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 →
Daily Ledger
Daily digest straight from the source
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Today’s lead
Texas Tech regents meet Wednesday on a stadium skybridge naming as sponsors reshape game day
Texas Tech regents will consider naming a stadium skybridge for Denny and Debbie Latham at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, recognizing the couple's pledge to the Texas Tech Foundation benefiting athletics, Lubbock Lights reported. The walkway is in the Womble Football Training Center and South End Zone at Galaxy Stadium, and the consent agenda does not disclose the pledge amount.
The proposal comes as Tech adds names and sponsors across game day. Rick Leach, who leads Texas Tech Athletics Partners at Learfield, said in an Oct. 27 radio interview that in-game advertising has grown "tenfold," without giving figures. Tech's 15-year naming deal with Galaxy, announced July 17, renamed the stadium this season.
Sources Lubbock Lights
More Local
Dense fog advisory for Lubbock and 12 other South Plains counties until 10 a.m. Tuesday
The National Weather Service in Lubbock issued a dense fog advisory at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, for Lubbock, Hale and Castro counties, warning of visibility of one quarter mile or less until 10 a.m. A matching advisory covers Bailey, Cochran, Garza, Hockley, Kent, Lamb, Lynn, Terry, Yoakum and Parmer counties for the same hours.
The National Weather Service said the low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous during the morning commute. Drivers heading out before mid-morning should slow down, use low-beam headlights and leave extra distance between vehicles until the advisory expires.
Lubbock County commissioners approve ICE 287(g) agreements for three constables' offices in 3-2 votes
Lubbock County commissioners voted 3-2 on Monday, Nov. 9, to approve 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the constables of Precincts 1, 2 and 4, according to KCBD and EverythingLubbock. The agreements let trained officers perform certain immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision, and the Precinct 3 constable chose not to take part, citing workload.
County Judge Curtis Parrish and Commissioner Mike Dalby voted no over liability and workload; Parrish said the agreement "does not protect Lubbock County." Commissioner Jason Corley said constables already do the work. Precinct 2 Constable Jody Barnes said officers would process people they encounter but not search for them. County Attorney Neil Burt said ICE's proposed payments are not in the agreements.
Sources KCBD · EverythingLubbock
Wet fall leaves South Plains cotton rotting in the field after a dry August
A wet fall has left much of the South Plains cotton that stayed in the field after a dry August rotted, KCBD reported Monday, Nov. 9. Idalou cotton farmer Brandon Patschke said August's dryness opened the burrs early, then weeks of rain from September through October left moldy burrs, with only two of the usual four locks usable on many plants.
Patschke said wet ground limits his harvesters to about six hours a day, down from 14, as rising diesel prices add to costs. The Trump administration announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program in late October to ease farm input costs, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet said which commodities qualify.
Sources KCBD
Advanced GraphixMan arrested and charged with murder in Gaines County homicide
A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a homicide at a residence in Gaines County, the Gaines County Sheriff's Office said Monday, Nov. 9, according to KCBD. He was booked into the Gaines County Jail, where he is being held on a $750,000 bond.
The Texas Rangers of the Texas Department of Public Safety are leading the investigation with help from the sheriff's office, which said the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not released the victim's name, the date of the killing or the location of the residence beyond the county, and KCBD said it would update the story as details are released.
Sources KCBD
Potter County authorizes its attorney to defend the elections chief against the county GOP's statewide hand-count lawsuit
Potter County commissioners on Monday, Nov. 9, authorized County Attorney Scott Brumley to represent the county's elections administrator in a federal lawsuit filed by the Potter County Republican Party and its chair, Dan Rogers, the Amarillo Tribune reported. The suit, before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo, asks for a hand count of every Texas ballot cast in the Nov. 3 election.
The lawsuit cites concerns that artificial intelligence could be used by foreign or domestic actors to hack voting systems and change results. It does not accuse the county's elections administrator of wrongdoing or allege that any past county results were altered.
Sources Amarillo Tribune
South Plains Food Bank sets Dec. 19 Christmas box distribution and holiday closures
The South Plains Food Bank will distribute Christmas boxes to Lubbock County residents on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the food bank announced Monday, Nov. 9, according to KCBD. No application is needed this year, but the distribution is first come, first served.
Residents outside Lubbock County will receive Christmas boxes at their regular monthly distribution times throughout December. The food bank also released its 2026 holiday closure schedule and said families can find the closure dates and other updates at spfb.org. The organization serves hunger-relief partner agencies and individuals across the South Plains.
