Local Government

With a team of six, the City of Lubbock Cemetery maintains approximately 65,000 graves and is digging new ones every week. Arranging burials, finding plots, and dealing with the unexpected, the cemetery staff are caring for the families and the places they lay their loved ones to rest.

After cooler temperatures arrived this week, post-cold front conditions are now driving elevated fire danger across parts of West Texas. Our Bishop Van Buren reports the Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to over 130 wildfire incidents this October. Lubbock’s city council has voted to repeal a recent ordinance update that would’ve required permits, annual fees, and false call fines for owners of alarm systems that alert the police electronically.

As Governor Greg Abbott threatens to withhold TxDOT funding over political road markings, our Bishop Van Buren reports a crosswalk in Lubbock honoring Buddy Holly may be at risk. Seven years after voters approved taxpayer funding for an expo center in North Lubbock, county commissioners are considering alternative approaches to get the project started.

The City of Lubbock implemented a crackdown on "nuisance" calls to the police department at the beginning of the month. The False Alarm Ordinance introduces a $50 permitting fee for Lubbock alarm owners. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is developing the state’s application for a federal rural health funding program. With more than half of rural hospitals in Texas at risk of shutting down, KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports health leaders say the state should utilize potential new funding to prevent further closures.

Incumbent Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish announced his intention to run for re-election in 2026. Our reporter Sean Ryan reports on his priorities and recent accomplishments. The Lubbock Police Department is asking the public to be mindful of what’s being posted online, after a recent shooting at a party in southwest Lubbock spouted unverified information being shared on social media.

Monday is the deadline to register to vote for the November 4th election, which will feature 17 constitutional amendments at the top of the ballot. Our Bishop Van Buren reports that applications must be signed and mailed by Monday or delivered in person to the Lubbock County Elections Office at 1308 Crickets Avenue. Lubbock Animal Services has received several recent reports of scammers pretending to be LAS employees. The city shared ways folks can identify a scam.

The group Dignity for District 2 has suspended its petition to recall Lubbock Councilman Gordon Harris. Students at colleges and universities have settled back into the school year and our Sean Ryan reports that enrollment has increased at all three of Lubbock’s largest higher education institutions. Starting this week, Lubbock ISD will be holding a series of town hall meetings in each of the board of trustees' voting districts to discuss potential changes. Community members are also encouraged to complete a survey to provide feedback to the district. Click here for a schedule of upcoming the meetings, their locations, and a link to the survey.

Lubbock’s city council heard a presentation this week analyzing zoning across the city. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on a 2026 project to address some of the inconsistencies between property zoning and land use. Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp devastated by July 4th flooding by the Guadalupe River, plans to partially re-open next year. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports that will come with new regulations and training required by the state.

This week, Lubbock County commissioners approved a budget plan, including $1.4 million cut for the Sheriff’s Department and $250,000 cut for volunteer firefighters. New World Screwworm was detected in a city in Mexico less than 70 miles from the border with Texas. Marian Navarro with Texas Public Radio reports the case was detected in the early larval stage.

The historic Wallace Theater in downtown Levelland held its grand reopening this weekend. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on how the theater is bringing the community together. Lubbock's mayor Mark McBrayer and District 6 city councilman Tim Collins are hosting Coffee with the Mayor tomorrow morning. The event starts at 7 A.M. at the United Supermarket at 4th and Milwaukee.