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Houses planned at West fertilizer plant explosion site
Tim Condon plans to build homes in West where a massive fertilizer plant explosion 13 years ago killed 15 people including first responders, injured dozens and leveled buildings....
schools
Late Night brings Baylor’s mission to life
By Abby Rathburn | Staff Writer Students lit up Fountain Mall Friday night with smiling faces and energetic conversations as they explored Baylor’s Late Night club fair. Presented by Student Activities, Late Night is a massive club fair where students can meet Baylor’s 400+ stude...
parks
Up-downs, then touchdowns: Whitney’s halftime wake-up call sparks 40-0 rout of Mart
David Haynes Jr. had never made his players do up-downs at halftime. That changed Friday, and Whitney responded with a 28-point second half to bury Mart, 40-0....
News
Physical La Vega Pirates start long road journey with beatdown of Franklin
In a top-10 battle between a pair of programs who annually have their sights set on JerryWorld, La Vega walked away with a little bit of a strut.
parks
Crawford takes control in season opener with 14-0 win over McGregor
Sam Moody picked up his first win as Crawford's new head coach as the Pirates won the Highway 317 Bowl, downing McGregor 14-0 to open their 2026 campaign....
News
China Spring comes alive in second half to pull away from Connally in season opener
Every team has to work out some kinks in the first game of the season. For China Spring, that lasted two quarters.
News
Highlander volleyball drops 2 matches to ranked opponents
There was no shortage of competition for McLennan volleyball Friday, with the Highlanders spending the day across the net from a pair of ranked opponents....
News
Rare Bellville pass sinks Robinson late in fourth quarter, 36-35
You can’t hit the snooze button on the Bellville Brahmas for a moment. Robinson learned that lesson the hard way.
News
Blake Burleson: Harsh Prairieland sentences hope to quash political protests
Government power is being used in ways that are intended to scare citizens into retreating from political activity. Will fear drive us into hiding? Will it silence us?...
business
Jim Jenkins: I'm a rancher and businessman. Tariffs are taxes — and Americans are paying
Nebraska rancher Jim Jenkins writes that President Donald Trump's tariffs are inflicting harm upon local small businesses.
safety
BPD: Pedestrian struck by vehicle on E. Loop 340
BELLMEAD, Texas (FOX 44) - The Bellmead Police Department is currently investigating a serious traffic accident involving a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle. The department says the accident occurred in the 200 block of E. Loop 340 on Friday night. The public has been asked...
government
Sober-living complex in North Waco up for zoning vote Tuesday
“This kind of housing is needed and it isn’t fair for us as Christians to say 'Put it in someone else’s neighborhood,'” said one neighbor who initially opposed the plan....
safety
Multiple agencies responding to Coryell Co. fire
CORYELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) - UPDATE: Central Texas wildfires continue to keep fire crews busy, with three separate fires being battled across Hamilton, Coryell and Lampasas counties. The largest of the three is the Rio Escondido Fire in Hamilton County. The fire erupted Monda...
schools
Waco ISD raises tax rate 0.8 cents to fund $179 million budget
Waco ISD trustees formally approved a slightly higher tax rate at their Aug. 20 meeting, but taxpayers’ home valuations will determine whether they pay more in taxes this year....
News
Washington chemical tank was called unfit for service before deadly failure, investigators find
An inspection contractor found a chemical tank at a Washington state paper mill not fit for continued service 10 months before it failed in May, killing 11 in one of the deadliest U.S. workplace disasters in recent decades, according to a federal report released Friday. The U.S. ...
Local
PHOTOS: Annual symposium brings world of woodturning to Waco
The Southwest Association of Turners symposium will continue through Sunday, with large gallery and vendor areas free and open to the public, alongside dozens of demonstrations for registered attendees....
News
South Valley Mills Bridge closure could cause more traffic
South Valley Mills Bridge is still under construction. Some neighbors said their commute is impacted by the ongoing roadwork. The overnight closure will take place Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. to Sunday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. TXDOT is expecting the project to be fully complete by e...
News
Should AI be banned from the classroom?
On this week's episode of Catch me Up, we dig into how the rapid rise of AI is reshaping the classroom experience. Plus, Jon Leiberman remembers legendary entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton, lays out the latest in the Lindsay Clancy trial, and explains how tariffs and tr...
government
Congress faces a packed schedule as soon as lawmakers return from recess
Congress returns to Washington Monday for the first time in a month with a busy and condensed agenda as lawmakers make their final push to pass bills before the midterm elections. On the top of the agenda is a short-term government funding bill to avert a pre-election government ...
