Lubbock’s 2025 news year in review

Like any year, 2025 was a year of both loss and triumph for the region. Despite weathering green flames, extreme storms, a measles outbreak, and the loss of some of its legendary musicians, West Texans were far from defeated. Residents have rallied behind causes close to home and to help our neighbors in the Hill Country, we’ve honored historical milestones, and celebrated hometown sports victories.

With West Texas at the center of so many stories, the KTTZ news team is looking back on some of the buzziest and most consequential news of the year.

Here is your Lubbock news year in review:

Lubbock took center stage in state politics early in the year, when Representative Dustin Burrows was elected speaker of the Texas House for the 89th legislative session. Though his appointment was not without controversy, as his competition with fellow Republican David Cook was seen as a reflection of division within the party.

In December, Lubbock’s city council instated changes to city policy regarding pet ownership. The new amendments moved to clarify the city’s definition of a dangerous dog, increased the insurance requirements and permitting fee to keep a dangerous dog, removed inspections for multi-pet permits, and waived certain impound fees for pet owners.

But it was not the first time this year the council has attempted to grapple with Lubbock’s ubiquitous ‘dog problem.’ Back in January, the council heard similar proposals from Lubbock Animal Services, but made no changes at the time.

President Donald Trump began his second term as president on Jan. 20, 2025. One of his earliest actions was to ramp up Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and detentions.

The increased ICE activity and presence – including in Lubbock – led to a heightened awareness and more public conversation about rights and protections for citizens and immigrants.

That attention has not seemed to hinder detentions or deportations from the U.S.

Just weeks after the Lubbock City Council accepted community needs assessments and recommendations from Lubbock Public Health (a decision that was not undisputed among council members), the region had its first confirmed measles case.

By early February, a full-on outbreak was being reported in West Texas. Case numbers rose rapidly, more than doubling over the course of a week. Measles spread further into other regions and states, hospitalizations increased, and public health departments mobilized to provide vaccines, especially in rural areas.

On Feb. 26, a child, who was being treated in a Lubbock hospital, died from measles.

In March, Texas Tech went viral when videos of green flames and plumes of smoke coming out of a manhole were shared online. An underground fire and explosion at a power substation caused power outages, evacuations, and an early spring break for students and staff.

Lubbock Independent School District’s $290 million bond proposal raised questions about school district transparency, as well as misinformation and misinterpretation about what’s on voters’ ballots.

In the end, the bond was approved, providing funding for new campuses and upgrades. Though even with the voter bond and increased state funding (more on the Legislative Session next), the district said school consolidations will continue.

State lawmakers passed thousands of bills and resolutions in the 2025 legislative session, and more than one thousand were signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.

Among Abbott’s priorities was the passing of education savings accounts, or school choice vouchers, expanding the program providing tax-funded scholarships for private or homeschool expenses. Vouchers failed to pass in 2023, and the plan has seen heavy criticism – especially when it comes to the potential consequences for rural districts and students.

The state also passed an $8.5 billion funding bill for public schools, legal definitions for man and woman, an increased homestead exemption for property owners, and a $20 billion investment in the Texas Water Fund – which Abbott signed at Lubbock’s SIMFLO facility.

Following the regular session, Abbott called two special sessions, focused on emergency response, the overhaul of STAAR testing, and the controversial redistricting of Congressional maps.

By the summer, the impact of federal spending cuts was becoming more and more evident on the local level. KTTZ reporter Samantha Larned spoke with artists, researchers, advocates, and community coordinators who were dealing with funding uncertainty, or loss of it altogether. You can find the first installment of that series below:

On June 5, the South Plains was hit with severe weather, leading to the first official use of Lubbock’s outdoor siren system. The region experienced tennis ball-sized hail and 115-mile-per-hour winds, and eight confirmed tornadoes – at least two of which grew to be over a mile wide.

Weeks later, when deadly flooding hit the Hill Country on July 4, first responders pointed out struggles with communication systems. Attempts to improve emergency communication, alerts, and response would be a primary concern for lawmakers for the rest of the year and remain top-of-mind for those affected by the floods and those in vulnerable, remote areas.

One year after Lubbock’s City Council voted to decrease the grant funding provided to the First Friday Art Trail, the council approved full funding for the trail in this year’s program.

