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.

A Cedar Park woman has found a home for one of the 13 dogs she rescued after their owner was tragically killed in a car crash, which means there are still twelve furry roommates looking for someone to love (and probably chew on their shoes). The dogs are currently living on a family ranch while she works to rehome them, and yes, they are extremely adoptable mutts of various shapes and vibes. After the story aired, a Texas vet clinic called Modern Animal stepped up like the hero in the third act, offering adopters a free one-year membership and $150 in care credit per dog. Translation: adopt a dog, get free vet visits and virtual pet advice at 3 a.m. when you panic-Google “is this normal.” A GoFundMe is also helping with food and supplies, in case your heart hasn’t melted completely yet.

Nuevo Laredo is getting a long-overdue upgrade - a new hospital is officially in the works. Tamaulipas Governor Américo Villarreal Anaya says construction could begin as early as next year, with support from Mexico’s federal authorities. The project will replace the city’s aging general hospital and bring better care to residents who’ve long gone without adequate medical services. In short: Nuevo Laredo’s healthcare system is finally getting a checkup - and a brand-new body.

Austin just wrapped a three-week cleanup blitz that cleared over 700 tons of debris and helped 181 unhoused residents move into shelters - part of the city’s biggest encampment initiative yet. Crews tackled nearly 670 sites, combining compassion with cleanup under Austin’s camping ban, though officials admit the effort’s “eye-opening” costs make it hard to sustain. City leaders praised the collaboration but faced criticism from residents who lost belongings during sweeps, reigniting debate over how to balance safety, dignity, and enforcement. In short: Austin cleaned up - but the question of where people go next is still piling up.

The Amarillo Public Library is keeping the giving spirit alive this winter, teaming up with the Coming Home program to collect gloves and hygiene products for those in need. After smashing its October goal with over 2,000 pairs of socks, the library now hopes to gather 1,200 gloves and 8,000 hygiene items across its five branches this month. PR coordinator Stacy Clopton says it’s not just about warmth - it’s about community care and preventing health crises. The donations will be packed into care kits by local teens from the United Way Youth Leadership Council - proof that Amarillo’s heart stays warm, even when the weather doesn’t.

Wurstfest has officially kicked off in New Braunfels, turning the town into Texas’s most enthusiastic slice of Germany - complete with sausages, steins, and more accordion music than anyone requested. What started in 1961 as a tiny sausage celebration is now a 10-day cultural blockbuster drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors who happily eat, drink, and polka their way through the grounds. Locals treat it like a sacred annual pilgrimage, with some attending multiple times before the weekend even arrives. Despite floods, fires, and a pandemic, the festival keeps sizzling, supporting dozens of nonprofits while serving up sausage on a stick like it’s a civic duty. Free admission on weekdays (and for kids most days) means there’s really no excuse not to join the wurst… I mean, the fun.

Colbert, Oklahoma is considering a ban on semi-truck traffic in residential neighborhoods after residents complained that rumbling rigs are shaking their homes, knocking items off walls, and tearing up local roads. Truckers have reportedly been detouring through neighborhoods to dodge a nearby weigh station, turning streets like Leavenworth Trail, North Franklin, and Moore Avenue into unintended truck routes. But when the city council introduced an ordinance to block the traffic, small business owners - and even a state representative - objected, arguing the ban would hurt local commerce and be nearly impossible to enforce. The measure was tabled for now, with the debate set to return at the next council meeting on December 8.

Sparks Park is officially open in Far East El Paso, giving the community a shiny new outdoor space - and kids wasted zero time claiming it as their territory. The park’s centerpiece is a nearly 6,000-square-foot playground featuring a 20-foot tower, multiple swing bays, climbing structures, and plenty of shade for adults pretending they’re not tired. Local leaders called the park a key step in expanding safe and inclusive recreational spaces, with more bike and hiking trails on the way. The project is part of the county’s 2024 Capital Improvement Bond, which dedicated $95 million to new parks - and Sparks Park is one of the first big wins.

More than 60 FFA students and 30 welding teams from Oklahoma and Texas fired up their torches for Marietta’s annual “welder’s rodeo,” where the main event wasn’t bulls but picnic table frames. Teams raced to turn piles of metal into sturdy structures, with judges grading every bead and blueprint detail - the welding equivalent of a beauty pageant, but with sparks. Winners walk away with professional tools, giving students a real leg up in future careers (and possibly bragging rights at home). Defending champions from Van Alstyne aimed to keep their title, while newcomers like Tom Bean arrived armed with confidence and fresh experience. With tight timing, tough competition, and a whole lot of welding fumes, the rodeo proved once again that craftsmanship can be just as intense as any sport.

Denison is kicking off the holidays early with the Junior League of Grayson County’s first-ever Mistletoe Market, a festive shopping event designed to separate you from your money in the jolliest way possible. The market doubles as the group’s biggest fundraiser, giving locals a chance to browse vendors, support the community, and pretend they’re getting ahead on Christmas shopping this year. Santa himself is scheduled to stop by for cookies and story time - because nothing draws crowds like a man in a red suit promising sugar. Held at the Eisenhower Business Center, the event runs through the weekend and aims to bring some solid holiday cheer to town. In short: shop, snack, smile - repeat.