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PODCAST

West Texas Dispatch

The West Texas Dispatch is KACU’s weekly talk show dedicated to serving the listeners of Abilene and beyond with news and information that reflects the unique spirit, needs, and issues of our region as well as celebrating the best parts of the Big Country and West Texas.

news news commentary

All Episodes

42:39

July 30th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/07/30

Texas is still recovering from the devastating floods that hit not only the Hill Country, but also parts of West of Central Texas are also recovering. We’ll get details about the flooding and the cleanup in San Saba.And, get this: Just last month the average rate for a hotel room in Abilene Texas went up 36%. We’ll tell you why there is a sudden uptick in demand…and what it means for the economy.We’ll check in on All Kind Animal Shelter–the no-kill facility is constantly full.Also, did you know

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44:21

July 23rd

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/07/23

Lawmakers are back in Austin for a special session. The agenda includes a wide range of issues – from disaster relief for recent flooding, to the regulation of products containing THC and STAAR testing. We’ll bring you an early look.The elimination of funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will hit this radio station harder than it will large stations in major cities. We’ll provide you with some insight into how KACU is preparing for the future.We’ll also bring you a look at how a policy

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42:32

July 16th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/07/16

Abilene has hired Emily Crawford to replace Robert Hanna in the job of City Manager. She comes into the job as the city is ready to begin planning its next budget. We’ll introduce you to her and hear about her early thoughts on the move from Brownwood to Abilene.Colin Allred is here to talk about his next run for the US Senate–and to make his pitch for locals to join him on the ballot.We’ll check in on what’s happening at KTXS. Since the newsroom was destroyed in early June, the staff has been

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43:28

July 9th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/07/09

Today, we bring you a show that checks in on the impact of recent flooding in West Texas and how locals can help those affected by the devastation.The city of Abilene has been working on downtown streets for more than a year. We’ll hear from some businesses about how they’re doing. And we’ll update you on where the project stands.We’ll also hear from a West Texas non-profit struggling to continue serving more than 100 rural communities.And we’ll check in on small business development in the city, a

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42:33

July 2nd - Independence Day Special

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/07/02

West Texas joins the rest of America in celebrating the birth of the nation this week. We’ll spend this hour focused on the observance of Independence Day.A political scientist takes some time to discuss some of the basics of American civics.We’ll hear from two veterans, one Republican and one Democrat, who share what patriotism means to them.We’ll bring you a look at the different ways Americans celebrate their freedoms–and how they interact with the symbols of that freedom.And one of the most

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42:30

June 25th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/06/25

School’s out for the summer! But there’s no rest for administrators.They have a lot to do to prepare for changes the state legislature passed, everything from classroom decor to school safety and standardized testing. We’ll speak with two local superintendents.Those administrators may find some time to take a break, like most of us do in the summer. We’ll check in on summer travel through ABI and speak with Don Green about plans for the renovations that they can get to work on now that voters

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42:49

June 18th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/06/18

The Trump administration is making changes to lots of healthcare policies, some affect funding, some affect qualifications for coverage, and some out last week will impact vaccinations. A local pediatrician explains how these recommendations could affect moms and kids and her ability to provide care.The City of Abilene continues to deal with the cyber attack. Last week, officials asked the city council to approve funds as they replace systems and equipment taken out by the April attack.Abilene’s

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42:07

June 11th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/06/11

Wind. Rain. Hail. Tornadoes. Several strong storms have blown through West Texas this spring. KTXS meteorologists share what it was like to be in the building when it took a direct hit.We’ll also be speaking today with Representative Stan Lambert. He survived a primary challenge and returned to Austin. We’ll hear his perspective on the 89th Legislative Session—and the Taylor County Republican Party voted this week to censure him—we’ll give him a chance to respond.We’ve also got a close-up on Texas

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42:35

June 4th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/06/04

This week, voters will decide who will serve in Abilene’s Place Five City Council seat. Kyle McAlister faced two challengers in the May election, and no one got enough votes to win outright. Now, McAlister and challenger Miguel Espinoza are in a runoff. We’ll hear from both of them.The 86th Legislative session passed more than a thousand pieces of legislation under the leadership of a West Texan. We’ll check in on some of the bills that will impact life, learning, and property for our part of the

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41:36

April 28th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/05/28

The local real estate market is facing some major changes as federal cuts would eliminate 44% of the budget for housing vouchers. That would impact thousands of local households.The US Budget passed by the House makes some huge changes to Medicaid, slashing funding by hundreds of billions over the next decade and requiring recipients to work in order to keep their coverage. We’ll hear from a Brownwood doctor who shares his perspective on how this will impact rural West Texas.Abilene has suspended

