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        	<item>
		<title>Waco Child Survives Septic Shock as Typhus Cases Rise</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-child-survives-septic-shock-as-typhus-cases-rise/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-child-survives-septic-shock-as-typhus-cases-rise/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:12:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flea-borne typhus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[McLane Children’s Hospital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pediatric health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[septic shock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-child-survives-septic-shock-as-typhus-cases-rise/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A 12-year-old Waco athlete survived septic shock after flea-borne typhus led to six days of treatment at McLane Children’s Hospital.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A 12-year-old Waco athlete survived septic shock after contracting flea-borne typhus and spending six days at McLane Children’s Hospital, according to a July 16 report by KWTX.</p>
<p>The case comes as the child’s infectious-disease specialist said he was seeing higher-than-usual numbers of flea-borne typhus cases across Central Texas during summer 2026. The report connects a severe illness in one Waco child with a broader regional trend observed by a physician treating patients.</p>
<h2>A serious illness for one Waco child</h2>
<p>The girl’s infection progressed to septic shock, a severe medical emergency, before she recovered enough to survive. She received treatment at McLane Children’s Hospital in Waco for six days.</p>
<p>KWTX identified the patient as a Waco girl and described her as an athlete. The report did not identify a specific flea, animal or location as the source of her infection.</p>
<p>For her family, the illness meant nearly a week of hospital care and a potentially life-threatening complication. For other Waco families, the case offers a local example of how serious flea-borne typhus can become, even when the initial illness may not appear to be connected to a larger public-health event.</p>
<h2>What the doctor reported</h2>
<p>The infectious-disease specialist cited by KWTX said he was seeing higher-than-usual numbers of flea-borne typhus across Central Texas during the summer. That observation covers the broader region rather than Waco alone.</p>
<p>The report did not provide a precise case count. It also did not establish a formal Waco-specific outbreak declaration. Those distinctions are important: a physician’s report about elevated cases in practice describes what the specialist is encountering, but it does not by itself confirm an official outbreak in the city.</p>
<p>Flea-borne typhus can cause serious illness, and the Waco patient’s septic shock illustrates the potential severity of an infection. Her survival is the confirmed outcome described in the report. Her current medical status beyond that outcome was not stated.</p>
<h2>Why the case matters in Waco</h2>
<p>The child lives in Waco, and McLane Children’s Hospital provided the treatment locally. That gives the report a direct connection to families, pediatric care and health officials in the city, while the specialist’s observation extends the concern across Central Texas.</p>
<p>The case does not establish how many people in Waco or the region have contracted flea-borne typhus. It does show that at least one local child experienced a severe complication requiring hospital treatment, while a specialist reported seeing more cases than usual during the summer.</p>
<p>The report also leaves several details about the individual case unspecified, including where the infection was acquired and what specific exposure may have preceded it. No formal local outbreak finding or additional public-health action was identified in the report.</p>
<p>The latest documented development is the child’s survival after six days at McLane Children’s Hospital and the specialist’s warning that Central Texas was seeing higher-than-usual numbers of flea-borne typhus cases. For Waco residents, the immediate significance is both personal and regional: a local child recovered from a severe infection as doctors watched the illness appear more frequently across Central Texas.</p>
<p><!-- esn-ng-sources:start --></p>
<section class="esn-ng-source-section">
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul class="esn-ng-sources">
<li><a href="https://www.kwtx.com/news/local/">Waco girl survives septic shock from flea-borne typhus as Central Texas cases rise</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, KWTX</span></li>
</ul>
</section>
<p><!-- esn-ng-sources:end --></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">946088</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco weighs cuts to close projected $10.7 million budget gap</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-weighs-cuts-to-close-projected-10-7-million-budget-gap/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-weighs-cuts-to-close-projected-10-7-million-budget-gap/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:47:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics & Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economic Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Municipal budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco museums]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco Public Library]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-weighs-cuts-to-close-projected-10-7-million-budget-gap/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco officials are considering service-hour cuts, hiring restraints and reduced economic-development funding as they address a projected $10.7 million gap.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Waco officials are considering service reductions, hiring restraints and lower economic-development spending as they work to address a projected $10.7 million budget gap.</p>
<p>The options, reported July 17, are not a final adopted package. They outline the choices officials are weighing before the next fiscal year, with potential consequences for public access, city staffing and one of the city’s major economic-development commitments.</p>
<h2>Library, museum hours could be affected</h2>
<p>Among the possible measures are reductions to operating hours at the Waco Public Library and city museums. Officials are also considering a hiring freeze or other limits on filling positions.</p>
<p>If adopted, those steps could change when residents can use city library and museum services and could limit the city’s ability to fill open jobs. The approved materials do not establish which facilities or positions would be affected, how large any reductions would be or whether the proposals were ultimately approved.</p>
<p>That distinction is important. The reported measures are budget-balancing options, not confirmed service cuts. The sources do not establish that library or museum hours had changed or that a hiring freeze was in effect by Aug. 8, 2026.</p>
<h2>Economic-development funding is also under review</h2>
<p>Another option involves reducing Waco’s contribution to the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corporation, known as WMCEDC.</p>
<p>The city and McLennan County each contributed $4.5 million to the corporation for the referenced year, according to The Waco Bridge. A lower city contribution would put an existing economic-development commitment under review as officials search for ways to close the projected gap.</p>
<p>The approved sources do not identify a proposed replacement amount or confirm that the contribution was reduced. They also do not identify a single program or decision as the cause of the projected gap.</p>
<h2>FY2026 budget shows competing priorities</h2>
<p>Waco’s adopted fiscal year 2026 budget provides context for the scale of the city’s existing commitments, although the materials do not document those commitments as causes of the later projected gap.</p>
<p>The budget included $9.6 million for fire and police services. It also allocated $4 million for economic-development incentives and $6.9 million for downtown redevelopment site preparation.</p>
<p>Those figures show several areas competing for city resources: public safety, economic-development incentives and downtown redevelopment. They do not show which of those priorities, if any, would be reduced to address the projected $10.7 million gap.</p>
<h2>Final decisions remain unresolved</h2>
<p>For residents, the immediate issue is not a confirmed cut but the prospect of changes to services, city hiring and economic-development spending as officials prepare the next budget.</p>
<p>The approved materials do not confirm the precise fiscal year 2027 tax rate, final service reductions or the final budget timetable. Later Waco City Council records would be needed to determine whether officials adopted a hiring freeze, changed library or museum hours, reduced the WMCEDC contribution or approved another combination of measures.</p>
<p>Until those records establish the final action, the confirmed development is that Waco is developing responses to a projected $10.7 million gap. The eventual package will determine whether residents see changes in city services, staffing or economic-development commitments.</p>
<p><!-- esn-ng-sources:start --></p>
<section class="esn-ng-source-section">
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul class="esn-ng-sources">
<li><a href="https://wacobridge.org/2026/07/17/waco-budget-gap-solutions-cuts-industrial-incentives/">Here’s how Waco is looking to plug a $10.7M budget hole</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, The Waco Bridge</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Fiscal-Management-Services/Adopted-Budget/Budget-in-Brief">Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2026</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, City of Waco</span></li>
</ul>
</section>
<p><!-- esn-ng-sources:end --></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">945416</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco schedules Aug. 18 hearings on three proposed annexations</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-schedules-aug-18-hearings-on-three-proposed-annexations/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-schedules-aug-18-hearings-on-three-proposed-annexations/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics & Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Annexation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[land use]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Municipal boundaries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WBW Bluebonnet Crossing Phase 1]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-schedules-aug-18-hearings-on-three-proposed-annexations/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco has scheduled Aug. 18 public hearings on three annexation proposals, giving residents a chance to comment before the City Council takes further action.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Waco has scheduled public hearings on three proposed annexations, giving residents a formal opportunity to comment before the City Council decides what action, if any, comes next.</p>

