Newscast

While energy experts say the Texas energy grid is more reliable than three years ago, KERA’s Pablo Arauz Peña reports the grid still faces challenges as providers transition to clean energy sources. Last week, school districts across Lubbock County took part in the seventh annual United we read event to encourage a love of reading in their students.

Three weeks after a Blue Alert was issued for a man wanted in the shooting of a police chief in Memphis, Texas, Seth Altman was arrested by law enforcement officials in Fort Worth. KERA's Miranda Suarez reports Tarrant County has made its first conviction under the state's new fentanyl overdose murder law, which allows prosecutors to seek murder charges against people who give someone else a fatal dose of fentanyl.

A fire burning at a power substation southeast of Lubbock has been contained, but officials say it’s expected to continue to burn for about 40 days. For Texans who plan to vote by mail this year, applications must be received by the local election office today. And taking place this weekend, the United Supermarkets Lubbock Marathon has events for families and athletes alike.

Texas lawmakers are weighing whether the law was properly applied in convicting death row inmate Robert Roberson, whose execution was blocked last week. Texas Parks and Wildlife’s annual Pollinator BioBlitz continues through October 27, celebrating the fall migration of monarch butterflies and bringing awareness to all that pollinators do for Texas.

With early voting underway in Texas, the Texas Civil Rights Project has established an election protection hotline to respond to concerns from those visiting the polls. Texas voters have been found to differentiate between border security and immigration, according to Texas Public Opinion Research. Texas Public Radio's Kayla Padilla has more on these recent findings.

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.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins today. Polling locations will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. For a complete list of voting locations and a sample ballot for the county, visit votelubbock.org. Texas Death Row inmate Robert Roberson is expected to testify today before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence; Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has more.

The Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting yesterday saw the presentation of its annual Quality Seats Analysis. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on this year's focus: declining enrollment.

A team of linemen from Lubbock Power & Light was recognized this week for their assistance in restoring power to Florida after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. And KERA’s Katherine Hobbs has more after an attorney for those who filed a lawsuit over the Texas foster care system says the group will appeal a ruling to remove the judge in the case.

Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Congressman Colin Allred, squared off in a fiery debate last night — their only one before voters decide which of them will represent Texas in the Senate for the next six years. And Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has more on another rejected legal effort to prevent the upcoming execution of an East Texas man.