Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University's football team made a key addition to its roster this weekend. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down the commitment of top transfer prospect Brendan Sorsby. Texas will receive more than $1.4 billion in federal funding over 5 years to address health care and access needs in rural areas. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports it is the largest award received by any state.

Texas Tech’s football team saw its historic season come to a close with a 23-0 loss to Oregon on New Years Day in the second round of the College Football Playoffs, but in basketball, conference play is just beginning. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down how the Red Raiders teams are faring. As the Lubbock ISD semester begins, Lubbock Monterey High School students and teachers are mourning 18-year-old student Kobe Pena, who died from his injuries after a fireworks accident on New Year's Day.

A Waco judge who refused to marry gay couples is now suing to overturn marriage equality. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports on her long-running dispute with the state’s judicial oversight agency. Over the weekend, Oregon advanced in the College Football Playoffs and will face Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl, and Tech’s men’s basketball team upset No. 3 Duke in dramatic fashion.

Fans of Texas Tech sports have two big matchups to watch tomorrow: one in basketball and one in football, which will determine who the Red Raiders face in the Orange Bowl. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down what’s at stake for both teams. Sunday is the Winter Solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest from the sun. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to climb to record highs just before winter officially begins.

As Texas Tech’s football team waits to learn its first opponent in this year’s College Football Playoffs, our Bishop Van Buren reports on a push for long-term stability within the program. Two recently passed state laws that address outdoor warning sirens in flash flood zones are closer to implementation. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro explains Senate Bill 3 and Senate Bill 5, set to affect 30 counties this week.

A First Amendment advocacy nonprofit reached out to Texas Tech University System presidents Friday, urging them not to restrict faculty speech within the classroom. Our Samantha Larned spoke with the author of the letters and reports on concerns from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Another candidate has joined the race to become District 3’s city council representative. Gil Caley is the interim president for PFLAG Lubbock and the lead editor of The Catalyst media.

Texas Tech University will makes its first-ever appearance in the Big 12 Football Championship this Saturday. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the matchup against BYU. Community activist and former mayoral candidate Adam Hernandez has announced his intent to run for Lubbock's District 3 city council seat, currently represented by David Glasheen.

Houston-area senator Brandon Creighton begins his tenure as the Texas Tech System’s new chancellor today. Our Brad Burt reports Creighton sat alongside Dr. Tedd Mitchell for the former chancellor's final board of regents meeting. Meanwhile, KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports international student enrollment in the U.S. is dropping, leading to a projected $1 billion revenue loss this fall.

Two members of the Texas Republican Party reportedly were resigned this week. KERA's Penelope Rivera reports the shakeup comes amid a Democratic wave in elections across the U.S. Meanwhile, Texas Tech fans are gearing up for Saturday's home football game against BYU. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down the top-ten matchup.

Some students and professors say recent changes and scandals chill speech at universities. Others argue that conservative opinions can now be shared more freely.