The number of acres burned this year is dramatically lower compared to 2022. But a rash of new fires have put state and local officials on edge.
Jayme Lozano Carver
Jayme Lozano Carver is the Tribune’s first Lubbock-based reporter, covering the South Plains and Panhandle through a partnership with Report for America. Jayme previously worked for Texas Tech Public Media, Lubbock’s NPR station, where she spearheaded “Rural Healthcare: The Other Texas Drought,” a series for PBS’ “Frontline” on rural hospital closures in Texas. She also covered a broad range of topics for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, including climate change, agriculture, entertainment and health care. Born in Levelland, Jayme is a native of the South Plains area and studied at South Plains College and Texas Tech University. She loves to talk about her cats, horror movies and pro wrestling.
Posted in
Climate Change in Texas
High Plains farmers are experimenting with novel techniques to protect Texas’ future soil
A 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.
Posted in
Congress
East Texas missionaries stuck in Niger amid recent coup set to be brought home
Members of a Lufkin church had been in the West African country on a mission trip when a coup broke out. Airspace had been restricted, but the U.S. government stepped in this week.
Posted in
Economy
Rural Texas may lose out on billions in broadband infrastructure funding due to federal regulations
Grant applicants are required to have a line of credit from a major bank and put up 25% of the project cost ahead of time. That will likely disqualify many small internet service providers in rural areas.
Posted in
Demographics
Black and Hispanic Lubbock residents want federal intervention in zoning, environmental policies
A new federal complaint comes as the city updates its zoning laws for the first time since the 1970s.
Posted in
Climate Change in Texas
As Texas swelters, crops and cattle are increasingly at risk
One year after a devastating drought, Texas agriculture watchers are wary that the positive effects of a wet spring could be zapped up with extreme heat.
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Health care
Rural Texas — already starved for health care — faces a dearth of volunteer first responders
The number of volunteer firefighters has dropped sharply nationwide, a trend that appears to be gripping rural Texas communities.
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State Government
Infant girl among four found dead in Rio Grande
All four of the deceased were found within 48 hours in the Rio Grande, a common but dangerous crossing point into the United States from Mexico.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
LGBTQ+ community in Lubbock protests their city council’s failure to pass a Pride proclamation
In the conservative High Plains city, LGBTQ leaders and activists say they feel unseen and unsupported by their elected officials.
Posted in
Economy
Texas to receive $3.3 billion in federal funds to boost broadband expansion efforts
The federal money will be added to the $1.5 billion investment made by state lawmakers this session to increase broadband availability across Texas.