Category: News & Features

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife are asking the public to help them track bats sick with a disease called white-nose syndrome.

It’s caused by a fungus that originated in the northeast and is now spreading to Texas. White-nose syndrome has already been found in 18 Texas counties – even Childress.

Parks and Wildlife have asked the public to report any bats acting oddly during the day time or appearing to be dead on the ground.

Fortunately, the disease cannot spread to humans, but bats can carry several viruses, so it is important that if you see a bat acting odd–you do not touch it, you report it to animal control and email wns@tpwd.texas.gov.

“As this pathogen is moving west, we need to know we need to get a better idea what species are susceptible,” said Richard Stevens, Bat Specialist and Professor of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech.

During cold weather, white-nose syndrome is likely to spread even more.

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published February 11, 2021.

LUBBOCK, Texas — As the Biden administration pushes to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050, a lot of growth is expected in the renewable energy industry in West Texas.

However, there are some changes anticipated for the oil industry, although they will not happen overnight.

“Wind power has also been hugely beneficial for our state’s economy. There are an estimated 25,000 people in Texas that work in the wind industry,” said Luke Metzger, the Executive Director for Environment Texas, a nonprofit that combats climate change and advocates for the environment.

To meet the ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Metzger said it would take a lot of work.

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published February 2, 2021.

LUBBOCK, Texas — When a rare pet wallaby went missing during the dust storm Saturday, his owner reached out to the entire community for help. Thanks to a huge team effort, Rascal was located safe and sound before dark. On Sunday, Rascal’s mom, Shayli McCartor, explained the rescue and thanked the community for their help in the search.

“People love him so much,” said McCartor. “It wouldn’t have just affected me like it would have affected several people. And we were just so happy we found him and we got him back. That’s just the bottom story and we’re so thankful for everybody that did help.”

On top of being an especially cute and lovable pet, the two-year-old wallaby is one of the main attractions at Wolfforth’s Party Time Ponies and Events. When he went missing in the dust storm, McCartor sounded the alarm and posted about it all over Facebook.

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published January 31, 2021.