Olivia O'Rand
Student ReporterOlivia O’Rand is a junior journalism and biology student at the Texas Tech Honors College. After discovering her love for nature at a young age, Olivia is focusing on environmental journalism and covering people who are passionate about their work in the outdoors.
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Studies done by the National Foster Youth Institute show that half of students in foster care do not graduate high school. In 2021, nearly 30,000 children were in foster care in the state of Texas. A statewide program called WHIT is helping to serve foster students across Texas with structured, consistent tutoring. -
While those using Lubbock city water do not have much to worry about in terms of potability, one local expert says those outside of the city — on well water — are at risk of ingesting high levels of arsenic. -
The EPA is currently facing a lawsuit on behalf of farmers from Johnson County, Texas, after the presence of PFAS in fertilizers allegedly infected crops and resulted in the death of livestock. -
According to grower Lucinda Mann, supporting local farmers and agriculture is important because without these farmers, there is no food. Employees at Idalou Harvest work to establish meaningful connections between families, farmers, and food. -
Museums compete with other outlets of family entertainment. Two such institutions in Lubbock discuss how they balance audience appeal, education, variety, interactivity, and funding when it comes to their exhibits. -
For the most part, trees are not native to the High Plains, but Lubbock Memorial Arboretum aims to give West Texans a way to enjoy nature and teach them about growing in a place that presents such unique challenges. -
Light pollution reduces the visibility of stars creating navigation issues for birds passing through. But it's not only a navigation issue. -
A lot of these species were brought here to mitigate other issues. During the Dust Bowl, quick-spreading grasses were brought in to reduce soil erosion by holding the soil in place. But we created bigger problems. -
Long after the days of the Cotton Kings, West Texas hockey fans are driving to enjoy the panhandle's North American Hockey League team: The Amarillo Wranglers. -
While it can be easy to curse the cold and the mud, it’s important to realize the value this precipitation has to West Texas' most desperate resources.