<p>The hearings are set for Aug. 18, 2026, according to public notices posted by the City of Waco. The proposals involve WBW Bluebonnet Crossing Phase 1, an area identified in the notice as a transfer-station area, and the Buster Chatham Area.</p>

<p>The notices concern proposed changes to Waco’s municipal boundaries. They do not show that any of the three annexations has been approved.</p>

<h2>Three areas are on the hearing agenda</h2>

<p>The city identified the Bluebonnet Crossing proposal as Annexation 2026-06, WBW Bluebonnet Crossing Phase 1. The transfer-station proposal is identified as Annexation 2026-03, while the Buster Chatham proposal is identified as Annexation 2026-01.</p>

<p>Each proposal is covered by a separate notice in the city’s official public-notice process. The accessible notice information does not specify the acreage involved, identify property owners or provide the full proposed terms for municipal services.</p>

<p>It also does not establish whether the areas are proposed for residential, commercial or industrial development. Those details should not be inferred from the names used in the notices.</p>

<h2>What the hearings mean for Waco</h2>

<p>If approved through the city’s process, annexation could expand Waco’s municipal boundaries and place additional land and development decisions under city jurisdiction. That can make the hearing relevant to residents, landowners and others following how the city grows.</p>

<p>For now, the confirmed development is the scheduled public hearing—not a final annexation decision. The Aug. 18 meeting provides a public step in the process, allowing comments before the council takes further action.</p>

<p>The source material does not establish that the council will vote on final annexation ordinances during the hearing. The outcome, including whether the proposals advance, change or are delayed, remains unknown from the posted information.</p>

<h2>Related land-use proceedings are active</h2>

<p>The city has also posted a separate Plan Commission and City Council public-hearing notice for July 28 and Aug. 18. That indicates related land-use proceedings are active during the same period, although the available information does not provide enough detail to connect that notice to a specific one of the three annexation proposals.</p>

<p>The annexation notices are part of a broader period of civic development and infrastructure activity in Waco. The city’s events information lists a July 28 downtown redevelopment open house and an Aug. 8 Waco Transit free-fare day. Those listings provide context about city activity but do not alter the status of the three annexation proposals.</p>

<p>Residents following the proposals should look to the Aug. 18 Waco City Council hearing for the next confirmed public step. Until the council takes documented final action, the three areas remain proposed annexations rather than newly annexed parts of the city.</p>


