Samantha Larned

From overpopulated shelters to an abundance of stray animals, Lubbock citizens are familiar with the city’s so-called ‘dog problem.’ This week, Lubbock City Council heard from residents, advocates, and city employees as it considers steps to assist Lubbock Animal Services.

The priorities identified by the Community Health Needs Assessment and the Community Health Improvement Plan are access to health care; mental health, substance use and homelessness; addressing chronic conditions; STIs and teen pregnancy; and improved coordination of information services and resources. Last month, Lubbock Public Health’s director presented the reports before city council, but after pushback from representatives, the vote to approve was rescheduled to Jan. 14.

Lubbock Independent School District’s Board of Trustees has approved the consolidation and closures of three LISD campuses. Going into effect in the 2025-2026 school year, “phase one” of the plan impacts Hodges Elementary, Overton Elementary, and O.L. Slaton Middle School.

The Buddy Holly Center’s annual Celebración exhibition is a tradition dating back to the 1980s, helping the Lubbock community celebrate life, death, and culture. We spoke to museum staff and artists about what the Day of the Dead and the art at the exhibit means to them.

After several years of near-inactivity, the Invertebrate Zoology Collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University is back to providing resources to entomologists everywhere. In the spirit of the season, we visited the facility and heard from the collection’s curator who says bugs like these deserve more attention.

Between inflation, costly mandates, and an apparent lack of support from the state government – public school districts across Texas are struggling with their budgets, and Lubbock county is no exception.

Local artists and community members say Lubbock City Council's decision to defund the First Friday Art Trail demonstrates a misunderstanding of the art displayed at the event and indicates a lack of involvement in cultural activities.

Several school districts from the South Plains received letters last week from the ACLU of Texas, asking that they revise their dress-code policies to comply with the CROWN Act, intended to prohibit race-based hair discrimination.

The Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public comment ahead of the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program.

In addition to the sit-ins, advocacy for the city of Lubbock to recognize Pride Month the previous two years has included a letter-writing campaign. All of which, organizers and community members said, have gone without adequate response from elected officials.