Good morning, Amarillo.

The City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department holds a ribbon cutting for a new outdoor fitness court at John Ward Memorial Park tomorrow, Aug.

20, at 10 a.m. Partnered with Blue Cross + Blue Shield of Texas and National Fitness Campaign, the event will offer yoga and equipment demos.

West Texas A&M University announced Tuesday a $3 million gift to support its Prairie Thunder Band Program and create an endowment for business students.

The anonymous alumna & her husband contributed $2.5 million for scholarships, program funds and two professorships.

Amarillo College volleyball will receive a $760,847 gift from the Terk family today, marking the largest donation for a single sport at the college.

The gift funds the Madison Kellogg Endowed Volleyball Scholarship + two support funds to help student-athletes excel on and off the court.

All four Amarillo Independent School District high schools earned an A rating on the first day of the 2026/27 school year—a first since 2013—as the district's score climbed by two points to reach 85.

Superintendent Deidre Parish said the district now uses a new system to track every child's progress.

About 850 Panhandle students, including 375 in Amarillo ISD and 203 in Canyon ISD, are starting the semester with Texas Education Freedom Accounts funding.

The program covers tuition, books & homeschool expenses and recently awarded funding to over 100,000 students while maintaining the largest school choice waiting list in the nation.

Amarillo is in a heatwave for back-to-school week with today’s high reaching 102 and forecasts showing triple-digit days ahead — Tuesday at 100, Thursday at 98, Friday at 99, Saturday with a 20% shower chance, and Sunday back to 102.

Residents are advised to stay cool and drink plenty of water.

Amarillo residents facing Panhandle heat can help outdoor plants by deep watering early to protect trees, shrubs, and other greenery from stress as leaves turn brown and crisp.

Kenneth King of Coulter Gardens advises using less frequent, deeper watering and proper fertilizer to sustain plant health.

City crews are working on a 20-inch water main break near east Highway 60 that is disrupting water service for Highland Park residents, the airport (with portable restroom services), and the Potter County Jail.

Repairs are estimated to take 12-24 hours as officials coordinate with affected families.

Amarillo police are urging drivers to slow down in busy school zones as students return, advising them to drive even slower than the 20 mph limit.

Officers and liaison personnel will patrol the areas while experts remind families to protect personal details online.

Developer Todd Harmon is restoring the historic Herring Hotel today in Amarillo, preserving ranch brands, Bugbee murals, ornate chandeliers, and grand columns for future events & community gatherings.