<!-- esn-ng-sources:start -->
<section class="esn-ng-source-section"><h2>Sources</h2><ul class="esn-ng-sources"><li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/City-Secretarys-Office/Public-Notices">Public Notices &amp; Information City of Waco</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, City of Waco</span></li><li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Events-Activities">Events &amp; Activities: Waco Downtown Redevelopment Open House and Transit Free Fare Day</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, City of Waco</span></li></ul></section>
<!-- esn-ng-sources:end -->
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">943376</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco Speegleville Road intersection closure expected through Aug. 8</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-speegleville-road-intersection-closure-expected-through-aug-8/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-speegleville-road-intersection-closure-expected-through-aug-8/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:45:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Infrastructure, Housing & Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City of Waco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oak Road]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Road Closures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Speegleville Road]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Speegleville Road Improvement Project]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=941894</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco’s closure at Speegleville Road and Oak Road remains in place during construction, with the expanded intersection closure expected through about Aug. 8.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Waco drivers should continue to expect a closure at the intersection of Speegleville Road and Oak Road as construction proceeds on the City of Waco’s Speegleville Road Improvement Project. The expanded intersection closure began July 27 and is expected to continue through approximately Aug. 8.</p>

<p>The closure remains an active local transportation issue as of Aug. 6. It affects access through the Oak Road area while the City continues work on the improvement project.</p>

<h2>Oak Road closure began before intersection shutdown</h2>

<p>The City published its project update July 13, 2026, saying construction was continuing on the Speegleville Road Improvement Project. That notice also announced the closure of Oak Road between Speegleville Road and Sunrise Lane.</p>

<p>On July 27, the closure expanded beyond that Oak Road segment to include the Speegleville Road and Oak Road intersection. The current work restrictions therefore cover both the Oak Road section between Speegleville Road and Sunrise Lane and the intersection where Oak Road meets Speegleville Road.</p>

<p>For drivers, the timeline is important. The Oak Road closure was included in the City’s July 13 update, while the intersection itself was added to the closure beginning July 27. The City’s stated end point for the expanded intersection closure is approximately Aug. 8, not a confirmed reopening time.</p>

<h2>Aug. 8 is an estimate, not a guaranteed reopening</h2>

<p>The City describes the Aug. 8 end date as approximate. That means the notice does not establish that the intersection will reopen on that exact date, and it does not indicate whether traffic restrictions could change before or after then.</p>

<p>Residents and drivers using Speegleville Road, Oak Road or Sunrise Lane should account for the current closure boundaries rather than assume access will return on Aug. 8. A further City update would be needed to confirm that the intersection has reopened or to identify any revised traffic arrangement.</p>

<p>The available project notice does not provide a detailed detour route. It also does not list the project’s total cost, the construction contractor or a percentage-complete figure. Those details should not be inferred from the announced closure schedule.</p>

<h2>What is known about the project</h2>

<p>The confirmed development is that work is continuing on the Speegleville Road Improvement Project and that the City has imposed the Oak Road and intersection closures during that work. The notice provides dates for the traffic restrictions, but it does not provide a broader project-completion schedule.</p>

<p>The City’s council-presentation archive is an official municipal-record resource for current infrastructure, planning and economic-development activity. However, the archive does not add closure-specific information beyond the project update, including a detour, cost or revised reopening information.</p>

<h2>Next known milestone</h2>

<p>The next stated milestone is the approximate Aug. 8 end of the expanded intersection closure. Until the City confirms a reopening or announces a change, the active restrictions remain the closure of Oak Road between Speegleville Road and Sunrise Lane and the closure at the Speegleville Road-Oak Road intersection.</p>

<p>That distinction matters for west Waco travel: the City has announced an expected end to the intersection work window, but not a guaranteed reopening date. Drivers should continue to plan around the closed area while construction continues.</p>


