China Spring man sentenced to life in prison
After a quick guilty verdict, a local jury began weighing the sentence for Richard Ozment who was found guilty Wednesday in the death of Michaela Brooker in 2024. Ozment killed Brooker with a concrete
More stories from our newsroom
Recent reporting and curated coverage across every beat we cover.
How to Find Free Food in Waco: Pantries, SNAP & WIC
Search 567,859+ verified resources for food, healthcare, and housing — all 50 states, DC, and US territories. Free. A practical guide for Waco: pantries, SNAP, WIC, the 211 referral line, and how to use the free Feed America directory at feedam.org.
Bell County residents warned about jury duty phone scam targeting local numbers
Scammers are impersonating the Bell County Sheriff's Office, calling residents and claiming they missed jury duty and must pay a fine or face arrest.Watch Full Story Here: Bell County residents warned about jury duty phone scam targeting local numbersThe Bell County Sheriff's...
Our Town: Books, Community, and More
HEWITT, Texas (FOX 44) — The Hewitt Public Library opened its doors in 2016, and since then it's made itself a central piece of the Hewitt community. In 2025, the Hewitt Public Library was awarded the Achievement of Excellence by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association...
Waco Indie Film Festival announces 2026 lineup, schedule
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – The Waco Independent Film Festival (Waco Indie) has announced the film lineup and events schedule for this year's event! The Festival was recently was named as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. Waco Indie’s in-theater...
Hear from local leaders at Spill the Tea Luncheon
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Waco's Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children is inviting you to an inspiring afternoon of connection, impact, and community. The organization's third annual Spill the Tea Luncheon will be taking place at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Ridgewood...
Surveillance of suspected drug deal brings arrest
Waco, Tx (FOX44) - Investigators seeing two vehicles stopped at gas pumps with no gas purchased led to two traffic stops and arrests for marijuana possession. An arrest affidavit stated a DPS Special Agent was conducting surveillance on a convenience store and gas station at US...
How to be well-prepared for hurricane season
McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) - Preparing for hurricanes is essential in saving lives, protecting your property and surviving prolonged power and supply outages. McLennan County Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan Dirker shares how we can be well-prepared for hurricane...
I-35 morning fire diverts traffic in Robinson
Robinson, Tx (FOX44) - Northbound traffic on I-35 in Robinson was disrupted shortly after two o'clock Tuesday morning when a truck tractor caught fire and burned. Robinson volunteer firefighters responded to the fire near the 330A northbound mile marker. The fire was confined to...
Advocacy Center preparing for Spill the Tea Luncheon
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children has spent nearly 50 years helping survivors across Central Texas. They provide crisis services, counseling, forensic interviews, prevention education and more. The Center is also inviting the community to...
Texas A&M basketball ahead of schedule this offseason, Coach Bucky McMillan says
Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan says the Aggies are ahead of schedule this offseason, while forward Mackenzie Mgbako works his way back from injury. Aggie Basketball Offseason UpdateTexas A&M basketball head coach Bucky McMillan says the Aggies are ahead of schedule this...
Leon County commissioners reject initial tax break application for Crusoe Technologies data center
Leon County commissioners reject initial tax break application for Crusoe Technologies data centerWatch the full story here: Leon County commissioners reject initial tax break application for Crusoe Technologies data centerMore than 200 residents packed Leon County's Annex 2...
Our Town: Hewitt Fire Department Grows Under Fire Chief
HEWITT, Texas (FOX 44) — In Hewitt, Fire Chief Jonathan Christian has brought about millions of dollars in change, including a new fire engine and a fire station. Coming to the Hewitt Fire Department, Fire Chief Jonathan Christian had a plan. The department was already making...
Waco police warn residents about AI-generated crime alerts that may spread false information
Waco police warn residents to verify AI-generated crime alerts after a false report about an officer shooting turned out to be a training exercise. Waco police are warning residents to be cautious of AI-generated crime alerts after a false report spread through a crime reporting...
