Here’s a quick look at several news items, public meetings and community events happening across Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. From a train derailment near Claude to university enrollment numbers and upcoming city and county meetings, here are seven stories to have on your radar.
BNSF Train Derailment Affects Main Track Near Claude
BNSF Railway reported a train derailment near Claude has affected its main track. The railroad received a preliminary report of the derailment at about 9:19 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Red River Valley Subdivision, about 30 miles southeast of Amarillo. Crews responded to assess the site, but BNSF has not announced an estimated time for reopening the main track. BNSF said companies with loaded shipments directly involved in the derailment will be contacted by its Load and Ride Solutions team with additional information and next steps.
WTAMU Enrollment Drops 4 Percent for Fall 2026
Fall enrollment at West Texas A&M University is down about 4 percent from a year ago. WTAMU reported enrollment of 8,866 students based on figures from the 12th class day on Sept. 10, compared with 9,257 students in fall 2025. University officials said they are working to strengthen enrollment initiatives that have been successful while addressing areas needing improvement. The decline comes after WT recorded its largest graduating class since 2019, with 2,573 students graduating, nearly 300 more than the previous year.
Amarillo Botanical Gardens Opens New Butterfly Sanctuary
The Amarillo Botanical Gardens is celebrating the grand opening of its new free-flight butterfly exhibit as part of A Day with the Butterflies. The John P. Connell Butterfly Sanctuary will feature live native butterflies, information about their life cycles and plants that attract and feed them. The event includes crafts, educational activities, concessions and opportunities for visitors to participate in a butterfly release. Breakfast and the butterfly release are $25 for adults and $20 for children under 10, while general admission is $15 and includes a butterfly while supplies last.
Amarillo City Council Sets Special Tax Rate Meeting
The Amarillo City Council will hold a special meeting at 11 a.m. Monday in Room 3400 of City Hall, 623 S. Johnson St. Council members will discuss and consider the proposed maintenance and operations and debt-service tax rates for the city's proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The public will have an opportunity to comment during the meeting. The meeting also will be livestreamed on the City of Amarillo's YouTube channel.
Dumas City Commission to Discuss Shopping Center Redevelopment
The Dumas City Commission will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in commission chambers at 124 E. Seventh St. Commissioners are scheduled to hear a presentation from Allison Cook concerning a proposed redevelopment of a retail shopping center with Project Count. The commission also will discuss residential water services outside the city limits. Commissioners are expected to consider awarding a management services agreement for the golf course pro shop to David Ansett and authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement.
Borger City Council to Consider Tax Rate, Property Sale
The Borger City Council will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at 600 N. Main St. The council will consider an agreement for the sale of city-owned property at 406 E. 11th St. to Maria Echibarria, along with final readings of ordinances amending the city's fee schedule for fiscal 2027 and its fiscal 2026 operating budget. Council members also will conduct a public hearing and consider approval of the combined tax rate for fiscal 2027. The council will consider a resolution establishing the city's intent to reimburse itself for previous expenditures on various city improvements using proceeds from future tax-exempt obligations. The meeting also includes time for public comments.
Potter County Commissioners Have Full Monday Agenda
Potter County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in Room 2141 of the county courthouse, 350 SE Sixth Ave. Commissioners are scheduled to hear reports and consider items involving the Amarillo-Potter Events Venue District, Texas Veterans Commission, Panhandle Area Regional Public Defender's Office, gun range berm improvements, district clerk records archive plan and a River Road school resource officer. Other agenda items include cybersecurity and artificial intelligence training, a website service change, indigent cremation services and an interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Public Safety for crime reporting. Commissioners also will consider a replacement vehicle for one that was totaled and designate September as Hunger Action Month in recognition of the High Plains Food Bank. The meeting includes time for public comments.
