Sports

Farmers and ranchers from multiple states have come together to raise awareness about labor shortages that they say are negatively impacting the country’s agriculture, contributing to increasing food prices. Our Brad Burt reports on the Grow It Here campaign. Last week, the United Soccer League announced that the Lubbock Matadors will join the USL League Two's southern conference for the 2026 season. The Matadors' general manager believes this will help bring the team to the national stage.

Early this week, Texas Tech’s athletics department announced it would no longer encourage or permit the throwing of tortillas during kickoffs at home football games. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more ahead of another home game this weekend. A 2023 Texas law demanding publishers rate their own books based on sexually explicit content has been declared unconstitutional.

Texas Tech University’s Goin’ Band from Raiderland launched its centennial celebration with Alumni Band Day at the Red Raiders’ season opener. The weekend was filled with events for returning members, but a highly anticipated halftime performance — uniting the current band with more than a thousand alumni musicians — was ultimately washed out by rain.

Saturday's opening game for the Red Raiders will feature a performance from multiple generations of Tech’s Goin’ Band. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the band's centennial celebration. CitiBus has announced the return of the Park N Ride Gameday Express at Texas Tech football games this season, offering roundtrip service to and from Jones AT&T Stadium for $6 per person. Passes are purchasable through the GoPass App. The Gameday Express will begin three hours before kickoff and continue until one hour following the end of the game.

As confirmed measles cases in Texas plateau, New Mexico has officially reached 100 cases since the regional outbreak was identified. The board for a West Texas school district has voted to change the name of two schools again. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the return to names paying tribute to a Confederate general. Entering the new school year, all Lubbock ISD athletic events will be cashless. Tickets can instead be purchased online, via app, or in-person using a QR code.

Lubbock City Council has set aside 20 acres at Bill McAlister Park for a proposed $50 million indoor sports complex. The nonprofit Lubbock Game Changers plans to build the 140,000-square-foot facility with volleyball and basketball courts, a championship arena, and other amenities — without using city funds.

Last week, Texas Tech’s football team landed a commitment from a five-star prospect and top recruit in the class of 2027. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on LaDamion Guyton. A Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is set to take effect September 1. However, Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports a court hearing on Friday could block that law from taking effect.

Last week, Texas Tech University’s president Lawrence Schovanec was named Big 12 Conference representative on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on what the position entails. Texas school districts have until September 1 to comply with Senate Bill 13. KERA’s Bill Zeeble explains the new library law, which critics worry could become a book ban policy.

The Lubbock ISD Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 2025 was inducted this weekend. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren details the seven individuals and two teams who were celebrated. The Lubbock mayor’s office is trying to boost turnout for the city’s monthly Coffee with the Mayor events. Our Samantha Larned reports the next event is in District 4 tomorrow at 7 a.m. at the Market Street at 4205 98th Street.

More than 140,000 patients could be left without in-network access to Covenant Health facilities depending on the results of negotiations between the system and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Those with questions can call Covenant’s contracting team at (806) 725-6663. The Big 12 Conference announced the winners of its Athlete of the Year award yesterday. Our Bishop Van Buren reports on a Red Raider earning the honor for the first time ever: star softball pitcher Nijaree Canady.