✈️ Waco wants a second airline

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that just hit its two year mark and can’t wait for the year to come.

🎉 Two years, 220 editions, and 15,000 of you
✈️ Waco's chasing a second airline
🏈 Aranda wants McLane packed. Here's his plan.
🎶 Everything happening in Waco this weekend
💼 Three leadership roles hiring in Waco

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

HOTWORX Woodway is turning one, and they're celebrating by giving back. On Saturday, August 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., they're teaming up with Carter BloodCare for a community blood drive right outside their studio at 13701 Woodway Dr, Suite 613.

Every donor gets entered to win raffle prizes, including a one night stay at the AC Marriott, a $100 gift card to Butcher's Cellar or Hilltop Tavern, a Scentsy gift basket, and stretches from Stretch Zone Waco. Dirty Fix will be there serving free Dirty Sodas while you wait.

One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Bring your photo ID and roll up a sleeve.

Schedule your appointment here | 📍13701 Woodway Dr, Suite 613*

🎉 220 Editions Later

This edition marks exactly two years of The Waco Buzz. Edition 220, if you're counting.

I moved here ten years ago and kept hearing the same thing over and over: "Waco is boring." Or I'd find out about something great a week too late, scrolling past photos of an event I would have loved to go to. So two years ago, I started sending a simple email to a handful of friends sharing some cool events and new businesses coming to town.

Turns out a lot of you wanted to know that too. Over 15,000 of you now open this three times a week, and that still gets me every single time I hit send.

But here's the truth. This was never really about the newsletter. It's about what you've done with it. You're the ones who showed up to a dinner with five strangers and left with new friends, over 500 of you now participating at a Dinner Club. You're the ones who tried the new restaurant because you saw it here, who caught the show before it sold out, who said "let's go" instead of staying on the couch. Every single time one of you replies with an idea, forwards this to a neighbor, or tells me you finally went and did the thing, that's the whole point.

There's more coming. A new semester of Social Studies. Our first Bucket List Travel Club trip next summer. A few other things I'm not ready to announce yet. But none of it matters without you actually showing up for it, the way you always have.

So thank you, Waco. For reading, for replying, for getting off the couch. Here's to the next 15,000.

✈️ Waco Airport Wants a Second Airline
Waco Regional has run on one airline since 2012: American Eagle, three flights a day to DFW. The city wants that to change.

Waco applied for a $1 million federal grant to help lure SkyWest Airlines into adding a route to Houston's Bush Intercontinental, and the city would match it with another $1 million. A SkyWest official's letter calls Waco "an excellent candidate," though it stops short of a promise.

Airport manager James Harris said locals mostly want Orlando, Las Vegas, and Nashville, and the airport currently captures only 30% of local air traffic. Hopefully the weekly flight deals in the Tuesday edition have helped you take a second look at what’s in our backyard. We'll know if Waco gets the grant this October. Read more on the Trib. ($)

🏈 Aranda Wants McLane Packed

Dave Aranda was at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco this week, and his message was clear: he wants McLane loud enough that opposing offenses can't hear on third down. His words, "get the whole city of Waco…engaged."

It's the same energy behind new AD Doug McNamee's "Fan First Era," which already brought lower concession prices and a restored Bear Walk route for 2026. Baylor opens at home September 12 against Prairie View A&M.

📌 Quick Hits

⚽ USA's out. Belgium sent the USMNT home Monday, 4-1, and it wasn't close. One tweet has been going around over the past two weeks that sums up the World Cup for me: a German fan's take that if you want to hate America, watch the news, and if you want to love it, drive through it.

🛏️ No Kid Sleeps on the Floor. Sleep In Heavenly Peace Waco is building beds for local kids this Saturday, July 11 at 8:45 a.m., Meadowbrook Baptist Church, 1207 N. Old Robinson Road. No experience needed. Register here.

🏀 Granny Basketball is back. The Waco Six Shooters take on the Famous Friends at MCC Highlands Gym Saturday, 2:30 p.m. tip off, benefiting Friends for Life. Doors at 1:30. Tickets here.

