Amarillo Texas Local News - April 3, 2026

Amarillo Texas Local News Breaking news: Voter Registration Deadline Approaching: Thursday, April 3 is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming May 3 General Election for Amarillo residents in Potter and Randall counties . Voters can check their registration status at votetexas.gov or contact their county elections office. Potter County residents should mail applications to P.O. Box 9618, Amarillo, TX 79105, while Randall County residents should send applications to 1604 5th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015 . SNAP Benefits Change: Texas recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are seeing a major change this month that affects how benefits can be used [1]. New Texas Laws Now in Effect: Over 800 bills passed during Texas's 89th Regular Legislative Session went into effect September 1, including legislation related to school choice, library councils, and increased election fraud penalties . The legislation includes $51 billion for property tax cuts and $8.5 billion for increased public education funding, including teacher pay raises . Weather: No significant weather events were reported in the current research findings. Residents should continue to monitor local forecasts and the City of Amarillo's official channels for any updates. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is reminding those heading to Texas lakes, rivers, and coastal waters to prioritize safety during outdoor activities [2]. Events: May 3, 2025 General Election: The City of Amarillo will hold its General Election on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with multiple positions up for election for two-year terms . Early voting options are available, and voters can also apply for a ballot by mail with a deadline of April 22 for ABBM submission . Candidate Forums: Two forums will be held in April featuring candidates for various local offices, providing voters an opportunity to learn about candidates before the May 3 election . League of Women Voters 75th Anniversary: The League of Women Voters of Amarillo is celebrating 75 years of voter education, voter registration, and civic engagement with a celebratory event looking at the organization's past, present, and future . local business: No specific local business openings, closings, or promotional events were reported in the current research findings. Residents are encouraged to check local business directories and community boards for updates on area businesses. school: Region 16 Spanish Spelling Bee: Students from Region 16 competed in a Spanish Spelling Bee, demonstrating academic excellence in bilingual education . WT Civil Discourse Symposium: West Texas A&M University and The Hill Institute are hosting a Civil Discourse and Civics Education symposium, promoting constructive dialogue and civic engagement among students . AI Impact on College Students: A recent poll shows almost half of college students have considered changing their majors due to the impact of artificial intelligence on their future career fields, while AI has also changed how students interact with their coursework [3]. The Roundup: Moore County AgriLife Agent Honored: Marcel Fischbacher, Moore County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent, was recognized by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association as its 2026 "Outstanding" award recipient for beef education and producer impact [4]. This recognition highlights the important agricultural work being done in the Texas Panhandle region. Amarillo Mural Competition: Amarillo was selected as one of 10 Texas towns for the "Star Spangled Texas" mural competition led by Texas Monthly Studio as part of the America 250 celebration . The top three towns will receive a custom mural designed to reflect local history and community identity. Residents can support Amarillo by voting online at the Texas Monthly website . References https://amarillotribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-bills-related-to-school-choice-library-councils-and-increased-election-fraud-penalties-now-in-effect https://amarillotribune.org/tag/amarillo-voters https://www.myhighplains.com/news/national/almost-half-of-college-students-have-considered-changing-majors-due-to-ai-impact-polling/ https://amarillotribune.org/tag/amarillo-election-results