This week, voters will decide who will serve in Abilene’s Place Five City Council seat. Kyle McAlister faced two challengers in the May election, and no one got enough votes to win outright. Now, McAlister and challenger Miguel Espinoza are in a runoff. We’ll hear from both of them.The 86th Legislative session passed more than a thousand pieces of legislation under the leadership of a West Texan. We’ll check in on some of the bills that will impact life, learning, and property for our part of the Lone Star State.West Texas Roots checks in from Paint Rock.AND, one of the biggest events of the year for Abilene is just around the corner. The Children’s Art and Literacy Festival brings Illustrator Matt Phelan to town next week. We’ll take a look at what’s new for this year’s CALF.

The local real estate market is facing some major changes as federal cuts would eliminate 44% of the budget for housing vouchers. That would impact thousands of local households.The US Budget passed by the House makes some huge changes to Medicaid, slashing funding by hundreds of billions over the next decade and requiring recipients to work in order to keep their coverage. We’ll hear from a Brownwood doctor who shares his perspective on how this will impact rural West Texas.Abilene has suspended the practice of adding fluoride to the public water supply, and the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is urging the CDC to stop recommending that it be added to municipal water. A local dentist explains why he thinks fluoride is key to protecting public health.On West Texas Roots, a West Texan recounts his father’s World War Two service, life along San Angelo’s Sherwood Way, and family memories that span from West Texas to Alaska.And the second season for the Flying Bison baseball team is underway.

Today we’re going to bring you a conversation with the executive director of the Betty Hardwick Center—a key source of mental health services for Abilene. Federal funding cuts will end services for a significant portion of their clientele.The International Rescue Committee has also been devastated by the loss of its funding. We’ll hear how the agency is working to keep providing some level of support to the refugees who have settled in Abilene.Dust storms may be costlier than you think. A recent study looks at the financial and health impacts of the increasingly common weather event.A West Texas Farmer shares his story of coaxing crops from local soil–and planting seeds of education in local minds.AND we have a suggested barbecue stop for your next road trip through the Panhandle.

State lawmakers have advanced legislation that would force school districts to develop a cell phone ban for their students. We’ll get an update on how a local school district’s ban worked out this year, with the perspective of some students, a teacher, and the principal who made it happen.We’ll bring you the local reaction to the new American-born Pope.The U.S. has taken steps to protect the American cattle population from pests, which AG officials describe as a scourge. They’ve banned imports of live cattle, horses, and bison.West Texas Roots brings us the backstory of one of the biggest local car dealerships.And this week is the state championship for high school theater One Act Play. We’ll hear from a Big Country school that competed in Austin earlier this week.

The Voucher debate is over. Texas has a new law that will provide a billion dollars in funding for homeschool and private school students. We’ll get local reaction.Abilene is dealing with a cyber attack. It’s disrupted city communications, payment systems, and other functions. There’s not a lot that city leaders can say as the investigation is ongoing. We’ll get an update…and a County Commissioner describes Taylor County’s experience with such an attack.Big Country community groups joined forces Monday to protest efforts to deport detainees at the Bluebonnet Detention Center to El Salvador.West Texas Roots traces the history of a Big Country ranch that was once ruled by an English prince.And a local author has released a new murder mystery set in West Texas.

It’s time for the West Texas Dispatch!We’ll look ahead to Abilene’s biggest day of philanthropy. Abilene Gives set a fundraising record of more than 2.5 million dollars last year. Can the city’s generosity surpass that tally?The White House is telling Congress to rescind the money allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Local public radio stations would be hit hardest by this move. We’ll hear more – as an independent local broadcaster brings us the details.Lubbock ISD is struggling to navigate its budget process amid uncertainties around a bond election and legislative action.On West Texas Roots, we’ll hear from an Abilene Farmer’s Market vendor whose family has been farming in Stamford since the 80s.AND a Big Country band is hoping to hit it – tiny?-- The Brownwood musicians are part of this year’s Tiny Desk Contest.All that and more coming up after the news from KACU

Governor Abbott’s Education Savings Accounts–or vouchers–passed overwhelmingly in the State House last week–we’ll hear from Stan Lambert about why he voted for the package–and what he fought for in the negotiations.Funding for Meals on Wheels is on the chopping block–we’ll get an update on the local fight for the federal grant money.We’ll hear from Bishop Michael Sis, who’s holding a Mass today for Pope Francis about his memories of the pontiff and his legacy.And local car dealers give us their view on how tariffs are affecting the market.

Early voting begins in Texas next week. This week during Morning Edition and All Things Considered KACU is bringing you interviews with each of the candidates running for Abilene City Council.Today on the West Texas Dispatch we’ll examine their positions on issues that the city council will be deciding in the coming year– from funding pensions and dealing with infrastructure needs to transparency.We’ll also take a closer look at the ballot measure asking voters whether Abilene can issue bonds for a major expansion of the Abilene Regional Airport.And we’ll look ahead to next week’s Zoobilation Gala.

The Trump tariffs are shaking up international affairs and stock markets around the world—and experts say they’ll push up the cost of everything from groceries to cars and electricity.We’ll hear from a local economist about how the tariffs could impact industries in West Texas–and our pocketbooks.We’ll also talk to a financial planner about navigating the shockwaves that are hitting retirement accounts.And on the brighter side:The Chosen is in production nearby on its sixth season— the state legislature is considering legislation aimed at incentivizing the film industry. What impact would it have on projects like The Chosen?ACU engineering students recently won top honors at the Texas Water Conference. They’ll represent Texas at the national competition later this year.And the Grace Museum is in bloom– Showers and Flowers Spring Festival is tomorrow, with live music and spring-themed activities for all ages.

This week, we will hear about vouchers and maternity deserts.We’ll also hear from a McMurry alumnus who took on the infamous Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony.We’ll also bring you the story of one of our community members who had a close brush with death last year– he wants to help others avoid the dangerous medical situation he experienced just before Christmas.On West Texas Roots, we’ll hear about how a West Texas man's educational journey from a one-room schoolhouse laid the foundation for his path to higher learning.And David Sedaris shares some laughs with us as we preview his visit to Abilene later this month!