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McLennan County · issues
Topics getting the most attention in McLennan County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
The Historical Commission met to coordinate ongoing local history preservation efforts, review committee reports on historical markers and cemeteries, and discuss administrative matters like website development.
Waco is giving the riverwalk between downtown and Baylor a much-needed facelift, which means you'll have to deal with some construction noise and detours for a while. It’s a temporary headache for a nicer spot to hang out by the water.
Waco is planning to give city employees a pay bump without hiking your property taxes. To pull this off, the city is forcing departments to cut their own budgets to cover the costs.
Several local water supply corporations and cities are up for consideration to join the alliance as affiliate members or sponsors, expanding regional cooperation.
Waco is tightening its belt by hiking health insurance premiums for city employees by 7% and dropping coverage for weight-loss drugs. It’s a tough move aimed at balancing the books, but it definitely hits the wallets of the people who keep the city running.
Waco is finally giving Fire Station No. 8 on Cobbs Drive a much-needed makeover. They’re tearing down the old building to put up a modern facility that matches the city’s newest, high-tech firehouses.
Because of a massive administrative screw-up, over 130 Texas cities—including some in McLennan County—are currently legally barred from raising property taxes. Local officials are scrambling to figure out how this budget freeze will impact city services and upcoming projects.
The Herring Avenue bridge is dropping to one-way traffic starting May 26 for a three-month construction overhaul. Expect major delays, so you'll want to find a new route to work unless you enjoy sitting in gridlock.
McLennan County residents are fighting a proposed data center near Lake Whitney, sparking a heated debate over whether new tech jobs are worth the potential environmental toll. This project could set a major precedent for how the county handles industrial growth moving forward.
Waco is dealing with some rough weather today, so stay alert and keep your phone handy for local updates. It’s the perfect time to make sure you and your family have a solid plan in case things take a turn for the worse.
McLennan County is stuck in a legal gray area regarding whether they can actually block new data centers from moving in. Officials are currently weighing the potential for tech-driven economic growth against the pushback from locals worried about the impact on the community.
Waco is shaking up how food trucks get their permits to match new state rules. This means your favorite lunch spots might have to navigate some new red tape to keep serving you.
Governor Abbott is looking to scrap tax breaks for data centers, which could completely change how Waco lures tech companies to town. It’s a major shift that might force local leaders to rethink how they balance business growth with city revenue.
Mart is hitting the reset button on its police department after firing their former chief last week. A new leader is stepping in to stabilize the force and move past the recent scandal.
Waco’s federal housing budget is shrinking, and the city is asking for your feedback on how to prioritize the remaining funds. Keep an eye out for the draft plan later this month to make sure your neighborhood's needs are on the radar.
Waco food truck owners are bracing for a state-mandated fee hike hitting this July that could make your favorite lunch spots more expensive. It’s a classic case of 'help' that might actually squeeze the small businesses we love to visit on the weekends.
After years of skyrocketing property values, McLennan County home prices are finally leveling off. You should keep an eye on your mailbox for your official notice to see if your tax bill will finally get a break.
Hill County just scrapped its ban on data centers after getting sued, which means we’re likely to see a wave of new tech infrastructure projects popping up. It’s time to pay attention to how these massive facilities will change our local landscape and land-use rules.
The new Doris Miller pool is a great win for East Waco, but it’s also driving up property values so fast that long-term residents are worried they won't be able to afford to stay. It’s a tough trade-off where city improvements are accidentally pushing out the very people they were meant to serve.
Waco just landed $10 million in state funding to give the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum a much-needed facelift. This project aims to modernize the aging landmark and boost the city's appeal as a top-tier tourist destination.
Waco is setting aside $100,000 to help local businesses that took a financial hit during the disruptive sewer repairs on MLK Jr. Boulevard. It’s a move to make things right for shops that struggled while the road was torn up.
A huge new neighborhood with nearly 1,900 homes is coming to McLennan County, complete with new parks and trails. Construction is slated to start before the year is out, signaling a major expansion for the area.
Big tech companies are eyeing McLennan County for new data centers, but they’re massive energy and water hogs. Local leaders are now scrambling to figure out if our current grid and water supply can actually handle the load without leaving the rest of us high and dry.
A developer is taking Hill County to court after officials slammed the brakes on new data center projects. This fight is a big deal because it’s going to decide how much power local leaders actually have to block tech infrastructure in our backyards.
