West Texas Dispatch

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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.

  1. 2일 전

    February 25th, 2026

    Early voting has had a much-higher- than- usual turnout in Taylor County this primary-voting season. That’s thanks in no small part to the crowded field for two open seats.Last week we brought you interviews with the candidates for Texas State House District 71–that has been held by retiring state-rep- Stan Lambert.We have another special show in store this week, as we focus on the Republicans vying to become their party’s nominee for Texas’s 19th Congressional District. Jodey Arrington’s retirement has created a wild contest-with seven candidates on the Republican primary ballot.This week we’re partnering with KTTZ in Lubbock to bring you conversations with as many of them as we can.A runoff seems very likely-with so many candidates in the race–but once there is a clear winner - he will take on Democrat Kyle Rable in November.

    51분

  2. 2월 18일

    February 18th, 2026

    This week we’ve got a collection of conversations with the candidates on the ballot for House District 71.As soon as Stan Lambert announced he wouldn’t seek reelection – candidates started filing their paperwork.Liz Case is making a second run for the seat, after coming close two years ago–with the backing of some of the state’s top Republicans.Newcomer Joshua Ohlmacher joined the race after feeling called to it during a church service.And Chance Ferguson, who’s previously challenged Jodey Arrington for the 19th Congressional District seat–has thrown his hat in the ring.Jay Hardaway was unable to make it for today’s show–but we hope to update you on his campaign as soon as possible.We’ll also preview a musical that’s coming to a stage this weekend that tells a story of healing, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.

    47분

  3. 2월 11일

    February 11th, 2026

    It’s almost time to cast your ballot in the Republican and Democratic primaries. Early voting polls will be up and running across Texas next Tuesday.Some recent polling shows Ken Paxton pulling ahead of incumbent Senator John Cornyn… but Cornyn has the advantage in fundraising. We’ll take a look at the race for the nomination.West Texas has been a solid-red voting region for decades. The region’s Democrats are looking to draw lessons from the recent upset in the state senate special election.Officials are considering new proposals to build housing in Abilene. But some community members think there just isn’t enough being done about the growing affordable housing crisis in the city…And the Food Bank of West Central Texas provides millions of pounds of food assistance to more than a dozen communities in the Big Country. They’re working on making their support even more accessible. We’ll check in on mobile food pantries and other efforts.

    43분

  4. 2월 4일

    February 4th, 2026

    This week’s show marks the first full year on the air for the West Texas Dispatch.Today we’ll bring you an overview of the upcoming primary election season. Did you realize that early voting starts in just a couple of weeks?The surge of ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minnesota has affected students. Agents have appeared on campuses and followed some parents after they picked up kids from school. We’ll hear about a legal case in El Paso that set the standard that until recently kept border agents away from schools.Far West Texas has one source of help for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and administrators hope they’ll be able to expand their outreach from new headquarters in Alpine.Hyundai is building a new solar project in West Texas. It’s expected to generate millions in local tax revenue, and new capacity for the grid at a time that many are concerned about the pressure that AI data centers will place on it.

    42분

  5. 1월 28일

    January 28th, 2026

    On today’s show we’re finishing our conversation with Texas Agriculture Sid Miller. He’s got a lot of irons in the fire - we’ll hear what he thinks of how officials are fighting the spread of the New World Screwworm, and what he thinks could help stave off a parasite that would devastate the Texas ranching industry… and threatens wildlife.We’ll also take a look at the mental health challenges seniors face, and local resources for seniors and tips for caregivers.The Party Line is up and running, connecting Abilene to San Francisco. We’ll tell you how it’s going.And Napoleon Dynamite, Pedro and Uncle Rico are coming back to Abilene. We’ve got John Heder on today’s show. We’ll talk about whatever he wants to - Gosh!

    42분

  6. 1월 14일

    January 14th, 2026

    He’s the mayor of Abilene. A few years ago, it was a slow growing somewhat sleepy town. But with the biggest construction project in the US taking place within those city limits…it’s sleepy no more. We’ll sit down with Mayor Weldon Hurt.West Texas will serve as a testing ground for the upcoming census. We’ll hear about efforts to prepare for the 2030 count.A nonprofit organization is encouraging Texas Tech’s leaders to protect freedom of speech for its faculty. We’ll tell you more about their request aimed at ensuring academic freedom on Texas Tech’s campuses.West Texas Roots brings us the history of Abilene’s oldest restaurant.And we’ll tell you all about an experiment coming to Abilene that aims to connect folks from one of the nation’s most conservative cities–with people from one of the most liberal cities on the West Coast. The Party Line goes live soon in downtown Abilene!

    41분

  7. 1월 7일

    January 7th - 2026!

    America’s strikes on Venezuela have captured a lot of attention this week. Texas congressional delegation has had a mix of reactions to the complicated political and diplomatic situation. We’ll take a closer look at historical context, as well as the reaction from West Texas, and what it might mean for the state’s oil industry.There’s a whole lot of symptoms this time of year. From the flu to seasonal allergies lots of folks are feeling a little under the weather. We’ll check in on how it’s hitting West Texas.The state is working to add to public lands in the Big Bend region. The new area won’t be open for years… but state officials are working to get the public earlier access to it.We have the next installment of the Bloodwork series - with a look at the personal experience of being a plasma-donor.The Abilene Philharmonic is preparing to perform its first concert of 2026. The audience will enjoy a piano concerto and the work of Tchaikovsky. David Itkin shares his thoughts on the concert, which is coming up next week.

    42분

  8. 2025. 12. 31.

    December 31st - 2025 Rewind

    This week’s show is a special edition-bringing you the best of what this program has produced in our inaugural year.When we launched the West Texas Dispatch in early February we had no idea what was in store. It’s been a year of ups and downs, some political surprises, major development news, and growing pains for the Big Country.On today’s show we’ll hear from our partners across West Texas. We’ll also bring you the best of reporting from KACU’s student staff–as well as one of our favorite West Texas Roots Segments and a conversation or two with the people who do big things for the Big Country.

    46분
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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.

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    KACU
  • 방송 연도
    2025년 - 2026년
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