By: Debbie Wright
Waco, Tx — Beto O’Rourke spoke to a large audience Tuesday evening in Waco, offering an inspiring and informative address on civic engagement followed by a question-and-answer session.
In his remarks, O’Rourke highlighted that candidates are running for every position on the Texas ballot in the upcoming election cycle, underscoring the breadth of opportunities for voter participation. He encouraged attendees to reflect on pivotal moments in history — from slavery and the Civil War to the Holocaust — and consider how individuals responded during those times and what lessons they might hold for the present.
“Why didn’t someone speak up? Why didn’t they do something? What would I have done?” Beto O’Rourke asked. He said the country is living through a pivotal moment that could shape its future and that people will one day look back and ask what actions were taken, calling it an opportunity to do the right thing.
O’Rourke described the current era as one that may be seen as consequential in hindsight and encouraged people to consider their role in shaping the future. He also acknowledged challenges faced by grassroots campaigns while pointing to recent local election outcomes as examples of the impact of organized civic effort.
A large audience attended the event, many of whom signed up to volunteer with O’Rourke’s civic engagement organization, Powered By People. The evening concluded with an opportunity to meet local and regional candidates.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made a campaign stop in Waco last year and confirmed he intends to seek re-election in 2026; his visit included a discussion of state priorities and legislative issues. Gov. Greg Abbott also recently visited Waco for a State of the State event at the Baylor Club.
Upcoming elections and voting information
Election officials in McLennan County remind residents of several important upcoming dates and ways to participate in the democratic process:
- Joint Primary Election: The Texas primary is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Texas uses an open primary system, and voters may participate in either party’s primary by signing a pledge at the polls. Registering to vote by Feb. 2, 2026, is required to participate in this election.
- City of Waco General Election: Waco’s city council and mayoral general election is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Early voting for that election in McLennan County is expected to run from April 20–28, 2026.
- Polling locations: Voters may find vote centers and polling locations throughout McLennan County where they can cast ballots on election days or during early voting periods.
- Voting options: Registered voters may also be eligible to vote by mail if they meet specific criteria. Applications for ballots by mail must be received by the deadline for each election.
Voters should verify their registration status, polling locations and specific ballots through the McLennan County Elections Office or the official Texas election website for current and detailed information.
McLennan County Offices — March 3 and November 3, 2026
Residents in the county will also vote in primary and general elections for several county offices. Key candidates in the March 3 primary (with winners advancing to the November general election) include:
Countywide Positions
- Andy Harwell — McLennan County Clerk (R).
- Rick Tullis — McLennan County Judge (R).
- Josh Tetens — Criminal District Attorney (R).
Precinct Commissioner — Precinct 2
- Jeremy Davis (D)
- Travis Gibson (D)
- Donis Wilson (R)
Constable and Justice of the Peace Races
- Multiple candidates filed for constable and justice of the peace positions across precincts.
These county races affect local governance, public safety, and court functions across McLennan County.
State and Federal Representation Impacting Waco
In addition to local races, McLennan County voters will help choose nominees for statewide and federal offices in the March 3 primary. Some of the candidates in those races include:
- U.S. House — District 17
- Pete Sessions
- Milah Flores
- J. Gordon Mitchell
- Casey Sheppard
- Texas Senate District 22
- David Cook
- Jon Gimble
- Rena Schroader
- Amy Martinez-Salas
- Texas House District 56
- Pat Curry
- Ralph Patterson
- Janessa Givens
- Ashley Bean Thornton
Photos provided by Sherrell Huff
These races determine who will represent Waco area voters in the state legislature and U.S. House of Representatives.
City of Waco — May 2, 2026 Election
Residents will vote for mayor and city council seats in the upcoming municipal election. According to the City of Waco candidate filing list:
- Mayor
- Jim Holmes — incumbent mayor and banker.
- Aiden Morgan — healthcare worker.
- City Council, District 1
- Rachel E. Pate — vice president.
- Andrea J. Barefield — consultant.
- City Council, District 3
- Jed Cole — finance/real estate professional.
These candidates have filed to be on the May 2 city ballot. Early voting is expected to take place in late April, with newly elected officials sworn in after the election.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed, verify their voter registration status and review upcoming election dates and polling locations. Official, up-to-date information for McLennan County voters is available through the McLennan County Elections Office at
https://www.mclennan.gov/337/Elections.
Community members are also encouraged to engage respectfully, seek accurate information and participate in civic processes in ways that align with their values and eligibility.