<!-- esn-ng-sources:start -->
<section class="esn-ng-source-section"><h2>Sources</h2><ul class="esn-ng-sources"><li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Home">Speegleville Road Improvements Project Update</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, City of Waco</span></li><li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/City-Secretarys-Office/Council-Presentations">City Council Presentations</a><span class="esn-ng-source-organization">, City of Waco</span></li></ul></section>
<!-- esn-ng-sources:end -->
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">941894</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>McLennan County weighs 6-cent property-tax increase affecting Waco homeowners</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/mclennan-county-weighs-6-cent-property-tax-increase-affecting-waco-homeowners/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:37:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[McLennan County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property Taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=940269</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A proposed McLennan County rate increase could add about $120 a year in county taxes on a property with $200,000 in taxable value. Hearings are scheduled for August 18 and August 27.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Waco-area homeowners could pay more in county property taxes if <a href="https://www.mclennan.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18668/FY-2027---Proposed-Budget-pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">McLennan</a> County adopts a proposed 6-cent rate increase as part of its fiscal year 2027 budget process.</p>
<p>The proposed county rate would rise from <strong>33.4805 cents to 39.4805 cents per $100 of taxable value</strong>. For a property with $200,000 in taxable value, the change would add approximately <strong>$120 per year</strong>, or about $10 per month, to the county portion of the bill.</p>
<p>The increase has not been adopted as of Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The McLennan County Commissioners Court has scheduled public hearings before a planned vote on the budget and tax rate.</p>
<h2>What the proposal could cost</h2>
<p>The $120 example is based on $200,000 of taxable value, not necessarily a property&#8217;s appraised or market value. Exemptions, including homestead and over-65 exemptions, can reduce the taxable value used to calculate the bill, so individual amounts will vary.</p>
<p>The proposal would affect only the county share of a Waco property-tax bill. A local bill can also include separate rates for the City of Waco, Waco Independent School District or another school district, McLennan Community College and other taxing entities.</p>
<p>McLennan County&#8217;s 2025 tax-rate table lists the county rate as 0.334805, or 33.4805 cents per $100 of taxable value. The same table separately lists Waco ISD, the City of Waco and McLennan Community College.</p>
<h2>Why county officials say the increase is needed</h2>
<p>County officials say the proposed increase would help cover rising costs tied to public safety, employee recruitment and retention, inflation, state-mandated services and infrastructure.</p>
<p>The county&#8217;s stated cost pressures include higher expenses for fuel, utilities, insurance, construction materials, equipment and contracted services, along with the need to maintain county roads, bridges, facilities and technology. Officials also cited continued demands on public-safety and criminal-justice operations.</p>
<p>Those points are the county&#8217;s justification for the proposal; they do not by themselves establish that the added revenue will produce specific service improvements.</p>
<h2>Budget projects $18.76 million more in property-tax revenue</h2>
<p>McLennan County&#8217;s proposed FY 2027 budget says it would raise <strong>$18,763,905 more in property-tax revenue</strong> than the prior budget, a <strong>19.20% increase</strong>.</p>
<p>The proposed budget covers the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. It also projects $2,565,427 in property-tax revenue from new property added to the tax roll.</p>
<h2>When Waco-area residents can comment</h2>
<p>The county has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 2026 tax rate for <strong>August 18, 2026, at 6 p.m.</strong> in the McLennan County Commissioners Courtroom.</p>
<p>A public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 budget is scheduled for <strong>August 27, 2026, at 9 a.m.</strong> in the Commissioners Courtroom.</p>
<p>The Commissioners Court is scheduled to adopt the budget and tax rate on August 27. That is a planned action, not a guarantee that the proposal will pass unchanged. Commissioners could amend the budget or tax rate before final action.</p>
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mclennan.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18668/FY-2027---Proposed-Budget-pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">McLennan County FY 2027 Proposed Budget</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kwtx.com/2026/07/31/mclennan-county-proposes-first-property-tax-rate-increase-years-citing-public-safety-rising-costs/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">KWTX: McLennan County proposes first property tax rate increase in years</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">940269</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Waco seeks HUD funds for six affordable homes on Seley Avenue</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-seeks-hud-funds-for-six-affordable-homes-on-seley-avenue/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-seeks-hud-funds-for-six-affordable-homes-on-seley-avenue/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:02:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community development block grant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East Waco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NeighborWorks Waco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=936787</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco plans to seek an estimated $251,460.60 in federal funds for six proposed affordable homes at 1811 Seley Avenue in East Waco, but construction and funding are not final.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The City of Waco plans to ask HUD to release an estimated $251,460.60 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds for six proposed affordable homes at 1811 Seley Avenue in East Waco.</p>
<p>The July 22, 2026, city notice identifies the project as 1811 Seley–NeighborWorks Waco. The proposal would subdivide 0.94 acres at 1811 Seley, Waco, Texas 76704, into six lots and develop six affordable, single-family homes for sale to income-qualified homebuyers.</p>
<h2>What is proposed</h2>
<p>NeighborWorks Waco is the project partner named in the city notice. Its affordable-home program lists 1811 Seley Ave. as an East Waco location with six lots available, while cautioning that addresses and availability can change as lots are sold.</p>
<p>The estimated federal request is tied to the proposed site and home-development project. It is not an approved HUD award, and the available records do not establish that construction has started or that completed homes are ready for purchase.</p>
<h2>Environmental review and public process</h2>
