Animals

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.

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.

The strain of bird flu is distinct from what has previously been found in dairy cattle. The finding raises some worrying questions — and concerns over the Trump administration's muted response.

KERA’s Olla Mokhtar reports the ACLU and other advocacy organizations are urging Texas school districts to reject the state’s new K-5 curriculum, Bluebonnet Learning, because of its emphasis on Christianity. On Tuesday, the City of Lubbock Animal Services is giving away free spay and neuter vouchers beginning at 1 P.M. at the Lubbock Animal Services building at 3323 SE Loop 289.

From overpopulated shelters to an abundance of stray animals, Lubbock citizens are familiar with the city’s so-called ‘dog problem.’ This week, Lubbock City Council heard from residents, advocates, and city employees as it considers steps to assist Lubbock Animal Services.

Yesterday, Lubbock City Council approved two reports from Lubbock Public Health and two amendments to city codes regarding pet ownership. Texas House members voted Lubbock Republican Dustin Burrows into the Speaker position yesterday. Our reporter Brad Burt has more from West Texans on the decision.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 93,000 Texans who have served are eligible for healthcare benefits, but unenrolled. The VA is encouraging veterans exposed to blasts during their service to pursue care. And our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on Lubbock Animal Services' donation campaign and advice for pet owners this holiday season.

Austin-area animal shelters have been overcrowded for years. Local officials and nonprofits are looking at different ways to alleviate the problem.

KERA's Katherine Hobbs reports that conservationists at the Fort Worth Zoo released a record-breaking number of Texas horned lizards in the month of October. Texas Parks and Wildlife says now is the time to plant wildflowers to help our pollinators. You can find more information on what to plant in your region from the Native Plant Society of Texas at npsot.org.

After several years of near-inactivity, the Invertebrate Zoology Collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University is back to providing resources to entomologists everywhere. In the spirit of the season, we visited the facility and heard from the collection’s curator who says bugs like these deserve more attention.