Education issues are top of mind for Texas lawmakers, who are meeting in Austin right now. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports, House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced two related filings yesterday. Tomorrow, the Patterson Branch Library will host its 22nd Annual African American History Month Program, celebrating the impact of Black librarians here in Lubbock. The event is Saturday, 2-4 P.M. at 1836 Parkway Dr.

Many of Lubbock's city leaders traveled to the Texas Capitol for "Lubbock Day," to meet with members of the legislature and discuss West Texas issues that they feel should be addressed in Austin. The Texas Newsroom's Nina Banks reports the Texas Senate also passed three bills yesterday aimed at tightening the bail system in Texas.

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.