<p>Waco issued a Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds on July 22. The environmental finding means the city determined that the proposed project would not have a significant impact on the human environment and that a federal environmental impact statement was not required. It does not by itself guarantee HUD funding, authorize completed construction or resolve questions about neighborhood conditions, housing demand or final affordability.</p>
<p>The public-comment period ran from July 23 through July 30, 2026, and has ended. The notice says Waco planned to submit the request to HUD on or about August 3, 2026.</p>
<p>Under the procedure described in the notice, HUD may accept objections to the release of funds and the city’s environmental certification for 15 days after the anticipated submission date or HUD’s actual receipt of the request, whichever is later. Potential objectors were advised to confirm the actual deadline with HUD.</p>
<h2>What it could mean for East Waco buyers</h2>
<p>If the request advances and the project is completed, the site could create six homeownership opportunities for income-qualified buyers in East Waco. The current records do not provide a construction schedule, final sales prices, buyer-income thresholds, financing terms or a confirmed move-in date.</p>
<p>NeighborWorks Waco’s page directs prospective buyers to its homeownership and lending contacts. Its listing should be treated as a current program reference rather than a final sales roster or construction timetable.</p>
<h2>What to watch next</h2>
<p>The next milestones are the city’s HUD submission, any objection period calculated from HUD’s actual receipt of the request, and later announcements about construction or homebuyer applications. Residents and prospective buyers can monitor future City of Waco public notices and NeighborWorks Waco updates for changes to the project’s status and availability.</p>
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Public-notices/Notice-of-Intention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">City of Waco funding and environmental-review notice</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nw-waco.org/affordable-new-homes-in-waco/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">NeighborWorks Waco affordable-home listings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">HUD environmental reviews</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">936787</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Waco Speegleville Road-Oak Road closure expected through Aug. 8</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-speegleville-road-oak-road-closure-expected-through-aug-8/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-speegleville-road-oak-road-closure-expected-through-aug-8/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:37:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[infrastructure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Road Closures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=932036</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco’s Speegleville Road-Oak Road intersection remains closed after a July 27 expansion, with reopening expected around Aug. 8, weather permitting.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The full Speegleville Road-Oak Road intersection in Waco remains closed after the closure expanded on July 27. The <a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/News/Speegleville-Road">City of Waco</a> expects the closure to continue until approximately Aug. 8, weather permitting.</p>
<p>Drivers should follow posted detour signs and allow extra travel time. Oak Road is closed between Speegleville Road and Sunrise Lane while crews continue work connected to the broader Speegleville Road Improvements project.</p>
<h2>What drivers should know</h2>
<p>The city is directing large trucks to use one of two recommended routes: Highway 6 East to Highway 84 South, or Highway 84 North to Highway 6 West. Those routes are recommended for larger vehicles avoiding the closed intersection.</p>
<p>Passenger-vehicle drivers should rely on posted signs rather than assuming their usual route remains available. The approximately Aug. 8 reopening date is an estimate and could change because of weather or construction conditions.</p>
<p>The closure may affect commuters, school families, workers and nearby travelers who use the Speegleville Road corridor. The city has not provided a specific traffic-volume estimate or documented effects on school schedules or individual businesses, so drivers should plan for possible delays without assuming a particular level of congestion.</p>
<h2>How the closure fits into the larger project</h2>
<p>The current intersection closure is one phase of a larger planned Speegleville Road project. City and <a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/departments/infrastructure-svcs/documents/speegleville-rd-documentation-of-public-involvement.pdf">Texas Department of Transportation project documents</a> describe work extending roughly from south of Maple Shade Road to north of Oak Road.</p>
<p>The broader plan includes additional travel lanes, bridge reconstruction, sidewalks and drainage-related improvements. Project background materials describe approximately 0.61 miles of improvements and a four-lane roadway concept, along with replacement of two bridges in the corridor.</p>
<h2>What the state registration shows</h2>
<p>A <a href="https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Print/TABS2026017869">Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation record</a> identifies the registered project as the Speegleville Bridge over Bosque Replacement. The record places the project in Waco and McLennan County, lists an estimated cost of $17.3 million and gives registered project dates from Nov. 1, 2026, through Nov. 30, 2028.</p>
<p>Those dates and the cost are part of the state project registration. They do not, by themselves, prove that all construction has been awarded or that every phase has started. The city’s current notice concerns the active July-August intersection closure, while the bridge and roadway reconstruction represents the larger planned work ahead.</p>
<p>For now, drivers should watch for updated city notices, follow the posted detours and allow additional time through the Speegleville Road area. The estimated Aug. 8 reopening remains weather permitting and may change as work progresses.</p>
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/News/Speegleville-Road" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">City of Waco: Speegleville Road Improvements Project Update</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Print/TABS2026017869" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Speegleville Bridge over Bosque Replacement</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">932036</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Waco residents can review the city&#8217;s 2025 drinking-water report</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-residents-can-review-the-citys-2025-drinking-water-report/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-residents-can-review-the-citys-2025-drinking-water-report/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 03:42:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Drinking water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[utilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water quality]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=930795</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco's 2025 water report says the city met drinking-water standards, had no E. coli or MCL violations, and reported estimated system water loss of 6.6%.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Waco’s 2025 Consumer Confidence Report is available for residents who want to see where the city’s drinking water comes from, how it is treated, and what routine monitoring found during the calendar year.</p>
