Animals

Historically, Black bears were the biggest predator to travel the Big Bend area of Texas. But overhunting and habitat loss led to their decline.

With reports of bird flu in Lubbock, our Bishop Van Buren reports on a warning from the City of Lubbock asking residents to avoid handling sick or dead birds. Those who find sick or dead birds to report them to Lubbock Animal Service by calling 806-775-2057. Tonight at 6 P.M. is the deadline for candidates to file to run in Texas’ March 2026 primary elections. And after the Supreme Court ruled the state can use its 2025 redistricting map for the congressional midterms, Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports Democrats are frustrated but hopeful.

Lubbock City Council has passed two amendments to city policy regarding pet ownership. The first changes the procedure for declaring and keeping a dangerous dog, including raising liability insurance to $1 million. Lubbock Animal Services hopes the second amendment will help prevent unwanted litters.

The last week of October is International Bat Week. Our Samantha Larned reports on research at Texas Tech's Natural Resource Management Department into how bats adapt to human infrastructure in the state. Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the Texas Workforce Commission has awarded grants to four West Texas school districts as part of the Jobs and Educations for Texans program. Two of those grants are in partnership with South Plains College to train Denver City ISD and Seagraves ISD.

Bats love to munch on insects like stink bugs and moths. Some farmers are now relying on the mammals for pest control – and ditching chemicals.

The ground-dwelling bird's preferred grassland habitat overlaps with agricultural and energy-rich regions, putting the species' future in the hands of private landowners. In the second installment of a two-part series, StateImpact's Chloe Bennett-Steele reports on continued conservation efforts for the species.

Monday is the deadline to register to vote for the November 4th election, which will feature 17 constitutional amendments at the top of the ballot. Our Bishop Van Buren reports that applications must be signed and mailed by Monday or delivered in person to the Lubbock County Elections Office at 1308 Crickets Avenue. Lubbock Animal Services has received several recent reports of scammers pretending to be LAS employees. The city shared ways folks can identify a scam.

The bird is likely the result of shifting weather patterns and climate change.

Lubbock Lake Landmark is a snapshot of the land before settlement, preserving archeological evidence of early-human life and the natural history of the region’s plants and animals. Through its discoveries, education, and conservation, staff with the Landmark have reintroduced native wildlife driven out of the area, and continue to explore possibilities for the land and for those who love it.

The bird dwells west of Lubbock, and in the tip of the Panhandle, north of Amarillo.