The KTTZ News Team

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.

Texas Tech University started its first day of school on Monday, announcing a record-breaking enrollment of over 45,000 students. Our Charley Maranville reports that the number of first-year students has increased by more than 39% since 2024. A federal judge has once again struck down a Texas law aimed at restricting drag performances. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez says U.S. District Judge David Hittner found the law so broad and vague that it violates the First Amendment.

More imports of foreign ground beef will be allowed into the country following a Friday announcement from President Donald Trump. As Harvest Public Media's Macy Byars reports, agriculture leaders say the move could be bad for American cattle producers. Lubbock’s city council will be receiving a petition from Lubbock citizens calling for an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data centers, as well as voting on a zone change for a controversial concrete batch plant proposed in north Lubbock.

All five youth prisons across Texas were on lockdown after at least two instances of kids assaulting correctional staff. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports it's unclear when restrictions on visitation and movement throughout the facilities will end. The Lubbock Municipal Garden and Arts Center is offering booth space and seeking food vendors for its annual fall festival. Our Samantha Larned reports Vendors can register for the event online through August 30. You can find more information at LubbockGAC.org or contact the center by emailing GAC@mylubbock.us or calling 806-767-3724.

Texas families are challenging the state’s new law calling for the 10 Commandments to be posted in every public schoolroom. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports families want to take it to the nation’s High Court. The criminal case against the former head of the Texas Lottery Commission returns to court today. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports Gary Grief faces a felony charge tied to a controversial 2023 jackpot. In Lubbock, Hub City Comic Con returns to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center this weekend, and on Monday at 7 a.m. at Citizens Tower, Coffee with the Mayor will give citizens a chance to sit down one-on-one with city staff.

This weekend, Lubbock Animal Services is offering free adoptions with their Clear the Shelter event. Our Gabrielle De La Cruz reports the event aims to open up shelter space for more animals still waiting on the streets. The event will run between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lubbock Animal Shelter at 3323 Southeast Loop 289. A San Antonio Zoo program to help breed and release Texas Horned Lizards in the wild is showing some success, using science to unlock the secrets that will ensure a healthier future for Horned Lizards.

Two Lubbock businessmen were found guilty by a jury in federal court yesterday in a more than $60 million investment scheme that affected over 500 investors. Ferrum Capital's Joshua Allen and Michael Cox face up to 70 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 10. The discussion on data centers from Lubbock’s city council will take a step further now that a citizen petition submitted earlier this month has been confirmed. Our Samantha Larned reports the city council’s meeting next Tuesday will not include a decision on the moratorium itself, but the council is expected to schedule a public hearing before voting on the moratorium.

H-E-B is voluntarily recalling several of its jalapeño products due to potential salmonella contamination. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports the grocer's affected products were distributed to customers in Texas between July 3 and Aug. 5. Home insurance costs are soaring in Texas. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies explains new research suggests home insurance premiums are playing an increasingly important role in housing affordability across the state.

Texas public schools saw modest improvement in the state’s latest accountability ratings. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports about 85 percent of Texas public school campuses earned a passing grade this year. Nominations are now being accepted statewide for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Program. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports educators and their schools can receive awards up to $1 million. Nominations can be made at HEBLovesTeachers.com through Sept. 30. Meanwhile child advocates are pushing back against proposed changes to the federal Head Start program.

Contractors moved heavy machinery into Big Bend National Park last week, parts of the park have been closed to the public and contractors have started clearing land. This week, protestors gathered to speak out against the Trump administration’s border security plans for the park. Today, the City of Lubbock will break ground on the Broadway Reconstruction Project, which was funded by the 2024 voter-approved street bond. The groundbreaking will be on Broadway and Avenue M. at 11 a.m.