Abilene News
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Abilene mom turned a hobby into the largest homecoming mum production in West Texas
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes homecoming mums For Allysun Gutierrez, what started more than a decade ago as a small project for her daughter's cheerleading team has grown into a thriving business making elaborate homecoming...
Trauma, triggers, and healing one year after Charlie Kirk's assassination on UVU campus
As Utah Valley University approaches the one-year anniversary of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, a local therapist says students, parents and others connected to...
Reading scores drop at US schools despite a boost in funding
The buzz in the hallways is back.
AI privacy agreement reached between teachers union and Microsoft
Microsoft and the American Federation of Teachers have made a deal regarding safety and privacy when artificial intelligence is used in school.
UVU student group plans to protest outside Charlie Kirk Memorial Event
Students for a Democratic Society at UVU plans to demonstrate Thursday outside a private memorial service hosted by Turning Point USA.
Only a handful of states have statutes requiring 9/11 history lessons in schools: Report
A new report is raising concerns that many students are not being taught the history of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Colorado High School memorial display honors lives lost on 9/11
Colorado High School’s 9/11 display is now 24 years old. Each index card shows the name, age, and location of a person killed in the attacks.
Magazines, books bring 9/11 history to life for today's students
As 9/11 reaches its 25th anniversary, Scholastic is using firsthand accounts and age-appropriate stories to help children understand an event they know only as history....
Georgetown students plan Charlie Kirk lookalike contest for anniversary of death: report
Georgetown University students are reportedly planning a Charlie Kirk “lookalike contest” as the one year anniversary of his assassination approaches.
Middle school assistant principal allegedly said, '8th graders are hot,' had child porn
A middle school assistant principal allegedly exchanged child sexual abuse material with others online and told one person, "Some 8th graders are hot as hell."...
Class 3A High School Football Scores for Friday, September 4
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - The high school football season continued with week two matchups on Friday, Sep. 4. Here are the scores for Class 3A: Class 3A: Llano 26 Jim Ned 7 Early 47 Breckenridge 18 Lubbock Estacado 52 Sweetwater 50 Clyde 55 Tolar 26 Ballinger 27 Odessa Compas...
Class 2A High School Football Scores for Friday, September 4
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - The high school football season continued with week two matchups on Friday, Sep. 4. Here are the scores for Class 2A: Class 3A/2A: Hawley 35 Merkel 34 Comanche 6 8) Cisco 38 San Saba 34 Eastland 19 Class 2A: De Leon 57 Stamford 7 Texas Leadership Abi...
Class 4A High School Football Scores for Friday, September 4
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - The high school football season continued with week two matchups on Friday, Sep. 4. Here are the scores for Class 4A: Class 4A: 1) Stephenville 28 Brownwood 24 Snyder 0 S.A. Lake View 62...
See the best public universities for 2027, according to Niche
While the cost of an education may not be getting any cheaper, a new analysis released Tuesday seeks to help school shoppers identify the best public universities for 2027....
College Sports Eligibility Under the Spotlight after Judge's Ruling
The college football season kicked off with controversy before a large majority of student athletes even took the field.
Winters ISD sixth grader is one of 15 in the nation to be youth heart ambassador
(KTAB/KRBC) - An 11-year-old sixth grader from Winters has been selected as one of 15 students nationwide to serve as a National Youth Heart Ambassador for the American Heart Association. For Anabel Valencia, the national title is new but supporting heart health is not. Valencia ...
DOJ sues Kansas school district over transgender student policy, parental notification
The DOJ is suing Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over a policy the Trump administration says allowed employees to help students socially transition at school...
New Abilene ISD superintendent lays out his vision for the district's future
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Waldron is entering his first school year at the district’s helm with an emphasis on instructional quality.
'Cat in the Hat' school-threat in Tennessee leads to investigation of high school student
A Warren County High School student was served with a juvenile petition Tuesday after an investigation into a reported online threat.
