Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is dropping its Medicare Advantage plans. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports people who rely on those plans will have to move to a different one starting in 2027. Lubbock County reports high turnout for the first day of early voting, as major candidates announce events to garner support from West Texans. President Donald Trump will make his first appearance in Lubbock to stump for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton on Oct. 27, while Paxton's opponent, Democrat James Talarico, is set to appear on Texas Tech campus the same day.

The candidates running to be Texas' new agriculture commissioner have traded jabs over whether their opponent is even eligible for the office, But the Texas Standard's Michael Marks reports the pair now say their argument won't last past Election Day. Quail season begins on Nov. 1, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says it expects a quality hunting season, with a new survey indicating good population numbers for bobwhite and scaled quail in the High Plains and Rolling Plains regions.

Early voting for the Nov. 3 election starts today. Our Charley Maranville has what you need to know before heading to the polls. Find more on how to see what's on your ballot, local polling locations, and candidate interviews here. A longtime Día de los Muertos celebration in San Antonio has been canceled amid concerns about federal immigration enforcement. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports the decision has disappointed residents who have made the festival an annual tradition.

Democratic Railroad Commission candidate Jon Rosenthal says Texas needs stronger oversight of natural gas facilities to prevent power disruptions during extreme winter weather. High diesel prices are affecting hay farmers – and the beef producers who buy from them. Harvest Public Media’s Michael Marks reports some of the usual customers are forgoing hay at the moment because they can’t afford to have it transported.

A North Texas school district cancelled a high school play after a girl was chosen for the leading male role. KERA’s Dylan Duke reports the district cited Senate Bill 12, which bans diversity hiring practices at schools and bans LGBTQ+ student clubs. The Lubbock Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a performance of the Verdi Requiem. This event is bringing together talented community members in the symphony and the Lubbock Chorale with other world-class musicians. The celebration at the Buddy Holly Hall begins at 6 p.m. with a performance from local jazz group, the Keegan Peck Quartet. You can find more information here.

An international team of researchers recently pinpointed where humans domesticated what would become the dominant form of cotton grown around the world. Harvest Public Media’s Rachel Cramer reports they also uncovered information which could eventually help crop breeders. Early voting in the November midterm elections starts on Monday. Those living in Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District boundaries will have a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election on the ballot. If approved, the district expects the new tax rate to generate $3.85 million for Lubbock-Cooper ISD.

Former Lubbock city councilmember Randy Christian died over the weekend at 74 years old. It is Texas Free College Application Week, and our Charley Maranville reports that Texas Tech University is offering opportunities for prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Texas Residents can to apply to undergraduate programs at ApplyTexas.org. Those interested in TTU graduate programs can find more information here. Lubbock’s annual Pumpkin Trail will be opening this weekend, Friday through Sunday. Donations of carved or decorated pumpkins can be made at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A central Texas city council has approved a deal with the developers of a proposed data center in an unincorporated area of Williamson County. Councilmembers say the annexation will allow the city to better manage the impacts of the project, but residents argue the decision is being rushed. Lubbock Public Libraries are seeking community input about their services. Library users of all branches and ages are encouraged to share their perspective. You can find the survey here until mid-November.

This semester marks one year since the state’s private school voucher program launched with a $1 billion budget. And this week, West Texans appeared before the Texas Senate committee on education to talk the impact. Our Brad Burt reports on Levelland ISD and Lubbock ISD.

Lubbock ISD has announced that there was a data security incident that exposed some employee information, including social security numbers, emails, and physical addresses. Those with compromised information will begin receiving notifications on Oct. 26. Frontline’s dedicated hotline for the incident can be reached at 833-516-8792, Monday through Friday. At the end of September, the E.L. Reed Herbarium at Texas Tech held its 100th anniversary celebration. Our Riley Wilson reports on how the facility has served as a record of plant life in West Texas since 1925.