Texas Tech University

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.

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.

Faculty have spent weeks seeking clarity on new restrictions, which have often been issued by word of mouth. A written Q&A was rescinded.

Last week, Texas Tech University's system chancellor Tedd Mitchell sent a memorandum on the universities' compliance with state and federal orders regarding discussions of sex and gender. Our Samantha Larned reached out to the chancellor’s office and has more. After identifying several rabid bats in the area, the City of Lubbock is reminding residents not to handle wildlife and what to do if you or a pet have a potential rabies exposure.

Lubbock Public Health is recommending precautions against mosquitos after confirming the county's first human case of West Nile Virus this year. The Texas Education Agency says it’s received more than 350 complaints against teachers and staff for comments made after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports some educators have already been fired. The Texas Tech University System’s board of regents are set to approve state senator Brandon Creighton as the next system chancellor in a meeting today. If approved, he will begin acting as chancellor on Nov. 17.

This semester, enrollment has increased at Lubbock’s three largest higher education institutions, Texas Tech University, Lubbock Christian University and South Plains College. West Texas A&M's enrollment also increased.

Professors are afraid to publicly speak out, system leaders left key questions unanswered and advocates worry for LGBTQ+ students’ mental health.

The Texas Legislature has formed new House and Senate committees focused on freedom of speech on Texas college campuses. The Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey says the move was prompted by last week's murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Here in Lubbock, a Texas Tech student was arrested at a Charlie Kirk memorial on campus Friday. Our Brad Burt reports she was charged with simple assault.