The Better Business Bureau has handed out its 2025 Torch Awards for Ethics, honoring north Texas businesses that prove integrity still pays off. The awards celebrate the “four C’s” - character, culture, customers, and community - and this year, out of 52 applicants, only six winners and one Spark Award recipient made the cut. Among them is Pamper Pets, a Wichita Falls favorite that started from scratch in 2022 and now calls itself “not just groomers, but innovators.” Owner Shae Clemons says the recognition reflects their mix of hard work and hometown pride - proof that doing good business and doing good for the community can, in fact, go hand in hand.

The Sheppard AFB Cookie Committee is rallying Wichita Falls to bake (or buy) some holiday spirit - they need enough supplies to assemble 4,000 goodie bags for airmen, each including a homemade cookie, candy cane, and a hot cocoa or apple cider packet. Local groups can drop off donations at the Chamber of Commerce or use the committee’s Amazon wishlist - and the top donor walks away with the coveted 2025 Community Partner Trophy.

Texas voters approved Proposition 5, exempting retail animal feed from personal property taxes and giving farmers, ranchers, and feed suppliers a break on operating costs. The amendment, tied to HJR 99, allows the legislature to officially remove ad valorem taxes on animal feed held for sale - essentially ensuring that feeding cows is no longer treated like owning a taxable luxury item. Supporters say the change will help agricultural businesses stay competitive, which in Texas is about as close to a bipartisan consensus as you get.

In Ada, Oklahoma, hundreds of volunteers from Mercy Ada and First Methodist Church gathered for a “Feed the Funnel” event, packing 40,000 long-shelf-life meal kits to support families struggling during the government shutdown and reduced SNAP benefits. With music, teamwork, and plenty of energy, volunteers emphasized community solidarity and the belief that no one should have to worry about their next meal. The meals will be distributed to food banks across Texoma to meet rising demand, and organizers encouraged anyone needing help-or wishing to help-to contact their local food pantry.

In Lago Vista, the legacy of beloved pitmaster John Baker is being carried forward by his former employee and friend, 22-year-old Lewis McCauley, now the youngest pitmaster in Texas. After Baker’s passing in January 2025, McCauley opened Legacy BBQ just down the road, using the same pits, many of the same recipes, and the same spirit that made Baker’s Brisket a community staple. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday until the food sells out, and the city has officially declared December 21 “John Baker Kindness Day” to honor the man whose barbecue - and generosity - fed more than just stomachs.

Fannin County finally has a K-9 officer again after 15 years, and his name is Onyx - an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois–German shepherd mix who apparently graduated top of his class, like the overachiever we all wish we were. The county didn’t spend a dime of taxpayer money on him; instead, grants and donations covered the $14,000 price tag, which is about how much your average dog spends on toys in its lifetime anyway. Onyx already has narcotics training down and is finishing apprehension training soon, meaning he’ll soon be sniffing out drugs *and* chasing bad guys like it’s just another Tuesday. He lives full-time with Deputy Taeylor Doty on ten acres of open space, works out more than most humans, and gets paid in chew toys - a benefits package that seems to suit him perfectly. The sheriff says this is just the beginning of rebuilding the K-9 program, and honestly, if every dog on the force has this level of enthusiasm, criminals might want to consider a new hobby.

Mission Tejas State Park is finally reopening after three years of renovations - which is about how long it takes most of us to decide where to go camping in the first place. The $3 million upgrade brought new displays, improved utilities, and even an 1885 cypress log canoe from SFA, because every park needs at least one very old boat to feel official. Campsites and roads were modernized too, so visitors can bring trailers that didn’t exist in the 1970s without performing a 37-point turn. The park will hold its grand reopening on Nov. 8, and with internships on the way for forestry students, it seems everyone - including history buffs, campers and future tree experts - gets something out of this comeback.

