Newscast

Tonight's First Friday Art Trail takes place less than two weeks after Lubbock city council's decision to defund the art trail due to the inclusion of queer art that it deems not family friendly. Our reporter Samantha Larned spoke with a local advocacy group. And KERA's Bill Zeeble has more on why the state of Texas is ignoring changes to Title 9 that expand protections for gender non-conforming students.

Construction on 19th Street between University and Avenue Q will begin this month and is expected to continue throughout the next 12 months. And Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports on the CEO of CenterPoint answering questions regarding the utility’s response to Hurricane Beryl.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas sent letters to more than 50 school districts across the state last week that appeared to be in violation of the CROWN Act. Among the recipients of these letters were several districts in the greater Lubbock area. KTTZ spoke with the superintendent of one of these districts about their response.

Tomorrow is the last day to apply for a spot in Leadership Lubbock, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s year-long leadership program, for 2025. And KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports on how UT Dallas students arrested during a pro-Palestinian encampment are still being affected.

Lubbock Public Libraries organizes the Back-2-School Bash with more than 60 partners to help kids prepare for the upcoming school year. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on what families can expect this weekend.

After a person was seriously injured in a shooting at a Lubbock game room Wednesday morning, a call for tighter regulations on the venues has resurfaced. And Congressman Jodey Arrington introduced an amendment that would defund plans to expand conservation efforts in the United States, including protections for up to 700,000 acres at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.

Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the Texas Water Development Board's projects meant to alleviate water loss across the state. The Board is asking for public comment, which can be provided online or by email. Texas Public Radio’s Kayla Padilla reports the Uvalde community is waiting today for the arraignment of a former school officer involved in the response to the Robb Elementary shooting.

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake was reported east of Snyder late Monday night, which could be felt as far south as San Angelo and as far north as Amarillo, and tied for the 8th strongest to impact Texas in recorded history. And Texas Public Radio's Kayla Padilla reports the FBI released their active shooter report for 2023, with California, Texas and Washington ranked highest for active shooter incidents.

Investigators with the Lubbock Police Department are asking for the public’s help locating the mother of a newborn child found in a dumpster. And Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more after West Texas citizens helped raise money for Ruidoso residents to support those still dealing with the effects of wildfires and flooding in eastern New Mexico.

Lubbock’s city council is preparing for the upcoming discussions on the budget plan for the next fiscal year. While parks and pools have been discussed as quality-of-life needs to be addressed, city leaders are weighing whether temporary solutions can be implemented without raising taxes or if voters will need to give their input through a bond election.