WEATHER ALERT
Houston Health Dept. confirms first measles case in traveler passing through Hobby Airport
Read full article: Houston Health Dept. confirms first measles case in traveler passing through Hobby AirportThe update comes just days after Harris County confirmed its first measles case, but officials say it's not connected to any local cases in the Greater Houston area.
Legislation creating statewide emergency communication system advances in Texas House
Read full article: Legislation creating statewide emergency communication system advances in Texas HouseThe legislation was written after the stateโs largest wildfire scorched more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle last year.
Fort Bend County confirms first case of the measles
Read full article: Fort Bend County confirms first case of the measlesHealth officials said that the case is an adult female, age 50-60, associated with recent international travel. County health officials said that they are actively investigating the case.
Parents of Texas child who died of measles stand by decision to not vaccinate
Read full article: Parents of Texas child who died of measles stand by decision to not vaccinateThe measles vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective against the disease, which is highly contagious and can be life threatening.
Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia doubled last year to the highest reported level since 1997
Read full article: Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia doubled last year to the highest reported level since 1997There were 127,350 reported cases of measles, including 38 deaths, in Europe and Central Asia last year, marking the highest total in nearly 30 years, according to figures from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
Maintenance hole explosion at Texas Tech University causes fires, outages and cancels classes
Read full article: Maintenance hole explosion at Texas Tech University causes fires, outages and cancels classesThe power has been restored after authorities at Texas Tech University said an explosion inside a maintenance hole set off fires and power outages on the campus, leading school officials to issue evacuation orders for several buildings and cancel classes for the rest of the week.
Texas Tech officials trying to determine what caused explosion and fires that prompted campus closure
Read full article: Texas Tech officials trying to determine what caused explosion and fires that prompted campus closureA day after the incident in which green flames could be seen coming out of manholes, 40% of the university in Lubbock remains without power.
Measles spreads in Gaines County, Texas: Hereโs what Harris County residents should know
Read full article: Measles spreads in Gaines County, Texas: Hereโs what Harris County residents should knowThere is a measles outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas, with 58 confirmed cases, primarily in Gaines County, which accounts for 45 cases.
โHow do we protect our poultry flocks?โ Texas dairy, poultry producers grapple with bird flu
Read full article: โHow do we protect our poultry flocks?โ Texas dairy, poultry producers grapple with bird fluAcross the country, dairy producers have dumped milk and infected chickens have been killed, including millions of egg-laying hens, causing egg prices to skyrocket.
An immigrant faces deportation after a routine traffic stop in Texas, sparking more fear
Read full article: An immigrant faces deportation after a routine traffic stop in Texas, sparking more fearAdvocates worry that rapidly shifting federal and state immigration initiatives will prompt more city police to funnel migrants without criminal records to federal agents.
Texasโ uneven population boom is creating ghost towns in many rural counties
Read full article: Texasโ uneven population boom is creating ghost towns in many rural countiesLocal leaders and rural revitalization experts say Texasโ smallest towns can survive โ despite a shift to urban and suburban counties โ but it will take investments.
How 11 Texas cities made housing unaffordable โ and whatโs being done to fix it
Read full article: How 11 Texas cities made housing unaffordable โ and whatโs being done to fix itTexas desperately needs more and denser housing to keep up with the demand. But zoning restrictions get in the way, a Texas Tribune analysis found.
โMore than our wombsโ: Women in conservative Texas cities mobilizing to end GOP dominance
Read full article: โMore than our wombsโ: Women in conservative Texas cities mobilizing to end GOP dominanceDemocrats in Lubbock and Amarillo hope Kamala Harrisโ candidacy and a backlash to abortion laws will help make their long-held vision of a blue wave a reality.
Abilene Christian University football team involved in Texas bus crash, leaves 4 injured
Read full article: Abilene Christian University football team involved in Texas bus crash, leaves 4 injuredMembers of the Abilene Christian University football team were injured after a team bus crashed Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas.
I started reporting on the dearth of reproductive health care. Then I had my own emergency.
Read full article: I started reporting on the dearth of reproductive health care. Then I had my own emergency.Texas Tribune journalist Jayme Lozano Carver has written about health care for years. Most recently, she reported on how little access there is for women and new moms in the Texas Panhandle.