Warming Up Today + How to Stay Cozy This Weekend
After a stretch of freezing temperatures and icy conditions, Waco is finally starting to warm up today, bringing a bit of relief across the community. While mornings may still feel chilly, daytime temperatures are climbing, roads are improving, and the weekend is shaping up to be much more manageable for getting out of the house.
Here’s what to expect — plus tips on staying warm and making the most of the days ahead.
Today:
Temperatures are rising into the low 40s, helping melt lingering ice from earlier in the week. While mornings may still be cold, conditions improve throughout the day with mostly cloudy skies and calmer winds.
Wednesday:
Another cool morning followed by partial sunshine, with highs remaining in the low 40s. Patchy fog is still possible early, especially in shaded areas.
Thursday:
A noticeable warm-up arrives, with highs reaching the 50s — a welcome shift after several days of freezing temperatures.
Friday & Weekend:
The weekend brings more stable winter weather, with daytime highs in the 40s to low 50s and cold nights continuing. While it won’t be balmy, conditions are expected to be dry and far more comfortable for errands, shopping local, and indoor events.
Earlier in the week, winter weather caused widespread closures across Waco, including schools, city services, and temporary road shutdowns — particularly on bridges and overpasses. As temperatures rise, many services and businesses are returning to normal operations, though residents should continue checking individual locations for updates.
Road conditions are steadily improving, but early mornings and evenings can still bring slick spots as temperatures dip overnight.
Even as things warm up, winter isn’t done just yet. Here are a few easy ways to stay cozy and safe:
- Layer smart: Lightweight layers keep you warm without overheating indoors
- Watch the mornings: Roads may still be slick early — take it slow
- Support local indoor spots: Coffee shops, bakeries, breweries, museums, and markets are perfect cold-weather escapes
- Check on neighbors: Especially elderly or unhoused community members
- Keep your car winter-ready: Blanket, water, phone charger — just in case
Warming centers have been available throughout the cold spell and remain an important resource for those needing shelter from low temperatures.
With improved weather conditions, this weekend is a great opportunity to get back out and support local businesses, attend indoor events, and enjoy Waco at a slower winter pace. While heavy coats may still be needed, the worst of the freeze is behind us — for now.
As always, weather conditions can change quickly, so residents are encouraged to monitor local updates and official announcements throughout the weekend.
Stay warm, stay safe, and take care of one another, Waco 🤍
The Baylor University revised “Animals on Campus Policy” inhibits the feeding of any cats on campus property. Baylor originally issued the “Animals on Campus Policy” in December of 2009, and it was last revised in June of 2023, with the content reportedly being pushed and publicized to students, faculty, and staff in May of 2025. The purpose of this policy is to address the health and safety concerns that animals pose to the campus community, with things such as allergies, disruptions, injuries, disease transmission, and damage to property. Makes sense.
Most of the policy addresses things like service animals in campus classrooms, pets in dormitories, and information about the possible wild animals on campus. However, on page six of the Baylor policy, it states, “For safety, feral cats or loose dogs without owners should be treated with the same caution as a wild animal.” This policy fails to mention pre-existing community cat colonies on campus by not assigning them definitions nor establishing their protections for their current daily habits. If these habits and protections are still in place, Baylor has simply failed to mention it.
I read through the City of Waco’s Municipal Codes, specifically Chapter 5 on ANIMALS, and they define a community cat as any free-roaming cat, regardless of socialization or sociability, cared for by one or more known or unknown residents of the immediate area. Baylor cannot morally, ethically, or legally ask people to stop caring for community cats, when they are recognized as legal entities within city municipalities.
From Chapter 5, Section 129, the City of Waco defines negligent care as failing, refusing, or neglecting to provide any animal in a person’s charge or custody, as owner or otherwise, with proper food, drink, shade, shelter, or veterinary care as may be necessary.
Animal Birth Control of Waco has submitted a proposal to Baylor administration that would allow them to officially manage the campus cat colonies while addressing the university’s concerns about other wildlife. The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Waco community.
In May, two cats were found shot and hanged from utility lines near the Baylor campus, sparking widespread outrage. Not to mention, Chase the Blue Heeler puppy was just saved from an abusive owner in Lacy Lakeview and is now living with Officer Nathan Rodriguez, who says he “seems very happy in his new home.”