🥤 It's 7-Eleven's birthday on Saturday. Free Slurpees at every Waco 7-Eleven Saturday, July 11, no purchase required. Consider it a public service announcement.

⚽ World Cup Watch Party Barnett's Whiskey House Patio Saturday, July 11 | 420 Franklin Ave

Norway vs. England at 4 PM, then Argentina vs. Switzerland at 8 PM. Two massive screens, a full bar and food truck, and a room full of people who suddenly care a lot about Swiss soccer.

🎤 YouXAI Is Coming to Waco

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12 at PACC. YouXAI is a one day event for founders, creators, and marketers who want real AI tools and workflows, not another buzzword panel. The lineup includes names you'll recognize, including Baylor's Hope Koch, Mike Hamilton of Rogue Media Network, and Startup Waco's Nicholi Martinez.
Only 200 seats, and early bird tickets are $59 through July 31. Grab yours here.

🎈 Friday, July 10:

Lilo & Stitch Dive in Movie @ Hawaiian Falls - 6 PM

"Mean Girls: The Musical" @ Waco Civic Theatre – 7 PM | Tickets

KWBU Summer Nights @ Brotherwell Brewing – 6-8 PM

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
The Bill and Phil Show @ Uncle Dan's BBQ – 6:30 PM
Gene Watson @ Waco Hippodrome Theatre – 7 PM
Pistola @ The Will – 8 PM
Toadies @ The Backyard Bar Stage & Grill – 8:30 PM

🎈 Saturday, July 11:

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM

Monthly Grief Talks with Hope Again @ Wilkerson Hatch Bailey - 10 AM

Meet Bluey @ Central Library - 10:30 AM

Granny Basketball Fundraiser @ MCC Highlands Gym – 2:30 PM

World Cup Watch Party @ Barnett's Whiskey House – 4 PM & 8 PM

"Mean Girls: The Musical" @ Waco Civic Theatre – 7 PM | Tickets

Taylor Swift Trivia @ Roni's Mac Bar – evening

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Greg and Evan @ Segovia Wine Bar – 7 PM
War @ The Backyard Bar Stage & Grill – 8:30 PM

🎈 Sunday, July 12:

Doggie Day @ The Will – Noon to 8 PM. Dachshund Derby Race at 5:30

Collect 'Em Again Trade Day @ PACC, 924 Austin Ave – Noon to 3 PM, free to trade cards

Want your event featured? Reserve an upcoming Featured Event listing here.

Director, Agent Operations at American Amicable Group. Lead strategy across Agent Support, Contracting, and Commissions for one of Waco's biggest employers.

Deputy Editor at Magnolia Journal. Guide story copy from concept to print for Chip and Jo's flagship magazine.

Director of Site Operations at BYOT Auto Parts ($80K–$90K). Oversee daily operations and sales for the Elm Mott site.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 117 new roles added this week

🧗‍♀️ This summer, Basin Climbing + Fitness is offering $25 off their summer camp using code WACOBUZZ. If you or your child wants to try climbing before signing up, swing by the gym any day and give it a try together.

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway for $1 this month.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevy of West have been taking care of Waco drivers for years with new and pre-owned trucks, SUVs, and cars just 20 minutes up I-35 in West, TX. Stop by or browse their inventory today.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best. They’re offering Sculptra specials of buy two get one free to help your body grow its own collagen.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off.

💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a space designed for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, share it with your friend who says Waco is boring.

Whenever you’re ready, here are four ways to get more involved:

1. Want to reach Waco? This newsletter lands in 15,000+ local inboxes every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. There are nine ways to partner with us, and one of them is probably a fit. See all nine ways to partner here.

2. Dinner Club: Meet five other locals (recent movers and lifelong Wacoans) over dinner on July 28. You’ll make new friends regardless of stage of life and help make Waco a smaller town.

3. Have an event you want to promote? Get it featured leading up to the event. Two spots available per issue. Reserve yours here.

4.Want to share how you’ve built a good life in Waco? Participate anonymously and it may be featured in an upcoming Sunday edition.