Community

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission proposed cuts to more than 20 client services programs. Dozens of Texas advocates testified at a legislative budget board hearing Thursday to ask state lawmakers to protect those programs.

The Lubbock County Elections Office is currently working through a backlog of more than 7,500 voter registrations after a technical error at the Texas Department of Public Safety led to a flood of updates to process for county elections offices across the state. On Friday, the E.L. Reed Herbarium is celebrating its 100th birthday; the herbarium opened in 1925 and now has more than 31,000 plant specimens available online. The Panhandle South Plains Fair also starts today with attractions including pig racing, a hypnotist, a chainsaw juggler, rides and more.

Next week, the Lubbock County Commissioners Court will be deciding whether to support a state investigation into “apparent payroll irregularities” for the Precinct 2 Commissioner. Our Brad Burt explains what we know so far and what the next steps are. Lubbock residents are invited to attend Coffee with the Mayor this evening at 5:30pm at Citizens Tower, located at 1314 Avenue K.

More imports of foreign ground beef will be allowed into the country following a Friday announcement from President Donald Trump. As Harvest Public Media's Macy Byars reports, agriculture leaders say the move could be bad for American cattle producers. Lubbock’s city council will be receiving a petition from Lubbock citizens calling for an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data centers, as well as voting on a zone change for a controversial concrete batch plant proposed in north Lubbock.

All five youth prisons across Texas were on lockdown after at least two instances of kids assaulting correctional staff. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports it's unclear when restrictions on visitation and movement throughout the facilities will end. The Lubbock Municipal Garden and Arts Center is offering booth space and seeking food vendors for its annual fall festival. Our Samantha Larned reports Vendors can register for the event online through August 30. You can find more information at LubbockGAC.org or contact the center by emailing GAC@mylubbock.us or calling 806-767-3724.

Texas families are challenging the state’s new law calling for the 10 Commandments to be posted in every public schoolroom. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports families want to take it to the nation’s High Court. The criminal case against the former head of the Texas Lottery Commission returns to court today. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports Gary Grief faces a felony charge tied to a controversial 2023 jackpot. In Lubbock, Hub City Comic Con returns to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center this weekend, and on Monday at 7 a.m. at Citizens Tower, Coffee with the Mayor will give citizens a chance to sit down one-on-one with city staff.

This weekend, Lubbock Animal Services is offering free adoptions with their Clear the Shelter event. Our Gabrielle De La Cruz reports the event aims to open up shelter space for more animals still waiting on the streets. The event will run between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lubbock Animal Shelter at 3323 Southeast Loop 289. A San Antonio Zoo program to help breed and release Texas Horned Lizards in the wild is showing some success, using science to unlock the secrets that will ensure a healthier future for Horned Lizards.

Lubbock Animal Services is hosting its annual Clear the Shelter Day on Saturday, August 22. Along with free adoptions and vaccinations, the event will have family-friendly activities and food vendors. And with limited space and new intakes every day, LAS is hoping the adoption push will help create space for more animals.

City officials are asking residents in Canyon to limit “nonessential” water usage, making it the latest Texas Panhandle city to enact drought condition, ahead of what experts worry will be a dry and dangerous month for the region. Construction has begun on Lubbock Lake Landmark's Wildflower Trail, which was damaged by vandalism last year. Our Riley Wilson reports the Landmark is seeking $35,000 in donations to help with the repairs. You can donate to the fundraiser here or in person at 2401 Landmark Dr.

After 23 years of serving the people of Lubbock County, Roxzine Stinson is retiring at the end of July. She sat down with the KTTZ news team to reflect on her time as elections administrator, the challenges and rewards of the position, and some of her most memorable moments in office.