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Hardin-Simmons beat Howard Payne (23-17) in Brownwood after Cayden Jones' fourth-quarter touchdown and a late field goal put the Cowboys ahead.

Abilene ISD's payroll topped $103 million, and a district video breaks down how salary dollars were distributed among teachers, administrators, and support staff (video).

An analysis of Abilene ISD salary records found teachers receive more than $52.2 million, or 50.6% of the district’s $103.2 million payroll while making up 41.4% of staff (891 employees); administrators and professionals earn nearly $27.6 million, about 26.8% of payroll.

Abilene Christian beat West Georgia 59-0 at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium (homecoming), extending the Wildcats' winning streak to four games while forcing five takeaways and generating multiple big plays from Tucker Parks and Cristian Driver.

ACU will travel to face Tarleton State next week.

Goldthwaite rallied for 18 unanswered points in the second half to beat Stamford (24-20) and claim the district title Friday at Stamford; the Eagles will take a bye before the playoffs, and Stamford finishes its regular season at Winters.

Realtor.com data for July shows Taylor County's median home sale price was $292,552, up 2.7% from June and 15.5% from July 2025; single family homes rose to $292,552, condo and townhome median fell to $246,446, and recorded sales dropped to 281 totaling $57.8 million.

Joyland, a national indoor-playground chain, will open in early November at the former Party City building, 3536 S.

Clack St., offering age-specific play zones for ages 1 to 12, multi-level climbing towers, ball pits, private party rooms, and a kids' snack bar.

Abilene’s Cypress Street Improvement Project was named a finalist for Best Public Improvement in the Texas Downtown President’s Awards after the streetscape was completed in early summer from North First to North Fifth with wider sidewalks and new lighting.

Funded through the city’s TIRZ program, winners are announced Nov. 4.