🌱 Patch AM: Burn ban lifted nearby—but what’s still illegal inside Corpus Christi?

Hello Corpus Christi! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Burn ban lifted nearby—but what’s still illegal inside Corpus Christi?
• How a CPS Energy deal could reshape Corpus Christi’s tax revenues
• How will Corpus Christi actually enforce Texas’ new bathroom law?

Also on today's calendar: Holiday Craft Fair at the Southside Farmers Market and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 53 degrees.
• Thursday: Nice with plenty of sun, temps: high: 74, low: 59.
• Friday: Very warm with periods of sun, with a high of 81 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Nueces County Burn Ban lifted, fire risk remains (kztv10.com) — If you live in Corpus Christi, outdoor burning is still banned inside city limits even though Nueces County has lifted its burn ban for unincorporated areas. Fire officials explain how wind, humidity, and safety steps like water on hand and cleared perimeters are crucial to prevent brush fires as residents enjoy cooler December weather.
   

2. CPS Energy offers property tax settlement for power plant purchases (caller.com subscription) — Corpus Christi City Council has agreed to move forward on a $1.8 million settlement offer from CPS Energy to offset lost property tax revenue from the now tax-exempt Barney Davis and Nueces Bay power plants. The deal, also extended to Nueces County, Del Mar College and local school districts, aims to cushion budgets after the plants shifted from private to public ownership. City officials say the compromise balances potential future tax outcomes for residents and ratepayers.
   

3. Senate Bill 8 bathroom law takes effect in Texas with unclear enforcement in Coastal Bend (kristv.com) — Corpus Christi officials and institutions are now figuring out how to enforce Texas’ new Senate Bill 8 bathroom law, which requires public-building restrooms to match the sex on a person’s birth certificate. Local leaders, including the Nueces County sheriff and area colleges, say they’re reviewing “reasonable enforcement,” while residents and transgender advocates worry about lawsuits, fines, and how daily life could change across the Coastal Bend.
   

4. Del Mar College moves forward with second round of Freedom to Dream tuition waiver program (kiiitv.com) — Del Mar College in Corpus Christi is launching a second cohort of its Freedom to Dream tuition waiver program, expanding dual enrollment with local high schools and adding continuing education options. College leaders say the changes will remove more financial barriers, boost advising, and help students be truly college-ready. Local residents like a longtime hair stylist are already using the program to retrain for new careers.
   

📸 Around Corpus Christi

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Corpus Christi

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 11

• Corpus Christi ISD CTE Holiday Market
  Mary Carroll High School, 3202 Saratoga Blvd, Corpus Christi
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• OES to Kenedy for UIL Academic
  Olsen El Port Aransas, TX 78373

Saturday December 13

• Holiday Craft Fair at the Southside Farmers Market
  5800 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi, TX, 78413
  9:00 am
• Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl in Corpus Christi
  Flanagan's Downtown , 417 Starr St , Corpus Christi
  4:30 pm

Sunday December 14

• 3rd Annual ¡Viva! La Música de Mariachi! Festival
  BUS , 702 N Chaparral St , Corpus Christi
  3:00 pm

Monday December 15

• OES Santacopter @ PAHS Lawn
  PAHS Lawn Port Aransas, TX 78373
  10:00 am

Tuesday December 16

• OES to PACT for Polar Express
  Olsen El Port Aransas, TX 78373

Thursday December 18

• Dads Day on Campus
  Brundrett Middle Port Aransas, TX 78373
  7:30 am
• OES Christmas Performance
  Olsen El Port Aransas, TX 78373
  9:45 am

📣 Corpus Christi Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 12

• 5th Grade Self-Responsibility Permission Slips Due
  Austin El Portland, TX 78374
• Girls Basketball Away vs. CC Carroll
  Carroll High School
• Last Day for Food Drive
  Austin El Portland, TX 78374
• Letterman orders/payment
  Charlotte Brown Auditorium
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Today, December 8, 2025 is my mother's 105th birthday.
  She passed in 2015 just three months shy of her 95th birthday. I was her caretaker after my father passed in 2007 after suffering a stroke several… (Nextdoor Lamar Park)
• Update #2: dogs have been found and are safe and warm at home!!
  Update: there was a misunderstanding on mine and my family’s part! There is a man who is the neighbor of the owner who was trying to COLLECT the dogs… (Nextdoor Terra Mar)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Store Clerk Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $12-$22/Hr in Corpus Christi. Apply here.
• TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for USPS Postal Clerk in Corpus Christi. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Corpus Christi here.

Ok Corpus Christi! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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