Education

This Wednesday is the citywide Back-2-School Bash will be taking place from Lubbock Public Libraries. Our Samantha Larned reports on what parents and students can expect. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Over the next two days, the Texas House and Senate will host hearings on redrawing congressional districts, including Lubbock’s Texas District 19 represented by Jodey Arrington. Click here for details on how to tune in and submit comments.

The grants fund a wide range of education programs, including migrant education, services for English language learners and adult education.

Lubbock ISD is adopting a new policy regarding students' cell phone usage, in compliance with state law. KTTZ's Bishop Van Buren breaks down what students and their parents can expect. Our Sean Ryan reports on the 29th Annual Charles and Rose Hankson Fishing Derby taking place tomorrow at Mae Simmons Lake from 7 A.M. to 2 P.M. Fishing gear donations are being accepted at the lake this morning around 9 A.M.

In compliance with House Bill 1481, the district now requires students to keep personal communication devices powered off and out of sight throughout the school day.

Federal cuts and a lack of dedicated mental health funding from the state could erode programs to address chronic absenteeism, crises and more.

Three people are confirmed dead from flash floods in Ruidoso, New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon. Our reporter Sean Ryan says the region is preparing for the potential of more flooding and thunderstorms this weekend. As part of the special legislative session, Texas' governor Greg Abbott has directed lawmakers to come up with a replacement to the STAAR test. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider report it’s an open question how well that will address the problems critics have with the way standardized tests are used in Texas.

The long-awaited vote survived objections from the panel's most right-leaning Republicans, who criticized the lessons as "un-American woke indoctrination."

Last week, Lubbock ISD school board trustees voted unanimously to approve the budget for the upcoming school year with a $7 million deficit. Our reporter Brad Burt says this budget is subject to change as officials reckon with new money coming from the state legislature. Texas is stepping up its defense against a dangerous livestock pest. KERA's Katherine Hobbs reports on the creation of the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team.

The organizations, which recently won a legal victory against Louisiana over its law requiring the Ten Commandments in schools, are also considering a suit against Texas over its new law allowing for prayer and Bible readings in public schools.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, even though a similar Louisiana law was deemed unconstitutional. Supporters say Christianity is core to U.S. history.