The KTTZ News Team

Today is the first day of early voting in the Texas primary elections, with various federal, state, and local offices on the ballot. Early voting runs through Feb. 27. Texas is boosting wildfire preparedness across the state, with new funding for volunteer firefighters and emergency plans. Our Bishop Van Buren reports this comes as fire danger in the region is on the rise.

Early voting for the Texas primary elections runs Feb. 17-27. Texas voters will determine which candidates will compete in November’s general election for various offices including Governor, Attorney General, and federal and statewide representatives.

Last week, Lubbock ISD’s Board of Trustees approved the locations for three new elementary schools as part of the district's 2025 bond election. Our Samantha Larned reports on the sites for Bean Elementary, a new building to serve both Williams and Stewart Elementary students, and the combined Wolffarth and McWhorter Elementary campuses. A Texas Medicaid leader says her office is taking steps to address potential fraud in the program. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports it comes after the governor called for stronger anti-fraud enforcement.

Yesterday afternoon, students from Lubbock’s Estacado High School and the Margaret Talkington School for Young Women Leaders walked out of their schools and down Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd to protest actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Our Brad Burt reports this comes after guidance from the Texas Education Agency outlined the consequences for students and teachers who participate in demonstrations during the school day.

Leaders in the construction industry say immigration raids at work sites are causing worker shortages in the building industry. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports on slowing projects, rising costs, and economic impact. Workforce Solutions South Plains is hosting a Leaders Career Fair today from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M at the Centerpointe Event Center located at 4925 Marsha Sharp Freeway. The event is geared towards those ages 16 to 24, but all ages are permitted, no registration needed.

This past weekend, LubbockPRIDE collaborated with other local groups to provide information and resources for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Our reporter Samantha Larned spoke with an organizer who said that these conversations are especially important right now. The Shallowater ISD Board of Trustees announced yesterday that Aron Strickland will be taking over as the district’s next superintendent.

Just two weeks ago, West Texas was one of many regions hit by a snowstorm and sub-zero temperatures. Now, this week, Lubbock is experiencing highs in the 70s. Our Charley Maranville has more from a local expert on how these intense fluctuations impact your ability to stay healthy. Also following last month’s winter storm, KERA’s Avery Escamilla-Wendell reports that some Texans could see much higher electricity and gas bills.

The City of Lubbock continues to remind citizens not to touch wild birds, as officials report having collected more than 2,000 dead birds by the end of January. Here are avian flu facts to be aware of and ways to keep yourself and your pets healthy.

Avian flu continues to spread among wild birds in and around Lubbock, with hundreds of dead geese collected in recent weeks, including near local lakes and water treatment facilities. Our reporter Bishop van Buren has more on the outbreak from Lubbock City Manager Jarrett Atkinson. New data finds that around 71,000 immigrants are being held in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention as of the end of January. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports the data shows around 74% of the detainees have no criminal conviction.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center cancelled an event organized by a student group, set to take place last week featuring a conversation about third-trimester abortion. Our reporter Samantha Larned reports the decision has been met with support and criticism from free speech advocacy groups.