Community

Hasty, known statewide for his evocative political conversations, is described by his friends as “open-minded and respectful.”

West Texas has become a popular site for data center projects, but residents and city governments alike have questions they want answered before these proposals get approved. According to Lubbock's city manager, the development of one of these facilities in Lubbock will require collaboration and transparency.

Jackalope Creative’s “Tinier Desk” series is creating a space for Lubbock artists to showcase their raw talent with the community.

Local Lubbock studio Jackalope Creative has launched a new live music series called “Tinier Desk.” Inspired by NPR’s popular “Tiny Desk” concerts, the series invites local artists to perform stripped-down sets behind an office desk. KTTZ's Mia Shephard spoke with co-owner Kaleb Wiley about the new series.

West Texans will soon be seeing another data center after “Project Caprock” broke ground in Hale County yesterday. The boom in A.I. data centers in Texas could raise energy costs and strain the state power grid. KUT's Mose Buchele reports that to understand the risks, grid managers at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas need to understand how many centers are really coming. The City of Levelland in Hockley County is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary this weekend. The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 11, but with the chance of severe weather, the decision was made to push the event to Sunday, April 12.

Following recent reports from the Texas Education Agency about removing Cesar Chavez from curriculum, Mayor Pro-tem and District 1 Lubbock city council representative Christy Martinez-Garcia said that she does not want the changes to erase the history altogether. This week, the Texas Department of Agriculture announced the Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance program for GO TEXAN partners. Our Charley Maranville has more on how the program works. More at gotexan.org.

Lubbock native Blaire Elbert represented West Texas on this season of the NBC singing competition The Voice. Elbert was eliminated, but is continuing to ride her momentum as she tours the state. KTTZ reporter Mia Shephard spoke with Elbert earlier this month about her experience on the show.

Billie Caviel and her husband, Alfred, owned and operated Lubbock's first Black-owned pharmacy near 19th Street and Avenue A for nearly 50 years. Friends say Billie was continually invested in bringing arts and education to the next generation.

Activist and United Farm Workers co-leader Dolores Huerta issued a statement on social media reinforcing sex abuse allegations against labor icon Cesar Chavez. Texas Public Radio's Kory Cook has the details. In Lubbock, the Democratic Party is asking city leaders to change the name of Cesar E. Chavez Drive. Nonprofit Los Hermanos Familia, which organized Lubbock's event honoring Chavez for more than 25 years, has announced that instead of cancelling, they will hold the "CommUNITY Day of Service" on March 28.

Following sex abuse allegations against labor icon Cesar Chavez, a number of organizations have cancelled annual celebrations typically held in March. Rather than cancelling its day of community service, Los Hermanos Familia in Lubbock has renamed the event. Meanwhile, Lubbock Democratic Leaders are calling on the city to rename the street that also honors Chavez.