Friday, October 23, 2026 · Local news, voting, sports and your weekend plans.
Top 5 | Main News
1. Lubbock County Early Voting Passes 32,000 After Four Days
Lubbock County Elections Administrator Troy Havard reports 32,673 votes through Thursday, including 7,285 on October 22. That's 597 more votes than the comparable four-day total in 2018, although the share of registered voters is lower because the county has grown. The figures are county early-voting totals, not a prediction of how the election will turn out.
Source: Lubbock County Elections Office · Click Here for the Full Story at the Chronicle
2. Suspect Arrested in East Lubbock Fatal Shooting
Authorities arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the October 11 shooting that killed Delton Lewis and injured another person. KCBD reports murder and aggravated-assault charges; the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Source: KCBD · Click Here for the Full Story at the Chronicle
3. Mail-Ballot Application Deadline Is Today
Friday, October 23, is the last day eligible voters can have a ballot-by-mail application received by the early voting clerk. A postmark is not enough. The Texas Secretary of State lists the deadline and special rules for faxed or emailed applications.
Source: Texas Secretary of State · Click Here for the Full Story at the Chronicle
4. Sunday Marathon Will Bring Downtown Road Closures
Drivers should plan around the Lubbock Marathon on Sunday, October 25. Streets along the route are scheduled to close beginning at 4 a.m., with reopening expected by 3 p.m. The race begins near Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plaza.
Source: City of Lubbock / Marathon organizers · Click Here for the Full Story at the Chronicle
5. Texas Tech Men's Basketball Meets Kentucky Tonight
No. 19 Texas Tech takes on No. 23 Kentucky in a preseason exhibition at 6 p.m. Central in Lexington. The game is scheduled for SEC Network+. It's an early look at Grant McCasland's new team ahead of the November 2 opener.
Source: Texas Tech Athletics · Click Here for the Full Story at the Chronicle
What Lubbock Is Talking About
Two hometown chicken-fried steaks on a Texas list. A 2026 top-20 graphic circulating online names Cast Iron Grill and Cuevas Drive In. The Chronicle is checking the list's publication details with its organizer; see both Lubbock locations and the attribution in our local food story.
Sports
Texas Tech soccer: No. 14/15 Tech rallied to defeat No. 16 West Virginia 2–1 Thursday. Kylie Bahr converted a penalty kick and Taylor Zdrojewski scored the winner. Texas Tech Athletics recap.
High School Football | Friday
Game | Time |
|---|---|
Estacado at Lubbock-Cooper Liberty | 7 p.m. |
Lubbock High at Frenship Memorial | 7 p.m. |
Abilene High at Monterey | 7 p.m. |
Wylie at Lubbock-Cooper | 7 p.m. |
New Deal at Sundown | 7 p.m. |
Idalou at Muleshoe | 7 p.m. |
Thursday final: Wichita Falls Legacy 63, Coronado 7. Times are subject to change. Full Chronicle scoreboard and schedule. For the complete Texas HS Football schedule, go to MaxPreps.
Weather | NWS Lubbock
Friday: A final warm, mainly dry day, with highs in the mid-70s to lower 80s and breezy southerly winds.
Saturday: Rain chances develop across the Caprock and increase into Saturday night.
Sunday: Rain chances spread farther east. Expect a cooler stretch, generally in the upper 60s to 70s, continuing into next week.
Latest NWS Lubbock forecast and advisories · NWS radar. Forecasts can change.
Tonight in Lubbock
Blue October — 8 p.m., Buddy Holly Hall.
Josh Ward — 8 p.m., Cook's Garage.
Nightmare on 19th Street — Friday 7:30–11 p.m., official event website.
Tomorrow and This Weekend
Saturday: “Remembering Dolly,” 7:30 p.m. at Cactus Theater.
Saturday: Nightmare on 19th Street, 7:30–11 p.m.
Sunday: Lubbock Marathon, beginning at 8 a.m. downtown; allow extra driving time.
Sunday: “Monsters Inc.” Fall Cinema at 3 p.m. and Bert Kreischer at 7 p.m., Buddy Holly Hall.
Sunday: Nightmare on 19th Street, 7:30–10 p.m.
Times and dates are subject to change. Check with Event for details.
Election 2026 | Chronicle Resources
Early voting continues through October 30. Chronicle voting and candidate guide · Chronicle sample ballot · Official voting locations and election information.
Stay informed, stay involved, and share the Chronicle with a Lubbock neighbor.