Local
Waco Welcomes Weekend Brick Builders
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — The 2026 Brick Convention Lego Fan Event has made its way to Waco for the weekend! The convention is open Saturday and Sunday, with tickets available online and at the door. Show Manager Jeremy Douma says it's a great opportunity for kids, families, and Leg...
safety
BSW Health raising awareness of Temple Emergency Department access
TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) - While there might be some construction work being done on the parking lot near the ER at Baylor Scott & White – Temple, the Emergency Department remains open and ready to help. BSW Health issued a statement on Friday night saying the department is fully o...
News
What are some home projects that improve everyday life?
Saving just a little bit of time every day can make a big impact on your life over time.
News
Trump announces deal to secure billions of barrels of Venezuelan oil for the US
President Donald Trump said Friday the U.S. would take majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of oil reserves in Venezuela. In a social media post , the president claimed administration officials were working with Venezuelan leadership. "At my direction, Secretary of St...
News
Weather Whys with Sean Ryan: The UV Index
With the sun being brutal for the past few weeks, Sean Ryan explains the UV index and why it has been high.
News
Push to rename Nashville airport for Dolly Parton gets a boost from Tennessee's governor
A push by fans to rename Nashville's airport for Dolly Parton appears to be taking flight just days after the country music icon's death. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority both came out in favor of the name change Friday. It's exp...
News
States can regulate prediction markets as gambling, federal appeals court rules
A federal appeals court ruled Friday that states can regulate prediction markets like gambling, dealing a major blow to the booming industry. There are still related lawsuits pending across the country, and legal experts believe the matter will ultimately be settled by the Suprem...
parks
Strong dove population likely for Sept. 1 opening day
AUSTIN – For a third year in a row, Texas received significant rain in the spring across most of the state, bolstering the previous year’s healthy dove populations. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist’s estimate both mourning and white-winged doves…...
News
Grimes County residents urge neighbors to contact TxDOT before Sept. 10 deadline on I-14 route
Grimes County residents urge neighbors to contact TxDOT before Sept. 10 deadline on I-14 route Watch the full story here: Grimes County residents urge neighbors to contact TxDOT before Sept. 10 deadline on I-14 route Residents near a proposed Interstate 14 route through Grimes Co...
News
Outdoors: Dove numbers should be high for opening day
This year, wildlife biologists are estimating that both mourning and white-winged dove populations are at near record levels.
schools
Baylor baseball’s Ethan Calder gets TRO extension in eligibility case
Baylor baseball pitcher Ethan Calder’s fight for a fifth season continues. His temporary restraining order has been extended to Oct. 23, when a temporary injunction hearing is scheduled....
business
Brice Cherry: No Jimmys and Joes on the Super Centex All-Name Team
If you’re a local business owner and you’d like to purchase the naming rights to the 2026 Super Centex All-Name Team, be prepared to get creative.
schools
Todd Golden becomes highest-paid Gators coach in Florida history
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Todd Golden has signed his third contract extension in three years, making him the highest-paid Gators coach in school history. Golden will now earn an average salary of $8.25 million annually, including $7.5 million this…...
business
ICE awards $16.7 million contract for electric-shock gloves
Despite growing criticism, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is moving ahead with plans to acquire electric-shock gloves, awarding a contract worth about $16.7 million to a Kentucky-based company, according to government documents published Thursday....
business
What Sets Award-Winning Helberg Barbecue Apart in Texas
When a barbecue restaurant earns recognition from Texas Monthly not once but twice as a Top 50 establishment, something exceptional is happening behind the smoker. At Helberg Barbecue in Woodway, that something comes down to a combination of traditional smoking…...
News
Man posing as San Francisco 49ers player charged with defrauding dozens of women
Two men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud after posing as NFL players. According to court documents, 35-year-old Daejon Labrayae Love and 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan created fictitious investments to defraud numerous women in Oregon, Washingt...
News
Yes, it will still be hot this weekend
Other than a few isolates storms across our southern counties this evening, it looks like it will just be hot for Friday Night Football. Temperatures will fall through the 90s this evening and into the mid to upper 70s Saturday morning. The heat remain the focus this weekend. It ...
News
NASA to launch Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Sunday to study mysteries of the universe
NASA is preparing to launch a new space telescope on Sunday, unveiling an observatory that could help scientists create a 3D map of the universe and find distant worlds....