Sources KCBD
Two men arrested after DPS finds 20 pounds of marijuana and five weapons in a Lubbock traffic stop
Two men, ages 65 and 32, were arrested on drug charges after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped their vehicle on East Loop 289 near Southeast Drive at about 10:35 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, according to court documents reported Monday by EverythingLubbock.
The trooper said the men gave conflicting stories about their destination. After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle, troopers found 19 large plastic bags of what was later identified as marijuana, more than 20 pounds in all, along with multiple weapons, according to the court records. Neither man has been convicted.
Sources EverythingLubbock
Lady Raiders rout Lamar 78-28, allowing the fewest points of the Gerlich era
The Texas Tech Lady Raiders beat Lamar 78-28 on Monday night, Nov. 9, at United Supermarkets Arena to improve to 2-0, Texas Tech Athletics reported. The 28 points were the fewest by a Tech opponent in the Gerlich era and the lowest since Nov. 23, 2010.
Stephanie Okechukwu led four players in double figures with 21 points on 10-of-17 shooting in her second college game. Jalynn Bristow added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Ambrosia Cole had 10 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double. Destinee Hooks scored 10, and Tech led 24-8 after the first quarter.
Sources Texas Tech Athletics · KCBD
No. 16 Texas Tech hosts No. 3 Illinois Tuesday night at United Supermarkets Arena
Texas Tech's men's basketball team rose three spots to No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25 released Monday, Nov. 9, and hosts No. 3 Illinois at 7 p.m. Tuesday at United Supermarkets Arena, Texas Tech Athletics reported. The 2-0 Red Raiders have appeared in a program-record 31 straight AP polls.
Illinois, a 2026 Final Four team, will be the highest-ranked nonconference opponent ever to play in Lubbock, according to Texas Tech. EverythingLubbock reported that Jamichael Stillwell is eligible to make his debut for coach Grant McCasland after winning a temporary restraining order Friday, though he has been seen in a walking boot.
Sources Texas Tech Athletics · EverythingLubbock
Mullin Hoard & Brown, LLPCastellanos named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after Tech's 53-48 win over West Virginia
Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, Nov. 9, after throwing for 362 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for 127 yards in Saturday's 53-48 win over West Virginia, EverythingLubbock reported. The Red Raiders' offensive line was named the conference's Offensive Line of the Week.
The line helped Tech rush for 308 yards, led by J'Koby Williams with 160 yards and a touchdown. The 8-1 Red Raiders play at Oklahoma State on Saturday night, against former Red Raider Eric Morris.
Sources EverythingLubbock
Lubbock Music NOW releases a holiday album marking 10 years of local-artist records
Lubbock Music NOW has released "Holiday Music NOW," a special-edition album celebrating 10 years of its compilations of local artists, KCBD reported Monday, Nov. 9. The Entertainment Lubbock Committee of Civic Lubbock Inc. produced the eight-track album of six originals and two traditional songs by previously featured artists.
It is streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, and CDs are sold at local shops including the Cactus Theater, the Buddy Holly Center gift shop and the Select-a-Seat box office in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Dirk Fowler, an associate professor in Texas Tech's School of Art, designed the cover.
Sources KCBD
State
Supreme Court lets Big Bend border wall construction resume in West Texas
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 9, cleared the way for the Trump administration to resume border barrier construction in the Big Bend region of West Texas, including the national park, the Texas Tribune reported. In an unsigned 8-1 order, the justices paused U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone's ruling last month that halted the work over environmental-law waivers.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented without explanation. The order stands while the administration asks the high court to review the case or until it is resolved in El Paso. Environmentalists and residents of Brewster, Presidio and Jeff Davis counties have argued the rugged terrain already deters crossings and smuggling and that a wall is unnecessary.
Sources Texas Tribune · EverythingLubbock (AP)
Paxton drops his nearly three-year fight to shut down El Paso's Annunciation House shelters
Attorney General Ken Paxton's office on Monday, Nov. 9, filed a notice of nonsuit with prejudice ending its effort to shut down Annunciation House, the El Paso network of migrant shelters, the Texas Tribune and El Paso Matters reported. The filing means the office can never again sue the nonprofit on similar allegations.
Paxton first demanded the group's records in February 2024 and then sought to revoke its registration, alleging harboring and smuggling. The move comes as Paxton, who lost the U.S. Senate race Nov. 3, prepares to leave office in mid-January. Founder Ruben Garcia said he now wants the Legislature to find a way to prevent such a case.
