Local Government

Texas lawmakers are again attempting to get death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify about his conviction. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports Roberson was blocked from testifying in person the first time he was called. The City of Lubbock is accepting applications for several boards and committees through December 31. The term for the positions will begin June 1, 2025. Applications can be submitted at www.mylubbock.us/cityboards.

In yesterday’s meeting, Lubbock’s city council approved its priorities for the upcoming state legislative session. This week, Mayor Mark McBrayer also gave his support for Lubbock’s legislator for District 83 Dustin Burrows in his race for Texas' Speaker of the House, a role which he says would move the interests of West Texas forward.

Lubbock’s public transportation provider, Citibus gave a route study presentation at Tuesday’s city council meeting about adjustments, improvements, and expansions to its services. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on the council’s response to the proposed next steps.

Record-breaking turnout for voters in and around Lubbock was still not able to meet expectations by the Elections Office, with a total percentage just over 62% of registered voters in Lubbock County; while close approval of local propositions opens the question of how long older Lubbockites will financially support Lubbock's massive growth.

Tuesday was election day in Lubbock and across the country, our news team has the results and data that matter for the city and the county.

Our reporter Olivia O'Rand has more on recommendations from a local health expert on using Breast Cancer Awareness month to encourage people to take control of their health. Tomorrow morning, Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer is hosting Coffee with the Mayor alongside District 2 Councilman Gordon Harris at 7 a.m. at the Mae Simmons Community Center.

Lubbock County Commissioners passed new regulations yesterday that will impact the operation of game rooms in parts of Lubbock County. And KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports families and students are pushing back on Keller ISD’s new theater policy, which disallows plays other schools still perform.

A Wednesday ruling from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in a shaken baby syndrome case, could have implications for another man on death row scheduled to be executed next week. Texas Public Radio’s Dan Katz reports. Here in Lubbock, the city has made another step toward building Canyon Lake 7.

Lubbock county commissioners will meet to vote on the county’s property tax rate for what could be the last time before the end of the fiscal year when the county is mandated to cut the budget to the no-new-revenue rate. And KERA's Miranda Suarez reports the Dalby Correctional facility in Garza County is set to shut down at the end of the month — after Tarrant County decided to pull out of its contract early.

The Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees approved a new property tax rate yesterday. And Texas Public Radio's Camille Phillips reports The American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations filed briefs this week in an ongoing lawsuit over books removed from the Llano County library.