West Texas Dispatch

Millions nationwide turned up at protests over the weekend. Abilene’s gathering was just a few hundred, but was bigger than the previous demonstrations.El Paso, Texas, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar is trying to sound the alarm about a large immigration detention center in her district. 9-1-1 calls from the tent camp are common, and there have been outbreaks of tuberculosis and measles.Locals in one Big Country community have been crowd sourcing pantry staples through a family-run market to help their hungry neighbors. We’ll bring you that story.AND if, like Texas History, you might be interested in an event coming up at the Merkel Area Historical Museum…we’ll preview their upcoming talk on cattle drives.

Are you combining trips or searching out the gas stations with the lowest price at the pump? We’ll check in on gas prices today.Landowners near the Texas-Mexico border are concerned about plans to extend the border wall–and locals are organizing a legal resistance to the plans.And… they are a staple of downtown Abilene. The Texas Star Trading Company was one of the first retailers to truly give downtown Abilene a go after its restoration. Now? The owners say it’s time to hang up their boots. We’ll talk to the Dromgoole’s about the move.West Texas Roots brings us the story of the last one-room school house in Texas.We’ll tell you about a way to express your own artistic style–and help preserve historic parts of Abilene.AND another update from KACU’s former student hosts, Zane Goggans.

Today we’ll update you on the runoff for the Republican nominee for Congressional District 19… the vote count has been finalized – and the names on the ballot are set. Or are they?West Texas has seen some wild weather over the past week. We’ll dig into where it came from — and what’s ahead.Congress is ready to take up the legislation that provides a wide range of support for farmers and ranchers — we’ll take a look at how those in the industry see the proposed 2026 Farm Bill.Do you know about 325 Day? It’s coming up soon, and Merchants are not only offering special deals... some of them are turning around to give to local non-profits, including KACU.We’ll also have an installment of our “where are they now” series, updating you on what KACU’s alumni are doing today…

Today on the show, Mayor Weldon Hurt shares the key takeaways from last week’s State of the City Address. The presentation ranged from economic growth and city projects to some perspectives on Abilene’s housing crisis.The Farm Bill is getting closer to having its day in Congress… Retiring Congressman Jodey Arrington is celebrating. How do West Texas Farmers feel?And speaking of farmers - we’ll tell you about a new challenge for rice farmers. A tiny invasive pest is on the attack.A couple of events are coming up soon: the Abilene Philharmonic performs Carmen next weekend, and later this month a best-selling author shares his miraculous story with locals.And we’ve got a special blast from the past for you this hour - you don’t want to miss it!

Lots of people showed up to the polls for this primary…both Republicans and Democrats. Texas’s Primary Election Day is behind us…but there is plenty of work ahead for some of the candidates… we’ll wrap up the outcome and look ahead.Resources are limited for mental health in rural Texas. The 9-8-8 suicide hotline is key to filling in the gaps for people in crisis… but the state has yet to dedicate funding to it. We’ll tell you more. We’ll also take a look at how uninsured West Texans get healthcare.There’re plans to extend the border wall into Big Bend…and that’s drawing strong criticism across Texas–regardless of political party.And, we’ll tell you about a destination in downtown Abilene that combines creativity and caffeine…

Early voting has had a much-higher- than- usual turnout in Taylor County this primary-voting season. That’s thanks in no small part to the crowded field for two open seats.Last week we brought you interviews with the candidates for Texas State House District 71–that has been held by retiring state-rep- Stan Lambert.We have another special show in store this week, as we focus on the Republicans vying to become their party’s nominee for Texas’s 19th Congressional District. Jodey Arrington’s retirement has created a wild contest-with seven candidates on the Republican primary ballot.This week we’re partnering with KTTZ in Lubbock to bring you conversations with as many of them as we can.A runoff seems very likely-with so many candidates in the race–but once there is a clear winner - he will take on Democrat Kyle Rable in November.

This week we’ve got a collection of conversations with the candidates on the ballot for House District 71.As soon as Stan Lambert announced he wouldn’t seek reelection – candidates started filing their paperwork.Liz Case is making a second run for the seat, after coming close two years ago–with the backing of some of the state’s top Republicans.Newcomer Joshua Ohlmacher joined the race after feeling called to it during a church service.And Chance Ferguson, who’s previously challenged Jodey Arrington for the 19th Congressional District seat–has thrown his hat in the ring.Jay Hardaway was unable to make it for today’s show–but we hope to update you on his campaign as soon as possible.We’ll also preview a musical that’s coming to a stage this weekend that tells a story of healing, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.

It’s almost time to cast your ballot in the Republican and Democratic primaries. Early voting polls will be up and running across Texas next Tuesday.Some recent polling shows Ken Paxton pulling ahead of incumbent Senator John Cornyn… but Cornyn has the advantage in fundraising. We’ll take a look at the race for the nomination.West Texas has been a solid-red voting region for decades. The region’s Democrats are looking to draw lessons from the recent upset in the state senate special election.Officials are considering new proposals to build housing in Abilene. But some community members think there just isn’t enough being done about the growing affordable housing crisis in the city…And the Food Bank of West Central Texas provides millions of pounds of food assistance to more than a dozen communities in the Big Country. They’re working on making their support even more accessible. We’ll check in on mobile food pantries and other efforts.

This week’s show marks the first full year on the air for the West Texas Dispatch.Today we’ll bring you an overview of the upcoming primary election season. Did you realize that early voting starts in just a couple of weeks?The surge of ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minnesota has affected students. Agents have appeared on campuses and followed some parents after they picked up kids from school. We’ll hear about a legal case in El Paso that set the standard that until recently kept border agents away from schools.Far West Texas has one source of help for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and administrators hope they’ll be able to expand their outreach from new headquarters in Alpine.Hyundai is building a new solar project in West Texas. It’s expected to generate millions in local tax revenue, and new capacity for the grid at a time that many are concerned about the pressure that AI data centers will place on it.

On today’s show we’re finishing our conversation with Texas Agriculture Sid Miller. He’s got a lot of irons in the fire - we’ll hear what he thinks of how officials are fighting the spread of the New World Screwworm, and what he thinks could help stave off a parasite that would devastate the Texas ranching industry… and threatens wildlife.We’ll also take a look at the mental health challenges seniors face, and local resources for seniors and tips for caregivers.The Party Line is up and running, connecting Abilene to San Francisco. We’ll tell you how it’s going.And Napoleon Dynamite, Pedro and Uncle Rico are coming back to Abilene. We’ve got John Heder on today’s show. We’ll talk about whatever he wants to - Gosh!