Tristen Hutchings nabbed both the National Champion Bull Rider title and the Southwest Region Reserve Championship for Bull Riding at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., last week. A Blackfoot, Idaho, native, he attended Snake River High School and started his rodeo career back in his middle school days, but his favorite has always been bull riding.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recently announced border wall proposal received a cool reception from Big Bend politicians. In response to the Biden administration’s moratorium on border wall construction in the U.S., on June 16 Abbott said Texas would construct its own wall, starting by hiring a program manager and providing $250 million in state funds as a “down payment.” Abbott didn’t specify how long the wall would be, where it would be constructed, or the total project cost.

The Grand Marshal for Alpine’s 2021 Fourth of July parade and fireworks celebration was recently announced, and Alpine Kiwanis Club honored resident and business owner Bob Ward with the title. The much-admired owner of CG Morrison Company Family of Stores boasts several accolades earned in the 50 years he has served the community - Volunteer of the Year, Sul Ross State University Hall of Honors, and two-time Business Professional of the Year.

Everyone knows that baseball is more than just a sport. It’s America’s national pastime, from little ones learning the basics in Little League, to teens playing for school pride, to adults who just want to celebrate the love of the game.