Hello Temple! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Temple mall closure, cool cold-blooded critters, and kid’s movie night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Utility project under review: More than 40 lawmakers backed a motion Tuesday to pause a 765 kV power line through Bell County, citing landowner concerns. Rep. Brad Buckley supports it, with PUC decision pending -- follow the power line pause.
Business owners face uncertainty: Temple Mall closed Monday, June 22, over fire and code violations. Owner Rob Brandenburg, with three stores there, isn’t giving up while reopening depends on demonstrating compliance with safety requirements -- see the mall closure update.
Funding plans explained: After voters approved Temple College’s second bond in five years, President Christy Ponce explained where new tax dollars will go, citing healthcare program growth and overdue campus building upgrades -- check the bond spending plan.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Upgrade your yard game: If your Temple lawn taps out every August, Garden City Nursery has the Central Texas-tough flowers, shrubs, and shade-makers to revive it. Ask their crew to steer you to what actually thrives here, and yes, they can help get those bigger trees into the ground so your weekends stay chill.
Easy win this week: When you need a low-effort, high-fun plan, Spare Time Texas Temple has you covered with 24 bowling lanes, a two-story laser tag arena, 50+ arcade games, and The Backyard’s mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, and ropes courses, plus Shakers Restaurant + Bar to refuel.
Weekday sanity saver: When the cabin fever hits, swing by West Temple Park this week... playground for the kids, courts for quick pickup games, a splash pad to cool off, and shady picnic spots that make weekday evenings feel like a mini reset. Temple errand loop approved.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍱 Lunch at the Airport @ Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport | Wednesday (6/24) at 11:00 AM – Lunch at the airport with Wat Tha Truck, plus airplane rides for purchase, flight school info, and aircraft tours. Free and open to the public, with indoor seating, and the rare joy of airport time without TSA, baggage fees, or soggy pretzels.
🎬 Kid’s Movie Night @ Treno Pizzeria and Taproom | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Treno is rolling Sonic the Hedgehog for movie night, and the kids get a free kid pizza with each adult entree. They watch the blue guy sprint, you finally finish your wine and a meal, and nobody races laps between tables.
🎴 Pokemon Trade Night @ Blade and Banner Games | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – If you still have a binder of Charizards and regrets, this is your night. Local collectors are swapping cards, comparing shiny flexes, and making friends who know what a first edition stamp means. Low stakes, high nostalgia, zero HOA drama.
💧 Water Wednesdays @ Pavilion at Stagecoach Inn (Salado) | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Water Wednesdays at the Stagecoach Pool bring laid-back evening swims, burgers, hot dogs, margaritas, and slushies. Basically summer camp for adults, with lifeguards for the kids and guilt-free lounging for you. $20 adults, $10 kids.
🎬 Trackside Cinema @ Santa Fe Plaza | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Ready to feel young, or at least pretend for the kids? Trackside Cinema is screening The Lego Movie for free at Santa Fe Plaza in Downtown Temple, with food trucks, chairs, and blankets encouraged, and that song lodging in your brain on the drive home.
📖 Story Time @ Brew-&-Play Cafè | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a Friday morning where someone else reads to the kids, and your coffee stays hot. Brew-&-Play Café hosts story time every Friday, with a play zone, good espresso, and the sacred trio of signed waiver, grip socks, and semi-fresh patience.
💳 Kiddo Cards @ First United Bank | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – First United Bank on W Adams is hosting free Kiddo Cards for ages 2 to 15, a tidy ID with photo, stats, thumbprint, and emergency contacts. Kids change faster than Texas weather, so a snapshot and details mean peace of mind, and fewer gray hairs.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Temple report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 99. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Heat index values as high as 97. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 94. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. This house is wildModern farmhouse charm meets country calm on nearly an acre, just minutes from West Adams dining. This single-story home offers 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths in a smart split layout, with two spacious rooms that can double as primary suites. Inside, barn doors, Mayfair White granite, beadboard pine ceilings, and beam-accented high ceilings add standout style.
Take a peek inside → |
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