The Ledger
Daily digest straight from the source
Friday, August 28, 2026
The lead · Aug 28
Lubbock Asks the State for Faster Action on Abandoned Buildings
City Manager Jarrett Atkinson told the City Council on Tuesday that Lubbock wants state help acting faster against abandoned buildings. Code Administration Director Stuart Walker said one demolition case took 28 years. State Rep. Carl Tepper said the problem may be enforcement, not state law.
Sources Lubbock Lights
More Local
Council Accepts Data Center Moratorium Petition, Hearing Set for Sept. 8
The City Council accepted a citizen petition Tuesday seeking an 18-month moratorium on high-water, high-energy data centers. A public hearing is set for September 8. Councilman District 6 Tim Collins said the moratorium conflicts with state law; Mayor Mark McBrayer said ordinances limiting large data centers are already being drafted.
Texas Tech Got Twice the Students It Planned For, and It Shows
Texas Tech expected 2,000 more students this fall and got about 4,000, President Lawrence Schovanec said Thursday. Enrollment is near 46,000. The university ran 1,000 beds short, pushing students into off-campus housing. Two parking garages and a residence hall opening spring 2029 are planned.
Lubbock ISD Sets Lower Tax Rate but Still Faces a $22 Million Gap
Lubbock ISD set a property tax rate of roughly 86 cents per $100 Thursday, lower than last year but above the no-new-revenue rate. Chief Financial Officer Dewayne Wilkins blamed large homestead exemption increases, which cost the district $1 billion in taxable value. The district faces a $22 million shortfall.
Duffy Law Firm, PCFrankford Seafood Restaurant Reopens After Failing Inspection
Hot & Spicy Cajun Seafood at 5004 Frankford reopened after a health inspection scored it below 70 with 27 violations, KCBD reported Thursday. Inspectors found food held above safe temperatures, a contaminated ice machine, and an unapproved pesticide. The restaurant closed 24 hours, was reinspected and passed.
Water Valve Repair Closes MLK Jr. Boulevard to Through Traffic Monday
Crews will replace a broken water valve at 66th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard starting Monday, the City of Lubbock Public Works Department says. From August 31 through September 11, weather permitting, MLK Jr. Boulevard between Slaton Highway and 50th Street is limited to business access only.
State
Poll Shows Democrats Leading in Three South Texas Districts Trump Won
A Texas Southern University poll taken August 18-22 shows Democrats leading in three South Texas districts Trump carried in 2024. Bobby Pulido leads Monica De La Cruz 50-45 in CD 15; Henry Cuellar leads Tano Tijerina 45-34 in CD 28; Vicente Gonzalez leads Eric Flores 45-42 in CD 34.
Sources The Texan · Spectrum News
Hinojosa Courts Republican Voters at Fort Worth Rally
Democratic nominee for governor Gina Hinojosa courted Republican voters at a Fort Worth rally this week, campaigning on property taxes, electricity costs and data centers. She said she would end tax breaks for global corporations. Gov. Greg Abbott is also targeting Tarrant County before November.
Sources The Texan · NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
U.S. & World
Glacier Collapse Floods Nepal-Tibet Border, More Than 1,300 Missing
A glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border sent a debris flow through villages Wednesday, killing at least 273 people and leaving more than 1,300 missing, including dozens of Americans. The Trishuli River rose 27 feet in half an hour. Nepalese Army helicopters rescued over 100 people Thursday.
Judge Again Blocks Trump's Mail Ballot Order Before the Midterms
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a 14-day restraining order Thursday blocking the Postal Service from enforcing Trump's mail-in voting rules. She wrote that states lack time and money to redesign ballots. New York Attorney General Letitia James called the rule election interference. A hearing is set September 3.
Advanced GraphixFed Chair Warsh Gives His First Jackson Hole Speech Friday
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh gives his first Jackson Hole keynote Friday with core inflation at 3.3% and the federal funds rate held at 3.5% to 3.75%. Three officials dissented for a hike at the last meeting. Markets put the odds of a December increase near 45%.
Sources Fox Business · NPR
Army to Put Nuclear Microreactors on Five Bases, Including Fort Hood
The Army will spend up to $2.2 billion over five years on nuclear microreactors at five bases, including Fort Hood, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced Wednesday. Each reactor makes 1 to 20 megawatts and runs years without refueling. The Army wants one operating by September 30, 2028.
Sources KWTX · PBS NewsHour
Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed Lake America
Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, following his Gulf of America renaming. It comes as the administration put 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods and Canada answered with its own. New York Governor Kathy Hochul rejected the change.