Good morning, Lubbock.

The Texas Watermelon Queen Lorelai Hill will visit Lubbock to mark the end of watermelon season.

She will be at Market Street (19th and Quaker) Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and at Market Street (98th and Quaker) Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

Buck for Kids Day returns to all six Dutch Bros locations in Lubbock on Friday, Sept.

18 (with every drink purchased donating $1 to CASA of the South Plains) to support foster children across six counties. The event continues CASA’s work for kids after helping 374 children last year.

A Lubbock restaurant faced local scrutiny after a customer was charged a $1.99 upcharge for ordering from the kids menu (not clearly disclosed) when the fee sparked debate in an online group.

Staff are urged to list fees visibly (to avoid future disputes).

A study by Texas Tech University shows nearly half of respondents feared AI would take their jobs in 2025 (a jump from 16.6% in 2016) and finds women and ethnic minorities now report higher fears while blue collar and white collar workers share similar concerns.

Zackary Speck, who was born prematurely in 2020 and diagnosed with leukemia in March, is in remission after undergoing several months of chemotherapy at UMC Children’s Hospital.

His ongoing treatment includes targeted immunotherapy and supportive care (therapy dog, child life specialists) provided by the hospital and Children’s Miracle Network.

Rutherfords credit UMC Children’s Hospital NICU—known for its specialized care—for helping premature baby Eleanor, born at 26 weeks, during her 12-week stay that included AngelEye cameras for family updates.

The dedicated team’s support made a challenging start a hopeful journey for the family.

Stacker has compiled a list of the highest-rated ice cream shops using Yelp data as of June 24, 2025; the list highlights Lubbock shops with at least 20 reviews within a 10-kilometer radius to feature independent businesses.

Coffee lovers can explore new fall blends as the A-J, KTTZ Fall Flavor 2026 review spotlights Lubbock coffee shops offering alternatives to pumpkin spice lattes, while the review highlights several local spots available now for those seeking a fresh seasonal taste.

Lubbock couples can find fall fun with several cozy date ideas including coffee and bookstore stops, a park stroll with cocoa, enjoying apple cider and a corn maze at At'l Do Farms (Sept.

12-Nov. 7), and a night at Cactus Theater with dinner nearby.

Stacker compiled a list of cities in the Lubbock metro with the fastest-growing home prices using Zillow data — rising mortgage rates have slowed the trend while some areas still show notable increases in average home values.

Lubbock Association of Realtors celebrated 100 years with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at its Event Center — the ceremony gathered local dignitaries and industry partners to highlight a century of support for property rights and standards.

Texas Tech will debut its new all-black Let's Ride uniform in a sold-out Friday game against Houston at Galaxy Stadium at 7 p.m. The design, made in partnership with Patrick Mahomes, Adidas, and State Farm, features red accents and updated logos.