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Joe Ely was a Texas music legend who drove humbly at the leading edge of an evolutionary wave in alternative country music, and many talented West Texas musicians came with him. Butch Hancock and Terry Allen spoke with KTTZ about the life and career of their close friend, the role that West Texas played in their music, and the role Joe Ely played in their lives.

Wolfforth City Councilmember Wesley Houck has announced his run for Lubbock County Judge. He is the only candidate opposing incumbent county judge Curtis Parrish in upcoming primary elections. Our Brad Burt reports he’s joining in a uniquely contentious week for Lubbock county politics. The City of Lubbock is accepting applications for several of its advisory boards and committees. The application deadline is December 31, and the term for the positions starts June 1, 2026. Click here for a list of vacancies.

Sunday is Texas Tech’s annual Carol of Lights at the Science Quadrangle, the university's way to kick off the holiday season. But almost 60 years ago, the occasion was a somber affair following the murder of Sarah Alice Morgan on Dec. 4, 1967.

This Sunday is Texas Tech’s annual Carol of Lights at the Science Quadrangle, the university's way to kick off the holiday season. But almost 60 years ago, the occasion was a much more somber affair following the murder of Sarah Alice Morgan on Dec. 4, 1967. Our reporter Mia Shephard has more on that night and its lasting legacy.

The newly passed federal ban on hemp-based products containing THC, set to go into effect in Nov. 2026, could have a significant negative effect on the Texas economy.Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says the ban could hit a wide range of Texas industries. Tomorrow is National Memory Screening Day and Texas Tech’s Garrison Institute on Aging is joining the effort. Our Bishop Van Buren reports the GIA will be offering free screenings at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center’s Academic Event Center tomorrow at 2 p.m., followed by a lecture by Texas Tech psychology professor Dr. Gayle Ayers from 3 to 4 p.m.

During Native American Heritage Month, traces of Indigenous history across the South Plains continue to shape life in West Texas. For groups like Native American People of the Plains and Beyond, visibility and education remain central to preserving culture and correcting long-held misconceptions.

The Veterans Food Bank of Lubbock is set to open next month and organizers are calling on the community to contribute to its first food drive through Dec. 16. More information at the nonprofit's Facebook page. Our Samantha Larned reports now is an ideal time for folks to get their flu shots to reach peak immunity in time for Thanksgiving, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Meanwhile, after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP, some Texans have started receiving partial payments.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day, and the Silent Wings Museum is marking the occasion with free admission and a full day of events. Our Bishop Van Buren reports on festivities, including a ceremony, dance lesson, and live music. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Meanwhile, since the start of the federal government shutdown, veterans’ requests for food and housing assistance have spiked. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports more than 100,000 veterans are being affected in Texas alone.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Texas, with voters deciding on 17 proposed constitutional amendments. Our Brad Burt reports that Lubbock County saw unusually high early voting turnout for this type of election — more than 13,000 ballots cast — though that’s still just 6.7% of registered voters. Statewide turnout remains low, with fewer than a million Texans voting early. The amendments cover issues from tax cuts to a multibillion-dollar state water fund.

The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports the Texas Agriculture Commissioner is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s call to import beef from Argentina, saying it would hurt Texas ranchers already facing historically low cattle numbers. Our Samantha Larned reports on a community ofrenda at the Mahon Library for Día de los Muertos. Community members can contribute photos of their loved ones by bringing them to the Mahon reference desk through Oct. 30.