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra held its 24th Annual Children’s Education Concert, and the turnout was so big they had to add a third performance - because apparently, fifth-graders are very into classical music this year. Hundreds of students got to hear live symphonic music, be inspired to practice their instruments more, or at least enjoy a field trip that didn’t involve a worksheet. A few lucky kids even got to conduct the orchestra, which will definitely be their “fun fact about me” for the next decade. Organizers say the event has sparked countless new musicians over the years - proving once again that sometimes all it takes is one really dramatic cymbal crash to change a kid’s life.

Charleston’s long-stalled Magnolia Landing project is finally moving forward, promising to turn a former polluted industrial site into a billion-dollar riverfront community - complete with a 1.5-mile promenade, restaurants, apartments, parks, and plenty of “water views,” as the developers keep reminding everyone. The plan allows for up to 4,000 housing units, though the developer insists they won’t pack people in like sardines because “maximizing density does not create quality.” A massive “trip wall” and layers of clean soil are being used to literally bury the site’s toxic past - and yes, it’s also next to a chemical plant, but the developer says not to worry about that either. In 12-15 years, thousands will live here, and the company hopes it will be remembered as a shining example of thoughtful waterfront design rather than “the fancy neighborhood built on top of a cleanup site.”

City employees in College Station held their annual Veterans Day luncheon this week, a tradition that began in 2019 and has grown as more veterans have joined the community - now making up about 13% of the population. Retired Navy submariner and current city employee Connor Burleson said the support he’s received here feels genuinely meaningful, not just symbolic. A public Veterans Day ceremony will also take place on November 11 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, continuing the city’s effort to recognize those who served not just once a year, but year-round.

After four years of construction and enough orange cones to last a lifetime, Downtown Temple is finally open again. The city is celebrating by shutting down the streets one more time-but this time for a ribbon-cutting and block party, not roadwork. The project brought new life to historic buildings like the old Hawn Hotel, Sears building, and Arcadia Theatre, which are now buzzing again with apartments and events. Local businesses, who spent years hidden behind detours and fencing, are very ready for customers to return. In short: downtown is back, it’s pretty, and everyone is hoping the only things closing now are store deals-not streets.

Texas just unveiled a $50 million glow-up at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the historic site known as the birthplace of Texas independence. The renovation includes a revamped visitor center, a bigger and more modern Star of the Republic Museum, and a rebuilt version of the original 1830s townsite. Funding came mostly from the state, with donors pitching in the rest, after years of lobbying by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst. The Texas Historical Commission says the goal is to give students and visitors an immersive experience that actually makes them care about history (not just nap through it). In short: more pride, more storytelling, and a reminder that Texas will always, absolutely, loudly insist on being Texas.

A new coffee shop with Texas vibes has opened in Ann Arbor, as Hazel Coffee Co. officially set up shop at 2111 Packard St. Owners Brian and Hailey Karagay started the brand back in Austin as a delivery-and-events coffee operation, and after moving to Michigan, they finally built a physical café that aims to be all about “coffee and community” (read: people are encouraged to stay, chat, collaborate, and not just grab-and-go in silence). The couple says they’re bringing “Southern hospitality” to the Midwest, with a menu of house-made lattes and a no-judgment policy no matter what you order. After years of cart operations, pop-ups, and searching for the right location, Hazel Coffee Co. is now open daily from 7am to 5pm and hopes to become a cozy creative hub rather than just another caffeine pit stop.

North Texas is getting extra sparkly again: the Tianyu Festival of Lights has returned to Grand Prairie, transforming the CU Theater grounds into a glowing wonderland through January 18. This year features two new themed areas - Starry Farm and Magic Ocean - plus 19 giant lantern installations crafted by skilled artists. Visitors can expect nightly cultural performances (yes, including the dramatic face-changing bian lian), acrobatics, peacock dance, global food stalls, and plenty of kid-friendly rides and photo spots. It’s colorful, family-friendly, and just the right amount of over-the-top. Tickets run $16-$35, and the festival is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 to 10 pm.

