Kennedy Center board votes to close for renovations
The move came shortly after a federal judge again blocked the center from adding President Donald Trump's name to its facade.
The Waco
Government
Temple ISD lowers tax rate
Temple, Tx (FOX44) - Temple ISD trustees have unanimously approved a new tax rate that is the district's lowest tax rate in over 15 years. The rate, voted on in their Monday night meeting, is 7.5 cents lower than the previous rate. A statement issued by the district said the new ...
United Way Kicks Off Fundraising Season with Proclamation from McLennan County and Waco
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — The United Way of Waco-McLennan County held an event on Tuesday morning to officially kick off their 2026 fundraising campaign. On the steps of the McLennan County Courthouse, County Jude Scott Felton and Waco Mayor Jim Holmes read a proclamation in recogni...
National Voter Registration Day aims to get more Americans to the polls this November
For 15 years, National Voter Registration Day has been a dedicated day for making sure Americans are informed, registered and ready to vote in November. All across the country on September 15, thousands of volunteers will be out in their communities, making sure their neighbors a...
AI regulation stalls in Congress as House votes on data center costs
Congress is debating how and whether to regulate artificial intelligence, but meaningful legislation appears unlikely in the near term as key leaders pump the brakes on swift action. Anthropic CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei is among those who have warned about the development of...
US House races to watch in the 2026 midterm elections
Only about 50 of the 435 midterm House races are expected to be competitive, but they could decide whether Democrats gain the seats needed to reclaim control of the chamber....
US, Mexico reach water agreement
The United States and Mexico have signed a Colorado River treaty amendment under which Mexico will share in the water-use reductions to be imposed on Arizona, California and Nevada over the next two years, the International Boundary and Water Commission…...
Election cheating
President Trump talks about the safety and security of voting in elections in every speech — but now he is telling his faithful to "cheat" in their voting. Isn't there something wrong here?...
Senate Republicans revise crypto bill text
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Sunday released a revised draft of major cryptocurrency legislation that they said addressed Democrats' concerns over ethics provisions and banking industry worries about lending, ahead of a key vote on Tuesday....
Judge blocks mail orders
ELECTION 2026
FCC: Cruz interview OK, not Talarico
LOS ANGELES — An ESPN interview Saturday with a Republican U.S. senator did not violate the Federal Communications Commission's equal-time rule, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said, days after the agency issued a warning to another network about a Democratic political…...
Candidate doubles down on racist post
ODESSA — Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French stood by racist remarks he made Sunday on social media that included a photo of South Asian students celebrating a football game at the University of Texas at Austin, arguing the university promotes…...
Organizations make registering to vote easy — here’s how
By Tripp Henderson | Staff Writer Midterm elections are just around the corner, and Americans all across the country will be casting their ballot. To help students make their voices heard through their vote, Baylor Ambassadors , in collaboration with Student Government and over 1...
Baylor Round Table now allowing men to pull up chairs
By Reagan Hunter | Reporter When seven Baylor women gathered in 1904 to form a literary and social club, they could hardly have imagined what their organization would look like 122 years later. Now, the Baylor Round Table is getting bigger. In March 2026, Baylor Round Table membe...
Kennedy Center board votes to close amid Trump branding dispute, financial woes
The board of the Kennedy Center voted on Tuesday to close amid dispute over putting President Donald Trumps name on the iconic performing arts venue. "The Board of The Kennedy Center today agreed, almost unanimously, to close the Building for Safety reasons, and so that it can be...
NYC sues Trump administration over expanded ‘public charge’ immigration rule
New York City is suing the Trump administration over changes to a federal immigration test that city officials say could discourage legal immigrants from accessing basic public benefits. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Monday that the city filed a lawsuit challenging revisions to ...
Waco NAACP talks National Voter Registration Day
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, which is a nationwide push to help eligible voters register or update their information ahead of the next election. Here in Waco, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is joining t...
Waco NAACP talks National Voter Registration Day - KWKT
Waco NAACP talks National Voter Registration Day KWKT - FOX 44
North Killeen overlay district aims to bring affordable housing, more development options
City leaders in Killeen could move forward with a plan to add an extra layer of zoning rules to the north side of town, with a final council vote scheduled for Oct. 20. The North Killeen Overlay District would stretch from Fort Hood Street to S WS Young Drive, changing zoning rul...
Baylor ushers in new freshmen with classic tradition
By Giselle Lee | Staff Writer As the sun set and the lights dimmed on a hot Saturday evening, the Class of 2030 charged into McLane Stadium to usher in the first Baylor home football game of the 2026-27 season with a tradition that has stood the test of time. The Baylor Line, vot...
