Government and Politics

Since news first surfaced late last year that border walls could be built for the first time in the Big Bend region of West Texas, the story has been marked by shifting, unannounced changes and few clearly communicated details from the Trump administration.

A team of researchers at Texas Tech University was awarded an approximately $4.5 million grant to develop semiconductors to be used in harsh environments. According to the university, the research from the College of Engineering aims to increase development for high-power electronics, such as broadband amplification and light detection. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Meta and WhatsApp. As The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports, he’s accusing the companies of misleading users about how private their messages really are.

Advocates say the federal government's new work requirements and immigration crackdown has limited food stamp participation. The state says the recent decline is part of normal fluctuations in enrollment.

President Trump has endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says the endorsement is likely to give Paxton a boost in his efforts to win the GOP nomination next Tuesday, but it could complicate Republican efforts to hold onto the Senate in the midterms. Several buildings on 34th Street were vandalized this past weekend, including Lubbock Meals on Wheels. According to a release from the nonprofit, damage included two windows – one of which was shattered. You can find more information on how to support the organization at lubbockmealsonwheels.org.

The Republican president had repeatedly teased his intention to endorse a candidate in the race, starting soon after Ken Paxton and John Cornyn emerged as the remaining contenders from the first round of primary voting in March.

The Republican primary battle between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which has raged for more than a year, will come to its conclusion on May 26.

The judge in the case insisted on a 60-day jail sentence. The controversy has roiled Texas politics and led critics to question the attorney general's ability to adequately prosecute crime.

Early voting in Texas’ joint primary runoff elections begins today and runs through Friday. The initial election took place in March, but the races that ended without a candidate receiving more than 50% of the votes are back on the ballot. Voters will determine which candidates will go on to represent their parties in the November general election. Our Samantha Larned reports on the races. Lubbock Animal Services is accepting newspapers donations to its shelter at 3323 Southeast Loop 289.

Early voting in Texas’ joint party primary runoff elections runs May 18-22. Democratic and Republican voters alike will be returning to the polls to determine their party’s nominees for the general election later this year. You can find races on both ballots and a list of early voting locations here.

Hill County commissioners’ split vote to issue a moratorium appears to be a first in Texas.