The Dallas Museum of Art is debuting Constellations, an exhibition of more than 350 pieces of contemporary jewelry that make it clear “statement pieces” can literally mean statements about surveillance, migration, and social injustice. Expect everything from golden cicadas and recycled tin spelling “Bla Bla Bla” to beaded necklaces referencing border violence, plus a dramatic Iris van Herpen steel collar that looks ready to start its own weather system. Curator Sarah Schleuning says the show proves inspiration can come from anywhere, which is museum-speak for “yes, even plastic bags and oboe reeds are fair game.” The result is jewelry that’s less about sparkle and more about telling the world exactly what’s on your mind - loudly.

A hospital in Denison, Texas just hosted its annual Teddy Bear Clinic, where kids brought their stuffed animals in for “medical checkups” and, in the process, learned that hospitals are not exclusively reserved for scary needles and hushed adult panic. Young visitors led their plush patients through mini-lessons in radiology, surgery, rehab, and more - some even showed up in tiny doctor coats because commitment to the bit is everything. By the end, each child got their own white lab coat, presumably to signal the potential birth of a future surgeon (or at least someone who no longer screams at the sight of a stethoscope). The goal: replace fear with curiosity - and possibly create the cutest hospital workforce pipeline in history.

A permaculture expo in Athens, Texas drew about 100–150 people who want to learn how to grow food, heal land, and maybe one day build their own tiny cabin in the woods. Hosted by The Learning Gardens, the event was inspired by the book “Skip: Skills to Inherit Property,” which is basically a manual for “how to be useful enough that someone trusts you with land.” Attendees joined mushroom walks, textile workshops, seed-saving lessons, and even tiny house tours, because sustainability apparently comes with aesthetic choices now. The organizers say the event is about reconnecting people to the land and to each other - and judging by its growth, more Texans are ready to trade Wi-Fi for compost piles.

Jo’s Coffee has officially landed in West Campus, giving UT students yet another place to pretend they’re studying while scrolling on their laptops. The Austin-favorite opened its ninth location inside the Union on 24th building, complete with indoor seating, outdoor seating, and a walk-up window for when caffeine is an emergency and not a concept. They even created a special Longhorn Latte - maple, cinnamon, and peach - which somehow captures both “fall vibes” and “I have three exams this week.” Students were apparently tracking the opening like it was Taylor Swift ticket sales, and early reactions suggest the place is colorful, cozy, and absolutely ready to become someone’s new personality.

Denison hosted its second annual Fast Cat weekend, where hundreds of very enthusiastic dogs of all shapes and sizes sprinted a 100-yard dash to prove they are, in fact, athletes. “Cat” here doesn’t mean cat; it stands for Coursing Ability Test, though watching dogs chase a lure at top speed definitely raises questions about naming committees. Pups earn titles like Beginner Cat and Fast Cat, which come with big ribbons and even bigger bragging rights that get added to their official registered names. One standout, Rocky the Russian Toy Terrier, clocks the course in about ten seconds and is currently out here grinding for his next rank like a tiny four-legged Olympian. The track was busy all weekend, and organizers say they’ll happily do it all again, because clearly the dogs - and their humans - are loving it.

Texas Country Western Boots just opened a new store in Houston’s Rice Village, inviting everyone to embrace their inner cowboy (or stylish outlaw). The shop specializes in handcrafted boots made from fancy materials like ostrich, python and alligator, which is great news for anyone who’s ever thought, “My feet deserve luxury and mild intimidation.” The brand says every pair is made with care by skilled artisans, which sounds much nicer than “factory conveyor belt.” They also sell belts and totes, plus boots in colors ranging from classic brown to unapologetically pink, in case your rodeo aesthetic leans Barbie-core. In short: if you want to stomp around Houston looking expensive, this is your moment.

More than 1,000 families lined up outside Killeen Mall for a Central Texas Food Bank distribution, with cars wrapping around the building hours before the event even started. The ongoing government shutdown has pushed more families to seek help, and the food bank says crowds are showing up earlier every week. Bell County, which already has the highest food insecurity rate in the region, is feeling the strain the hardest. So yes, Americans are literally waiting in mall parking lots for groceries now, which is definitely not the kind of “Black Friday line” anyone was hoping for.