On Friday, a volunteer with Animal Birth Control of Waco arrived to feed cats at one of several colonies she regularly visits on campus. The volunteer was met with a pest control worker, who allegedly told her Baylor University had hired his company to trap and relocate all the feral cats on campus. Carrie Spivey, executive director of Animal Birth Control of Waco, says the cats in question aren’t just strays — they’re part of a managed colony program. Spivey says that relocating these cats would be both illegal and inhumane under Texas law. The cats have become an integral part of campus life, with students regularly interacting with them, taking photos, and giving them names.
While the cats are still alive and well, how long will Baylor be keeping them around? Feeding stray animals is not a crime. College aged students should know to not interact with dangerous, wild animals. Finally, I’d rather care for helpless, innocent creatures than worry about infrastructure with a budget for cleaning.
Elizabeth Riley hails from Tennessee and is a graduate of English Literature and Professional Writing & Rhetoric from Baylor University. With passions in archival preservation, communal connection, and women in sports, she writes because it matters, with hopes of bridging villages and fostering revelry amongst them.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
September is upon us, and our duty this Suicide Awareness Month is to start conversations regarding mental health, spread hope to those in need, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent crises of our time. World Suicide Prevention Day is Wednesday, September 10th, but all month long, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, and allied community members are uniting to promote suicide prevention.
Suicide affects millions of people every year, yet too many struggle in silence. It starts with one conversation: ask someone how they’re doing and be ready to truly listen. No one has to face their battles alone. Whether you’re facing challenges, hoping to support a friend or loved one, or looking to help, your voice matters.
Here in Texas, there are three branches of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP of Central Texas is hosting an Out of the Darkness fundraiser walk in Waco on September 27, 2025. With over 350 participants already joined, this walk at Brazos Park East is the perfect way to participate in the community in a way that matters.
Help exists, and healing is possible. Inform yourself of warning signs for suicide, encourage open conversations about mental health, and connect people to proven treatments and resources.
Elizabeth Riley hails from Tennessee and is a graduate of English Literature and Professional Writing & Rhetoric from Baylor University. With passions in archival preservation, communal connection, and women in sports, she writes because it matters, with hopes of bridging villages and fostering revelry amongst them.
By Darryl Thomas
Texas is reeling. Over 100 lives were lost during the catastrophic flash floods that ravaged the Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend. Kerr County bore the brunt — 96 confirmed deaths and more than 160 still missing, including dozens of children who vanished at Camp Mystic.(MySA) The tragedy galvanized the state, but the path to healing and rebuilding is just beginning.
A Devastating Wake-Up Call for Community
Torrential rain transformed the Guadalupe River into a surge of destruction, with water levels rising over 26 feet in under an hour at Camp Mystic. Homes disintegrated, families were displaced, and countless memories washed away. In a disaster of this scale, it’s clear: recovery is not just an individual act, it’s a collective responsibility.
Five Practical Ways to Recover From Traumatic Loss
1. Acknowledge the Grief. Don’t rush past loss. Cry, remember, and honor what—or who—is missing. Emotional wounds demand time to breathe.
2. Stay Connected Through Community. Together, we heal better. That loss is softened when neighbors cook meals, donate clothes, or listen—without expecting answers.
3. Access Mental Health Support. Resources are active now: Kerr County’s 24/7 crisis hotline (1-877-466-0660) and Hill Country Mental Health Centers are offering free trauma counseling.(NAMI)
4. Rebuild With Purpose. Whether helping clear debris, preventing mold, or documenting losses for recovery aid—action is healing, and purpose is restorative.
5. Tell Your Story When You’re Ready. If safe, write or speak about what happened. Sharing your truth is an act of release—for you, and for others waiting for hope.
The Power of Coming Together
This tragedy reminds us that freedom from emotional imprisonment isn’t granted; it’s earned through collective care. Communities have raised funds, offered homes, and provided comfort. Heavy equipment from local wrecker services recovered personal belongings and remains; local restaurants, nonprofits, and places of worship mobilized resources to meet immediate needs. When devastation hits, togetherness isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Hope for the Underdogs and Emotional Freedom
Many young Texans, especially youth in detention, face floods of a different kind: emotional and psychological. Trauma floods their minds through neglect, abuse, or instability. Hope for the Underdogs offers more than literacy — it’s a roadmap to emotional freedom and trauma recovery.
We use TODAY… I WIN and TODAY WE WIN (Volumes 1&2) to foster self-expression, build confidence, and offer young people mental escape routes from their own storms. Your support helps us bring the healing power of story and community to youth who are both physically and emotionally captive.
