Good morning, Amarillo.

On Aug. 27 at 6 p.m., the Duncan Soup Project will host a fundraiser at Amarillo Area Foundation where tickets cost $25.

Attendees will hear from Linda and project volunteers (who share firsthand experiences) and Lopez will announce starter kits to help others spread community care.

The new Sheriff’s Stockyard Showdown Ranch Rodeo invites 15 teams to compete in ranch events and law enforcement versus fire contests to support local officers.

Scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at the Amarillo National Center during the Tri-State Fair, tickets cost $22 + entry includes both rodeo and fair admission.

Eight senior veterans from the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home flew for 15 minutes in a restored WWII Stearman biplane on Thursday morning at Tradewinds Airport, courtesy of nonprofit Dream Flights.

Each veteran received a hat (WWII veterans signed the tail).

Amarillo nonprofit the Legion Project helps Christian men reenter society (providing a mentor, apartment, vehicle, and job support).

The program is hosting a private luncheon (its first fundraiser) today to showcase men's testimonies and is seeking donations to expand its services.

KPAN Radio ended its broadcast run this week after 78 years serving Hereford; the family-run station saw former broadcasters and community members gather to say farewell + marking the close of a local era.

Mary Lou Hazelrigg Braids + Fades will host its 11th annual free back-to-school event on Aug.

16 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Warford Activity Center, where donations, in-kind supplies and volunteers including licensed barbers and braiders are needed to serve local children.

StarBase Kid Space in Amarillo will hold its Alien Invasion Night on Monday, Aug.

10 from 4 to 7 p.m. where kids can enjoy costume contests, scavenger hunts and glowing galactic play at no extra charge before school begins.

Nominations are open for the Amarillo Globe-News 2026 Man and Woman of the Year, with submissions due via email by Sept.

13. Details for an in-person celebration of the winners will be announced soon.

The Texas Education Agency launched its new Educator Misconduct Dashboard on June 2, letting parents check misconduct reports, active investigations, and a Do Not Hire registry for all school staff (including bus drivers and custodians).

School districts must now screen applicants using the tool to avoid penalties.

On Wednesday, Aug. 5, an over-pressurized water line discharged 500,000 gallons of treated wastewater in a non-residential area (a quarter-mile south of Harrington Power Generation and a half-mile west of Lakeside Drive).

Repairs started on Aug. 6, and no drinking water sources were impacted.

State fire resources were activated after Gov. Abbott ordered extra support on Aug.

4 as extreme drought worsened across the Texas Panhandle. Fire crews responded to a roadside grass fire near Skellytown on Aug. 5, evacuating six structures (one firefighter was treated for heat illness).

TxDOT installed a new traffic light at FM 2219 and VFW to ease heavy traffic between Amarillo and Canyon.

The signal flashed yesterday and will run fully later this week as part of upgrades set to finish in early 2027.

Officials reported over 90 heat-related rescues occurred at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in June and July, and they advise hikers to start early and follow posted warnings (as weekend volunteer educators help guide visitors) to reduce risk.