Pet of the Week: Crown Apple the Collie/Aussie Shepherd Mix
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Every week, FOX 44 will be featuring a furry friend up for adoption through the Humane Society of Central Texas. You can take a look at Crown Apple in the video above! If you're thinking about adopting this furry friend, you can contact the Humane Society...
Our Town: A Public Library Of Proven Excellence
HEWITT, Texas (FOX 44) - Hewitt's calling card for making it a great place to live is its proximity to big city attractions and amenities with a small town feel. One of the great attractions is the Hewitt Public Library - which earned the 2025 Achievement of Excellence from the...
Feed the need: 25 News and Shepherd's Heart team up to fight summer food insecurity in Central Texas
As children lose access to school meals for the summer and grocery prices remain high,25 Newsis partnering with Shepherd's Heart for the annual "Feed the Need" food drive to help support local families.Watch Full Story Here: Feed the need: 25 News and Shepherd's Heart team up to...
Killeen city council to vote on ADA transition plan aimed at improving accessibility across the community
Killeen City Council is set to vote on an ADA transition plan that would improve accessibility across the community, following a settlement agreement reached with the Department of Justice in 2021.Watch the story here: Killeen city council to vote on ADA transition plan aimed at...
Our Town: Historical Landmarks of Hewitt, Texas
HEWITT, Texas (FOX 44) - While the City of Hewitt is second to none when it comes to its public services, it also boasts a couple of landmarks! The Hewitt Baptist Church was founded in November 1894 with the help of Whitehall Baptist Church. Hewitt Baptist joined the Waco...
MCC professor named Texas Country Music Awards finalist
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - A McLennan Community College (MCC) music professor is one of five finalists for Keyboard/Pianist of the Year in the 2026 Texas Country Music Awards! The College is celebrating the recognition of Music Industry Careers professor and alumnus Shane Hall, who...
Waco's 2026 ATG Expo postponed
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Organizers for the 2026 ATG Expo in Waco have made the difficult decision to postpone this year's event. The event will not be taking place on September 12–13. Event organizers say circumstances outside of their control resulted in the Expo being once...
Central Texas Softball Players Showcase Talent at Inaugural College Exposure Camp
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) -- The softball season may be over, but the next generation of stars is already making its case. More than 280 high school softball players took the field this weekend at the Parsons Sports Ranch Baseball and Softball Complex in Clifton for the facility’s...
5 Texas A&M players selected on final day of 2026 MLB Draft, led by Bear Harrison in fifth round
Five Texas A&M baseball players were selected on the final day of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.Catcher Bear Harrison headlined the group, going 160th overall to the New York Yankees in the fifth round. Harrison...
Gas prices fall, but grocery bills keep climbing for Waco shoppers
Gas prices may be falling, but grocery bills are heading in the opposite direction and Waco shoppers are feeling it.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports grocery inflation is up nearly 3% over the last year. While local economist Ray Perryman says that percentage is in...
One person dead, another detained after Grimes County shooting
One man is dead and another is detained following a Saturday evening shooting in Grimes County.The Grimes County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call around 5:12 p.m. Saturday reporting a shooting on Independence Drive in Bedias. Deputies arriving at the scene found one adult...
The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce's LEAD Program celebrates 20 years
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce is celebrating twenty years of its LEAD Program. LEAD stands for Leadership, Education & Development, and it is the Chamber's locally-grown, grassroots mentoring program, started by a local banker who graduated from...
Houston Texans Woody Marks hosts football camp for military children at Fort Hood
Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks is hosting a youth football camp at Fort Hood, centered solely around military children.Watch the story here: Houston Texans Woody Marks hosts football camp for military children at Fort HoodFor many military kids in the area, the...
China Spring man sentenced to life in prison
After a quick guilty verdict, a local jury began weighing the sentence for Richard Ozment who was found guilty Wednesday in the death of Michaela Brooker in 2024. Ozment killed Brooker with a concrete brick, and in addition, he used a machete during the brutal death Ozment...