Cruz, coaching legends make pitch for NIL bill on cusp of votes
WASHINGTON — Senate advocates of a bipartisan college sports overhaul bill were joined by legendary coaches and current athletes Monday to try shoring up support for the legislation, which is expected on the chamber floor this month. “Some have asked…...
Uncontested elections undermine American democracy | Rafael Gonzalez
About 70% of races tracked by Ballotpedia in 2024 in America were uncontested elections. That’s partly because these races were often for local offices in small districts, but it’s also because many people don’t see these silent elections as a…...
The 9 midterm races that will decide control of the US Senate
While voters will pick candidates in 35 states, independent analysts only see nine of those races as competitive.
Proclamation to kick off Workplace Campaign fundraiser
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The United Way of Waco-McLennan County's Workplace Campaign will kick off with a proclamation by Mayor Jim Holmes and County Judge Scott M. Felton. This event will take place at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the steps of the McLennan County Courthouse, located at 501 W...
City of Killeen to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) – The Killeen community is invited to join city leaders and local organizations to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. The city will host its annual community celebration at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers at City Hall, located at 101 N. Coll...
Second federal judge freezes Trump mail ballot order with US Supreme Court poised to weigh in
A federal judge late Sunday ordered that the U.S. Postal Service not implement President Donald Trump's executive order limiting mail balloting, adding another obstacle to the administration's effort to rewrite election rules as the Supreme Court is poised to weigh in on the matt...
Several Texas Republicans condemn Bo French’s racist posts calling Asian students at UT a 'problem'
Bo French, the Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, posted a series of xenophobic social media posts taking aim at students of color celebrating at the University of Texas game....
Week in review: Test your knowledge of notable news
From court decisions on elections to the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, here are stories that made headlines this past week.
After Charlie Kirk's death, Trump slips with young voters
Frustration is growing among some young voters over the cost of living, the Iran war and records tied to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump, Musk super PACs unleash millions to boost Republicans
The two biggest Republican money players in the 2026 midterms turned on the spigot with less than eight weeks to go before Election Day.
UK lawmakers reject assisted dying bill after emotional debate
U.K. lawmakers on Friday voted down legislation to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives. Following an impassioned four-hour debate in the elected House of Commons, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was rejected 286 to 270. The o...
5 big takeaways from Trump's midterm convention
Trump and his Republican Party wrapped up an unusual convention in Dallas on Thursday, hoping to strengthen their midterm election prospects. Here are five takeaways from the two-day convention....
HISTORIC RACE
SPOTLIGHT | ELECTION 2026
Goodell hopes players happy with Australia trip
MELBOURNE —The NFL's first regular-season game in Australia will not be a one-off, Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Friday, but the league must ensure players feel properly looked after to build on a bumper debut in Melbourne....
$5K reality check: Experts say Trump's promise of midterm checks would strain the economy
President Trump on Friday once again promised each American adult a $5,000 check if Republicans keep control of Congress after the midterm elections. "When I say something, I mean it! The $5,000 Dividend will happen because the People of our Country deserve it. VOTE REPUBLICAN," ...
Reduce suicide’s stigma, not its severity
By The Editorial Board Joking about mental health is easy. Actually facing mental health issues head-on is not. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. In 2024, The Editorial Board put out a piece about raising suicide prevention awareness year-round. This year, we’re hel...
Trump and Vance close out GOP midterm convention in Dallas with simple message
To finish out the first-ever Republican midterm convention, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance wrapped up the two-day event with a final message on Thursday night: “Go out and vote.”...
Texas OKs more 765kv lines, directing companies to work with landowners
ODESSA — The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Friday gave its approval to a controversial, 370-mile-long transmission line project, pending two transmission companies work with landowners to make modifications....
US inflation accelerated in August as gas prices spiked
U.S. inflation accelerated last month as gas prices spiked in the wake of renewed fighting in the Middle East, underscoring the affordability challenges that are top of mind for many voters with midterm elections now just seven weeks away. The consumer price index rose 3.4% last ...
USPS whistleblower alleges rushed mail ballot systems could disenfranchise voters
Votebeat reports a USPS whistleblower warns that rushed mail ballot systems could disenfranchise voters, leading to potential chaos in the upcoming election....
JD Vance takes center stage at Republican midterm convention as the party faces midterm risks
Republicans opened the second and final day of their midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday knowing that history is not on their side this election season, but counting on President Donald Trump to propel voters to protect their House and Senate majorities. They're also setting...
Houthis advance along Yemeni coast, threaten Saudi oil exports in Red Sea
Iran-aligned Houthis seized control of Yemen's port city of Mocha on Thursday, sources said, hours after President Trump said he expected the Iran war to end after the midterm elections....