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40:50

May 21st

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/05/21

Today we’re going to bring you a conversation with the executive director of the Betty Hardwick Center—a key source of mental health services for Abilene. Federal funding cuts will end services for a significant portion of their clientele.The International Rescue Committee has also been devastated by the loss of its funding. We’ll hear how the agency is working to keep providing some level of support to the refugees who have settled in Abilene.Dust storms may be costlier than you think. A recent

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42:31

May 14th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/05/14

State lawmakers have advanced legislation that would force school districts to develop a cell phone ban for their students. We’ll get an update on how a local school district’s ban worked out this year, with the perspective of some students, a teacher, and the principal who made it happen.We’ll bring you the local reaction to the new American-born Pope.The U.S. has taken steps to protect the American cattle population from pests, which AG officials describe as a scourge. They’ve banned imports of

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40:32

May 7th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/05/07

The Voucher debate is over. Texas has a new law that will provide a billion dollars in funding for homeschool and private school students. We’ll get local reaction.Abilene is dealing with a cyber attack. It’s disrupted city communications, payment systems, and other functions. There’s not a lot that city leaders can say as the investigation is ongoing. We’ll get an update…and a County Commissioner describes Taylor County’s experience with such an attack.Big Country community groups joined forces

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41:06

April 30th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/04/30

It’s time for the West Texas Dispatch!We’ll look ahead to Abilene’s biggest day of philanthropy. Abilene Gives set a fundraising record of more than 2.5 million dollars last year. Can the city’s generosity surpass that tally?The White House is telling Congress to rescind the money allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Local public radio stations would be hit hardest by this move. We’ll hear more – as an independent local broadcaster brings us the details.Lubbock ISD is struggling to

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42:32

April 23rd

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/04/24

Governor Abbott’s Education Savings Accounts–or vouchers–passed overwhelmingly in the State House last week–we’ll hear from Stan Lambert about why he voted for the package–and what he fought for in the negotiations.Funding for Meals on Wheels is on the chopping block–we’ll get an update on the local fight for the federal grant money.We’ll hear from Bishop Michael Sis, who’s holding a Mass today for Pope Francis about his memories of the pontiff and his legacy.And local car dealers give us their view

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42:30

April 16th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/04/16

Early voting begins in Texas next week. This week during Morning Edition and All Things Considered KACU is bringing you interviews with each of the candidates running for Abilene City Council.Today on the West Texas Dispatch we’ll examine their positions on issues that the city council will be deciding in the coming year– from funding pensions and dealing with infrastructure needs to transparency.We’ll also take a closer look at the ballot measure asking voters whether Abilene can issue bonds for a

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40:37

April 9th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/04/09

The Trump tariffs are shaking up international affairs and stock markets around the world—and experts say they’ll push up the cost of everything from groceries to cars and electricity.We’ll hear from a local economist about how the tariffs could impact industries in West Texas–and our pocketbooks.We’ll also talk to a financial planner about navigating the shockwaves that are hitting retirement accounts.And on the brighter side:The Chosen is in production nearby on its sixth season— the state

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42:00

April 2nd

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/04/02

This week, we will hear about vouchers and maternity deserts.We’ll also hear from a McMurry alumnus who took on the infamous Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony.We’ll also bring you the story of one of our community members who had a close brush with death last year– he wants to help others avoid the dangerous medical situation he experienced just before Christmas.On West Texas Roots, we’ll hear about how a West Texas man's educational journey from a one-room schoolhouse laid the foundation for his path to

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39:23

March 26th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/03/26

There are 3 universities in town. How will the closing of the U-S Department of Education impact those institutions—Students and their families–and higher education as a whole?The annual archaeological dig at Paint Rock brought together indigenous people in time for the equinox–we’ll have the latest from that ongoing project.Watch out for third party ticket sellers. We'll have more on that. West Texas Roots brings us the story of a father’s journey from hitchhiking to the oil fields.And McMurry’s

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42:00

March 19th

West Texas Dispatch ·

2025/03/19

This week we’ll take a look at just how hard it is to hire teachers. The state legislature is considering a number of bills that could help on the pay side of things—-but could narrow the candidate pool by banning the hiring of uncertified teachers.As the Trump Administration reduces federal spending ...employees in agencies across the state are waiting to see how they’ll be impacted. Some of Texas’s most popular outdoor destinations are at risk. We’ll hear about layoffs at Big Bend National Park

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