Good morning, Abilene.

Abilene's annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is scheduled for Friday, Sept.

11 at Shotwell Stadium (1350 Expo Drive) with registration at 8 a.m., a memorial ceremony at 9 a.m., and a climb of 2,200 steps to honor 343 FDNY members killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Abilene police stress safety and clear rules for riding e-bikes and electric motorcycles as usage grows — Sgt. Mason said electric motorcycles must be registered with proper lights while riders, including kids, should wear helmets to help protect themselves.

Wylie ISD construction students are building tiny homes on Abilene's north side for Houses for Healing to support families needing long-term medical care.

Community donations (around $27,000 raised in three months) help fund the project, which will build one new home each semester to aid NICU families.

The West Texas Fair and Rodeo begins today at the Taylor County Expo Center with carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock exhibitions + rodeo competition.

Organizers expect the event to boost local business activity and support youth agricultural programs.

Abilene ISD approved Huckabee to assess all school facilities for major infrastructure needs; the review will guide Board recommendations and monthly planning meetings starting Sept.

22 + the firm earned top marks for past projects like the LIFT Career Technical Center.

State officials confirmed Fort Phantom Hill Lake is officially infested with reproducing zebra mussels after larvae were found in multiple lake samples.

Texas Parks and Wildlife urges boaters to clean, drain, and dry their equipment (to help prevent further spread).

Corporal Stevie Burchell, an Abilene native, received the Melvin Martin First Responder Award at Abilene Country Club Wednesday afternoon after 14 years in law enforcement.

The Kiwanis Club of Abilene honored her public safety commitment — from facing dangerous calls to aiding in recoveries.

Pregnant women in Abilene face long phone calls for prenatal care because local hospitals have fewer obstetric providers than before.

Hospitals are recruiting staff + launching a nurse-midwife program to meet the growing need so some patients may be sent to neighboring clinics.

ACU student Cam Hazzard from Abilene won the Dunkman World Championship in Atlanta after a torn hamstring ended his college basketball dreams, earning $500,000 and continuing his studies at ACU while hometown friends cheer him on.