Appeals court keeps block in place on Trump’s mail voting restrictions
An appeals court on Thursday upheld a block on President Donald Trumps executive order limiting mail voting, a decision that comes as the Supreme Court considers the same case and states have already started sending out ballots for the high-stakes midterm elections. The three-jud...
9/11 ceremony to be held at War on Terror site
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) - The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board is hosting its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony this Friday. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the War on Terror site, located at 3101 Harvey Road in College Station. The ceremony is free and open...
How an 1876 massacre of Black men in South Carolina turned racial terror into political power
The Conversation reports that the 1876 Hamburg massacre in South Carolina used white supremacist terror to destroy Reconstruction, suppress Black voters, and reshape American politics....
Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed Missouri congressional maps
The U.S. Supreme Court again rejected a push to use Missouri congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump on Thursday, a loss for Republicans trying to maintain control of the House in the fast-approaching midterm elections. The decision appears to clear the way for use of...
Gloria Steinem lifted up women and changed history | Keel Hunt
At the Nashville Public Library, Gloria Steinem’s words greet visitors in the “Votes for Women” room, the permanent installation that honors the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution....
Sept. 11 seems like yesterday in New York City | Froma Harrop
Smoke still rose from the ruins of the World Trade Center, and the smell of nearly 2,000 deaths lingered miles uptown. A reporter asked New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani whether he worried that the city's Muslim neighborhoods would be attacked…...
Trump says he’ll send Americans $5,000 each ‘if Republicans win’ in November
President Donald Trump said he would give American adults $5,000 each to spend in the United States if Republicans win Novembers midterm elections. Trump made the remarks Wednesday while campaigning for Republicans at a midterm convention in Dallas. Trump has made similar promise...
Republicans hold first-ever midterm convention in Dallas; Trump, Vance set to appear
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are appearing at the first-ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas, as party leaders work to energize voters ahead of the November elections. The GOP midterm convention is the kind of large-scale event the party normally hol...
Nashville International Airport to change its name to Dolly Parton International Airport
Nashville's airport is on the verge of a historic name change. A Nashville International Airport board member said the board will officially vote Friday to approve renaming the airport Dolly Parton International Airport. All seven board members are expected to vote in favor, maki...
79% of prediction-market users have lost money, and many borrow to keep betting, survey finds
Prediction markets are booming, with users betting on everything from elections and sports to the number of measles cases this year. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket let users wager on real-world events from award shows and gas prices to weather patterns in cities across the ...
Go beyond your major
By Mesha Mittanasala | Photographer During Late Night, Baylor’s campus was lined up with poster boards, handouts, buttons, candy, T-shirts and conversations recruiting students to join different student organizations. Baylor currently has 400+ recognized student organizations and...
'Pretend that I'm on the ballot': Trump courts Republicans at unusual GOP midterm convention
Republicans used the opening night of an unusual midterm convention on Wednesday to hammer Democrats as extremists and pledge unwavering devotion to President Donald Trump, proudly placing their partys undisputed leader at the center of upcoming midterm elections even if his low ...
Trump says Iran War will end after the midterm elections
President Donald Trump said the war with Iran will end after the midterm election, but suggested oil prices may not fall significantly before then as fighting between the US and Iran flared this week. The president issued the new timeline while en route to Dallas, Texas, where he...
Vote for our local high school Athlete of the Week
We're excited to let you know about our Athlete of the Week program, designed to celebrate outstanding local high school athletes across all sports and shine a spotlight on the achievements happening in our community every day. Click here to…...
SEC schedules vote on ousting LSU from conference
The SEC filed an amended complaint Tuesday in its lawsuit against Louisiana State University, head football coach Lane Kiffin, and school officials with the conference seeking authority to expel LSU....
Mount Calm mayor speaks out on proposed transmission line he says he learned about through 25 News reports
Lone Star Transmission is inviting Limestone County residents to a public meeting Wednesday night regarding a proposed 345-kilovolt transmission line that could cross properties and surround the city of Mount Calm. The meeting runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Calm ISD Gym...
Baylor finds confidence and belief despite loss to Auburn
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) -- Baylor may have lost the battle on the scoreboard Saturday, but the Bears believe they gained something just as important in Atlanta: confidence. Despite a loss to Auburn, Baylor players said the game showed the team’s growing chemistry, physicality and be...
We’ve lost the plot of “What Would Jesus Do?”
By The Editorial Board In June 1891, the late Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon asked his congregation an important question: What Would Jesus Do? The question later appeared in a religious fiction novel by Charles Sheldon in 1896, and the phrase officially became mainstream afte...