Newscast

After nearly a lifetime of working in agriculture, Lucinda Mann has found herself at Idalou Harvest, doing exactly what she knows best: nourishing the community. Our reporter, Olivia O’Rand, visited the farm ahead of the farm's Apple Fest this weekend.

Our reporter Samantha Larned reports that the U.S. Department of Labor found three restaurants in Lamesa and Lubbock illegally withholding employee tips. And the City of Lubbock announced Richard Stewart, the current assistant chief of special services for the City of Irving Fire Department, as the finalist for Chief of Lubbock Fire Rescue.

Yesterday’s budget work session with the city council saw a new recommendation from city management to approach the issue with private sewer line repairs in the public right-of-way. And multiple Odessa residents are seeking millions of dollars in damages after they say an industrial facility chemical fire last month forced them from their homes and polluted their drinking water.

Many Lubbock County residents came to Monday’s commissioner’s court meeting to express their opposition to a proposed tax increase. Two commissioners were not among them, skipping the meeting to deny the quorum needed for a tax increase vote. Commissioners must vote on the tax rate before September 30.

UPS workers and union leaders are calling on the company to better protect workers from extreme heat. KERA’s Penelope Rivera reports the union held a rally outside last week to demand AC in delivery cars. And with heat-related illnesses and deaths on the rise, a handful of Texas cities are looking for ways to address urban heat islands.

At Thursday’s meeting, the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a new health care plan – with higher out-of-pocket expenses for teachers and staff. While one trustee offered a compromise, LISD administrators say the district remains in a challenging financial position.

Frenship Independent School District is calling for a voter approved tax ratification election and bond election this November. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on what the funding would go toward if approved. And with dangerous heat-conditions across the South Plains, volunteers will be distributing free fans for Lubbockites on Saturday.

Texas comes in last place for health coverage, access, and affordability for women, according to a new analysis. Texas Public Radio's Bonnie Petrie has more. And Lubbock Public Libraries are offering cooling centers with free water and air conditioning this summer.

This week will see construction projects on 82nd Street and on the Northbound I-27 Frontage Road; drivers can expect delays and potential detours. And Texas Public Radio's Pablo De La Rosa has more on a recent report showing that water inflows to the Rio Grande have declined by a third since the 1980s.

Lubbock city and county officials came together Friday morning to cut the ribbon on the new Lubbock Public Health building. The event came just days after Mayor Mark McBrayer proposed a $60,000 cut to the department in Lubbock City Council’s Tuesday work session. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more.