Sources Texas Tribune
Several Texas House races remain too close to call as Democrats hold the new majority
Several Texas House races could still be decided by less than a percentage point as the secretary of state has yet to certify the Nov. 3 results, The Texan reported Monday, Nov. 9. Rep. Paul Dyson, R-Bryan, trailed Democrat Janet Tycelia Dudding by 315 votes in House District 14 as of Monday evening.
Rep. Matt Morgan, R-Katy, and Rep. Keresa Richardson, R-McKinney, each led by 134 votes, and Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, led Jordan Wheatley by 203. Rep. Hillary Hickland, R-Belton, conceded on Nov. 4 while trailing by 419 votes, and Democrat Stefanie Bord led Republican Stan Stanart 33,976 to 33,711 in the open HD 126 seat.
Sources The Texan
Austin ISD halts cooperation with outgoing Comptroller Huffines' spending investigation
The Austin school district has suspended its cooperation with a state investigation into its spending, and state investigators did not arrive for a scheduled visit Monday, Nov. 9, the Texas Tribune and the Austin Current reported. The district challenged the comptroller's authority to question employees and asked why investigators wanted information about library books, sex education and student identification.
The move came days after voters ousted Republican Comptroller Don Huffines, whose office opened reviews of four districts in October at Gov. Greg Abbott's request. Huffines vowed Monday to finish the review and publish a full report with or without the district's help, saying, "You can run, but you can't hide."
Sources Texas Tribune
D. Williams & Co., Inc.Congressional ethics report alleges U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden's 'extravagant spending' on travel
The Office of Congressional Conduct said it found "substantial reason to believe" that U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Terrell, sought improper luxury travel expenses and misreported campaign spending, in findings made public Monday, Nov. 9, the Texas Tribune reported. Gooden received $140,000 in travel reimbursements in 2025 alone, more than any other House member, according to the report.
The report also says Gooden and his staff declined to cooperate. The House Ethics Committee, which received the referral in June, announced Monday it is extending its review. Gooden called the referral bogus in a statement and asked the House Administration Committee to investigate how the conduct office selects its targets.
Sources Texas Tribune
FBI investigates a suspected homicide aboard a cruise ship that sailed from Galveston
The FBI said Monday, Nov. 9, that it is investigating a suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape, a cruise ship that returned to the Port of Galveston after departing from Texas, and that a suspect is in custody, the Associated Press reported. The agency did not say whether charges had been filed.
The FBI withheld the suspect's name pending notification of the victim's family. MSC Cruises said authorities instructed it to return to Galveston and that the ship, which can carry nearly 5,900 guests on five- and seven-night Caribbean trips, had resumed its voyage Monday afternoon. Homicide investigations on cruise ships are uncommon.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
U.S. & World
Trump says the Iran war is 'militarily effectively over' after meeting Qatar's prime minister
President Donald Trump told reporters Monday, Nov. 9, that he believes the war in Iran "militarily is effectively over," signaling he is not ready to resume the bombing campaign, the Associated Press reported. He made a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room after meeting Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Trump said Iran has been decapitated and the U.S. is keeping the status quo, but that he still wants a long-term solution to defang Iran's nuclear program. The eight-month war has driven a surge in fuel prices that shadowed last week's midterm elections, in which Republicans lost both chambers of Congress.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
U.S. Air Force moves refueling tankers out of an English base over an Iran threat, report says
The U.S. Air Force evacuated air refueling tankers from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Monday, Nov. 9, because of a threat from Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Two tankers were diverted to Germany and several others moved to bases elsewhere in Europe after officials were alerted to the threat.
A European Command official told the AP only that the service rotates aircraft for a variety of reasons and would not discuss force protection or asset movements. Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the only permanent refueling wing in Europe, which flies the KC-135 Stratotanker.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine open in Abu Dhabi
Three-way talks among Russia, Ukraine and the United States opened Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the first such meeting since February, the Associated Press reported. The White House said the two-day session will focus on future security guarantees for both countries.
Jared Kushner, who with envoy Steve Witkoff is trying to broker a settlement, said there were some good ideas to bridge the differences, though three earlier rounds produced no breakthrough. The fighting continued as talks began: Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 162 drones and a ballistic missile overnight.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
Trump rules out 'amnesty' a day after calling his deportation policy possibly too tough
President Donald Trump said Monday, Nov. 9, that he opposes any immigration deal with Democrats that includes amnesty, a day after saying in a 60 Minutes interview that his deportation policy "might be too tough," the Associated Press reported. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said earlier Monday that he is fielding calls from Democrats but also rejects amnesty.
