Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How much school-choice money Waco families could get next fall
Also check out Open Mic Comedy Night — Waco Wise on the Waco Patch calendar
Greetings Waco! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How much school-choice money Waco families could get next fall
- How a Waco-linked horse virus is reshaping a major Kansas event
Also on today's calendar: Waco Downtown Farmers Market and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Wacofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Waco? Post it to Waco photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Wacofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Partner
Today's Waco Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Waco.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 65 and low of 59 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 71, low: 36.
- Friday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 65 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Texas schools register for new "Texas Educational Freedom Account" school choice program (kxxv.com) — Families in Waco could soon get roughly $10,000 a year per child to help pay for private or religious school through the new Texas Education Freedom Accounts starting in fall 2026. Bishop Reicher Catholic School in Waco and other Central Texas schools are already registering so local families who struggle with tuition can apply when the application window opens in early February. 
• Horse event on schedule for Topeka 2026 despite recent virus outbreak (ksnt.com) — A recent equine herpesvirus outbreak traced to major rodeo events in Waco is still rippling across the horse world, prompting cancellations in Kansas. Even so, organizers say Topeka’s 2026 EquiFest will proceed, with strict vet checks and health documentation required for all horses.
📸 Around Waco
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Waco
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Open Mic Comedy Night — Waco Wise
Southern Roots Brewing Co., 219 N 8th St, Waco
8:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Credit by Exam (request made 6 wks prior to test date)
Robinson H S Waco, TX 76706 - RHS JV Soccer Scrim vs University
Challenge Academy Waco, TX 76704
5:30 pm - RJH All-Region Six Flags Trip
Robinson ISD Waco, TX 76706 - Last Day of 9 Weeks
Robinson ISD Waco, TX 76706 - Baylor University Men's Basketball vs Alcorn State
Baylor University - Athletics Waco, Texas, Foster Pavilion - Intermediate Christmas Parties
Robinson J H Waco, TX 76706
10:00 am - RHS JV Blue/V Boys Basketball vs Marlin
Robinson Pri Waco, TX 76706
1:30 pm - Waco Downtown Farmers Market
Waco Downtown Farmers Market, 200 E Bridge St, Waco, TX, 76704
9:00 am
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Waco Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Baylor University Men's Basketball vs Alcorn State
Foster Pavilion Waco, Texas, - Sami Brown and Morgan Powers
The Will , 5984 N State Hwy 6 , Waco
7:00 pm - Texas LTC Online
Republic Gun Club , 19000 Woodway Dr , Woodway
9:00 am
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Anyone missing 2 dog's in West Waco??
If they belong to you please provide proof and I will gladly send my address Update : Koda && Bruno is now reunited with their owners (Nextdoor Waco) - This dog was wandering around La Porte Dr.
very sweet dog. They called animal control. They told me he would only have three days to find a new home before they euthanize him. I did not want… (Nextdoor South Side)
- Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Porter - Unit 724 in Waco. Apply here.
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian Associate in Waco. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waco here.
🗞 Nearby News
Bellmead
- 18-wheeler, vehicle crash shuts down northbound Interstate 35 lanes in McLennan County (kxxv.com)
- Bellmead earns sixth straight GFOA award for financial reporting (kwtx.com)
McGregor
Ok Waco! 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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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