News
College football's opening weekend doesn’t have to be a dud
Weeks 0 and 1 should be a showcase for college football. Instead, they're a monument to safe scheduling and missed opportunity. You could spend the next two weekends lounging around....
business
Brooklyn Haitian restaurant owner says the end of TPS is 'worse than COVID' for business
At least 5,000 Haitian immigrants in New York City and roughly 300,000 across the country have lost their ability to work legally in the U.S. after the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for Haiti. Businesses that depended on those workers are now struggling to...
government
Grants come to area Texas veterans service organizations
Austin, Tx (FOX 44) - Over $2 million will be coming to area veterans service organizations in grants announced Friday. The money to the local groups is part over an overall $8.3 million announced by Governor Gregg Abbott as part of the Texas Veterans Commission Grants Across Tex...
business
64 percent of online shoppers are using AI to help find products, study shows
A new Ryder study has found that 64 percent of online shoppers are using AI tools to help find and compare products prior to purchase. The study looked at more than 1,100 shoppers and found consumers are putting more value on convenience, delivery speed and flexible return option...
News
Tipping fatigue getting to you? This survey says you're not alone
U.S. consumers are cutting back on gratuities or skipping them altogether, according to a recent survey. The survey, done by Popmenu, said many believe tipping practices have become ridiculous. 44 percent of those asked said they have been tipping less this year than last. RELATE...
News
Bill Tinsley: When mourning comes
We learn to live with loss through the comfort we find in others and in God’s promises. The greatest of His promises is eternal life.
library
West Waco Library to temporarily close on Aug. 30
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The West Waco Library and Genealogy Center will temporarily closebeginning this Sunday through Thursday, October 1, as crews install new flooring throughout the facility. While the branch is closed, visitors can continue to return library materials using th...
News
Neil Sperry: Plant labels only give you 17 words; that's not enough
Neil Sperry answers gardeners' questions.
safety
Washington murder suspect held in McLennan County
Waco, Tx (FOX 44) - A 21-year-old man wanted in connection with a New Year's Day fatal shooting in Tacoma, Washington is being held in the McLennan County Jail. Barkai Ben Israel Brinson of Tacoma was arrested by U-S Marshals and booked into the jail at 9:30 Thursday morning. He ...
News
VIDEO: The best games of Week 1 — some great games on the schedule
VIDEO: The best games of Week 1 — it's football time, and there are several great ones around Central Texas to kick off the year. #txhsfb
business
2 workers at Germany's Frankfurt Airport die from what is known as 'airport malaria'
Two workers at Germanys Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria believed to have been spread by a mosquito brought into the country via an aircraft. A total of six employees became infected with what is known as airport malaria, Fraport, the company that operates th...
News
Tropical Storm Dolly forms days after Dolly Parton's death
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic, just days after music icon Dolly Parton's death, becoming the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season....
News
Disaster declared in Gatesville, mandatory water restrictions lifted
GATESVILLE, Texas (FOX 44) - UPDATE: The mandatory water restrictions in place for the City of Gatesville came to an end at noon on Friday, according to the city. The city says its water system has recovered enough to lift the restrictions earlier than anticipated thanks to the r...
News
Two Georgia women sentenced in fraud scheme, stealing millions from Amazon
Two Georgia women have been sentenced in a fraud scheme in which prosecutors say they stole close to $10 million from Amazon. Brittany Hudson was sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison this week, while her partner Kayricka Wortham was sentenced in 2023. Hudson and her ...
safety
Fired Stars and Stripes journalists accuse Pentagon of retaliation
Three staffers at Stars and Stripes, the military publication, sued the Pentagon and top officials on Thursday. The trio, including the outlets editor-in-chief, claimed they were illegally pushed out over personal statements protected under the First Amendment. The Pentagon last ...
News
NFL, Roger Goodell have good reasons to quickly rule on Jed York punishment
With the legal case quickly resolved, Roger Goodell needs to quickly decide on the level of discipline for San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York.
schools
Crazy middle linebacker energy: Inside the Baylor weight room with Director of Athletic Performance Vic Viloria
When Vic Viloria was playing, his coaches called him an old-school linebacker. "I realized that they were saying I was short and slow." That's fine; he prefers the gym anyway....
News
Crews begin removing Confederate statues from Virginia's Capitol Square
Crews could be seen working to remove three Confederate-linked statues from Virginia's Capitol Square on Friday morning after a state senator introduced legislation to remove them earlier this year. Watch: Virginia senator proposes removing Confederate statues from Capitol Square...