Waco is redesigning Sanger Avenue near Tennyson Middle School to prioritize student safety by adding bike lanes and adjusting traffic flow. You’ll notice some changes to the road layout, but the goal is to significantly reduce accidents in this busy school zone.
Waco is facing another proposal for a massive data center, and locals are worried about how it’ll change our rural landscape. It’s a classic tug-of-war between tech expansion and preserving the character of our community.
Waco City Council just approved a new self-storage facility on MacArthur Drive, ignoring local concerns about how it’ll change the neighborhood vibe. If you live nearby, expect a shift in the area's aesthetic and potentially more traffic on your daily commute.
Waco is dropping $228,000 of taxpayer money to expand a road near the new Park Meadows South development beyond what the builder initially planned. The city says it’s a proactive move to prevent future traffic jams, but it’s a significant chunk of change for a private project.
Waco just gave the thumbs up to a massive 252-acre retail and warehouse hub at the intersection of I-35 and Loop 340. Get ready for a major influx of big-box stores and industrial space hitting the local landscape soon.
Waco is finally getting a slice of the national opioid settlement pie to beef up local addiction treatment. It’s a much-needed cash injection to help the city fight back against the ongoing overdose crisis.
Hewitt just opened a second fire station to keep up with the city's rapid growth. This move is all about making sure help arrives faster when you're in an emergency.
A tech giant wants to drop a $10 billion data center near Waco, but they need the city to release its jurisdiction over the land first. It’s a massive move that could reshape our local economy and development map for decades.
Waco’s City Council is shaking things up with Jed Cole stepping into the District 3 seat. It’s a major personnel change that could shift the direction of local policy, so it's worth watching how he votes on the issues that matter to you.
McLennan County is pressing pause on new data center construction for a year to study how these massive facilities affect local infrastructure and public health. It’s a strategic move to ensure rural development doesn't outpace the county's ability to manage it.
Woodway residents are looking at a $6 monthly hike on their water bills starting this fall. This is just the beginning, as the city plans to keep raising rates over the next five years to fund major infrastructure repairs.
The Lake Limestone dam project is stuck in a million-dollar lawsuit between the contractor and the Brazos River Authority. This legal drama could push back timelines and hike up the price tag for our regional water supply.
Waco just cleared the way for taller buildings at the old Floyd Casey stadium site, allowing developers to add rooftop amenities. This tweak is meant to turn that massive vacant lot into a more modern, social living space.
The local health district is reeling after a $1.1 million federal funding cut forced them to lay off eight employees. Expect longer lines and a harder time getting the basic health services you rely on.
McLennan County just landed a record-breaking $380,000 from the 1998 tobacco settlement. It’s a nice chunk of change that gives the county some extra breathing room for upcoming projects.
Waco’s new public pool is a massive success, pulling in over 5,000 swimmers in its first year alone. It’s a clear win for the city, proving that spending tax dollars on local fun spots is actually worth it.
Governor Abbott and BlackRock are pouring $30 million into TSTC to supercharge local job training. This is a huge win for Waco, potentially landing residents better-paying careers and giving our local economy a serious upgrade.
Waco is taking the long-running Twin Peaks shooting legal battle all the way to the Supreme Court. They’re trying to shut down lawsuits from bikers involved in the 2015 incident to protect the city from massive liability and legal bills.
The United Way is coordinating local efforts to support children from birth to age five, focusing on high-quality education and family support.
The county is hiring a part-time death investigator to help handle the high volume of inquests, which have increased significantly over the last five years.
Waco is cutting funding for local non-profits by 20% to balance the city budget. This means the community programs you use every day might have to cut back on their services or hours soon.
McLennan County just put a burn ban in place because the fire risk is way too high right now. Skip the backyard fire pits and grilling for a bit to keep our community safe and avoid getting slapped with a fine.
Early voting is officially open in McLennan County, giving you a chance to skip the Election Day lines and weigh in on local races. It’s your opportunity to shape the future of our community without the last-minute rush.
Local elections decide how your tax dollars are spent on things like road repairs and schools, but turnout is often way too low. Make sure you're registered to vote so you actually have a say in how our city is run.
Waco and McLennan County are renewing their partnership to keep the city animal shelter running for the whole county. It’s a standard deal that ensures stray and lost pets across the area still have a place to go.
Waco is looking at a massive new data center that could turn the city into a major tech hub. While it promises a serious boost to the local economy, we need to make sure our roads and power grid can actually handle the extra weight.