Transcript:
At a forum this weekend (SATURDAY), democratic candidates looking to represent Congressional District 23 sounded off on several topics – including affordability.
Congressional District 23 covers much of the Big Bend. And the democratic candidates running to represent the sprawling district covered several key issues while at a forum at Sul Ross this past weekend.
On the issue of affordability, Katy Padilla-Stout said it was one of the reasons she entered the race. Padilla-Stout said there needs to be reforms across the board to help with affordability. She also brought up the growing price in childcare.
KDS1: “Your childcare shouldn’t cost more than a mortgage. And the solution should not be that you have to rely on grandparents, or aunts and uncles or strangers to watch your children. You should be able to put your children in quality care – if that’s what you choose to do – and have it not break the bank.” (0:15)
Gretl Enk – a former federal employee in Marfa – said she’d push for a universal pre-k program and would also look to increase the minimum wage and rally for universal healthcare.
ENK1:“It’s about prices, but it’s also about how we put more money in peoples’ pockets.” (0:06)
Candidate Santos Limon said he’d reform the tax system and would invest in farming to help with food security and affordability. Alpine’s Bruce Richardson said his first step in addressing affordability would be repealing President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Candidates also discussed immigration, the economy and healthcare.
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The Big Bend Community Chorale starts rehearsals tonight (MONDAY) – and is looking for singers to join the group.
Rehearsals begin Monday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building on the Sul Ross State University campus.
The Big Bend Community Chorale has a performance scheduled for the first weekend in May.
If you would like to join the chorale, contact the group’s director Andrew Alegria at andrew.alegria@sulross.edu.
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Tomorrow (TUESDAY), Alpine officials will meet for their next city council meeting.
During the meeting officials will hold the swearing-in ceremonies for two new city officials: city manager Henry Arredondo and chief of police Kirk Caughman. As part of the meeting, city council members will also review and potentially approve the final reading of a new ordinance that regulates the use of golf carts and other so-called “pocket bikes” within the city.
The city council meets Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Before the council’s meeting there will be a workshop to discuss funding nonprofit organizations and implementing a community service grant program.
That discussion begins at 4 p.m. at the council chambers, located at 803 W. Holland Avenue.
You can find a copy of Tuesday’s city council meeting at cityofalpine.com.
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TheAlpine ISD school board will hold their first meeting of the new year this week.
The board is set to consider and take action on calling a general election in May for school trustees in single member districts #2 and #6. Trustees are also set to discuss Senate Bill 11, which allows school boards to set times across a district’s campuses for voluntary prayer or the reading of religious texts.
The school board meets Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. at 300 E. Hendryx in Alpine.
You can find a copy of the meeting’s agenda at alpine.esc18.net.
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The next Blue Origin launch is set to take off this week.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, the space tourism company will lift off from its facility north of Van Horn.
The laun2h will take a crew of six to roughly 62 miles above Earth’s surface, the distance considered to be the boundary where Earth ends and space begins.
The flight will take off Thursday morning at 8:30.
This has been your local and area news report for KVLF 98.7 FM, 1240 AM and KALP 92.7 FM
Local news can be found on our website at bigbendradio.com.