Cisco
Cisco, TX · Municipal
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West Texas Fair and Rodeo schedule of events, discount days 2026
(KTAB/KRBC) – The West Texas Fair and Rodeo is coming back to Abilene for the 2026 season September 10 through September 19. Fan favorite rides, foods, vendors and some new additions will join the PRCA Rodeo at the Taylor County Expo Center for two weeks of festivities. Cost of admission will be $10 for adults and […]
ktxs.com
Environmental impact of data centers in Abilene
ABILENE, Texas — As data centers continue to expand across the Big Country, concerns for air quality grow too. One of the biggest concerns is what natural gas turbines could mean for air quality. “If the production was not occurring there previously, you have a smaller level of fine...
kacu.org
Panel tackles persistent concerns around Abilene’s AI boom
On Wednesday, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce held a meeting to address community questions about the region’s data centers. Water, sound pollution, energy costs and supply and demand issues were all discussed at the panel, which contained representatives from Google as well as local officials and former Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who said that the goal of the event was to help clarify the benefits AI data centers have on communities.
ktxs.com
West Texas Fair and Rodeo brings economic boost to Abilene businesses
Abilene, Texas — As the West Texas Fair and Rodeo returns to Abilene this month, local businesses are preparing for a surge of visitors — and the boost that comes with it. At Joe Allen’s, owner Josh Allen said the fair week consistently brings more customers through the doors, driven by a mix of events and out-of-town traffic.
The Abilene Reporter-News
Abilene drivers face new railroad crossing closures as others open
Say goodbye to the Victoria Street railroad railroad crossing. The Texas Department of Transportation announced in a media release late Friday that both the Sayles Boulevard. and Victoria Street crossings would close Sunday morning with detour signs placed to inform motorists along those routes. Only Sayles is slated to reopen upon completion. Abilene got its first look at the railroad crossings project , which runs through the center of town between North and South First streets, in 2019. In that plan, TXDoT said for safety reasons, the Sayles crossing is to be realigned to Graham Street while the Victoria Street crossing is to be permanently closed. Subsequently, the crossings at Willis and Shelton streets were expected to reopen following Sunday's closure either later in the day or on Monday. Those crossings have been closed since spring. More: Food bank marches forward with September Million Meal Challenge More: Abilene Stargate investor among donors to Paxton Senate campaign The project has been a collaboration between TXDoT, Union Pacific Railroad and the city of Abilene. The release stated the endeavor began in August 2024 and requires "significant planning and coordination as railroad operations and travel in the area continue throughout construction." The work
BigCountryHomepage
From fundraising to framing: Abilene leaders help build a home
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The first Friday night lights of the season are shining across the Big Country, and that means homecoming season is also here. But for families without a place to call home, there may not be a house to come home to. This year, ten Abilene community leaders are serving on Habitat […]
BigCountryHomepage
Abilene leads Texas in hotel revenue growth for 6 quarters
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — The Abilene hotel market continues to show very strong trends, according to the latest quarterly data. The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau has published the latest numbers, showing the Key City outperforming larger cities in Texas. During the second quarter, Abilene hotels finished with a 74% occupancy rate that’s about 13% […]
BigCountryHomepage
Lake Ft. Phantom Hill declared ‘fully infested’ with zebra mussels
TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Lake Ft. Phantom Hill in Abilene has been declared “fully infested” with zebra mussels. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD) announced the infestation Tuesday, saying “this designation signifies that an established, reproducing population of these invasive mussels is now confirmed in the lake.” Zebra mussels were initially detected in […]
abilenechamber.com
A Conversation Worth Having: Data Centers, Facts and Abilene’s Future
Last week, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce was pleased to serve as a local host and point of contact for a statewide forum designed to do something increasingly important when it comes to data centers: separate fact from fiction—and give local people a chance to be heard. The forum...
BigCountryHomepage
Big Country Senate candidate outlines priorities on healthcare, data centers & school
BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Riley Rodriguez, a candidate for Texas State Senate District 28, is campaigning on issues including rural healthcare, data center development, local control and public education. Rodriguez said he has lived most of his life in District 28, growing up around Abilene and moving throughout the area because of family circumstances. […]
BigCountryHomepage
A hand up, not a handout: An Abilene mom’s story as Abilene’s housing need grows
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – “There’s never been a more important time to support not just affordable housing in Abilene but affordable homeownership,” said Rosten Callarman, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Abilene. Callarman said the organization has built or rehabilitated 180 new homes in Abilene since it was founded in 1990. While there’s […]
ktxs.com
Data centers in Abilene: A community conversation
Abilene, Texas — Data centers are becoming a topic of conversation among residents. Big Country residents discussed local growth Wednesday, August 26, at the Abilene Heritage Square. The Abilene Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a "Data Centers in Abilene: A Local Conversation" with the Texas Tribune. The event focused on...