72-million Americans traveled over the July 4th holiday…and more than five-and-a-half million of them flew. We’re checking in on summer travel through Abilene Regional Airport…it’s the first summer local travelers have direct flights available to Arizona and Colorado…what’s the impact at A-B-I?State Senator Charles Perry is pushing to speed up the process of removing materials that some find objectionable from school libraries…some administrators are concerned about unintended consequences.Happy Birthday to Abilene’s Community Band. The band celebrated its 50th over the weekend with its traditional patriotic concert.And downtown Abilene was full of the Sights and Sounds of creativity for Art Walk last week. We’ll tell you about it.

This week America celebrates its 250th Birthday. We want to look back at what was happening during that time in what would eventually become Texas.A lot of people like to celebrate July 4th with fireworks, by watching organized shows, and by experiencing the thrill of sending them up. Even though there’s no burn ban right now, there are restrictions. We’ll take a closer look.It’s an interesting time to be a cattle rancher. Beef prices are up. But so are costs. An invasive species is threatening all warm blooded mammals. And drought is always a looming challenge. We’ll tell you about the decline of herd sizes across Texas.All of Texas is tracking the spread of the New World Screwworm. The state is used to fighting invasive species. We’ll take a closer look at another invasive pest that once posed a major threat.There are few dishes more iconic at a 4th of July celebration than Apple Pie. We’ve asked local experts to share their secrets to baking the best - All-American Apple Pie.

Abilene officials are up to their elbows in budgeting for the 20-27 fiscal year. Today we’ll take a look at how they’re approaching the work…with millions of extra revenue flowing into the coffers.We’ll also talk about the local economy–which is fueling that flush-budget situation. So much new development underway…and more coming. But how are the small businesses doing?Some Abilene community members have worked for years with the Equal Justice Initiative to create a memorial for lynching victim, Grover C. Everett…. Last weekend their work was unveiled in downtown Abilene.We’ll bring you a field guide to an invasive species that is a scourge during the Texas summer months.And we’ll discuss the value of preserving family stories.