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A little more than 34,000 people in Lubbock County voted in this year’s primaries if you include early voting. compared to the last presidential primary in 2020, that's a decrease of more than 7,000 voters. Our reporter Samantha Larned visited polling stations around town and asked voters what brought them out and what they thought of the process.

The highest voter participation for a May municipal election in twenty years—19%—ultimately rejected the proposition that would have decriminalized low-level marijuana possession in Lubbock city limits. The contest continues at the mayor’s seat, with District 3 city council representative Mark McBrayer and District 4 city council representative Steve Massengale moving to a runoff election on June 15.

Lubbock Public Health announced that Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is spreading in Lubbock County. With reported cases in daycares and school about to start for many districts, our Bishop Van Buren has more on how to stay healthy. Lubbock’s state lawmakers are speaking on the Texas Democrats’ absence as the special legislative session continues. The House of Representatives reconvened yesterday, but Houston Public Media's Alexandra Hart reports that without enough members to meet a quorum, it quickly adjourned.

Out of 17 propositions on the ballot this week, six were focused on property taxes. The Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey reports that added to other recent efforts by the state to reduce property taxes, the changes will cost the state north of $50 billion dollars. Proposition 3, which saw 70% approval with Lubbock County voters, will allow judges to deny bail to more people accused of certain violent and sexual crimes. The change means more people will likely remain in jail before their trial.

Our reporter Bishop Van Buren heard concerns from one Lubbockite over Lubbock's City Council's vote to pull funding from the popular First Friday Art Trail. And KERA’s Penelope Rivera reports three North Texas pastors have resigned or been removed from their churches in recent weeks amid allegations of sexual abuse amid a string of church leaders leaving because of "moral failings."

A sinkhole near Paducah has closed County Road 485 to 489 in Cottle County, and TxDOT warns it’s nearly 70 feet deep and still growing. Today is the final day to register to vote ahead of Texas’ November election, the Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports it will feature 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Also, a new report ranks Texas second in the nation for book bans in public schools.

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.

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.

Texas voters will decide on 14 propositions that could change the state’s constitution. One item will include the creation of a Broadband Infrastructure Fund, our reporter Brad Burt has more on how that could help the more than 40,000 west Texans without high-speed internet. And new U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows Texas has the second highest rate in the nation of people struggling to put food on the table. KERA's Christopher Connelly reports only Arkansas has a bigger portion of its population facing hunger.

The House votes to extend unemployment benefits for more than 2.5 million Americans, and President Bush quickly signs the measure into law. The action followed that of the Senate Tuesday. The overwhelming vote -- 416 to 4 -- belied the fierce debate over whether the measure went far enough. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.