<p>The City of Waco published the report on July 1, 2026. That publication date is separate from the testing period: the report covers water-quality monitoring conducted during 2025.</p>
<h2>What Waco’s report says</h2>
<p>Waco’s drinking water comes from Lake Waco, which the city identifies as its primary surface-water source. The report says water is treated through dissolved air flotation, ozone treatment, filtration and disinfection with chloramine before it is delivered to customers.</p>
<p>The city says it met all drinking-water standards during 2025. It also reports that no maximum contaminant level violations or E. coli violations occurred and that the system met Total Coliform Rule monitoring and treatment requirements.</p>
<p>The report’s tables list contaminants that were detected or monitored, along with measured levels, applicable standards and whether a violation occurred. For example, the report lists barium at a highest detected level of 0.0408 parts per million against a maximum contaminant level of 2 parts per million. Nitrate was reported at up to 0.30 parts per million against a 10-parts-per-million standard.</p>
<p>The report also lists disinfection by-products. Haloacetic acids had a highest locational running annual average of 14 parts per billion against a limit of 60, while total trihalomethanes had a highest locational running annual average of 36 parts per billion against a limit of 80. Both were listed as having no violation.</p>
<p>A detection does not automatically mean the water violated a standard. The report uses different measures, including individual sample ranges and running annual averages, depending on the contaminant and regulatory requirement.</p>
<h2>What the report says about lead</h2>
<p>For lead, Waco reported a 90th-percentile result of 1.89 parts per billion, compared with an action level of 15 parts per billion. The report lists zero sites over the action level and no violation.</p>
<p>The lead section is not a household-by-household guarantee. The city says lead exposure can be associated with service lines, plumbing materials and fixtures, particularly after water has been sitting in pipes. Waco’s report says the city has removed all known lead service lines from its system, but private plumbing can still vary from home to home. Residents concerned about lead can flush a tap for 30 seconds to two minutes after water has been sitting and may choose to have their water tested.</p>
<h2>Estimated water loss</h2>
<p>The report says Waco’s water-loss audit for January through December 2025 estimated that the system lost 590,950,614 gallons, or about 6.6% of total system input volume.</p>
<p>The city lists possible sources of reported water loss, including line leaks, line breaks, meter inaccuracies, data-handling errors, fire protection use and unauthorized consumption. The figure is a system estimate, not a household-level measurement or a confirmed total of underground leaks.</p>
<h2>What residents should and should not infer</h2>
<p>An annual Consumer Confidence Report summarizes required monitoring and compliance information for a public water system. It does not test every household’s tap, establish that every home has identical water quality, or prove that no health risk is possible. Household plumbing, fixtures and water that has been sitting in pipes can affect what reaches a particular tap.</p>
<p>The report also covers regulated or monitored contaminants included in the city’s testing program. It should not be read as a guarantee that every possible substance has been tested or that a listed detection automatically represents a violation.</p>
<h2>How residents can read the report</h2>
<p>Residents can review the complete 2025 report through the City of Waco’s Water Quality Report page. Anyone who wants a printed copy mailed to them can contact MyWaco Central at 254-299-CITY, or 254-299-2489.</p>
<p>An annual Consumer Confidence Report is different from a boil-water notice. The annual report summarizes routine monitoring and compliance information from the previous year. A boil-water notice is an incident-specific public notification issued when conditions such as a water outage, low pressure or a contamination concern require immediate customer instructions.</p>
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Water-Treatment/Water-Quality" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">City of Waco 2025 Water Quality Report</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/ccr/ccr.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">TCEQ Consumer Confidence Report guidance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/ccr/understanding-your-annual-water-quality-report" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">EPA annual water-quality report guide</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">930795</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Waco Daily Brief: Siren Test, Zoo Arrival, and Spring Break Prep</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-daily-brief-siren-test-zoo-arrival-and-spring-break-prep/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:57:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-daily-brief-siren-test-zoo-arrival-and-spring-break-prep/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco, TX — February 6, 2026 — Tornado sirens will sound this morning as local attractions prep for spring crowds and Cameron Park Zoo welcomes a rare new resident.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Friday Morning Snapshot (Waco, TX).">Friday Morning Snapshot</a></h2>
<p>Waco heads into the weekend with a mix of routine safety updates, community milestones, and early signs of a busy spring ahead. Here’s what residents should know as Friday gets underway.</p>
<h3><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Outdoor Sirens Scheduled This Morning (Waco, TX).">Outdoor Sirens Scheduled This Morning</a></h3>
<p>Residents near Baylor University and surrounding neighborhoods will hear outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. today. The brief alert is part of a coordinated test involving city and county emergency management partners.</p>
<p>The test also includes campus and community notification systems designed to prepare residents for severe weather season. No action is needed unless there is real severe weather at the time.</p>
<h3><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Cameron Park Zoo Welcomes a Rare Cat (Waco, TX).">Cameron Park Zoo Welcomes a Rare Cat</a></h3>
<p>Cameron Park Zoo has introduced a new resident: a female black-footed cat named Bandit. The small, elusive species is considered one of the rarest wild cats in the world.</p>
<p>Zoo staff say Bandit arrived in mid-January and is adjusting well to her new habitat. The arrival adds to ongoing conservation and education efforts at the zoo and gives visitors something new to spot this winter.</p>
<h3><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Spring Break Crowds Expected Downtown (Waco, TX).">Spring Break Crowds Expected Downtown</a></h3>
