The KTTZ News Team

As members of the data center and energy industries gathered in Austin this week to discuss the growing infrastructure needs of large-scale data centers in Texas, Democratic candidates who have spoken against data centers will be kicking off a West Texas tour from Lubbock this weekend. Gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Lieutenant Governor candidate Vikki Goodwin, and others will be at The Garden at 1801 Buddy Holly Avenue in Lubbock on Saturday from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Our Riley Wilson reports that Lubbock Lake Landmark is kicking off its annual Archaeology Days today, with activities planned through Saturday. Tours of the excavation site and laboratory will be at 9:30 and 11 a.m. each day. The Landmark is located at 2401 Landmark Dr.

While there are have been at least 35 cases of the New World screwworm in the U.S. this year, Mexico has recorded more than 30,000 cases. The U.S. suspended imports of live Mexican cattle in May of last year over screwworm concerns. Texas Public Radio's Stephania Corpi reports the nations' cattle industries depend on one another. A new report warns Texas could see a sharp increase in pollution as Al data centers fuel demand for natural gas power plants.

The City of Lubbock Public Libraries are accepting school supply donations ahead of the annual Back-2-School Bash through July 23. Our Samantha Larned reports on how folks can contribute. You can find the online registry and a list of drop-off locations here. Intense flash flooding over the weekend, killed one person in San Antonio. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports more flooding is expected this week for a large portion of the state.

A judge says Texas has to speed up putting jail inmates who are incompetent to stand trial in mental health facilities. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports the order is part of a ten-year-long lawsuit against the state. Last week, Governor Greg Abbott launched a new teacher-led state commission to shape public education. The Texas Classroom Commission is tasked with developing recommendations ahead of the next legislative session on how to support teachers and improve educational outcomes.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new program to expand fertilizer manufacturing in the United States as a response to rising input costs for farmers. Our Samantha Larned reports on the $500 million grant program. In Grandury, Texas, more than 800 residents are asking city leaders to declare no confidence in the city's manager and attorney due to the city's handling of a proposed AI data center on recently annexed land.

The American Association of University Professors and its Texas affiliate are suing the Texas Tech University System, claiming new curriculum policies amount to unconstitutional censorship. The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports the lawsuit asks a federal judge to block the policies. Despite a ban on sports betting in the state, "prediction market platforms" allow Texans to place money on event outcomes. The Texas Medical Association wants policymakers to restrict platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi to people 21 years and older.

Last night, the City of Lubbock hosted a nearly-4-hour meeting to discuss the potential development of large-scale data centers, with comment from about 70 members of the public. Our Samantha Larned reports that while city staff have recommended policies to support further control over developments, some citizens say that concerns over enforcement remain unchanged.

Tonight, the City of Lubbock will be hearing from citizens on the subject of large-scale data centers in a public meeting. The meeting will take place in the banquet hall of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center at 5:30 p.m. The subject of large-scale data centers has raised concerns and even some pushback from Lubbockites. Our reporter Brad Burt has more on another meeting this week, organized by residents petitioning to get Lubbock’s city government to enact a moratorium on data centers in the city. The discussion is scheduled for July 8 at 6 p.m. at the YWCA Event Room at 6501 University Ave. You can find information on the city's meeting and moratorium efforts here.

Heat-related illnesses have been rising throughout the year in the region, according to the CDC. Our Riley Wilson has more from a local expert about how to prepare for heat exposure and how to respond in the event of an adverse heat reaction.

The Trump administration announced this week that it will not renew the U-S-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports that, while the three countries will continue to negotiate in hopes of extending the agreement, the prospects of failure could have consequences for Texas’ businesses, as well as consumers. Lubbock will be celebrating Independence Day tomorrow with its annual 4th on Broadway celebration. The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. from Avenue M and move east on Broadway towards MLK Blvd. A picnic and evening concert will take place at the South Plains Fairground, with fireworks beginning at 10 p.m. You can find maps of the parade route, parking information, and vendor locations at CivicLubbock.org.