Months after vaccines became more widely available, there’s a new wave of COVID-19 cases sweeping across the United States and Texas. That includes Lubbock, where in the past week, new cases have been confirmed at the highest rate since February.

Cruising down Parkway Drive, businesses dot the side of the road. Locally-owned restaurants, in particular, hold their own in East Lubbock. There aren’t many food options, so most neighbors support what they have. 

But you also see empty buildings and shopping centers. Some, in pretty rough shape. 

Local historian Cosby Morton said it wasn’t always like this. 

“Because of segregation, we were independent,” Morton said. “We had to make do. We had to adjust.”

On this edition of Music Crossroads of Texas, Curtis hands the reins over to Mindy Adams, producer and manager of the Eddie Beethoven Band. Tune in as she and the band bring you an interdimensional, transitional transmission of blended thought and sound! 

Charles Olivier continues his 6-part series on the tango method books, Tango for Musicians, with Sebastin Henriquez and the guitar in Tango. Tune in to find out more!

Charles Olivier continúa su serie de 6 capítulos sobre los libros del método del tango, Tango para músicos, con Sebastin Henriquez y la guitarra en Tango. ¡Sintonice para obtener más información!

Lubbock is known for its flat, dusty skyline, surrounded by farmland. It’s been home to Texas Tech for almost a century. As well as the historic broadway road made of bricks that stretches from the university towards the city’s downtown.

However, it’s not the smoothest road to drive on, but it’s this feature the city is working to preserve and market.

City Councilman Jeff Griffith stood on the brick road that leads to his district. As he pointed out the flaws on Broadway, a truck drove by and hit a big bump.

Starting September 1, Texas will ban abortions as soon as a fetal heart beat is detected, which in many cases is as early as six weeks. Senate Bill 8, also known as "the heartbeat bill," passed in the latest legislative session. It is the first of its kind in the fact that unlike other laws, this law gives the power of enforcement to the people by providing a pathway for anyone to sue an abortion provider or a person who helps a women obtain the procedure—a feature very similar to an ordinance passed in Lubbock. It’s putting the legal system in uncharted territory.
 

From NPR: 

More than 50 Democratic state lawmakers from Texas have now been holed up in a hotel in Washington, D.C., for longer than a week.

The Democrats fled their state to deny Republicans a quorum in an effort to block restrictive voting measures from being passed during an ongoing special legislative session.

Charlotte Ellis gave a tour of her new home. Even without furniture or decor quite yet, it already has personal touches, like shelves at a height Ellis can easily reach.The newly-built four-bedroom home was constructed specifically for Ellis and her three children that live with her. 

After putting in hundreds of hours of what’s called “sweat equity,” Ellis is now a homeowner through Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. Her home is in the Talkington addition of the Parkway-Cherry Point neighborhood.

On a Tuesday evening earlier this month, outside Ralls’ City Hall, nearly two dozen residents waited in the 90-degree Texas heat. For two hours, they anxiously awaited word from their city leaders on whether they will keep their Emergency Medical Service (EMS)—the city’s last-standing lifeline following a string of budget cuts.