Animals

The tooth of the prehistoric giant ground sloth has been uncovered right here in Lubbock as part of an environmental review for the Loop 88 highway project. Our Bishop Van Buren spoke with TxDot and reports on the discovery. Today marks the first day Lubbock's splash pads are open for the summer. The Mae Simmons, Maxey, and Rogers splash pads will be open this weekend from 10 A.M.to 8 P.M., beginning at 3 P.M. during the week, and return to normal hours starting May 23.

The Trump administration is expected to unveil a budget proposal that would eliminate the Head Start program. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports, education and child advocates say that could devastate Texas families. To celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Lubbock Animal Services is hosting a free adoption event tomorrow from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. at Tyler Technologies at 5519 53rd Street. And on Saturday LAS will be offering free pet adoptions at the VA Welcome Home from 11 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

Cases of a highly contagious bird flu strain have been confirmed in mammals across the South Plains, including here in Lubbock County. Our Bishop Van Buren reports if you see wildlife showing signs of illness, you can contact your regional Texas Parks and Wildlife office at 806-761-4930 or by visiting the TPWD website. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo says Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is once again suing the City of Dallas over what he says are unlawful handgun bans on public property.

During Red Raider football season, Fearless Champion takes center stage as the Masked Rider charges onto the field before home games—but at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center, horseplay is a year-round commitment.

“If that’s a stump, it’s the weirdest stump I’ve ever seen.”

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.