Community

Today is Juneteenth, honoring the day enslaved people in Galveston learned of their freedom two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Our Riley Wilson reports on the weekend of events in Lubbock, including a cookout this evening, and parade and festival on Saturday. You can find a schedule of events with addresses here. According to a nationwide survey, beekeepers lost more than 60 percent of their commercially managed honeybee colonies between the summer of 2024 and early 2025. Texas Public Radio's Tim Gutierrez reports the bee crisis could have consequences far beyond honey production.

State officials are asking Texans to help protect the state's white tail deer population from screwworm. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports the deer drive a nearly $10 billion annual hunting industry. Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer is hosting Coffee with the Mayor series for all districts tomorrow at 10 a.m. on the 2nd floor of Citizens Tower at 1314 Avenue K. Also tomorrow, TxDOT will host a public meeting over plans to replace the south Loop 289 bridge over Slide Road at the TxDOT training center off I-27 and Slaton Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Residents of Hockley County have the opportunity to contribute to a Pop-up Museum, celebrating a century of history and creativity. Our Samantha Larned reports this year’s exhibit is focused on handmade items and family heirlooms, such as quilts, ceramics, scrapbooks, and other items that have been passed down through the generations. The museum is taking contributions through June 18, the exhibit opens June 24 and will run through July 24. Early voting is this week in a special election for Lubbock’s City Council District 4. Early voting runs through June 23, with election day on June 27. You can find a list of polling locations here.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders softball team fell to the University of Texas last night in the Women’s College World Series, ending another historic run as the national runner-up. The parasite New World screwworm was confirmed in a South Texas calf. The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports officials are expanding efforts using sterile screwworm flies to stop the parasite from reproducing. The City of Lubbock will be celebrating World Environment Day with a free community event today at Hodges Community Center from 4 to 8 p.m.

The West Texas Veterans State Cemetery is open for burial services starting today. KTTZ’s Riley Wilson reports Burials may take place Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, with the main office being open from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. A pre-registration packet with more information can be found here. An environmental group wants the federal government to consider the health impacts of legal nitrate contamination in public drinking water. Harvest Public Media’s Celia Llopis-Jepsen has more on the report finding nearly one-fifth of Americans rely on community water supplies that showed elevated nitrate in recent years.

Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby has been declared permanently ineligible to play by the NCAA. Our Samantha Larned reports that the university has announced its intentions to appeal the decision. This Saturday, a memorial will be held for longtime Lubbock radio host Chad Hasty at 2 p.m. at The Message, 5502 Auburn Street. According to his obituary, rather than flowers, folks can make contributions to the Chad Hasty Free Market Institute Scholarship Fund or the Texas Girls and Boys Ranch. Click here to find out how.

Lubbock Public Libraries’ annual summer reading program begins Monday. Our Samantha Larned reports there are challenges and events for children and adults alike. The Patterson Branch is also hosting a ‘Summer Reading Kick-Off Party’ tomorrow at 1836 Parkway Drive from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

President Trump has endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says the endorsement is likely to give Paxton a boost in his efforts to win the GOP nomination next Tuesday, but it could complicate Republican efforts to hold onto the Senate in the midterms. Several buildings on 34th Street were vandalized this past weekend, including Lubbock Meals on Wheels. According to a release from the nonprofit, damage included two windows – one of which was shattered. You can find more information on how to support the organization at lubbockmealsonwheels.org.

Early voting in Texas’ joint primary runoff elections begins today and runs through Friday. The initial election took place in March, but the races that ended without a candidate receiving more than 50% of the votes are back on the ballot. Voters will determine which candidates will go on to represent their parties in the November general election. Our Samantha Larned reports on the races. Lubbock Animal Services is accepting newspapers donations to its shelter at 3323 Southeast Loop 289.

Many farmers are facing a challenging economy. That’s forcing some to make tough choices about how much to invest in this season’s crops. Harvest Public Media’s Michael Marks has more from a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist about the demands. The City of Lubbock is hosting the annual Move Out Give Back Program to provide students and residents with an opportunity to drop off reusable items, such as hard-surface furniture and small working appliances, as well as large or bulky items that are too big for dumpsters.