Texas city strips funding for monthly art event over drag show
Read full article: Texas city strips funding for monthly art event over drag showThe arts center that organizes the monthly art walk, which draws 20,000 to downtown Lubbock, said the drag show happened at an off-site location and had no association with it.
Interstate 27 has divided Lubbock for decades. North and east side residents want that to change.
Read full article: Interstate 27 has divided Lubbock for decades. North and east side residents want that to change.After repeated attempts to convince the City Council to make zoning changes, residents asked the federal government to intervene.
Just as the temperature climbs, Texas towns are closing public pools to cut costs
Read full article: Just as the temperature climbs, Texas towns are closing public pools to cut costsAdvocates say public pools are necessary community infrastructure and save lives. Splash pads have become a more affordable option.
HOLY HAIL! Potentially record-breaking hailstone falls in Texas Panhandle
Read full article: HOLY HAIL! Potentially record-breaking hailstone falls in Texas PanhandleA hailstone found in the Texas Panhandle could potentially break the record for the largest hailstone ever found to have fallen in Texas.
Three months after the Texasโ largest wildfire, Panhandle residents are preparing for the next one
Read full article: Three months after the Texasโ largest wildfire, Panhandle residents are preparing for the next oneShort of an immediate statewide response, Texans who lost homes and livestock are taking matters into their own hands to better prepare their property for a wildfire.
Lubbock voters reject attempt to end arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuana
Read full article: Lubbock voters reject attempt to end arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuanaA ballot proposition would have instructed police not to arrest people who have four ounces or less of marijuana.
Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakers
Read full article: Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakersThere is no process in Texas for a voter-driven statewide referendum. So, supporters are going city by city to build statewide momentum.
About 40% of Texas election administrators leave their job each presidential election cycle, report finds
Read full article: About 40% of Texas election administrators leave their job each presidential election cycle, report findsTexasโ turnover rate has held steady at 40% since 2014. Thatโs slightly above the new national average.
Cows at two Texas dairy farms have bird flu, another blow to Cattle Country following wildfires
Read full article: Cows at two Texas dairy farms have bird flu, another blow to Cattle Country following wildfiresFederal officials said the nationโs milk supply should be not at risk after a bird flu outbreak hits dairies in Texas, New Mexico and Kansas.
Two West Texas infants in the same neighborhood diagnosed with rare botulism
Read full article: Two West Texas infants in the same neighborhood diagnosed with rare botulismA third infant nearby also contracted botulism last August. Local and state health officials said there is no public health emergency.
These three โbandidasโ are changing the face of Texas barbecue
Read full article: These three โbandidasโ are changing the face of Texas barbecueWith menu items like birria brisket ramen, the Bar-B-Que Bandidas in Lubbock are challenging the norm of Texas barbecue and a male dominated industry.
Lubbock residents have long dreamed of cheaper electricity. Will Texasโ open market deliver?
Read full article: Lubbock residents have long dreamed of cheaper electricity. Will Texasโ open market deliver?Years in the making, the transition from a municipal electric company to an open market has left some residents unsure.
Shuttered for decades, a downtown theater in a rural Texas town is getting new life and new mission
Read full article: Shuttered for decades, a downtown theater in a rural Texas town is getting new life and new missionRural Texas towns like Levelland on the South Plains are increasingly turning to the arts to help revitalize their downtowns and provide more attractions for families.
Police fatally shoot man who officers say charged them with knives in West Texas
Read full article: Police fatally shoot man who officers say charged them with knives in West TexasPolice say officers investigating a domestic disturbance fatally shot a man who they say ran at them with knives in West Texas.
Cal coach says son of Afghan refugee Fardaws Aimaq was called 'a terrorist' by a heckling fan
Read full article: Cal coach says son of Afghan refugee Fardaws Aimaq was called 'a terrorist' by a heckling fanCalifornia basketball coach Mark Madsen says Fardaws Aimaq was called โa terroristโ by a heckling fan after a game against UTEP this week in the SoCal Challenge.
Voters in one of West Texasโ largest cities will decide whether to decriminalize marijuana in 2024
Read full article: Voters in one of West Texasโ largest cities will decide whether to decriminalize marijuana in 2024Voters in several Texas cities have sought to decriminalize marijuana. However, their efforts have been met by reluctant city councils that say they canโt go against state law.