DOJ sues Kansas schools over transgender student privacy guidance
The Justice Department is suing Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, escalating a federal fight over how schools handle information about transgender and gender-...
Officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in shooting of unarmed student at wrong home
“The victim had his hands in the air and did not possess any type of weapon,” the district attorney said.
Taylor County leaders request public hearing on air pollutants from proposed data center electric grid
TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - Taylor County leaders are requesting a public hearing on greenhouse gas emissions from a proposed data center electric grid. Crusoe Technologies LLC wants to construct an electric-power-grid facility at their campus on the 600 block of FM 2404, ...
Abilene man facing federal charges for allegedly threatening officials prosecuting school shooting
ATLANTA, Georgia (KTAB/KRBC) - An Abilene man is now facing federal charges for allegedly threatening officials involved in the prosecution of a school shooting. Brandon Dontrail Scroggins, a known convicted felon from Abilene, is accused of threatening Barrow County Superior Cou...
Trump administration closes hundreds of truck driving schools for alleged fraud
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is putting his foot on the gas in an effort to crack down on what he calls "trucker fraud."
Illegal immigrant who groped girls at Fairfax High School released to ICE
Israel Flores Ortiz was released from custody.
Big Country Senate candidate outlines priorities on healthcare, data centers & school
BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Riley Rodriguez, a candidate for Texas State Senate District 28, is campaigning on issues including rural healthcare, data center development, local control and public education. Rodriguez said he has lived most of his life in District 28, growing...
Texas Tech looks to add Thomas Castellanos to roster, play ACU in Week 1
The wild ride of former college athletes returning to school has made its way to the Big Country.
Class 2A High School Football Scores for Friday, August 28
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - Week one of the high school football season kicked off Friday, Aug. 28 in the Big Country. Here are the scores for Class 2A: Class 3A/2A 3)Cisco Loboes 24 Clyde Bulldogs 27 Class 2A 11)Hawley Bearcats 25 8)Albany Lions 34 10) Post Antelopes 34 Anson ...
Class 4A/3A High School Football Scores for Friday, August 28
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - Week one of the high school football season kicked off Friday, Aug. 28 in the Big Country. Here are the scores for Class 4A and 3A: Class 4A Canyon Eagles 59 Snyder Tigers 13 Class 3A/4A Jim Ned Indians 12 13)Greenwood Rangers 59 Class 3A Sweetwater ...
The Harrell Name: Graham and Clark continue their father's Texas football legacy at ACU
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - From coaches' kids, to quarterbacks, to coaches themselves, Graham and Clark Harrell are following the path their father, Sam Harrell, helped redefine as a three-time state champion and Texas football revolutionary. In Sam's 16 years coaching at Enni...
Teacher accused of 'Scream' mask sex acts with students finalizes divorce
Brittany Fortinberry, 33, faces 47 charges in the alleged child sex-abuse case.
Exchange students still waiting for host families ahead of school year
Exchange programs give students the chance to experience a new country and culture firsthand — but that experience starts with finding a place to stay.Right now...
Ballinger family raises awareness about child elopement
BALLINGER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - Back-to-school season can bring a different kind of anxiety for families of children with extra needs. For Zachary and Jenna West, that includes their son Zachariah, who is autistic, nonverbal and epileptic. He also elopes, meaning he can wander or ...
Cisco College celebrates 22 years in Abilene with community mural
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Cisco College’s Abilene Educational Center is celebrating 22 years in the community with a mural designed to showcase the college’s impact on Abilene and the Big Country. The project began about a year ago with Jody Frizzell, art chair professor at Ci...
Fact Check Team: Is college still worth the cost? There are a few key factors to consider
For years, the cost of a college degree has fueled debate over whether higher education is still a worthwhile investment.
Teen admits to killing mother after backing out of planned school shooting
Lilyana must serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Department of Education threatens to cut aid from schools not documenting value of degrees
The Department of Education has threatened to end federal aid to multiple colleges for not meeting deadlines to document how valuable certain degrees are....