In the meantime, Civic Lubbock, Inc. – along with the city – changed the terms of accepting the grant.

After eight months, the West Texas measles outbreak was declared over on Aug. 18. In Texas, at least two people died due to the outbreak – both children – 99 people were hospitalized, and 762 cases were confirmed.

It’s no secret Lubbock is a growing city. As new businesses and restaurants come to town and new facilities, apartment complexes, and homes are built, some have wondered if certain parts of the city are getting the short end of the stick.

Roadway impact fees were a divisive issue for the city this year. The fees are intended to divide one of the major costs of new growth in Lubbock between public tax dollars and private developers.

Those against the fees argued they disincentivize developers, hinder growth, and are ultimately a burden passed onto homeowners and small businesses.

Meanwhile, those in favor said that without sharing the expense with developers, the city – and taxpayers – end up paying the full cost.

Lubbock’s city council opted to effectively nullify the fees, not removing them entirely, but reducing developer fees to zero.

2025 also marked the 100th anniversary of Texas Tech’s Goin’ Band! While the halftime performance was canceled due to weather conditions, more than one thousand alumni musicians joined the current band for a weekend of celebration.

On Sept. 19, singer-songwriter Sonny Curtis died at 88 years old.

Curtis is known for his work with Buddy Holly, the Crickets, Waylon Jennings, and hit songs such as “I Fought the Law” and “Love Is All Around.”

Curtis was born in Meadow and came up on stages in Lubbock, where he is remembered as an icon, mentor, and sweet, humble soul to many in the community.

After an initial round of nationwide protests over the summer, folks in Lubbock once again took part in “No Kings” demonstration in the fall, to bring a local voice on concerns about actions at the federal level. This time around, the demonstration was attended by more counter-protesters, showing their support for the current administration.

After a request from the Lubbock Police Department, the council approved the ordinance and it took effect on Oct. 1. After backlash from the community over the change – and the lack of transparency from the city instating it – the council apologized and repealed it on Oct. 28.

After almost a decade in office, West Texas Congressman Jodey Arrington announced in November that he would not be running for reelection next year. Eight candidates have filed for the seat and will be competing to represent District 19 in the March primaries.

Following federal and state mandates against non-standard roadway infrastructure, much of the conversation here in Texas was focused on rainbow crosswalks in major cities like San Antonio.

But here in Lubbock, public art will have to be removed from several creative crosswalks, including the Buddy Holly glasses painted in 2020.

Former Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell announced his intention to retire over the summer, after ten years in the role. Reports thereafter had U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington and State Senator Brandon Creighton as considerations for the position. In the end, Houston-area Republican Creighton was appointed to the position.

Just weeks after his official first day, Creighton sent a memorandum to system faculty providing guidelines for discussing race and gender in the classroom and the review procedure for course content related to those topics.

In what has been a historic season for Texas Tech football, the Red Raiders are headed for their first ever Big 12 Championship since joining the conference when it was formed in 1996.

With such success, Tech seems to be pushing for long-term program stability. Head football coach Joey McGuire agreed to a contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2032. Several others, including the assistant head coach Kenny Perry and general manager James Blanchard had their contracts extended through 2028.

Tech football will continue to compete for the ultimate title in the new year, with a game against the University of Oregon at the Miami Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026.

In December, West Texas and the world lost another beloved music legend. Joe Ely died on Dec. 15 at 78 years old.

From his role with The Flatlanders and collaborations with The Clash, to his friendships with Terry Allen, Lloyd Maines, and C.B. Stubblefield, Ely brought his signature style and his West Texas roots with him throughout his life and career.

Our Brad Burt spoke with Terry Allen and fellow Flatlander Butch Hancock as they reflected on Ely’s impact and influences.

Even as the year comes to a close, developments continue to unfold, from sports, to upcoming elections, to county disputes. The KTTZ news team will be back in 2026 to provide more important, contextual coverage to and for West Texas.

Thank you to every source, subject, media coordinator, city/county employee, student reporter, and community partner who answered our calls, emails, and public records requests and contributed to our coverage this year.

And thank you to our listeners, readers, and donors for supporting public media!