The KTTZ News Team

At the end of 2024, the announcement that three Lubbock ISD schools were to be closed or consolidated led to many questions from Lubbock parents on policy and transparency, with the district saying more closures would be considered. Our reporter Brad Burt has more on how the school district is responding, including a dashboard with summarized data on performance metrics, staff experience and enrollment.

A former city council representative filed to run for District 4's council seat in March, shortly after sitting councilor Brayden Rose announced his resignation, but the application has since been denied on the grounds that he did not meet the residency requirements under state law. And as the Texas State Board of Education discusses plans for a new Social Studies curriculum, KUT’s Greta Díaz González Vázquez reports some educators have taken issue with the proposal.

Election Day for city offices and school districts is coming up on May 2. Our Samantha Larned reports on two proposed voter bonds from Slaton Independent School District. Texas outpaced the nation in job growth in January, according to numbers from the Texas Workforce Commission. But Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider says unemployment ticked up from December.

The City of Lubbock has announced spring and summer irrigation restrictions in effect now through Sept. 30. Our Mia Shephard explains the guidelines and you can find more at mylubbock.us/irrigation. A trial over a lack of air conditioning and excessive heat in Texas prisons will continue this week in a federal court in Austin. KUT’s Andrew Weber reports the trial will determine if state prisons are subject to the same regulations as county lockups and federal prisons.

The contract between UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech Physicians expired at the end of March. Those with questions and concerns are encouraged to speak with their employer and/or insurance agent. This week, Lubbock Fire Rescue released its 2025 Annual Report. Our Bishop Van Buren says LFR set a new recruitment record for the second consecutive year. City of Lubbock Offices are closed today and will return to normal operations on Monday.

The City of Lubbock recently launched new performance metrics on its website, providing data, goals, and progress updates from various departments. Our Samantha Larned reports more changes are coming to the city's website later this month. Included in Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows' priorities for House committees is studying the “constitutional, statutory, fiscal, and economic implications” of bringing New Mexico border counties to the state of Texas. Experts say it's possible, but would require consent from various governing bodies.

The National Weather Service has announced that a Fire Weather Watch is in effect from noon until 9 p.m. today for the South Plains region. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on how a warm and dry winter contributed to increased fire risk this spring. Starting today, Texas won't allow people to SNAP benefits to purchase “candy” and “sweetened drinks.” KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports that retailers have spent months preparing for the restrictions.

Last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced $5 million in grants for fellowship programs in forensic psychiatry. Our Samantha Larned spoke with a professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, one of the nine schools that received funding for program development and expansion.

Caprock Canyon State Park and Trailway, home to the state's bison herd, has acquired around 1,100 new acres of land. Our Charley Maranville reports Texas Parks and Wildlife will seek public input on recreational opportunities for the property. On Thursday, the Dallas Independent School District board voted to offer free universal pre-K across the district. KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports enrollment starts next month.

Following recent reports from the Texas Education Agency about removing Cesar Chavez from curriculum, Mayor Pro-tem and District 1 Lubbock city council representative Christy Martinez-Garcia said that she does not want the changes to erase the history altogether. This week, the Texas Department of Agriculture announced the Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance program for GO TEXAN partners. Our Charley Maranville has more on how the program works. More at gotexan.org.