Texans approved billions for water and broadband infrastructure. Now what?
Read full article: Texans approved billions for water and broadband infrastructure. Now what?The legislation behind the historic investment directs state agencies to send money to the stateโs smaller, cash-strapped towns that have difficulty paying for upgrades. Federal money is also expected to flow to regions that need broadband.
Do Texans have the โright to farm?โ Voters will decide with Proposition 1.
Read full article: Do Texans have the โright to farm?โ Voters will decide with Proposition 1.Supporters of the amendment say it will protect farmers as the stateโs largest cities continue to grow. Opponents suggest the amendment is too broad and ambiguous.
Why a Texas Panhandle city hit pause on a proposed abortion โtravel banโ โ for now
Read full article: Why a Texas Panhandle city hit pause on a proposed abortion โtravel banโ โ for nowAmarillo's city council said it will continue to study the issue. The city is one of just a few in Texas to reject the policy pushed by anti-abortion activists.
Lubbock County becomes latest to approve โabortion travel banโ while Amarillo City Council balks
Read full article: Lubbock County becomes latest to approve โabortion travel banโ while Amarillo City Council balksLubbock is now the fourth, and largest, county to pass the ordinance which would punish people through civil lawsuits for aiding pregnant women seeking abortions outside of Texas.
U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, Roger Williams decline House speaker bid
Read full article: U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, Roger Williams decline House speaker bidOnly one Texan, Rep. Pete Sessions, remains in the race for House Speaker. Republicans will hear from the candidates Monday night as they try to fill the job following U.S. Rep. Jim Jordanโs failure to win a majority.
As West Texasโ population grows, the need for more mental health care does too
Read full article: As West Texasโ population grows, the need for more mental health care does tooLike many regions in Texas, the county jails and hospitals have been at capacity with people needing mental health help. Local leaders hope a new 200-bed facility will alleviate pressure.
Residents in one of Texasโ most populous cities are working to decriminalize marijuana
Read full article: Residents in one of Texasโ most populous cities are working to decriminalize marijuanaHome to more than 260,000 people, the West Texas town of Lubbock is no stranger to passing local laws by petition. In 2021, residents overwhelmingly approved a local ban on abortion.
A Texas county that borders New Mexico is the latest to consider an abortion travel ban
Read full article: A Texas county that borders New Mexico is the latest to consider an abortion travel banCochran County commissioners meet Thursday to discuss the ban. Abortion-rights supporters say the bans are unenforceable and meant to stoke fear.
Texas Tech gets 1st win with 41-3 romp over FCS-member Tarleton after early pick-6
Read full article: Texas Tech gets 1st win with 41-3 romp over FCS-member Tarleton after early pick-6Malik Dunlap returned the first of his two interceptions for a touchdown, Tahj Brooks set a career high with 158 yards rushing and Texas Tech got its first win of the season, 41-3 win over lower-division Tarleton State.
โAn epidemicโ: Syphilis rages through Texas, causing newborn cases to climb amid treatment shortage
Read full article: โAn epidemicโ: Syphilis rages through Texas, causing newborn cases to climb amid treatment shortageSyphilis rates in Texas continue to climb, alarming healthcare workers who see the highest increases among pregnant people and newborns. A shortage of treatment is complicating efforts to combat it.
Their water is undrinkable. So these West Texas residents have taken matters into their own hands.
Read full article: Their water is undrinkable. So these West Texas residents have taken matters into their own hands.The water in these four unincorporated communities near Lubbock has been undrinkable for years, residents say. They hope to win $3 million in state grants to improve their systems.
This new law will help health care workers save lives in ambulances that cover wide-open West Texas
Read full article: This new law will help health care workers save lives in ambulances that cover wide-open West TexasThe emerging technology, paid for by a grant established during the 2023 legislative session, will help emergency health care workers talk with doctors in emergency rooms to better care for critical patients.
The national debate over books has come to West Texas. And librarians are stuck in the middle.
Read full article: The national debate over books has come to West Texas. And librarians are stuck in the middle.West Texas residents are organizing over their love โ or concern โ for books. Meanwhile, from Lubbock to Midland and Odessa, librarians are trying to reaffirm librariesโ role as community hubs.
