Local Government

In December 2025, Adam Hernandez, a local entrepreneur and community advocate, announced his intent to run for the city council seat in District 3. Hernandez previously ran for Lubbock's mayoral seat in 2022 and 2024. He sat down with KTTZ to discuss his campaign and the issues he's focused on for District 3.

City Council candidate David Bruegel, a Lubbock real estate broker, former Shallowater alderman and volunteer firefighter, sat down with KTTZ to discuss his campaign and the issues he's focused on for District 3.

City Council candidate Gil Caley, PFLAG Lubbock's interim president and lead editor for The Catalyst Media, said he decided to run after feeling dissatisfied with decisions made in outgoing councilmember David Glasheen's term. Caley sat down with KTTZ to talk about his campaign and the issues he's focused on for District 3.

Early voting in Lubbock's municipal and school board elections began with some complications yesterday and polls are closed today for a state-observed holiday. Polling locations will open again for voters tomorrow at 8 a.m. The Trump Administration’s recently released budget proposal cuts almost $5 billion dollars from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Harvest Public Media’s Will Bauer reports that includes university research and rural community services. Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer is hosting Coffee with the Mayor at 7 a.m. tomorrow at the Maxey Community Center at 4020 30th Street.

Early voting begins this week for municipal and school board elections, a number of city and school board positions in Lubbock County are on the ballot this year, including Lubbock’s mayor, proposed bond elections in Slaton ISD, and city council positions in several cities. Early voting runs April 20-28, find races and polling locations here.

Texas Tech Public Media and the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal hosted a forum discussion with all four of Lubbock's mayoral candidates for the 2026 local election on April 15. You can find a full recording and transcript of the discussion here. Early voting runs April 20-28 and Election Day is May 2.

At least three Texas counties were contacted this week by the Department of Homeland Security for detailed records about individual voters.

The Texas Tech University System announced that it will be closing all academic programs “centered on” Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Our reporter Samantha Larned explains the new course content guidance and "phase-out" process for current programs. The Lubbock City Government is looking for the input of citizens on potential renovations to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The presentations will be held at the Civic Center at 1501 Mac Davis Lane tonight at 5:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

A former city council representative filed to run for District 4's council seat in March, shortly after sitting councilor Brayden Rose announced his resignation, but the application has since been denied on the grounds that he did not meet the residency requirements under state law. And as the Texas State Board of Education discusses plans for a new Social Studies curriculum, KUT’s Greta Díaz González Vázquez reports some educators have taken issue with the proposal.

The contract between UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech Physicians expired at the end of March. Those with questions and concerns are encouraged to speak with their employer and/or insurance agent. This week, Lubbock Fire Rescue released its 2025 Annual Report. Our Bishop Van Buren says LFR set a new recruitment record for the second consecutive year. City of Lubbock Offices are closed today and will return to normal operations on Monday.