<p>One of Waco’s signature attractions is already preparing for a surge in visitors. After a record-breaking year, the Dr Pepper Museum expects strong spring break attendance from families and tourists.</p>
<p>Staff say increased foot traffic benefits nearby restaurants and shops, signaling another active season for the downtown area as warmer weather approaches.</p>
<h3><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: House Fire Displaces Local Residents (Waco, TX).">House Fire Displaces Local Residents</a></h3>
<p>Emergency crews responded to a house fire in Waco within the past day that displaced two adults and resulted in the loss of a family pet. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.</p>
<p>Officials continue to remind residents to check smoke detectors and review home fire safety plans, especially during colder months when heating equipment is in heavier use.</p>
<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Looking Ahead (Waco, TX).">Looking Ahead</a></h2>
<p>With spring events approaching and safety systems being tested, today reflects a familiar rhythm in Waco: preparation, growth, and community care.</p>
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ul>
<li>https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2026/baylor-test-outdoor-tornado-sirens-baylor-alert-emergency-notification-system-10-am</li>
<li>https://www.kwtx.com/news/local/</li>
<li>https://www.waco-texas.com/News</li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">885969</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Waco Police Address Recent Homicides and Campus Safety Concerns</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-police-address-recent-homicides-and-campus-safety-concerns/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 03:03:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-police-address-recent-homicides-and-campus-safety-concerns/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco, TX — February 3, 2026 — Waco police chief addresses three homicides in three days and a recent shelter-in-place order at Baylor University campus.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Waco Police Chief Addresses Recent Homicides (Waco, TX).">Waco Police Chief Addresses Recent Homicides</a></h2>
<p>Waco, TX — February 3, 2026 — Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian has called for public assistance following three homicides in three days. The incidents occurred between February 1 and February 3, 2026, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. Chief Victorian emphasized the unprecedented nature of these events and urged residents to come forward with any information to aid in the investigations. The police department is actively working to identify and apprehend those responsible for these crimes. Community members with information are encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at (254) 753-4357.</p>
<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Baylor University Lifts Shelter-in-Place Order (Waco, TX).">Baylor University Lifts Shelter-in-Place Order</a></h2>
<p>On February 3, 2026, Baylor University issued a shelter-in-place order due to a &#8220;dangerous situation&#8221; on campus. The incident began when Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to stop a vehicle on I-35 south of Waco. The driver fled, leading to a pursuit that ended near Bagby Avenue, where the occupants fled on foot. As a precaution, Baylor University advised individuals on campus to stay away from doors and windows. The shelter-in-place was lifted at 1:15 p.m. after law enforcement confirmed the suspects were no longer on campus. No injuries were reported, and the suspects&#8217; status remains under investigation. The university continues to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure campus safety.</p>
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/mclennan-county/waco/waco-police-chief-addresses-3-homicides-in-3-days">Waco police chief addresses 3 homicides in 3 days</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fox7austin.com/news/baylor-university-waco-dangerous-situation">Baylor University lifts shelter-in-place after &#8216;dangerous situation&#8217; on Waco campus</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">884935</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco, TX Weather Snapshot – February 1, 2026</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-weather/local-weather-archive/waco-tx-weather-2026-02-01/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-weather/local-weather-archive/waco-tx-weather-2026-02-01/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Schiefelbein]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:22:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Weather Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-tx-weather-2026-02-01/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[7:22 AM · Sunday, February 1, 2026 · Waco, TX: 19°F (Clear) · Humidity 86% · Wind 0 mph]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="taw-weather-snapshot-quote"><p>7:22 AM · Sunday, February 1, 2026 · Waco, TX: 19°F (Clear) · Humidity 86% · Wind 0 mph</p></blockquote>
<div class="taw-snapshot-expand">
<details>
<summary><span class="taw-expand-title"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f321.png" alt="🌡" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Current Waco Weather Report</span><span class="taw-expand-hint">(click to view live conditions)</span></summary>
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		<div class="taw-radar-caption" id="taw-radar-caption">Data: National Weather Service (Weather.gov)</div>
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<p><a href="https://111things.com/tag/waco-tx/">What&#039;s happening in Waco?</a></p>
<p class="taw-snapshot-footer">Daily weather snapshot captured automatically for historical reference.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">884231</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco, TX — January 31, 2026 — Local News Update</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-tx-january-31-2026-local-news-update/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-tx-january-31-2026-local-news-update/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 03:47:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-tx-january-31-2026-local-news-update/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco, TX — January 31, 2026 — A winter storm has impacted Waco, leading to street closures and building damages. Residents are advised to report issues and stay updated on closu…]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Winter Storm Impacts Waco (Waco, TX).">Winter Storm Impacts Waco</a></h2>
<p>Waco, TX — January 31, 2026 — A winter storm has recently affected Waco, resulting in street closures and building damages. Residents are encouraged to report any issues and stay informed about ongoing closures. </p>
<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Ryan Holt Sworn in as New Waco City Manager (Waco, TX).">Ryan Holt Sworn in as New Waco City Manager</a></h2>
<p>On January 23, 2026, Ryan Holt was sworn in as Waco&#8217;s new city manager. The community is invited to welcome him to his new role. </p>
<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Upcoming Events in Waco (Waco, TX).">Upcoming Events in Waco</a></h2>
<p>Several events are scheduled in Waco, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>STORIES Music Night</strong>: Enjoy local musicians and a farm-to-table brunch at STORIES Cafe on January 29, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. </li>