High Plains farmers are experimenting with novel techniques to protect Texasโ future soil
Read full article: High Plains farmers are experimenting with novel techniques to protect Texasโ future soilA minority of farmers in the Texas High Plains region are looking to organic and regenerative techniques to keep their soil healthy year round, despite a dry climate.
Black and Hispanic Lubbock residents want federal intervention in zoning, environmental polices
Read full article: Black and Hispanic Lubbock residents want federal intervention in zoning, environmental policesA new federal complaint comes as the city updates its zoning laws for the first time since the 1970s.
LGBTQ+ community in Lubbock protests their city councilโs failure to pass a Pride proclamation
Read full article: LGBTQ+ community in Lubbock protests their city councilโs failure to pass a Pride proclamationIn the conservative High Plains city, LGBTQ leaders and activists say they feel unseen and unsupported by their elected officials.
At least four people killed after tornado hits Matador, a small town outside Lubbock
Read full article: At least four people killed after tornado hits Matador, a small town outside LubbockThe city of about 800 also suffered extensive property damage and power outages. Crews were still assessing the full scope of destruction Thursday, and Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration.
Texas farmers are worried one of the stateโs most precious water resources is running dry. You should be, too.
Read full article: Texas farmers are worried one of the stateโs most precious water resources is running dry. You should be, too.The Ogallala Aquifer serves farming communities in multiple states. When it runs dry, the agriculture industry in Texas and the nation is in jeopardy.
Texas will spend billions to connect the state with broadband. But is it clear which neighborhoods need help?
Read full article: Texas will spend billions to connect the state with broadband. But is it clear which neighborhoods need help?On the eve of a historic investment in connecting the Lone Star State, advocates worry maps that will help establish which communities get funding have bad information.
Whataburger illegally fired nursing mom who was denied time to express milk: Inside the fedsโ ruling
Read full article: Whataburger illegally fired nursing mom who was denied time to express milk: Inside the fedsโ rulingAn investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor found that a corporate-owned Whataburger illegally fired a nursing mother after she left the restaurant to express breast milk.
Texas cotton farmers leading the charge for more government insurance to cover climate, inflation challenges
Read full article: Texas cotton farmers leading the charge for more government insurance to cover climate, inflation challengesThe federal Farm Bill is must-pass legislation that Congress debates every five years. It includes billions of dollars in farm subsidies and pays for food assistance programs.
Texas towns need money, technical help and compromise to save their water systems
Read full article: Texas towns need money, technical help and compromise to save their water systemsWater agencies have long resisted working together out of fear of losing their local powers. But an example from Florida could help save the Lone Star Stateโs water and infrastructure.
18,000 cows reportedly killed in โdeadliestโ barn explosion at dairy farm near Lubbock
Read full article: 18,000 cows reportedly killed in โdeadliestโ barn explosion at dairy farm near LubbockNearly 18,000 cattle were killed in a barn explosion at the South Fork Dairy in Dimmitt, Texas near Lubbock Monday, KFDA-TV reported.
Why health care is still hard to access in rural towns near Texasโ bigger cities
Read full article: Why health care is still hard to access in rural towns near Texasโ bigger citiesBigger cities like Lubbock can unintentionally suck health care resources and professionals from smaller towns, creating what one local expert calls the โdoughnut effect.โ
Texas Tech names interim coach for B12 with Adams suspended
Read full article: Texas Tech names interim coach for B12 with Adams suspendedTexas Tech has named second-year assistant Corey Williams as its interim coach for Big 12 tournament as the school continues its investigation of suspended coach Mark Adams.
Texas Tech basketball coach Mark Adams suspended over โracially insensitiveโ comment
Read full article: Texas Tech basketball coach Mark Adams suspended over โracially insensitiveโ commentThe head coach is also being investigated for allegedly spitting on a player during a game earlier in the season.
Watch: Four new Texas House members discuss immigration, property taxes and public school financing
Read full article: Watch: Four new Texas House members discuss immigration, property taxes and public school financingThey talked about their campaigns and journey to the Legislature, what has stood out to them so far about working in the House and what they hope to accomplish this session.
