Local News

Faculty groups say the Texas Tech University System's new curriculum policies are unconstitutional and unlawfully restrict classroom instruction on race, gender identity and sexual orientation. But university leaders have called the changes "common sense."

Lubbock city leaders are asking for citizens’ opinions ahead of a public meeting to discuss the subject of large-scale data centers. Over the next week, the City is taking an online survey to gauge public opinion on large-scale data centers before the meeting. You can find a link to fill out the survey here.

The election to determine a new representative for Lubbock City Council District 4 is heading into a runoff between candidates Gary Boren and Tim Green. Early voting runs July 20-28 and Election Day is August 1. You can find polling locations and times here.

In April, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center hosted a tour of a clinic built in a retrofitted shipping container in Burton, Texas. It’s the latest collaboration in an ongoing effort to bring community-run clinics to rural areas, where access is harder to achieve.

Lake Meredith, near Amarillo is a municipal water source for eleven cities, including Lubbock. Last month it was designated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as “fully infested” with invasive zebra mussels. Our Samantha Larned reports the mussels are known to impact infrastructure, such as pipes used for water treatment.

As members of the data center and energy industries gathered in Austin this week to discuss the growing infrastructure needs of large-scale data centers in Texas, Democratic candidates who have spoken against data centers will be kicking off a West Texas tour from Lubbock this weekend. Gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Lieutenant Governor candidate Vikki Goodwin, and others will be at The Garden at 1801 Buddy Holly Avenue in Lubbock on Saturday from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Our Riley Wilson reports that Lubbock Lake Landmark is kicking off its annual Archaeology Days today, with activities planned through Saturday. Tours of the excavation site and laboratory will be at 9:30 and 11 a.m. each day. The Landmark is located at 2401 Landmark Dr.

While there are have been at least 35 cases of the New World screwworm in the U.S. this year, Mexico has recorded more than 30,000 cases. The U.S. suspended imports of live Mexican cattle in May of last year over screwworm concerns. Texas Public Radio's Stephania Corpi reports the nations' cattle industries depend on one another. A new report warns Texas could see a sharp increase in pollution as Al data centers fuel demand for natural gas power plants.