Kaitlynn Hutchins

Patriotic fireworks are displayed inside the Alamo Fireworks store on July 2, 2025.

Kaitlynn Hutchins is the Nonprofits and Lifestyles Reporter for The Herald-Zeitung. She is also the Assistant Editor of the New Braunfels Monthly magazine. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

Handheld flags sit in a display case at the Sophienburg Museum and Archives on July 1, 2026.

On Saturday, July 4, thousands of community members gathered in downtown New Braunfels for the 48th annual Fourth of July Parade and Program, hosted by the Sophienburg Museum and Archives.

Chelsea Rogers (left), Sarah Hammond and Randy Rogers pose for a photo at Lost and Found after the Pickleball Jam Beneficiary Reveal on July 2, 2026.

Julia Parker, David Schoenvogel and Henry the beagle pose for a photo in Landa Park on July 4, 2026.

A pile of kittens snuggle together in a cage at the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area on May 11, 2026.

Granzin's Meat Market's new store is located at 3516 FM 306.

Pictured is the area where construction on Portillo's is set to begin this November. The restaurant will be located at 2807 Sophie Lane in New Braunfels

A prolonged severe weather threat has prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to declare a state of disaster for Comal and Guadalupe counties as forecasters warn that additional rounds of heavy rain could bring life-threatening flash flooding across Central Texas through Thursday.