A debate over books in Texas' public school libraries picked up new attention last week, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened legislative action unless Texas school districts pull books from the shelves that he and certain activists believe are "harmful" to students and families and violate Texas' Senate Bill 13. In a meeting of Lubbock ISD's board of trustees, the district stood by the parent-led library council and book review system established under state law.

Lubbock’s city council voted unanimously this week to accept a petition from citizens calling for an 18-month pause on large-scale data centers in the city. This vote does not enact the moratorium; the council will hold a public hearing on the petition on September 8. If the council rejects the petition at the hearing, organizers can choose to put it on the ballot in a general election. The city secretary pointed out that because the deadline for November’s general election has passed, it would not be up for a vote until May of next year.