Today, we bring you a show that checks in on the impact of recent flooding in West Texas and how locals can help those affected by the devastation.The city of Abilene has been working on downtown streets for more than a year. We’ll hear from some businesses about how they’re doing. And we’ll update you on where the project stands.We’ll also hear from a West Texas non-profit struggling to continue serving more than 100 rural communities.And we’ll check in on small business development in the city, a child-sized business. The Children’s Business Fair takes place next week at the Mall of Abilene.There’s a new theatre group in Abilene. We will hear more about that and West Texas Roots.All that and more coming up after the news from KACU.

West Texas joins the rest of America in celebrating the birth of the nation this week. We’ll spend this hour focused on the observance of Independence Day.A political scientist takes some time to discuss some of the basics of American civics.We’ll hear from two veterans, one Republican and one Democrat, who share what patriotism means to them.We’ll bring you a look at the different ways Americans celebrate their freedoms–and how they interact with the symbols of that freedom.And one of the most iconic American musical groups, The Oak Ridge Boys, are coming to Abilene, and we’ll talk to a member of the band about their farewell tour.

School’s out for the summer! But there’s no rest for administrators.They have a lot to do to prepare for changes the state legislature passed, everything from classroom decor to school safety and standardized testing. We’ll speak with two local superintendents.Those administrators may find some time to take a break, like most of us do in the summer. We’ll check in on summer travel through ABI and speak with Don Green about plans for the renovations that they can get to work on now that voters approve the bond package to pay for them.We’ll get some tips for lawn and garden care for the summer heat, and we’ll also hear from the local barbecue spot that made a list of the top 50 in Texas.

The Trump administration is making changes to lots of healthcare policies, some affect funding, some affect qualifications for coverage, and some out last week will impact vaccinations. A local pediatrician explains how these recommendations could affect moms and kids and her ability to provide care.The City of Abilene continues to deal with the cyber attack. Last week, officials asked the city council to approve funds as they replace systems and equipment taken out by the April attack.Abilene’s Juneteenth celebration gets underway today! Family-friendly activities and music are planned for this year’s event in Stevenson Park.A Texas herbalist shares her memories of harvesting food from the land and her experience with the prickly pear cactus.And get your reusable shopping bags ready, the Friends of the Library sale returns to the Abilene Convention Center this weekend, with a sneak peek for members beginning tomorrow!

Wind. Rain. Hail. Tornadoes. Several strong storms have blown through West Texas this spring. KTXS meteorologists share what it was like to be in the building when it took a direct hit.We’ll also be speaking today with Representative Stan Lambert. He survived a primary challenge and returned to Austin. We’ll hear his perspective on the 89th Legislative Session—and the Taylor County Republican Party voted this week to censure him—we’ll give him a chance to respond.We’ve also got a close-up on Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, the first West Texan to wield the gavel in more than a decade.And as part of the Texas Standard’s year-long 10TH birthday celebration, the show is coming to Abilene! They’ll be broadcasting from the CALF festival—find out how you can welcome them to Abilene.

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.