Local Government

The latest plan for the Lubbock County Expo Center received backing from County Commissioners yesterday. Tentatively, the expo center would work with the county to borrow around $32 million of the $67 million budgeted. Meanwhile as controversy continues over Immigration and Customs Enforcements actions in Minneapolis, Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports that Texas Governor Greg Abbott is weighing in. Abbott says that anti-ICE protests are a result of state leadership “inciting violence."

City leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for construction on 34th Street this Wednesday, one of 17 projects funded through Lubbock’s 2022 street bond. Our Bishop Van Buren reports officials are urging drivers to be patient and careful as work begins. And Lubbock's public libraries will serve as warming centers throughout the weekend. All branch libraries will offer free water, wi-fi, and charging stations during qualifying weather conditions on Friday from noon to 6 P.M. and Saturday from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. With only the Mahon Library open Sunday from 1 to 5 P.M.

As of last week, candidates can file for the May 2 city and school board elections. Lubbock City Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 are up for election, as is the mayor's seat. The filing deadline is Feb. 13. The avian flu is making its rounds and both Lubbock Public Health and Texas Tech University are warning people to avoid contact with sick or dead birds. Our Olivia O'Rand reports dogs and cats are also susceptible if exposed. You can report sick or dead birds in the area to South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 806-799-9142 and those on Tech campus to university operations at 806-742-4OPS.

A county oversight committee gave their approval to move forward with Lubbock’s hotly debated expo center. The next step goes to county commissioners, who will decide whether to borrow from the hotel occupancy tax. After a directive from TXDOT to remove nonstandard markings from municipal crosswalks, the City of San Antonio planned to replace its rainbow crosswalk with a rainbow sidewalk. Texas Public Radio's Joey Palacios reports those plans have been put on pause.

Legal questions remain in the “resign-to-run” disagreement between Lubbock County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley and County Judge Curtis Parrish. Corley was restored to the commission, at least temporarily, at the end of December, while the case for his possible replacement is under review by the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, KERA's Bill Zeeble reports that the state has launched a website where folks can file complaints about public colleges and universities, tied to recent laws like anti-DEI legislation.

Lubbock County Precinct 2’s Jason Corley was back in the courthouse Monday, returning as county commissioner, as the county's "resign-to-run" legal battle continues. Meanwhile, Texas is expected to see unusually warm and dry weather through the end of the year. KTTZ reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down how this elevated fire risk affects West Texas.

A First Amendment advocacy nonprofit reached out to Texas Tech University System presidents Friday, urging them not to restrict faculty speech within the classroom. Our Samantha Larned spoke with the author of the letters and reports on concerns from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Another candidate has joined the race to become District 3’s city council representative. Gil Caley is the interim president for PFLAG Lubbock and the lead editor of The Catalyst media.

Caley’s campaign announcement highlighted possible initiatives like developing a new library branch or recreation center in the district, as well as additional neighborhood planning efforts, policies to benefit locally owned businesses, and addressing loose animals.

Former Lubbock County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley filed a lawsuit Monday against his replacement, Mark Meurer of Slaton. Corley was removed from the seat after announcing his Congressional campaign. The basis of his lawsuit comes from a disagreement between Corley and Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish over when his bid for the national office became official.

Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish removed Commissioner Jason Corley from office this week, the latest twist in the Republicans’ fraught relationship.