<li><strong>Women of Waco: Level Up 2026</strong>: A women&#8217;s conference featuring keynote speakers Linda Livingstone and Rachel Pate on January 30, 2026, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm at the AC Hotel Waco Downtown. </li>
<li><strong>seewaco New Year Reset</strong>: A cozy creative event on January 31, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, including mood board creation and mocktails. </li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Support for Local Businesses (Waco, TX).">Support for Local Businesses</a></h2>
<p>In the aftermath of the recent winter storm, small business owners in Waco are seeking community support. Residents are encouraged to shop locally to help these businesses recover and continue serving the community. </p>
<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Happy BEARthday to Baylor&#039;s Mascots (Waco, TX).">Happy BEARthday to Baylor&#8217;s Mascots</a></h2>
<p>Baylor University&#8217;s beloved bear mascots, Indy and Belle, celebrated their third birthdays this week. A joint birthday party was held on January 31, 2026, at the Baylor Bear Habitat. </p>
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Home/Tabs/News">City of Waco News</a></li>
<li><a href="https://destinationwaco.org/mec-category/free/">Visit Waco Events</a></li>
<li><a href="https://students.web.baylor.edu/news">Baylor University News</a></li>
<li><a href="https://baylorline.com/the-baylor-brief-january-30-2026/">The Baylor Line</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seewaco-new-year-reset-tickets-1981070643624">Eventbrite: seewaco New Year Reset</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">883885</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco Police Department Hosts Women in Public Safety Leadership Symposium</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-police-department-hosts-women-in-public-safety-leadership-symposium/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-police-department-hosts-women-in-public-safety-leadership-symposium/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=882668</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco, TX — January 30, 2026 — The Waco Police Department is set to host the Women in Public Safety Leadership Symposium in March, aiming to empower women in law enforcement.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: Waco Police Department Announces Leadership Symposium (Waco, TX).">Waco Police Department Announces Leadership Symposium</a></h2>
<p>The Waco Police Department has announced plans to host the Women in Public Safety Leadership Symposium in March. This event aims to empower and support women pursuing careers in law enforcement and public safety.</p>
<p>The symposium will feature a series of workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to address the unique challenges faced by women in the field. Topics will include leadership development, career advancement, and strategies for overcoming gender-specific obstacles.</p>
<p>Chief of Police, Dr. Sheryl L. Smith, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, &#8220;Empowering women in public safety roles not only strengthens our department but also enhances the safety and well-being of our entire community.&#8221;</p>
<p>The event is open to women currently working in public safety as well as those interested in entering the field. Registration details and a full schedule of events will be available on the Waco Police Department&#8217;s official website in the coming weeks.</p>
<h3><a href="#" class="get111-chat-heading" data-ask="Give me deeper local context and practical details about: About the Waco Police Department (Waco, TX).">About the Waco Police Department</a></h3>
<p>The Waco Police Department is committed to serving and protecting the Waco community through proactive policing, community engagement, and continuous professional development. The department strives to create a safe environment for all residents and visitors.</p>
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://wacojournal.com/wpd-to-host-women-in-public-safety-leadership-symposium-in-march/">Waco Journal: WPD to Host Women in Public Safety Leadership Symposium in March</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wacopolice.com/">Waco Police Department Official Website</a></li>
</ul>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">882668</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Waco, TX Local News – January 29, 2026</title>
		<link>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-tx-local-news-january-29-2026/</link>
					<comments>https://111things.com/local-headlines/waco-tx-local-news-january-29-2026/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Bateman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:06:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waco, TX]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://111things.com/?p=882019</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Waco, TX — January 29, 2026 — Waco Family Medicine lays off staff amid financial pressures; new Waco visitor app launched; Waco Police Department hosts blood drive.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Waco Family Medicine Announces Staff Layoffs Amid Financial Pressures</h2>
<p>Waco Family Medicine has announced the immediate layoff of 7% of its staff and the closure of several clinics due to financial challenges. The organization cited restrictive Medicaid policies and rising healthcare costs as contributing factors. Affected employees, including Linda Garcia, who had been with the company for nearly 30 years, were informed of their termination and provided with severance packages. This decision has raised concerns about the availability of affordable healthcare in the region.</p>
<h2>New Waco Visitor App Launched to Enhance Local Experience</h2>
<p>The City of Waco has introduced an official visitor app designed to provide real-time information about local attractions, restaurants, shops, and events. Available for free on both the Play Store and Apple Store, the app aims to enhance the experience of both residents and visitors by offering up-to-date details on local happenings and deals. This initiative reflects Waco&#8217;s commitment to embracing technology to improve community engagement and tourism.</p>
<h2>Waco Police Department Hosts &#8216;Battle of the Badges&#8217; Blood Drive</h2>
<p>The Waco Police Department recently organized the &#8216;Battle of the Badges&#8217; blood drive, encouraging community members to donate blood in support of local hospitals. The event fostered a sense of unity and civic responsibility, with various local organizations participating to make a significant impact on the community&#8217;s health resources.</p>
<h3>Why It Matters Locally</h3>
<p>These developments highlight the dynamic nature of Waco&#8217;s healthcare, tourism, and community engagement efforts, directly impacting residents and visitors alike.</p>
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/03/26/i-just-broke-down-longtime-healthcare-worker-laid-off-after-nearly-30-years-job/">Waco Family Medicine Layoffs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://destinationwaco.org/theres-an-app-for-that/">New Waco Visitor App</a></li>
<li><a href="https://wacojournal.com/waco-police-department-held-battle-of-the-badges-blood-drive/">Waco Police Blood Drive</a></li>
</ul>
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