Good morning, Amarillo.

Veterans Day events will be held in Amarillo and Canyon to honor military members—Amarillo will host a parade on Nov.

8 and a ceremony on Nov. 11, while Canyon will hold a celebration with a flyover and music on Nov. 11. Local businesses will offer special deals including free dental work, meals, and haircuts to veterans and active military members.

Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics will hold its 18th annual Candy Buy Back event on November 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 8900 East Village Square (families can earn $2 per pound up to a three-pound limit, kids will see emergency vehicles and get free child safety IDs, and any extra candy will be sent overseas to support troops).

A federal government shutdown that began Oct.

1 has disrupted SNAP benefits in Amarillo, leaving delays in food aid as local restaurants and food banks offer free or discounted meals to families in need. The High Plains Food Bank and other community groups—responding to a surge in requests—are working to help residents until full funding is restored.

Merchants will gather at the Amarillo Civic Center for the 45th Christmas Roundup starting Friday, Nov.

7 through Sunday, Nov. 9 as over 200 vendors—from local and out-of-town areas—offer holiday products for community shoppers. The three-day market charges $10 for entry for adults while children under 12 enter free and benefits art education programs at the Amarillo Museum of Art.

After a semi truck accident left a new electric vehicle in a fire box at Ricky’s Towing, the Amarillo Fire Department fought a fire that caused the water to boil for 13 hours—officials are now developing protocols and Ricky’s Towing is hosting training classes later this month.

Crews contained several grass fires in the Texas Panhandle today; in Potter County, responders brought a 30-acre fire in the Tascosa Hills under control on Tuesday, allowing evacuated residents to return, while in Hutchinson County, Stinnett crews put out two fires—one north off 207 caused by a bird and another near FM 2277 that briefly closed a highway because chains had been dragging.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, crews fought a 30-acre grass fire near Rapstine Circle in Bishop Hills that was 75% contained by 4:32 p.m. while voluntary evacuations were lifted and roads remained closed to non-residents with one person taken to a hospital; other teams battled two grass fires in Hutchinson County near Stinnett and East FM 2277 as the National Weather Service warned of an elevated fire risk on Thursday.

Pony Express Burritos officially opened its Amarillo location at 34th and Georgia on November 3rd after a soft opening a few days ago.

The restaurant took over the former Pizzeria Nomad—serving burritos, bowls, and more to local customers.

Harvest season for irrigated cotton has started in the Golden Plains and producers are working to move their crop to the gin—if weather allows, harvesting will take one to two weeks.

Farmers face high input costs and hope prices will rise as futures trade around 65 cents—recent light freezes helped dry the cotton.

Rep. Ronny Jackson introduced HR 5633, the Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act, to help cotton farmers with insurance protections and harvest incentives.

The bill directs the USDA's Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop a new coverage product within two years—Congress will receive a progress report in one year.

TxDOT announced four new traffic lights will be installed in the southwest section of State Loop 335 at FM 2186, Arden Road, Hillside Road and 34th Avenue.

The project may begin in fall 2026 and follows a traffic study that examined traffic volume, pedestrian activity, crash history and delays—officials urged drivers to slow down near busy zones.

Three Amarillo churches may be targeted by a foreign ad campaign using geofencing to send pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian messages without their consent—church leaders say they did not approve the tactic and a group of Texas church representatives is urging the DOJ to block it.

The project filed under FARA on Sept. 27 has already received over $325,000 in funding from a German parent company and could set a new precedent for political messaging at places of worship.

Moonii Korean Food and Boba is now open at 7406 SW 34th Ave and early visitors praise its Korean dishes and refreshing boba drinks — the new spot offers a fresh dining option for Amarillo locals.

Amarillo's oldest motel – the Herring Hotel – will start a $100 million restoration that will turn it into a five-star hotel by 2029 after city council approved plans with investors and loans.

The project will preserve the hotel's 1926 charm while adding 226 rooms, a rooftop bar, pool, speakeasy and a restored neon sign, and it is expected to create 100 jobs and boost local tourism.

Hiring Red, White & You Job Fair

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Workforce Solutions Panhandle Child Care Services — Free entry — A job fair supporting veterans and the general public with multiple employer opportunities.

Ragtime Musical Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Amarillo Little Theatre — Cost info unavailable — Experience a sweeping musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel at the dawn of the 20th Century.

Ragtime Musical Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Amarillo Little Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the gripping storytelling of three families chasing the American Dream in this musical adaptation.

WRCA After Party with Jake Hooker & The Outsiders

1-2:30 p.m. — Amarillo National Center — Free entry — Celebrate the spirit of the rodeo with music and community vibes.

RHCSA Exam Preparation Training

Nov 17-21 — Amarillo College — $2250 — Rapid training to fill gaps in Linux system administration knowledge for RHCSA certification.

Discovery Fridays

9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Don Harrington Discovery Center — Check website for pricing — Engage kids in hands-on science labs and exciting demonstrations for a day of fun discovery.

CFMOTO USA Off-Road Tour at Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show

9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Amarillo Civic Center Complex — Free entry — Explore the latest off-road vehicles and enter to win up to $50,000 towards your choice of vehicle.