How Can You Make a Difference? Here’s how:
- Sponsor a youth’s participation in our summer program so that more vulnerable young people gain access to recovery through narrative and leadership.
- Share our message through your networks. Awareness fuels resources.
- Volunteer or donate directly to support survivors in Kerr County and other impacted communities.
- Engage in community restoration: help clean up, provide shelter, or pray with families seeking closure.
In the aftermath of loss, our actions reveal who we really are. Recovery isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Texas is depending on its citizens to lead not just with resources, but with compassion, presence, and steady love.
Stay Connected: Connect with me on social media for updates and inspiration:📺 YouTube Live, Tuesdays @ 6 pm CST: @1DarrylWThomas🔗 LinkedIn & Instagram: follow @1DarrylWThomas
By Elizabeth Riley
Belly Belly- Short
“I’m obsessed with food.”
This short film production uniquely captures the daily struggle with food noise, disordered eating, and the obsessive battle with thoughts about the body. Depicting two queer femmes reconnecting over dinner, “Belly Belly” produces a tender balance of fear and excitement with disturbingly unexpected turns.
In “Belly Belly,” witness the fear of food impacting body image and mental wellbeing. The internal struggle with eating disorders is typically seen as an individual suffering. However, screenwriter Loren Hayes portrays an interesting situation in which food affects more than oneself.
Amidst dinner, you can’t help but expect recovery and found-love, but are our darkest urges easy to resist?
The director, Gabriel Carnick, alongside producers Aurora Perrineau, Loren Hayes, Kaeleigh Morrison, and Thea Touchton, capture magnificently beautiful foods, reminiscent of imagery in the television series “The Bear.” This short film is downright delicious.
With conversations that highlight the impact of dieting culture on our abilities to connect, to fuel ourselves, and to love the bodies we’ve been given, “Belly Belly” is recommended to those who are familiar with the horrific capabilities of human nature.
Catch the short film “Belly Belly” at Waco Indie Film Fest’s Shriek Show on Saturday, July 19th, at the Grand Lodge of Texas. Starting at 4:30 pm, this block is packed with horror shorts that’ll have you screaming, squirming, and laughing nervously in your seat.
Waco Indie Film Fest presents a variety of underground short films and full length movies across creative spaces in the city. This festival presents films of various genres from artists across the world at beloved locations in Waco. The schedule is absolutely packed with screenings, panels, and live screenplay readings. Don’t forget about the after parties and award ceremonies!
Friday JULY 18th
- Bloodlines & Fault Lines 10:30 am @ Performing Arts Community Center
- 924 Austin Ave Suite 150, Waco, TX 76701
- The Work is Mysterious and Important 10:45 am @ Texas Music Cafe
- 110 S 6th St, Waco, TX 76701
- It’s Complicated 11:00 am @ Grand Lodge of Texas
- 715 Columbus Ave, Waco, TX 76701
- The Pantone Guy 1:00 pm @ Texas Music Cafe
- Solitaire 1:30 pm @ Grand Lodge of Texas
- Hereafter 2:30 pm @ PACC
- World Without Cows 3:45 pm @ Texas Music Cafe
- The Strange Dark 5:00 pm @ PACC
- WTF: Weird, Twisted, Fantastic 5:30 pm @ Grand Lodge of Texas
- Peeping Todd & For Pete’s Sake 8:00 pm @ Grand Lodge of Texas
- What Do We Owe Each Other 8:00 pm @ PACC
- North Shore 8:00 pm @ Texas Music Cafe
SATURDAY JULY 19th
- Shorts and Spurs 10:00 am @ PACC
- Ultimate Citizens 10:15 am @ Grand Lodge of Texas
- Where the Horses Heal the Soul 10:30 am @ Texas Music Cafe
- All Ages, All Heart 1:00 pm @ PACC
- Sex and Consequences 1:15 pm @ Grand Lodge of Texas
- On Firm Ground 1:30 pm @ Texas Music Cafe
By: Elizabeth Riley
The Texas Hill Country has been wrecked beyond measure by natural devastation. Here are ways to help those affected in Hunt and Kerrville without interfering with active search and rescue teams and professional first responders.
The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund is a collective set up by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is a non-profit that provides direct rescue, relief, and recovery efforts to those involved in the floods. All donations to the Kerr County Flood Relief fund are pipelined to flood relief assistance.
