Transportation and Mobility

Urban air mobility company Archer Aviation placed Texas on the short list for testing air taxis while national proposals were announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The FAA lifted a 10-day flight restriction in the El Paso area after a few hours saying there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The Transportation Secretary said the Defense Department "acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion." Local authorities demand answers after the federal government failed to provide clear and timely information about grounding all flights.

Lubbock Police officials are asking drivers to be careful on the Marsha Sharp Freeway as officers conduct accident investigations today beginning at 9 A.M. This will affect westbound traffic on the Marsha Sharp between Quaker and Slide roads and eastbound lanes near University and Avenue Q. The Texas Education Agency has provided new guidance regarding the response to student walkouts, amid recent protests over immigration enforcement. The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports consequences could include possible state intervention. Tomorrow, Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer is hosting Coffee with the Mayor in District 1, starting at 7 A.M. at Amigos located at 112 N. University Avenue.

Texas' highest civil court is set to hear and rule on cases dealing with several hot-button issues, including hemp, gender-affirming care and the state's ban on abortions after detection of cardiac activity.

Texas’ highway investments over the past decade are paying off, according to a report released at the end of last year. As The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports, drivers are saving money and spending less time in traffic, and fewer people are dying on the road. Lubbock Lake Landmark is kicking off 90 years of discovery, for which it has events and expert lectures planned throughout the year. This Saturday at 10:30 a.m. is a Waterfowl Workshop, hosted by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists.

The lawsuit, filed by representatives of the women's estates, seeks more than $1 million in damages and claims the driver of an 18-wheeler that was carrying groceries “was distracted and the likely source of that distraction is his mobile phone.”

Lubbock’s public transportation provider Citibus implemented a new fare structure for its Paratransit and On-Demand services on Jan. 1st. Our Samantha Larned reports Paratransit fares are based on the trip’s proximity to a fixed route and on-demand fares are determined by trip distance. Lubbock Fire Rescue said in a press conference yesterday that an infant was legally surrendered to first responders at the Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 9. Officials say this is the first baby surrendered in a Safe Haven box for the state of Texas.

After a crackdown on non-standard roadway markings at the federal and state level, the City of Lubbock will be removing public art from several crosswalks, including those paying tribute to Buddy Holly. City officials see the impact in Lubbock as a side-effect of lawmakers’ attempts to target “political messaging” in major cities.

American Airlines, Delta, United and Southwest are all offering travel waivers in the midst of the FAA's mandated cancelations during the government shutdown.

As the state’s population grows, more travel options are needed in rural and smaller urban areas and between major cities, according to a draft of the first-of-its-kind plan.