The KTTZ News Team

A county oversight committee gave their approval to move forward with Lubbock’s hotly debated expo center. The next step goes to county commissioners, who will decide whether to borrow from the hotel occupancy tax. After a directive from TXDOT to remove nonstandard markings from municipal crosswalks, the City of San Antonio planned to replace its rainbow crosswalk with a rainbow sidewalk. Texas Public Radio's Joey Palacios reports those plans have been put on pause.

As students return to colleges and universities across Texas, questions remain regarding discussions of gender and race in the classroom and on campus. Our Samantha Larned reports on the latest from the Texas Tech and Texas A&M university systems.

School is back in session, which means flu season is kicking into high gear. Our new student reporter Michelle Waida has advice for parents on symptoms and recovery for children. According to data from the National Weather Service, 2025 was Lubbock's second-warmest year on record. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down the year-end climate summary.

Legal questions remain in the “resign-to-run” disagreement between Lubbock County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley and County Judge Curtis Parrish. Corley was restored to the commission, at least temporarily, at the end of December, while the case for his possible replacement is under review by the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, KERA's Bill Zeeble reports that the state has launched a website where folks can file complaints about public colleges and universities, tied to recent laws like anti-DEI legislation.

A new state sales tax report shows improvement for Lubbock businesses in November—ranking the city second statewide in percentage sales tax increase compared to last year. Plus, Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports faith leaders across Texas are urging school boards to reject new rules carving out time for prayer and Bible readings in public and charter schools as a key deadline approaches.

Texas’ highway investments over the past decade are paying off, according to a report released at the end of last year. As The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports, drivers are saving money and spending less time in traffic, and fewer people are dying on the road. Lubbock Lake Landmark is kicking off 90 years of discovery, for which it has events and expert lectures planned throughout the year. This Saturday at 10:30 a.m. is a Waterfowl Workshop, hosted by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists.

A recent study finds rural nurses have to navigate a lack of resources and support when training to provide specialized sexual assault care. And Texas is officially the first state to stop relying on the American Bar Association to approve law schools. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports an order this week gives that responsibility to the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, flu cases in Texas continue to surge, reaching their highest numbers so far this flu season.

Texas Tech University's football team made a key addition to its roster this weekend. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down the commitment of top transfer prospect Brendan Sorsby. Texas will receive more than $1.4 billion in federal funding over 5 years to address health care and access needs in rural areas. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports it is the largest award received by any state.

Lubbock’s public transportation provider Citibus implemented a new fare structure for its Paratransit and On-Demand services on Jan. 1st. Our Samantha Larned reports Paratransit fares are based on the trip’s proximity to a fixed route and on-demand fares are determined by trip distance. Lubbock Fire Rescue said in a press conference yesterday that an infant was legally surrendered to first responders at the Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 9. Officials say this is the first baby surrendered in a Safe Haven box for the state of Texas.

Texas Tech’s football team saw its historic season come to a close with a 23-0 loss to Oregon on New Years Day in the second round of the College Football Playoffs, but in basketball, conference play is just beginning. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down how the Red Raiders teams are faring. As the Lubbock ISD semester begins, Lubbock Monterey High School students and teachers are mourning 18-year-old student Kobe Pena, who died from his injuries after a fireworks accident on New Year's Day.