Parents sue California school district over field trip to mosque
A group of parents from different religions filed a lawsuit against Palo Alto Unified School District in California and high school principal Brent Kline....
Seven Big Country schools are in the Harris Ratings Top 25
The Harris Ratings released their first ratings of high school football of the season on Tuesday. Seven Big Country teams are mentioned in the Top 25. CLASS 5A DIV. I17)Abilene High CLASS 4A DIV. II16)Brownwood CLASS 2A DIV. I3)Cisco11)Hawey CLASS 2A DIV. II8)Albany9)Stamford21)G...
Experienced senior class is ready to lead Wylie into 2026
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - The Wylie Bulldogs are one of the many schools in Texas that are finally getting on the field for some competition. Head coach Clay Martin’s team missed the playoffs in 2025, so they are more than ready to get it going. The Bulldogs have a strong gro...
Karmelo Anthony has history of violence, once threatened to 'shoot up' school: reports
Prosecutors said convicted killer Karmelo Anthony has a history of violence that dates back to when he was in elementary school, according to reports.
Football Friday Night returns to Big Country as high school season nears
Football season is nearly back across the Big Country, with Football Friday Night just one week away and area teams preparing to open the regular season Aug. 28...
17-year-old boy shot & killed at Independence H.S. during football game in Bakersfield
A 17-year-old boy died from a shooting at Independence High School Friday nigh, during the school’s first high school football game.
Salvation Army School Supply Drive Supports Shelter Families
With the new school year underway, The Salvation Army of Abilene is working to make sure local children have the supplies they need, from backpacks to pencils,...
Event honoring Charlie Kirk scheduled at Utah Valley Univ. to mark year since shooting
A memorial event honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk will be held at Utah Valley University on the one-year anniversary of his assassination on campus....
'Abbott Elementary's' Tyler James Williams & Janelle James tease season 6 'calamity'
“Abbott Elementary” survived being closed at the end of season 5, but the school now has to take on a boat load of new kids. Are the dedicated teachers and staf...
Fact Check Team: The definition of 'successful adulthood' is changing
For generations, there was a roadmap to adulthood: finish school, start a career, move out, get married, buy a home and have children.
'I ended his life': Former University of Kentucky student pleads guilty to killing baby
Laken Snelling, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant....
Robert Ybarra Rebel Fest honors Hawley graduate's legacy, supports Big Country student-athletes
(KTAB/KRBC) - The fifth annual Robert Ybarra Rebel Fest will bring live music, food and community together Saturday in honor of a Hawley graduate whose family is keeping his memory alive by helping other student-athletes pursue their dreams. Robert Ybarra died in 2021 at age 19 a...
3 Abilene universities welcome new students on move-in day
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The start of a new school year is bringing thousands of students back to Abilene’s college campuses, and for some freshmen, move-in day is about more than unpacking boxes. At Hardin-Simmons University, a group of incoming students took move-in day to ...
Melania Trump unveils foster care education alliance with IndyCar, Fox, universities
First Lady Melania Trump will announce a new partnership Thursday to expand college opportunities for young people transitioning out of foster care.
Over 1,600 educator abuse allegations fuel Gov. Abbott’s crackdown
At a roundtable in Lubbock last Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott called for tougher consequences for educators convicted of sexually abusing students.
Prince Harry and Meghan plan return to U.K.; children to start British school in September
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay this fall.
'They look sweet as pie': Parents, students react to Penn State drug bust
The Penn State drug trafficking investigation has taken the world by storm with hundreds of memes, social media posts, and reactions from those both involved an...
Triple-digit heat continues, Wylie South Elementary recess moved indoors
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - As triple-digit temperatures continue across the Big Country, Wylie South Elementary is moving recess indoors to keep students safe from the heat. The new campus is keeping students inside when temperatures reach 100 degrees, using its gyms and cafete...