Local church lowers gas prices for local residents
Glory Bell Church in Waco raised over $5,000 in donations to help bring down the price of gas for residents. The event was held at Buzzy Gas Station from 9 am to 11 am Dozens of residents attended the eventBROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:I barely got paid today," said resident Pablo...
Hundreds show up for local church's Gas Buy Down Day
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Let's face it, these days, anything under $3 per gallon is a score, but one local church takes it a step further every year. Hundreds, literally over 200 vehicles, showed up this morning (July 11, 2026) for Glory Bell Church's annual 'Gas Buy Down Day.'...
Waco 6-Shooters Raise Funds for Friends for Life at Annual Granny Basketball Game
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) --The third annual Famous Friends vs. Waco 6-Shooters Granny Basketball Fundraiser returned to Waco. The event tipped off at the Highlands Gym at MCC, bringing together local leaders, community supporters and familiar faces to raise money for Friends for...
Local residents question city of Whitney annual pet registration fee
For the last two years, the city of Whitney has been collecting fees from our neighbors to register their pets. Now, some residents want to know where the money is going. One city official said that within the past two years, a little over $500 sat in a general fund, and the...
Twenty-eighth annual Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camp teaches families to care for and show animals
The 3-day camp at the Brazos County Expo Center draws first-time campers from across Texas and provides a boost to the local economy. Aggieland Lamb and Goat CampThe 28th annual Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camp is underway at the Brazos County Expo Center, helping teach families how...
Aggie baseball players poised to hear their names called at the 2026 MLB Draft
Aggie baseball players poised to hear their names called at the 2026 MLB DraftMultiple Texas A&M baseball players are projected to be selected when the 2026 MLB Draft begins Saturday. Aggies MLB Draft PreviewAfter a strong 2026 season, several Aggie Baseball players are waiting...
Backpacks! Pencils! Paper! Oh my! Waco PD hosts Stuff the Cruiser event
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - We are only halfway through summer vacation, but the Waco Police Department already has back-to-school on their mind. The department had all available hands on deck for their annual 'Stuff the Cruiser' event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, (July 11, 2026),...
Waco Regional Airport Potentially Adding New Destination and Airline
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — The Waco Regional Airport has been working towards making itself the first choice for Wacoans, and one step they're taking is seeking a grant to grow the capabilities of the airport. As of the past few years, the Waco Regional Airport (ACT) only offers...
Bomb threat brings evacuation of McLennan Co. Courthouse
Waco, Tx (FOX 44) - UPDATE: The McLennan County Sheriff's Office has provided the all clear after a bomb threat at the County Courthouse on Friday morning, according to the Waco Police Department. Waco PD says no threat has been found. All roads have been reopened. This comes...
Couple's request for records after flooding challenged by Central Texas city; Heads to AG's office
A Central Texas couples request for public information from their city is being challenged and is now in the hands of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.The expecting parents are now at their wits' end about flooding on their Copperas Cove property and have reached out...
Haydon Wiginton honors late grandfather through music at Lampasas Spring Ho Festival
Former Texas Tech football player Haydon Wiginton is returning to his family roots in Lampasas this weekend for the annual Spring Ho Festival and he's bringing his very first song with him.Watch the story here: Haydon Wiginton honors late grandfather through music at Lampasas...
Waco residents react after bomb threat shuts down McLennan County Courthouse on Friday
A bomb threat was called in to the McLennan County Sheriff's Office at 8 a.m. Friday, prompting the evacuation of the McLennan County Courthouse and nearby buildings in Waco. Deputies conducted a primary and secondary search of the courthouse, the district attorney's office, and...
Local Organizations Team Up to Build Beds for Texas Lions Camp Campers
Robinson, TX (FOX 44) - A good night's sleep is helping dreams take shape in Kerrville thanks to the efforts of two local organizations working together to ensure campers have a comfortable place to rest. Campers will rest a little easier thanks to the Robinson Area Lions Club...