Jb Smith

Waco is starting 2024 with flowing streams, green winter grass and Lake Waco full for the first January in three years. But drought is lingering elsewhere in the region.

Areas of Reynolds Creek Park on the northwest side of Lake Waco look charred and lifeless this week, but not to worry.

Life, and the study of life, are returning to the Lake Waco Wetlands after a two-year drought that left it a wetland in name only.

Developer Brenner Campbell hopes to build up to 242 duplex units in a complex he calls Liberty Village, while spinning off land for a food bank hub.

About $1.5 million is available to cover 80% of installation costs, with more on the table for maintenance and operations.

The Central Texas Food Bank is preparing to spend $17 million to create a food hub in East Waco that will expand its services in a nine-county region and provide free groceries and social services on-site.

"He was an extraordinary man," Tahmahkera said of Quanah Parker, his ancestor. "He was a forward-looking leader. … He did what he could for the Comanche people.”

Sunday's high of 104 at Waco Regional Airport set a record for the latest triple-digit temperature in a year, surpassing the previous record set Oct. 12, 2022.

The local Democratic Party is hoping to maintain its volunteer base even after Trump widened his lead here and the Precinct 2 commissioner seat fell into Republican hands.

Waco city leaders and dairy farmers upstream of Lake Waco are aiming to keep their long-running struggle over waste permitting out of the State Capitol, instead seeking solutions through face-to-face meetings.