Local Government

Lubbock City Council saw a presentation yesterday from Lubbock Public Health on services and expenses for patients who are not Lubbock County residents. Our Samantha Larned reports the information was requested in relation to the approval of the latest iteration of a long-standing referral agreement with a substance use treatment center in Plainview. And last night, District 4 representative Brayden Rose announced his resignation from the Lubbock City Council.

According to the City of Lubbock, the City Council will set a special election date at its next regular meeting. Rose will remain until his successor is elected.

Last month, Lubbock County Commissioners passed an amendment to the game room ordinance which went into effect in May 2025. Our Brad Burt reports that one Lubbock game room owner has filed a lawsuit, claiming the new rules are unenforceable under the Texas and U.S. Constitutions. The U.S.-Israeli war in the middle east is influencing gas prices in Texas. Prices for regular unleaded gas in Lubbock increased by about 40 cents over the last week, according to AAA.

Lubbock County saw historic 23% voter turnout for the joint primary election – more than 30,000 early voters and an additional more than 15,000 in-person on Election Day. It was a packed ballot for Republican and Democratic voters alike and our reporter Samantha Larned breaks down county offices which will return to ballots for runoff elections on May 26.

Along with statewide and federal races, Lubbock County has several of its own offices headed for runoff elections in May for voters to make the final determination on nominees for the general election.

Yesterday, Lubbock County officially opened its new Medical Examiner’s Office, bringing death investigations back to Lubbock after years of outsourcing autopsies. Officials gathered in the panhandle this week for the anniversary of the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in Texas history. The 2025 legislative session passed several improvements to the state’s wildfire preparedness, but our Brad Burt reports that lawmakers say the work is not yet done.

Avian flu continues to spread among wild birds in and around Lubbock, with hundreds of dead geese collected in recent weeks, including near local lakes and water treatment facilities. Our reporter Bishop van Buren has more on the outbreak from Lubbock City Manager Jarrett Atkinson. New data finds that around 71,000 immigrants are being held in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention as of the end of January. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports the data shows around 74% of the detainees have no criminal conviction.

Lubbock Police officials are asking drivers to be careful on the Marsha Sharp Freeway as officers conduct accident investigations today beginning at 9 A.M. This will affect westbound traffic on the Marsha Sharp between Quaker and Slide roads and eastbound lanes near University and Avenue Q. The Texas Education Agency has provided new guidance regarding the response to student walkouts, amid recent protests over immigration enforcement. The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports consequences could include possible state intervention. Tomorrow, Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer is hosting Coffee with the Mayor in District 1, starting at 7 A.M. at Amigos located at 112 N. University Avenue.

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.