The KTTZ News Team

Our reporter Olivia O'Rand has an update on announcements from the Lubbock Police Department as it continues to expand technologies, including for communication with the public. Yesterday, the chair of the Texas Senate’s Education Committee filed a bill that could boost teacher salaries by thousands of dollars if passed. KUT's Becky Fogel has more.

With cold weather arriving today across the region, ERCOT expects grid conditions to be normal. Lubbock's mayor signed a purchasing agreement last week, securing 85% of the land needed for Lake 7. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the project moving forward. On Friday night, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the Texas-New Mexico border. Quakes have become more common in the region in recent years.

Lubbock Republican State Senator Charles Perry says he’s planning to file a bill that could dedicate up to $5 billion in funding for water projects across the state. This month, Lubbock police expanded use of an e-citation app. Our reporter Olivia O’Rand has more on developing technology with the department. Enrollment is open for the City of Lubbock citizen education program. The application, syllabus, and more information can be found at mylubbock.us/Lubbock101, the deadline to apply is March 3.

Yesterday, the Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $290 million bond for voters to decide on in May. Our Brad Burt reports that LISD officials say the bond will not increase the district’s tax rate. This Valentine's Day weekend, Lubbock Animal Services is hosting two free adoption events. The first will be Friday 4-6 P.M. at the LAS building located at 3323 Southeast Loop 289. And the second is from noon to 4 P.M. at Paint Rock Coffee Co. located at 2002 Broadway St.

The Texas Senate is poised to pass legislation that would increase the homestead exemption for property owners in the state. The exemption reduces how much of a home’s value owners can be taxed on. Without state income tax, that increase is one of the few effective ways lawmakers can provide tax relief to residents. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports on the exemption increase and the potential impact.

Texas is doing better than most states at catching students up to pre-pandemic reading levels, according the Education Recovery Scorecard. 2025 may be the Year of the Snake, but the Sweetwater Jaycees celebrate the reptilians every year. The Texas Newsroom’s Nina Banks reports on a decades-long tradition of bringing rattlesnakes to the Texas Capitol.

Texas lawmakers are once again focusing on lowering property tax bills. The Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey has more details about a proposal in the State Senate that would increase the state’s homestead exemption. A federal judge in Austin temporarily restricted the enforcement of a state law that regulates children's social media use. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports the judge already ruled last year certain provisions of the law were likely unconstitutional.

A measles outbreak is now being reported in West Texas. All of the cases are unvaccinated and there are no confirmed exposure sites outside health care facilities in Lubbock County. Senate Bill 2, which would create a school voucher-like program for Texas, passed in the Texas Senate last week. It's mainly focused on using taxpayer dollars to help families offset the cost of private schooling and, as the Texas Newsroom's Nina Banks reports, it also factors in homeschool families.

Last night, the Lubbock Planning and Zoning Commission passed a recommended zoning change in the Tech Terrace neighborhood which could pave the way for a new student housing development. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on the next steps. Work begins Monday to demolish the water tower at 74th Street and Genoa Avenue as part of the city’s long-term water infrastructure plan. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area.

From now through Feb. 14, the City of Lubbock is accepting applications for its Junior Ambassador Program, offering students a week of cultural experiences in its sister city in Japan this summer. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the program, which you can sign up for at mylubbock.us/JrAmbassador. Tonight, the Lubbock Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to vote on whether or not to recommend a zoning change. Our Samantha Larned explains this would open up the possibility of a new student housing development at the site of the former Godbold building.