Police

Lubbock City Council gave the final vote to repeal an updated ordinance that would’ve required permits, fees, and fines for electronic police alarms. For those who paid an updated permit fee in that time, the Lubbock Police Department is issuing a refund. Those who have not received their refunds by Nov. 18 are asked to call Alarm Permitting at (806) 775-3041. Just over 12% of registered voters in Lubbock county turned out for this year’s statewide election. That’s more than double the percentage of Lubbock county’s last constitutional amendment election with no local items on the ballot more than a decade ago. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down two of the 17 constitutional amendments that stand out as particularly significant for West Texas.

Police chases can be deadly. Minnesota has more safeguards in place than Texas, including a statewide pursuit policy and enhanced training. Does that make a difference?

After cooler temperatures arrived this week, post-cold front conditions are now driving elevated fire danger across parts of West Texas. Our Bishop Van Buren reports the Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to over 130 wildfire incidents this October. Lubbock’s city council has voted to repeal a recent ordinance update that would’ve required permits, annual fees, and false call fines for owners of alarm systems that alert the police electronically.

Shortly after the updated false alarm ordinance took effect on Oct. 1, concerns from the public began to circulate. Lubbock police say similar ordinances are used in other Texas cities, but whether the systems have reduced the problem of false alarms for those cities remains unclear. Now, the council is repealing the ordinance, with apologies for the procedure that many felt was not transparent.

Early voting for the Texas Constitutional Amendment Special Election begins today and runs through Oct. 31. Our Samantha Larned reports polling places will be at all United Supermarkets, Amigos, and Market Street locations in Lubbock, as well as the Texas Tech Student Recreation Center. Polling locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and on Sunday, Oct. 26th from noon to 6 p.m. Lubbock’s city council has paused the new false alarm ordinance, which would’ve required a permit and $50 annual fee for alarm systems in Lubbock, as well as a $50 fine after the first three false alarms. The city says council will be “revisiting” the issue at its Oct. 28 meeting.

The City of Lubbock implemented a crackdown on "nuisance" calls to the police department at the beginning of the month. The False Alarm Ordinance introduces a $50 permitting fee for Lubbock alarm owners. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is developing the state’s application for a federal rural health funding program. With more than half of rural hospitals in Texas at risk of shutting down, KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports health leaders say the state should utilize potential new funding to prevent further closures.

Incumbent Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish announced his intention to run for re-election in 2026. Our reporter Sean Ryan reports on his priorities and recent accomplishments. The Lubbock Police Department is asking the public to be mindful of what’s being posted online, after a recent shooting at a party in southwest Lubbock spouted unverified information being shared on social media.

The Texas Legislature has formed new House and Senate committees focused on freedom of speech on Texas college campuses. The Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey says the move was prompted by last week's murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Here in Lubbock, a Texas Tech student was arrested at a Charlie Kirk memorial on campus Friday. Our Brad Burt reports she was charged with simple assault.

A 17-year-old was shot and killed by a Lubbock police officer early Saturday morning, after LPD reports the teenager opened fire on a crowd of around 100 people. KTTZ's Sean Ryan says five others were also injured in the chaos. And following the flood disaster in Kerr County that left dozens killed or missing, statewide emergency response will now be a priority for the upcoming special legislative session.

Last week's officer involved shooting on Texas Tech campus has been ruled as justified and officers have been cleared to return to duty. Colleges across the country can now make direct payments to their student-athletes, with a maximum allowance of $20.5 million per year. The outdoors are calling for a day at the lake or a night under the fireworks, but with that and the recent rain comes one issue: mosquitoes. Our Olivia O'Rand has more on how to protect yourself against the pesky insects.