In a call with C-SPAN Monday night, Trump said his administration has not put nearly the same pressure on waitresses and farmworkers as on murderers and drug dealers, Fox News reported. The mixed messages show how hard any immigration compromise with the incoming Democratic Congress will be.
Sources Fox News · EverythingLubbock (AP)
Action PrintingSenate Republicans face a leadership vote Tuesday as Rick Scott withholds support for Thune
Senate Republicans are scheduled to vote Tuesday, Nov. 10, on whether to reelect Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota as their leader, after last week's elections gave Democrats a large new majority, the Associated Press reported. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital he is not ready to back Thune and wants the vote delayed.
Scott said the next GOP leader must lay out a plan to pass key agenda items in the lame-duck session before Democrats take control in January. Democrats, who could hold as many as 56 seats, are privately discussing whether Chuck Schumer should remain their leader, with their vote likely in December.
Sources Fox News · EverythingLubbock (AP)
Democrats flip the Georgia House, gaining at least 12 legislative chambers nationwide
Democrats won control of the Georgia House, the Associated Press determined Monday, Nov. 9, after also winning the governor's office there in last week's midterm election. Republicans had controlled the Georgia House since 2005, and the flip gives Democrats at least 12 newly controlled legislative chambers across the country.
That is the largest gain for either party in a single election since Republicans took 20 chambers in 2010. Once new officials are sworn in, Democrats will hold full control of government in at least six more states. The AP has not yet called the North Carolina Senate or either chamber in Alaska.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
FDA adds a rare vision-loss warning to Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs
The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday, Nov. 9, that all GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro, will carry a new warning about a rare eye condition that can sometimes cause permanent vision loss, the Associated Press reported. The condition stems from decreased blood flow to the optic nerve.
An FDA analysis of more than 125 clinical trials found it in roughly 6 of every 100,000 patients who took a GLP-1 drug for at least a year, compared with fewer than 4 per 100,000 on other treatments. Symptoms include blurred vision, blind spots and distorted vision, and patients should report changes to their doctors.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
China's trade surplus tops $1 trillion for a second straight year as exports jump 35%
China logged a $1.04 trillion trade surplus from January through October, topping $1 trillion for a second straight year, according to customs data released Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Associated Press reported. October exports rose 35.2% from a year earlier, led by high-tech goods such as semiconductors and autos.
Imports climbed 41.6% in October, partly on recovering crude oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, narrowing the monthly surplus to $105.3 billion from $133.5 billion in September. China is on track to beat last year's record $1.2 trillion surplus as pressure grows from trading partners for more balanced trade.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
U.S. set to become the first nation to skip a U.N. human rights review entirely
The United States is set Tuesday, Nov. 10, to become the first country to fully shun the U.N. Human Rights Council's regular review of its record since the body was created two decades ago, the Associated Press reported. The review, originally scheduled for November 2025, was postponed in hopes Washington would take part.
The Trump administration withdrew from the council last year, accusing it of anti-American and anti-Israel bias. A State Department spokesperson told the AP the administration gives the body no credibility. The council reviews all 193 U.N. member states about every four to five years.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
Judge sets a summer 2028 trial for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk
A Utah judge ruled Monday, Nov. 9, that the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk will stand trial in the summer of 2028, with jury selection beginning June 21, 2028, the Associated Press reported. District Judge Tony Graf set aside 105 days for the trial.
The defense had proposed 2029, while the Kirk family's attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, argued for next October and said the schedule does not feel speedy to the family. The 23-year-old defendant has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting at Utah Valley University and could face the death penalty.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
Duffy Law Firm, PCRussell Brand sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison for rape and sexual assault
Comedian and actor Russell Brand was sentenced Monday, Nov. 9, in London to 10 1/2 years in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, the Associated Press reported. Judge Joel Bennathan condemned Brand's disregard for women who said no to him and the lies he told in testimony.
A jury found the 51-year-old guilty of attacking four of six accusers in assaults dating to 2004 and cleared him of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand had maintained his innocence, testifying that all of the encounters were consensual.
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
Hungarian police detain former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's younger brother in a trafficking probe
Hungarian police took former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's younger brother into custody Monday, Nov. 9, as part of an investigation into suspected human trafficking and influence peddling during Orbán's time in office, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said, according to the Associated Press.
Police said four people were arrested in searches at four locations in and around Budapest. The investigation centers on alleged use of political connections to arrange expedited work permits for foreign nationals in exchange for payments. Magyar's government, elected in an April landslide, calls its anti-corruption push "Operation Cleansing Fire."
Sources EverythingLubbock (AP)
