Rural News

Updated data and information from public health officials on confirmed measles cases in the region.

Over half of newly hired Texas teachers are uncertified to teach in public schools. Our reporter Brad Burt has more from a recent education forum, where local experts talked about teacher pay, preparedness, retention and the impact on students, particularly in rural schools.

The South Plains Association of Governments is seeking public input from residents of fifteen counties surrounding Lubbock as part of its Safety Action Plan to improve road conditions and reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries across the region.

Ad Astra School has opened around the corner from Elon Musk’s corporate compound in rural Central Texas. Nonprofit filings show secondary schools and a university are also planned.

Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been slow and faces new challenges.

Almost half of Texas counties have nowhere to get prenatal care, let alone deliver a baby. This plan offers legislative proposals to shore up what’s left.

With inventories, monitoring and planned upgrades in the future, those using tap water in the city of Lubbock don't have much to worry about in terms of potability. But our reporter Olivia O’Rand spoke to local experts who say those outside of the city, on well water, are at risk of ingesting high levels of arsenic.

While those using Lubbock city water do not have much to worry about in terms of potability, one local expert says those outside of the city — on well water — are at risk of ingesting high levels of arsenic.

Texas has lost more rural hospitals than any other state in recent years, and many counties lack adequate primary care services. In response to the challenges faced by rural communities and disaster-stricken areas, mobile health clinics are rolling out to provide vital medical services where they're needed most. These clinics could help residents of the Big Country and beyond.

This is the third year businesses in the Permian Basin — known for high school football and oil fields — have participated in the University of Texas at Austin program. Students this year say they are seeing their hometowns in a new way.