The KTTZ News Team

Over the last month, Governor Greg Abbott has announced more than $400 million in grants to energy providers outside the state’s ERCOT system as part of a new funding program to upgrade electrical infrastructure across the state. Our Brad Burt reports this includes $113 million for Xcel customers in the South Plains and Panhandle, where downed power lines have been linked to devastating wildfires. Meanwhile, Abbott's opposition to data centers continues to grow, a reversal of his invitation to data centers moving to Texas last year.

Beef prices at the grocery store are already high, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects they could rise another ten percent by the end of the year. Harvest Public Media’s Michael Marks reports the U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest since 1951. With Independence Day this Saturday, our Riley Wilson reports that Lubbock Police are encouraging the public to report illegal fireworks in the city. You can file a crime report on the LPD's crime reporter here or contact the non-emergency line at (806) 775- 2865. The National Safety Council’s fireworks guidelines can be found here.

More cases of the New World Screwworm are being reported. KEDT's Rob Boscamp says 27 cases of the New World Screwworm have now been reported in the country in the past month, with all but one in Texas. Meanwhile, Lubbock city leaders are asking for citizens’ opinions ahead of a public meeting to discuss the subject of large-scale data centers. The meeting will take place on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the banquet hall of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The city is also taking public opinion in an online survey that’s open through July 2. Results of the survey will be presented at the July 7 meeting.You can find a link to that survey here.

The special election for Lubbock City Council’s District 4 representative is headed to a runoff. After votes were counted on Saturday, candidates Tim Green received 47% of the vote and Gary Boren took 38%. The special election runoff will be held in August. The Texas State Board of Education has approved a reading list that requires students to learn bible passages. As KERA's Bill Zeeble reports, the new required K-12 reading list will go into effect in 2030.

Tomorrow is Election Day in the special election to determine the city council representative for Lubbock's District 4. So far, the Lubbock County Elections Office reports 1,880 voters have turned out in early voting. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Most survey results show the Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico as extremely close. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports that potentially creates an opening for a third-party candidate, Libertarian Ted Brown, to shape the outcome.

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. This is a special election to fill the position being left by current councilman Brayden Rose.

Lubbock Independent School District is seeking recommendations from the community in the naming of three new schools. The board of trustees will consider names based on geographical features, names with historical significance, names of retired educators or board members, or that recognize community partners. You can submit suggestions through Aug. 1. Tonight, the Lubbock ISD board of trustees is holding a public hearing regarding the proposed district budget and tax rate for the upcoming school year. Our Samantha Larned reports the proposed tax rate is unchanged from last year and the total budget is a more than 11% decrease from last year. You can find links to the budget and to request public comment here.

With the NFL not holding a supplemental draft this summer, former Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby out of the NFL at least next April. Our Samantha Larned reports this comes after his lawsuit against the NCAA was dismissed. Meanwhile the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas says healthcare fraud cases are at an “all-time high.”

The Better Business Bureau is reporting a spike in scam phone calls offering loans. Houston Public Media’s Rob Salinas spoke with the Lubbock regional director of the Better Business Bureau who says not to take the bait. Hundreds of people testified yesterday before the Texas State Board of Education as members prepare to vote on controversial new reading and social studies curriculum, including Bible stories.

Attention has mounted surrounding Texas’ cattle industry due to the detection of New World Screwworm in the state, but our Brad Burt reports livestock are not the only ones affected. Experts are encouraging pet owners to be vigilant in checking their pets and to use tick prevention. FDA-approved tick prevention for dogs can be found in topical or tablet form and for cats, the CDC recommends speaking to a vet before applying a tick prevention product.