Local Government

On July 7, the City of Lubbock hosted a public meeting to hear residents’ thoughts and concerns about large-scale data centers. As city officials try to balance the potential benefits with the risks, a majority of the approximately 70 members of the public who spoke at the meeting were against allowing data centers in the city.

Last night, the City of Lubbock hosted a nearly-4-hour meeting to discuss the potential development of large-scale data centers, with comment from about 70 members of the public. Our Samantha Larned reports that while city staff have recommended policies to support further control over developments, some citizens say that concerns over enforcement remain unchanged.

Tonight, the City of Lubbock will be hearing from citizens on the subject of large-scale data centers in a public meeting. The meeting will take place in the banquet hall of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center at 5:30 p.m. The subject of large-scale data centers has raised concerns and even some pushback from Lubbockites. Our reporter Brad Burt has more on another meeting this week, organized by residents petitioning to get Lubbock’s city government to enact a moratorium on data centers in the city. The discussion is scheduled for July 8 at 6 p.m. at the YWCA Event Room at 6501 University Ave. You can find information on the city's meeting and moratorium efforts here.

More cases of the New World Screwworm are being reported. KEDT's Rob Boscamp says 27 cases of the New World Screwworm have now been reported in the country in the past month, with all but one in Texas. Meanwhile, Lubbock city leaders are asking for citizens’ opinions ahead of a public meeting to discuss the subject of large-scale data centers. The meeting will take place on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the banquet hall of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The city is also taking public opinion in an online survey that’s open through July 2. Results of the survey will be presented at the July 7 meeting.You can find a link to that survey here.

The special election for Lubbock City Council’s District 4 representative is headed to a runoff. After votes were counted on Saturday, candidates Tim Green received 47% of the vote and Gary Boren took 38%. The special election runoff will be held in August. The Texas State Board of Education has approved a reading list that requires students to learn bible passages. As KERA's Bill Zeeble reports, the new required K-12 reading list will go into effect in 2030.

Tomorrow is Election Day in the special election to determine the city council representative for Lubbock's District 4. So far, the Lubbock County Elections Office reports 1,880 voters have turned out in early voting. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Most survey results show the Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico as extremely close. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports that potentially creates an opening for a third-party candidate, Libertarian Ted Brown, to shape the outcome.

Lubbock city leaders are asking for citizens’ opinions ahead of a public meeting to discuss the subject of large-scale data centers. Over the next week, the City is taking an online survey to gauge public opinion on large-scale data centers before the meeting. You can find a link to fill out the survey here.

The election to determine a new representative for Lubbock City Council District 4 is heading into a runoff between candidates Gary Boren and Tim Green. Early voting runs July 20-28 and Election Day is August 1. You can find polling locations and times here.

Boyd Goodloe operates a rental business in Lubbock and has a background in volunteer work and youth ministry. He joined KTTZ to discuss the issues facing Lubbock's District 4 ahead of the special election.

Bill Curnow works in IT security and has served Lubbock through his nonprofit work and on citizens’ boards and commissions. He sat down with KTTZ to talk about why he decided to run in District 4's special election, and the issues he's focused on as a candidate.