Local Government

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.

The South Plains Fair returns this week for its 108th year. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on Preview Night, tonight from 6 to 11 p.m. with $1 rides, free admission, and free parking. The City of Lubbock is looking for public input to improve its website. The survey will be opened until October 1. You can provide feedback here.

Governor Greg Abbott was joined by Lubbock's senator Charles Perry on Tuesday for the signing of two bills directed at helping rural healthcare systems. Our Brad Burt has more on the resources the bills provide for rural counties and hospitals. Meanwhile, the City of Lubbock is encouraging residents to apply for boards and committees. Our Sean Ryan reports on the open positions and how to apply. Click here for more information.

Yesterday, Lubbock City Council gave final approval to the new city budget and tax rate for homeowners. The new tax rate will be an average $15.33 increase for a $224,000 property. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and our reporter Bishop Van Buren spoke with a local expert about mental health awareness and ways to help those who might be struggling. Texas Tech University students can speak with counselors and find resources at a Mental Health Pop-Up tomorrow at Red Raider Plaza from 1-3 p.m. The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 988, and the crisis text line is 741-741.

September is National Literacy Month and today is International Literacy Day. Our Sean Ryan reports on the nationwide and local push and to strengthen community learning. You can sign up for a card at any of the Lubbock Public Library locations or by visiting the website lubbocklibrary.com. Last week's budget discussion from Lubbock's city council ended with a 2.2% increase to the tax rate for homeowners. The council is expected to hold a final vote on the budget and tax rate in its meeting tomorrow.

A coalition of citizens from District 2 have filed for a petition to recall city council member Gordon Harris. Our Brad Burt reports on the petition and Harris' response. The petition group has 30 days to collect more than 900 signatures, making the deadline October 2. The group will hold an information meeting at the Southwest Digest on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.