The Ledger is Lubbock Lights’ daily digest of the news that matters to Lubbock and the South Plains — our reporting first, then short summaries of stories reported by other newsrooms, each linked to its source. How we build it →
The Ledger
Daily digest straight from the source
Monday, August 31, 2026
The lead · Aug 31
Two Dead in Morton Shooting; Texas Rangers Investigating
Two people were killed in a shooting early Sunday, August 30 in Morton, west of Lubbock, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. Texas Rangers are investigating. DPS has released no names or circumstances and says more information will come when it is available.
More Local
One Detained After Overnight Assault at Slide Road Apartment Complex
Lubbock police found a man unconscious with serious injuries outside an apartment complex on Slide Road at 12:29 a.m. Saturday, August 29, after a parking-lot altercation. A 23-year-old was detained at the scene on an aggravated assault charge; the victim was taken to University Medical Center.
United Family Gives $500,000 to 24 Nonprofits From Jacky Pierce Charity Classic
The United Family raised $500,000 for 24 nonprofits in Texas and New Mexico at the 35th Jacky Pierce Charity Classic, which began Sunday, August 30 in Lubbock with more than 600 golfers. President Sidney Hopper credited vendor partners. The tournament has raised over $7.5 million.
State
Abbott Halts State Funding for Flock License Plate Cameras
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies Thursday, August 27 to stop funding Flock Safety license plate cameras over privacy concerns, spokesman Andrew Mahaleris confirmed Friday. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority had granted more than $30 million for 3,200 cameras since 2023. Pflugerville and Hood County canceled their contracts.
Sources Fox News · The Hill · The Texas Tribune
Duffy Law Firm, PCTwo North Texas Legislative Seats Will Be on the November 3 Ballot Twice
Voters in House District 93 and Senate District 22 will see each seat twice on the November 3 ballot: a special election to finish the term, plus the general election for the next. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered both after the Election Code's August 17 deadline had passed.
Sources The Texan
U.S. & World
NASA's Roman Space Telescope Launches on a Falcon Heavy
NASA launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center at 7:26 a.m. Eastern Sunday, August 30. Administrator Jared Isaacman said it will travel nearly a million miles to Lagrange point L2, a three-month trip, and hunt more than 100,000 exoplanets.
Sources Fox News · PBS NewsHour · NPR
Federal Plan Cuts Colorado River Water for Three Western States
A federal two-year plan will cut 1.25 million acre-feet a year of Colorado River water from California, Nevada and Arizona beginning in 2027, Arizona hardest, with Mexico giving up 250,000 acre-feet. Interior's Andrea Travnicek cited a 26-year drought; negotiator JB Hamby called it a bridge, not a solution.
Sources CBS News · PBS NewsHour · NPR
Trump's Canada Tariffs Rest on a Law Never Tested in Court
The 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, effective August 19, rely on Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act, never used before. Trade lawyer Ryan Majerus called the law a blank canvas, and no suit had been filed as of Saturday, August 29, though groups were seeking plaintiffs.
Sources Fox Business · PBS NewsHour
Medicare's Fifty-Dollar Weight-Loss Drug Deal Skips the Sickest Patients
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge pilot, launched in July, offers Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo for $50 a month, but only to patients using them purely for weight loss. Enrollees with sleep apnea or Type 2 diabetes are routed to Part D, where copays run $200 to $600 or more.
A Washington Farm Town Is Microsoft's Argument for Data Centers
Quincy, Washington, funded a high school, a hospital and an aquatic center with data center tax revenue after Microsoft arrived some 20 years ago. A $31 million water-reuse plant saves 138 million gallons a year; former mayor Patty Martin warns the town must weigh long-term water and power needs.
Sources Fox News
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