Lubbock-Cooper ISD passed a resolution denouncing racist bullying in schools. Parents say itโs a publicity stunt.
Read full article: Lubbock-Cooper ISD passed a resolution denouncing racist bullying in schools. Parents say itโs a publicity stunt.Students reported enduring racial slurs, the sounds of whips cracking and monkey noises as they walked down school hallways.
West Texas parents are suing their schools over racism as others demand action over antisemitic bullying
Read full article: West Texas parents are suing their schools over racism as others demand action over antisemitic bullyingSchool leaders have said they donโt tolerate racism and that they regularly train teachers how to deal with bullying. But parents say inaction by officials tells a different story.
Hundreds of Texas Methodist churches vote to split from denomination after years of infighting over gay marriage and abortion
Read full article: Hundreds of Texas Methodist churches vote to split from denomination after years of infighting over gay marriage and abortionThose leaving are frustrated that the church has taken positions they feel are too liberal.
National political leaders stump through Texas ahead of midterm elections
Read full article: National political leaders stump through Texas ahead of midterm electionsFirst lady Jill Biden and U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy were in Texas Sunday to help members of their respective parties energize voters before Election Day.
โIโm in no rushโ: Voter apathy takes hold of early voting ahead of Texas midterm election
Read full article: โIโm in no rushโ: Voter apathy takes hold of early voting ahead of Texas midterm electionRepublicans may be waiting to vote on Election Day after former President Donald Trump pushed voting in person on Nov. 8 at a rally in South Texas.
โAn inverse tsunamiโ: How inflation and drought are making it harder to feed West Texans in need
Read full article: โAn inverse tsunamiโ: How inflation and drought are making it harder to feed West Texans in needFood banks across Texas are now struggling to keep up with growing demand even more than they were during the pandemic.
MONDAY HUDDLE: How good is Texas Tech, where does Texas go from here after Saturdayโs classic?
Read full article: MONDAY HUDDLE: How good is Texas Tech, where does Texas go from here after Saturdayโs classic?Three key takeaways from the stateโs football scene -- and a glimpse at whatโs to come next week.
Texasโ cotton industry is facing its worst harvest in years โ costing the state more than $2 billion
Read full article: Texasโ cotton industry is facing its worst harvest in years โ costing the state more than $2 billionCotton is Texasโ largest crop, and industry experts say they expect just half the normal annual yield โ which will drive up costs for consumers.
A West Texas coffee shop owner is giving away Plan B for free as fight over contraception access takes hold
Read full article: A West Texas coffee shop owner is giving away Plan B for free as fight over contraception access takes holdLast May, Lubbock became the biggest city in Texas to ban abortion within city limits. Now, with abortion outlawed throughout the Lone Star State, the fight over reproductive rights is taking a new turn.
Why the High Plains turns off its turbines to limit wind production while the Texas power grid is stressed
Read full article: Why the High Plains turns off its turbines to limit wind production while the Texas power grid is stressedWhile wind farms in the region could help power and lower energy costs for at least 9 million homes, significant infrastructure upgrades would be needed to supply electricity from the region to other parts of the state.
Man with gang ties, convicted sex offender added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, DPS says
Read full article: Man with gang ties, convicted sex offender added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, DPS saysThe Texas Department of Public Safety announced that it has added two fugitives to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists.
Uvalde police lieutenant placed on leave after report faults several agenciesโ school shooting response
Read full article: Uvalde police lieutenant placed on leave after report faults several agenciesโ school shooting responseLt. Mariano Pargas was the acting city police chief the day of the shooting. Mayor Don McLaughlin said the city is investigating Pargasโ role in the delayed confrontation of the shooter.
Broadband, jobs, school vouchers and more: State, local leaders reflect on the topics driving conversations in rural Texas
Read full article: Broadband, jobs, school vouchers and more: State, local leaders reflect on the topics driving conversations in rural TexasLawmakers also discussed their stances on the issues impacting the region the most in a two-day event hosted by The Texas Tribune.
Texas Tech plans $200M football stadium, facilities project
Read full article: Texas Tech plans $200M football stadium, facilities projectTexas Tech is planning a $200 million project consisting of new four-story building in the south end zone that will include locker rooms, offices for coaches and a field-level club area that the Red Raiders will go through before football games.