Latest news with #Lubbock-area
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lubbock Chamber, YMCA urge Texas lawmakers to pass $100 million investment in child care
As Texas lawmakers are entering the final stretch of this year's session, 127 groups around Texas are urging them to pass a $100 million child care funding bill before the session ends next month. According to the policy advocacy group, Texans Care for Children, several Lubbock-area groups — Lubbock Area United Way, The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, and YWCA of Lubbock — are among the 127 organizations urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 500. Others are reading: Looking into Texas school vouchers? Here's how much these area private schools cost 'The Legislature is on the verge of making a vital investment to help working parents secure high-quality child care,' said David Feigen, director of early learning policy at TCC. "Texans from across the state are calling on lawmakers to get this funding across the finish line." According to TCC, the bill's funding would allow the Texas Workforce Commission to serve more working Texas families through the Child Care Services program, which provides scholarships to pay for child care, with around 95,000 Texas families on the waitlist for a scholarship. The bill has already passed out of the House thanks to House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, Appropriations Chair Greg Bonnen, R-League City, and Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Armando Walle, R-Houston. The Senate is currently considering the bill. 'These child care scholarships are a game-changer for Texas families,' said Feigen. 'They have been really effective helping Texas parents go to work and provide safe, high-quality child care for their kids. The challenge is that so many families are stuck on the waiting list for months or even years.' Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock groups urge Texas lawmaker to pass $100M child care bill
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How to register to vote in Texas? Here's what to know, how to do so
Have you registered to vote? If not, you better hurry, as election season is just around the corner. The last day to register to vote is Thursday, April 3, and there are several items from around Lubbock County on the ballot. Register to vote here: Texas Secretary of State Request for Voter Registration Applications Here is a quick overview of how to register to vote and what's on the ballot. Lubbock County will host Election Day on May 3, 2025, for general elections and special elections around the county. Early voting will open on April 22, 2025 and end on April 29, 2025. According to the Texas Secretary of State, any individuals who meet the following requirements can register to vote: Be a U.S. citizen. Be over the age of 18. Be a resident of the county where you submit the application. Not be a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation and parole). Not be declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law. To register, you can submit a online from the Texas Secretary of State website to be printed, signed and mailed. Individuals can also call the Lubbock County Elections Office (LCEO) at 806-775-1338 and request a voter registration application be sent to you to be filled out, signed and mailed. According to the LCEO, voter registration applications are also available at many post offices, libraries, Texas Department of Public Safety offices, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission offices throughout the state. Reminder: if you are not a registered voter in Lubbock County, you will need to submit another voter registration application stating you live in Lubbock County to vote in county elections. Vist the Texas Secretary of State website — — to double check. To see if you are registered to vote in Lubbock and for your sample ballot, visit There are several city and independent school district elections and measures on the ballot for residents to vote on. Here's a brief overview of what each entity has on the ballot. As previously reported by the A-J, the Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees has sent a $290 million bond for voters' approval. Dig Deeper: Lubbock ISD sends $290 million bond to voters in May 2025 election. Here's what to know This bond would help fund the building of three new schools, safety and security improvements around the district, academic programming enhancements and facility updates. FISD will see a school board election for Place 2 on its Board of Trustees. Trustee Andrew Cox is set to face challenger Carlos Contreras Jr. in the May election. Wolfforth will see elections for two city council city seats. Others are reading: All three Lubbock-area school districts saw decline in STAAR/EOC test scores in 2024 Current councilmember for Place 3, Doug Hutchenson, is not running in the May reelection for his seat. Instead, three newcomers will face off for his seat — Kolby Stewart, Gregory Stout and Jason Fry. For Place 5, Councilmember Austin Brashier is set to face challenger Karen Worley. The Township will see six individuals vie for two Alderman At-Large positions. Candidates include: Alicia "Ali" Lucero Rand McPherson Scottie Hildebrandt Angie Fikes John Hand Paul Mince Slaton ISD will also see two candidates — Emily Hargrave and Jamie Chancellor — face incumbent Kara Newcomb for one of the school board's trustee-at-large positions. Those in the Roosevelt ISD district will also have the chance to vote on its bond request of $58.5 million. Abernathy ISD will see three candidates vie for two at-large trustee positions on its school board — Michael Magallanes, Matt Riley and Scott Bicke. No incumbents are running in the AISD board elections. For New Deal ISD, four individuals are running for three positions on its school board. Brad Proctor and Eddie Ramirez are the incumbents running again for their positions, with Bobby Durham and Ben Aubrey being new challengers. For more information about the May, 3 2025 election, visit Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: voter registration deadline for Lubbock County May 2025 elections
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jamey Harrison named next UIL executive director
The University Interscholastic League named Jamey Harrison as the organization's next executive director Monday. Harrison, who has been the UIL's deputy executive director since 2011, will replace the retiring Charles Breithaupt. In a press release, the UIL credited Harrison for his "key role" in areas such as competitive equity, the addition of Class 6A and the playoff split for team sports that was implemented this school year. The UIL added Harrison aided the biennial realignment by "advancing technology and mapping software." Harrison was also vital in navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, the release said. More: Texas high school basketball coaches weigh in on UIL's split division playoff format More: 45 Lubbock-area high school baseball players to watch in 2025 season More: Big Country's high school baseball, softball top performers (March 17-23) "I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue serving Texas students and schools through the UIL," Harrison said. "The opportunities UIL provides go beyond competition — they shape character, unite communities and create lifelong memories. I look forward to building on this legacy while preserving what makes UIL great." Harrison will officially begin in the capacity April 1. Breithaupt, who became UIL executive director in 2009, will retire Aug. 31. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: UIL names Jamey Harrison as next executive director
