Lubbock Chronicle — Morning Edition — October 8, 2026

Thursday, October 8, 2026 · Lubbock and the South Plains

Good morning. Today: an OB-GYN staffing dispute, I-27 bridge repairs, a planned mall store, and the Chronicle's 2026 sample-ballot resource. Plus local sports, events and a major concert on-sale announcement.

UMC and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center disagree over arrangements for replacing departing hospital-employed OB-GYNs. Both say maternity-care services continue, but the staffing dispute has raised questions about access to appointments.

Source: KCBD, October 7, including statements from both institutions. Click Here for the Full Story.

Crews are repairing the South Loop 289 overpass after an excavator struck the bridge. Frontage-road restrictions remain near I-27; check DriveTexas before traveling.

Source: EverythingLubbock, October 7. Click Here for the Full Story. Check DriveTexas for current conditions.

Dick's Sporting Goods plans a South Plains Mall location, with construction expected to begin in January 2027. An opening date has not been announced.

Source: EverythingLubbock, October 7. Click Here for the Full Story.

Review the Lubbock Chronicle's two-page Lubbock County sample-ballot guide before the November 3 election. It combines countywide contests for reference; individual ballots vary by precinct. This Chronicle-created resource is not an official election ballot. Early voting begins October 19.

Source: Lubbock Chronicle sample-ballot compilation, based on Lubbock County election materials. Check official precinct and ballot information. The Chronicle's downloadable PDF will be linked here when its website page is published.

The South Plains Job Fair runs today, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Local employers will meet job seekers; advance registration is not required.

Source: Workforce Solutions South Plains, official event announcement. Click Here for the Full Story.

Mostly sunny and dry, with an afternoon high around 85°F and a low tonight near 55°F. The National Weather Service expects the South Plains' warm, quiet pattern to continue into the weekend, with temperatures climbing in the coming days. Check the latest forecast and any air-quality advisories before extended outdoor activities.

Sources: National Weather Service Lubbock and the October 8 local forecast.

Women's volleyball tonight: Baylor visits Texas Tech at 6 p.m. Thursday at United Supermarkets Arena. The Red Raiders entered the match 8-8 overall and 0-4 in Big 12 play. Official schedule and match information.

Women's soccer: Texas Tech plays @ Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. Thursday in Stillwater. Texas Tech athletics calendar.

Football: Texas Tech is off this weekend after its 29-7 win at Colorado. The next game is Arizona State at Texas Tech on Saturday, October 17, at 2:30 p.m. Central. Official football schedule.

Thursday, October 8, 7 p.m.: Coronado hosts Amarillo Palo Duro at Lowrey Field; Monterey plays @ Amarillo High at Dick Bivins Stadium. Lubbock ISD schedules and broadcasts.

Friday, October 9, 7 p.m.: Lubbock High hosts Amarillo Tascosa; Abilene High visits Frenship Memorial; Frenship plays @ Amarillo Caprock; Lubbock-Cooper plays @ Abilene Cooper; Estacado plays @ Perryton; Lubbock-Cooper Liberty plays @ Borger. Check school channels for last-minute changes. Lubbock ISD sports.

The Lady Chaps host UT Tyler in volleyball Friday, October 9, at 6 p.m., followed by UT Dallas on Saturday at 2 p.m. LCU athletics schedule.

West Texas Walk of Fame induction: 7 p.m. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theatre, 1501 Mac Davis Lane; doors open at 6:30 p.m. The free public ceremony honors Susan Brumfield, Jim Eppler, Andy Hedges, Steve Moss and The String-A-Longs. Civic Lubbock event information.

Cook's Rodeo Days: Thursday at 6 p.m. at Cook's Garage, according to the venue's October 7 event announcement. Cook's Garage.

Sports tonight: Baylor at Texas Tech volleyball, 6 p.m.; Coronado–Palo Duro and Monterey @ Amarillo High football, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 9: Tickets for The Red Clay Strays at Cook's Garage go on general sale at 10 a.m. The concert is Thursday, April 29, 2027, with Avery Anna. Cook's Garage calendar · Concert information.

Also Friday: Jay Boy Adams, The Friends Band & Zenobia at Cactus Theater, 7:30 p.m.; LCU volleyball vs. UT Tyler, 6 p.m.; area high-school football, 7 p.m. Cactus Theater calendar.

October Halloween calendar: Nightmare on 19th Street is operating its 2026 haunted-attraction season at 602 E. 19th St. Check the official ticket calendar for the next confirmed operating night and entry time.

City government: The Electric Utility Board's Board Bylaws and Policies Committee is listed for 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. City meeting calendar.

LubbockChronicle.com is updated again each afternoon with new and materially updated local developments.