Charities are seeing a wave of clients seeking groceries ahead of the Saturday suspension of federal food benefits due to the government shutdown. Waco has a high food insecurity rate already, and two-thirds of SNAP recipients here are children or seniors.
Raquel Villatoro
Raquel Villatoro covers education issues for the Bridge. A first-generation Salvadoran-American, Raquel previously worked at the Tyler Morning Telegraph, where she covered health care issues, the first medical school in East Texas, immigration and Latino communities. Raquel also reported on RSV rates in Northeast Texas and highlighted community efforts to showcase Latino culture in Tyler. In addition, Raquel previously interned at The Acadiana Advocate in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2022. Raquel holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and history from the University of North Texas.
Posted inCommunity
Flu and COVID season is here. Getting vaccinated is easier than you might think
Recent CDC guidance has clarified that most people can get the COVID-19 shot. Meanwhile, local health officials say now is the time for flu shots.
Posted inCommunity
MCC’s Cameron Hall pays tribute to a historic Waco family and place
Cameron Hall replaces the former W.W. Cameron summer home, which served for decades as Art Center Waco. The venue honors the architecture of that home, which was razed last year due to structural failures.
Posted inEducation
Waco High School theater students rekindle magic, find home on new stage
Waco High students spent more than two years performing shows in a converted computer lab. With “Peter and the Starcatchers” at the new performing arts center, they have found their theatrical home.
Posted inEducation
Breaking down the Midway ISD bond: What $83.5M buys, what it costs you
Early voting begins Monday for the Nov. 4 bond election, which focuses on improving existing facilities. The tax rate remains the same, pass or fail.
Posted inEducation
China Spring ISD parents see tax election as a forum on the school system’s future
China Spring parents say schools are the reason they live in this suburban school district. The VATRE election on Nov. 4 will determine whether staffing and program levels continue.
Posted inGrowth
Waco to pay WISD $32.2M for Indian Spring campus at heart of downtown project
The 23-acre property between North Fourth Street and University Parks Drive includes a track facility that is central to the city’s Barron’s Branch redevelopment project.
Posted inCommunity
Mayborn partners with tribe on Waco Indian grass house replica
Wichita artisans will help the Mayborn Museum at Baylor build a replica of the thatched houses typical of the long-vanished Waco Indian Village.
Posted inEducation
Homecoming at rebuilt Waco High School bridges generations
Wednesday evening’s event, planned ahead of Friday’s homecoming game against San Angelo Central, was the public’s first opportunity to get an inside look at the new school. It featured a community pep rally, the traditional burning of a giant “W,” and a city of Waco ceremony designating North 42nd Street as Lion’s Way.
Posted inCommunity
Celebrating East Waco’s legacy of song, schools and culture
East Waco community members and Historic Waco highlighted those stories this week during a panel at Lee Lockwood Library and Museum.
