State Champions Call Waco Home

Good morning, Waco! There are two types of people in this world: those who say "partly cloudy" and those who say "mostly sunny." We choose the second and hope you will too :)

In today’s Waco Buzz:

• Hometown of Softball Champions 🥎🥎

• Waco Gem: Community Doulas of Waco 💎

• City Council Agenda: Major Infrastructure Investments 🛣️

• Live Music, Trivia Nights, and a Bob Ross Paint Night this week 🎶

— Sam Harper

P.S. We always want to get better, so don’t miss the feedback poll at the bottom of today’s newsletter. It only takes a few seconds, and your voice helps shape what comes next. Favorite comment lately? “This email is better than local news on TV. AMAZING.”

Buzzworthy News

 We normally save sports for the end but with this kind of momentum, it’s only right we lead off by celebrating some serious local champions.

🥎 Double the Softball Glory
Midway and Robinson both brought home state titles in softball over the weekend.

The Midway Pantherettes claimed the 6A crown with a dominant 9–1 win over Clear Springs. Sophomore Peyton Philipp struck out 11 and doubled at the plate to earn championship MVP. This is Midway’s first softball state title since 2010.

The Robinson Rockets rolled to a 10–1 victory over Aubrey in the 4A D2 Championship. Raelynn Van Zee was named MVP after leading the charge on the mound.

⚾ Midway Baseball Eyes the Title
Midway’s baseball team is heading to the 6A state championship game for the first time since 2005. After taking down Prosper 4–2 in a high-stakes Game 3, they’ll face Atascocita this Saturday at 4 PM in Round Rock. It’s been a historic week for Panther Nation. Let’s pack out the stadium on Saturday to cheer the hometown team on!

⚾ MCC Falls Just Short in JUCO World Series
McLennan Community College made a strong run to the semifinals of the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction. Despite beating top-seeded Walters State 18–13 earlier, the Highlanders came up just short in the rematch, falling 11–9. Still, with a 48–18 season record and their 10th trip to the World Series, MCC remains a powerhouse in junior college baseball.

🚵 $337K Grant Boosts Local Trails
Big win for outdoor lovers: McLennan County just secured a $337,200 grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife to upgrade the Waco Eagles Motocross Dirt Bike Park. The funds will go toward renovating 10+ miles of trails and adding restrooms, signage, seating, and more. Originally opening in 1934, it’s one of the oldest motorcycle parks in the country. Find it at 9874 E Hwy 6.

🏊🚲🏃‍♂️Save the Date for TriWaco
TriWaco returns on June 29, and it's not just for athletes—volunteers are the real MVPs who help make race day happen. If you want to be part of one of Waco’s most iconic community events, there’s still time to sign up at TriWaco.org.

Sponsored by Homestead Weekly Market

Looking for an easy weekend outing with the kids? The Homestead Weekly Market is open Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM with local produce, handmade goods, and kid-friendly fun like a giant hay bale slide, petting pen, and a Texas-sized maze. Great way to spend the morning and let the kids burn off some energy.
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🧳 Local Business

⚽ Star Soccer Complex Taking Shape
That big construction project at MLK and Herring? It’s the new Star Soccer Complex, and it’s moving fast with indoor turf already laid and the walls going up. Once complete, it’ll be a hub for youth soccer, league play, and Waco weekends.
📸 See the progress at @starsoccercenter

⚾ New Sports Ranch Coming to Gholson Road
Via KWTX: Local business owner Stuart Parsons just announced plans to turn 50 wooded acres off Gholson Road into a luxury baseball and softball complex. The Parsons Sports Ranch will feature six all-turf fields, space for tournaments, dining, cabins for traveling teams, and even pickleball courts. Parsons hopes to be hosting tournaments by this time next year.

🚗 Guardian Collective Opens Memberships
We told you last month it was coming—now Guardian Collective is officially opening spots for founding members. The 26,000 sq-ft warehouse will soon house a car gallery, boutique gym, golf simulator, and luxe members-only lounges. Memberships are limited, so if you’re interested, now’s the time to claim your spot at guardian-collective.com.

Waco Gems 💎

Not everyone knows what a doula does, but once you’ve had one, you never forget it. Doulas are trained professionals who offer emotional, physical, and practical support during birth and the early days of parenthood. And in Waco, we’re lucky to have an organization making sure that support is accessible to the families who need it most.

