Public Safety

Emergency officials in Lincoln County, New Mexico have confirmed four people died in a medical transport plane crash northeast of Ruidoso yesterday. The cause of the plane crash remains under investigation. After approval from the U.S. House, a bill permitting year-round sales of up to 15% ethanol gasoline blends is heading to the Senate. Harvest Public Media’s Macy Byars reports supporters say this could boost the farm economy and give consumers cheaper options at the gas pump.

A state law passed after July 4th floods in the Texas Hill Country requires camps to have redundant internet access in order to receive an operational license. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports The Texas Department of State Health Services has reached an agreement with these camps over fiber optic requirements. Texas prisons saw a 2,400 percent increase in drug overdose deaths over the past seven years. As KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports, officials say it's the result of an influx of contraband into state correctional facilities.

The $4 million system could provide up to several hours of advance warning, giving residents more time to evacuate before floodwaters become dangerous.

Texas officials say at least 12 people have died over the course of the winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and icy conditions across the state this week. As The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports, around half of the victims were children. Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the March 3 primary election. Our Michelle Waida reports you can find registration information, including status and applications, at votelubbock.gov. Applications can be delivered to the Lubbock County Elections Office at 1308 Crickets Avenue.

Lubbock County, the South Plains and Texas Panhandle were included in a disaster declaration for more than 130 Texas counties ahead of Winter Storm Fern. Here are best practices for staying safe at home and on the road.

Freezing rain, sleet and snow are expected to hit a large portion of Texas beginning Friday.

Lubbock ISD’s Board of Trustees is meeting Thursday night to discuss a proposed plan that would give Lubbock ISD standards to determine which area schools will be considered for consolidation or closure in the future. The board will meet at the LISD Administration Building tonight at 5 p.m. With Lubbock expecting extreme cold this weekend, including potential freezing rain, snow, and ice, our reporter Michelle Waida has tips from the Department of Public Safety on how to stay safe on the road.

Hundreds of newly published text messages add more detail to the devastating timeline of the deadly July 4 Texas floods.

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?

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.