Early voting for the 2026 midterm elections is set to begin Monday, with polling locations opening across Potter and Randall counties. Meanwhile, a major aerospace expansion, a million-dollar donation for pediatric health care and a new art exhibit are making headlines in Amarillo. Here’s a look at those stories and other developments across the area.
Early Voting Begins Monday in Potter and Randall Counties
Voters across the Texas Panhandle can begin casting their ballots Monday, October 19, as early voting gets underway for the November 3 midterm elections.
Randall County voters in Amarillo can vote at the Randall County Annex, 4320 S. Western St.; Southwest Branch Library, 6801 SW 45th Ave.; and Comanche Trail Church of Christ, 2700 E. 34th Ave. Canyon voting locations include the Randall County Election Administration Office, 1604 5th Ave., and the Randall County Justice Center, 2309 Russell Long Blvd.
In Potter County, early voting locations include the Santa Fe Building, 900 S. Polk St.; Northwest Branch Library, 6100 9th Ave.; Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave.; Casey Carpet One, 3500 I-40 West; and Cornerstone Outreach, 1111 N. Buchanan St.
Early voting continues through Friday, October 30, with most locations open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters are encouraged to check with their county election office for specific polling hours before heading out.
New Amarillo Aircraft Hangar Brings Jobs and Economic Growth
Amarillo's aerospace industry is getting a major boost with the opening of a new 79,000-square-foot aircraft hangar at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.
International Aerospace Coatings recently celebrated the expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking another milestone for a company that has operated in Amarillo for roughly 30 years.
The new facility can accommodate some of the world's largest wide-body aircraft for painting and maintenance-related operations. According to Amarillo Economic Development Corporation Senior Vice President Doug Nelson, the expansion is expected to create 70 full-time jobs and add approximately $28 million to the city's tax base.
IAC CEO Martin O'Connell said expanding the company's Amarillo operations had been under consideration for several years. The new hangar becomes one of two facilities at the airport capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, further strengthening Amarillo's position in the aviation industry.
Children's Miracle Network Donates $1 Million to Expand Pediatric Care
Families across the Texas Panhandle could soon have better access to specialized children's health care thanks to a major donation from the Children's Miracle Network of Amarillo and the High Plains Region.
The organization presented $1 million Tuesday to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in support of its Pediatric Fund for Excellence.
The fund aims to raise $10 million to recruit pediatric specialists and purchase medical equipment for services that are currently unavailable in Amarillo. With the latest contribution and 42 other donations, the initiative has already raised more than $3.4 million.
The goal is to help more children receive specialized treatment closer to home, reducing the need for families to travel to children's hospitals elsewhere in Texas. Expanding local services could also ease the financial and emotional burden on parents seeking care for their children.
WT Students Honor Sybil Harrington With New Art Exhibit
The legacy of Amarillo philanthropist Dr. Sybil B. Harrington is being celebrated through a new art installation that combines local history, student creativity and modern technology.
On Tuesday, which would have marked Harrington's 118th birthday, students, faculty and guests at West Texas A&M University took a virtual tour of The Foundations of Amarillo, an exhibit installed at the Amarillo Area Foundation in downtown Amarillo.
The experience was presented inside WT's 280-degree virtual reality lab in the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building, allowing visitors to explore the artwork without leaving campus.
Created by WT students and faculty, the exhibit features carved-relief panels inspired by familiar Panhandle landmarks, including Palo Duro Canyon and Route 66. The pieces were produced using computer numerical control technology, which allows machines to carve detailed designs into materials such as wood, plastic and metal.
The project offers a tribute to Harrington's lasting influence on Amarillo while showcasing the artistic and technical talents of WT students.
Amarillo Considers Mandatory Microchipping for Dogs and Cats
Amarillo pet owners could face a new requirement as city officials continue discussing a proposed mandatory microchipping ordinance.
The city's Animal Management and Welfare advisory board met Wednesday to review suggestions from the Amarillo City Council following Tuesday's council discussion.
Under the proposal, dogs and cats older than three months living within Amarillo city limits would be required to have a microchip. Supporters believe the measure could help reunite lost pets with their owners more quickly while reducing overcrowding at the city's animal shelter.
However, some council members have raised questions about how the requirement would be enforced. City staff and advisory board members have been asked to finalize the proposed ordinance before bringing it back for further consideration.
In the meantime, Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare is offering free pet microchipping throughout October.
Guymon Officials Explain Water Line Breaks During Sewer Project
Residents in Guymon, Oklahoma, experiencing unexpected water outages are getting an explanation from city officials as work continues on a major wastewater infrastructure replacement project.
City Manager Micheal Shannon said recent water line breaks are connected to construction involving a process commonly known as pipe bursting, which replaces aging underground pipes.
The work can create movement and pressure in the surrounding soil, sometimes disturbing nearby waterlines. Many of Guymon's older waterlines have become fragile over time, making them more likely to crack or break even with relatively minor ground movement.
Shannon emphasized that the disruptions are unintentional and that crews are working to minimize their impact on residents.
