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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

We hear from artist and cultural educator Matilda Torres, who shares a powerful interpretation of Mesoamerican mythology through the story of Cihuateteo — the divine women who die in childbirth and return as hummingbirds. Here’s Torres, reflecting on the sacred feminine, the setting sun, and the enduring wisdom passed down through generations.

I met with Brandon Scott Thomas, senior development officer at TSTC, and Kevin Staton, electrical powers control instructor for a podcast to discuss their money-back guarantee and other updates at TSTC.

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.

This week, we hear from Timoteo Ikoshy Montoya —a Lipan Apache artist, educator, and cultural practitioner who shares how he followed the quiet pull of ancestral memory. From growing up in Corpus Christi surrounded by stories of Native identity, to learning traditions through ceremony and family revelations, Montoya takes us through the journey of reclaiming who he is and where he comes from.Here’s Timoteo, in his own words.

We hear from Jessica Chinn, who shares the story of her great-aunt, a trailblazing woman who took to the skies during World War II as part of the WASP program, a group of civilian female pilots who tested aircraft, ferried planes, and broke barriers for women in aviation. Through Jessica’s memories and family history, we honor one woman’s quiet courage and the legacy she left behind.

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.

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.

We hear from a native herbalist, Anita Dottie, who grew up gathering food from the land, especially one plant that many Texans know well: the prickly pear cactus. From family memories by the river to the practical know-how of safely cleaning and preparing the plant, this story is a glimpse into a way of life shaped by tradition, resilience, and deep respect for the land.

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!