The City of Woodway is accepting donations at the Woodway Public Safety Department or the Woodway Family Center until July 10th. They are not accepting monetary donations, but would greatly appreciate supplies that are in high demand.
- Hydration drink mixes, hygiene items (toiletries, soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste/toothbrushes, feminine products), cleaning items (bleach, trashbags, brooms, shovels), baby and child essentials (diapers, formula, bottles), sealed eye care (contact solution, eye drops, eye wash kits), comfort and coping mechanisms (NEW stuffed animals, dolls, coloring supplies, books/journals), pet essentials (dog/cat food, carriers, tarps, towels)
Austin Pets Alive has volunteer opportunities available for those who are willing to bring supplies to the area and pick up lost animals. From house pets to horses and cattle, beloved animals throughout the area have been displaced. Austin Pets Alive is searching for foster homes to care for animals that have already been taken in, monetary donations to continue medical rehabilitations, and supplies for basic pet care.
Kerr Pets Alive is in dire need of help. They are searching for donations of all sorts. If you can volunteer your time for search and rescue, please consider reaching out. If you or someone you know has lost or found a displaced animal, list the pet on their database or call (830) 200-0539. Kerr Pets Alive is treating each beloved animal with the utmost care and consideration, whether alive or deceased, claimed or unclaimed, no matter the cost.
GoFundMe has a list of verified pages, including family members and businesses, that have been directly impacted by flash flooding.
Although tornado season has passed, Central Texans should be weather aware now and always. In Waco, follow news channels like KWTX and KXXVhttps://www.kxxv.com for weather updates and community reports. Check in on your neighbors, and support Texas Hill Country in any way you can. Head over to the Waco Downtown Farmers Market at the Bridge Street Plaza on Saturday morning to catch some sun rays, chat with the community, and buy in-season produce. This Saturday is also Shark and Ray Day at the Cameron Park Zoo. Say hello to our fascinating aquatic friends from 9 am to 2 pm! This weekend is the weekend to get outside, get involved, and act locally, Waco!
Elizabeth Riley hails from Tennessee and is a graduate of English Literature and Professional Writing & Rhetoric from Baylor University. With passions in archival preservation, communal connection, and women in sports, she writes because it matters, with hopes of bridging villages and fostering revelry amongst them.
The Jubilee Food Market of Mission Waco is set to close on March 31st.
On Wednesday, a statement was uploaded to Mission Waco’s platforms announcing the closure of the cherished community store at the end of the month.
In 2016, with the help of many generous donors, we started Jubilee Food Market to provide affordable, fresh food options in our neighborhood, which had limited access to groceries. Over the past seven years, positive improvements in local food availability—including new grocery stores, expanded online delivery services, and more affordable shopping choices—have reduced Jubilee’s role in meeting this need. After a season of discernment, we have decided to close Jubilee Food Market. Our last day of operation will be Monday, March 31st.
We are extremely grateful for the seven years of impact JFM has had on the neighborhood. From providing jobs to our neighbors to offering healthy food options close to home and sustaining our neighbors through the COVID-19 pandemic, JFM served the community well and left a lasting legacy in the area. From the founder of Mission Waco, Jimmy Dorrell, “We celebrate Jubilee Food Market and all that it provided to this neighborhood. We are grateful to all who shopped there and who donated their time and resources to make sure there was an oasis in what was once a food desert.” We are committed to retaining all JFM employees by offering them new roles within Mission Waco. Our staff is critical in helping us continue to fulfill our broader mission of empowering, equipping, and engaging. A new strategy will allow us to focus our resources on expanding and strengthening programs and services and are excited about the many possibilities for the site of JFM. We prayerfully and diligently enter this new chapter expecting to see an even greater impact on the lives of the people we serve.
For more information about the transition and Mission Waco’s ongoing programs, please contact Carlos Hinojosa, Associate Executive Director of Advancement through our main office.
This non-profit grocery has served impoverished neighborhoods in Waco for nearly a decade, dwelling on N 15th Street and Colcord Avenue since 2016. Mission Waco originally established Jubilee Market to address a food desert in North Waco, stocking shelves with fresh, affordable produce, home goods, and everyday items. With competing markets in the area, such as HEB, Mission Waco has decided to invest in their other projects around the community. While processing the loss of this Waco staple and figuring out the next shopping spot, ensure neighbors have access to their necessities, for the community is great, but it is made better with food. Celebrate the ending chapter of Jubilee Food Market in Waco.