Community Doulas of Waco is a nonprofit changing the landscape of maternal care in McLennan County. They provide birth and postpartum doula services to qualifying families, especially those navigating childbirth with limited financial resources or support systems.

But it doesn’t stop there. This group is also building a pathway by mentoring and training former clients to become doulas themselves. It's a beautiful full-circle model: women receive care during a vulnerable season, then step into a role that allows them to provide that same care to others while also gaining income, confidence, and community. If you’re expecting a baby, want to become a doula, or simply believe in the power of lifting up moms and babies, get connected at comdoulaswaco.org or call (254) 307-0377.

Civil News ⚖️

On the agenda for Tuesday’s Waco City Council Meeting:

🛣️ Better Streets Plan
Council is reviewing the next phase of road repairs and street upgrades across Waco. This includes early planning for next year’s city budget and major infrastructure investments.

🏨 Tourism Check-In
The city will present updated data on hotel stays, short-term rentals, and airport traffic. It’s a look at how Waco’s visitor economy is performing and what’s coming next. Did you know that tourism contributes over 5,000 jobs to the Waco economy?

🚘 CarMax Expansion
CarMax is eyeing a location near I-35 and Vista View Drive for a new auto sales center.

🏠 Mission Waco Permit
Council will vote on renewing the special use permit for Mission Waco’s transitional shelter on Gorman Ave. This helps the nonprofit continue offering housing for people in crisis.

🎨 7th Street Plaza in Motion
Plans to permanently close off a block of 7th Street for a pedestrian plaza are advancing. The space would prioritize art, walkability, and public gathering downtown. Here is a video from the Waco Trib with the design team behind the artwork.

📄 See full agenda

The meeting is at 6 PM in the Waco Convention Center Bosque Theater, with work session at 3 PM. The public is welcome to attend and can register to speak online or at the meeting. — 100 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX

👟 Heads Up: Cotton Belt Trail Closed

If the Cotton Belt Trail is part of your weekly walk or ride, make other plans for now—it's closed for sewer line improvements over the next two weeks. The 2.5-mile trail runs from Trail Blazer Park on Harris Creek Road to Hannah Hill Road, crossing the South Bosque River and offering some of the best views in the area.

Midweek Live Music and Events

Tuesday

• Open House & Networking Event 5:30 PM | Marie’s Wine Bar

• Meet the Maker: Garrison Brothers Bourbon Pairing Dinner 6:30 PM | Pignetti’s

• Beer Garden Yoga 6:30 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

• Trivia Night 7:00 PM | Sam's Bar, Southern Roots Brewing Co, & Freight Bar

• Open Mic Night 8:00 PM | Thrst Coffee

Wednesday

• The Meetup 9:00 AM | Startup Waco

• Fabled Story-Time 10:30 AM | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe

• Wild Wednesdays Hikes 5:45 PM | Northern Gateway in Cameron Park

• Music Bingo 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

• Open Mic Night 7:00 PM | Last Chance Bar

Thursday

• Bob Ross Paint Night 5:00 PM | Ramble & Company | Register here

• Live Music Night 5:00 PM | Anthem Stories

• Bingo Night 6:00 PM | The Will

• Gordon Pyle in concert 6:30 PM | The BLVD Steakhouse

• Waco Brew Theology 7:00 PM | Southern Roots Brewing Co.

• Mark McCallister 7:00 PM | Union Grove

• Country Blues Songwriter Series 8:00 PM | Texas Music Cafe | Tickets here

• Open Mic Night 8:00 PM | Common Grounds

• Thursday Night Locals' Lounge 9:00 PM | Freight Bar

Friday Morning Spotlight: Yoga at the Silos

Free yoga is happening on the Silos lawn this Friday June 6 from 8:30 to 9:30 AM as part of Magnolia’s Summer Movement Series. Led by an instructor from Yoga8, this all-levels class is open to everyone and the first 25 participants get a free juice from Oh My Juice.

Gates open at 8:20. Grab your mat, bring a friend, and kick off the weekend in the best way possible.

📸Best of Waco

📸: @inishesh

Sports🐻

🏈Baylor Football will kick off its 2025 season under the Friday night lights on August 29, hosting Auburn at McLane Stadium with a 7:00 p.m. CT kickoff on FOX . This marks the first meeting between the two programs since 1976, with Baylor leading the all-time series 2-1-1

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, share it with the person you know who is most likely to be floating the lazy river at Hawaiian Falls this week.