Elizabeth Riley hails from Tennessee and is a senior double majoring in English and Professional Writing & Rhetoric at Baylor University. She works as a Transcription Assistant at the Baylor University Institute for Oral History and is President of the Baylor Ice Girls for the 2024-2025 season.
Election season is in full swing with candidates campaigning their proposed plans for our communities. Alongside the Presidential candidates, many Texas officials will also be on the ballot at the federal, state, and local levels. To find Texas offices up for election, click here.
September 17th was National Voter Registration Day, in which democracy is fully celebrated and promoted as a nonpartisan, civic holiday. Voter registration closes October 7th, with early voting starting as early as October 21st.
To register to vote, request a postage-paid application through the mail or find one at the county voter registrars’ office, some post offices, government offices, or high schools. You can also print out the online application and mail it to the voter registrar. Applications must be postmarked by October 7. The McLennan County Elections Administration Office (Records Building Basement) is located at 214 North Fourth Street Suite 300, Waco, TX 76701.
When you register to vote, it is typically maintained for life. For this election season, Texan voters should check voter registration status since Governor Greg Abbott’s voter roll clean-up that deemed more than one million voters ineligible, most who have moved or passed away.
McLennan County will have multiple polling centers across the region, with only particular sites available for early voting. To find the nearest voting center, view the website here. For all other voting concerns, please visit www.mclennan.gov. Election day is on November 5th, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Exercise your right to vote this November!
Elizabeth Riley hails from Tennessee and is a senior double majoring in English and Professional Writing & Rhetoric at Baylor University. She works as a Transcription Assistant at the Baylor University Institute for Oral History and is the President of the Baylor Ice Girls for the 2024–2025 season.
This proposed bill will drastically weaken regulations that have protected the North Bosque Watershed, Lake Waco and, in effect, the Waco Water Supply from pollution caused by dairy farms.
Background:
Prior to 2001, the Waco Water Supply was polluted as a result of dairy farmers spreading cow manure that would run off into the North Bosque River, and then into Lake Waco. This caused the growth of algae that can kill fish and made our water smell and taste bad. In 2001, the City of Waco successfully advocated for the passage of state legislation that would mandate stricter permits for dairies on the North Bosque watershed, along with waste management regulations. If you’ve been in Waco since that time, you will likely recall how poorly Waco water smelled and tasted during that time.
To date, while there has been significant improvement in the taste and smell of Waco water, the North Bosque River is still polluted and classified as impaired by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and as recently as 2022, TCEQ said more work needs to be done on this watershed.
Proposed Legislation:
HB 2827 would revert back to a permitting system that was allowed when the pollution into the watershed was at its peak. Further, it would reduce pollution prevention, testing and reporting, thus likely increasing pollution in the North Bosque River (and thus the Waco Water Supply).
Of note, the bill’s author argues that the current law is an over-regulation. Also of note, there are nearly the same number of milk cows in the counties that touch the North Bosque watershed now as there were when the 2001 legislation was passed, and the trend indicates the number of milk cows are likely to increase. However, with of the regulations in place, Waco’s water quality has improved.
Actions the City of Waco has taken to advocate for Waco’s Water Supply:
- Communicated directly with the bill’s author, Waco’s elected State representatives, as well as the House Environmental Regulations Committee, in opposition to the bill.
- Collaborated with local stakeholders like the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and Baylor University.
- Engaged and informed families who own property along the North Bosque River to ensure they able to advocate appropriately.
- Sent information the Bosque River Coalition membership.
- Sent information to the Brazos River Authority.
- Engaged the EPA and TCEQ.
- Engaged with other current and former local leaders and requesting advocacy for the Texas Legislature to oppose the passage of HB2827, or ensure there are drastic amendments made that protect the Waco Water Supply from harmful dairy farm pollution.
Citizens with opposition to or concerns about HB 2827 can contact Rep. Anderson and Sen. Birdwell:
- Doc Anderson [email protected]
- Brian Birdwell [email protected]
About the City of Waco and Lake Waco:
Lake Waco is a man-made reservoir located on the west side of Waco, in McLennan County, Texas. The City of Waco maintains the water rights to Lake Waco, which serves as the primary water source Waco as well as other cities including Bellmead,Hewitt, Robinson, Woodway and others. The City of Waco owns and operates water treatment facilities and is responsible for treating the water from the lake to make it safe for drinking and other uses.