Tag: news

LUBBOCK, Texas — The recent mass shootings have put pressure on the Biden administration to take action against gun violence. On Thursday, President Biden announced a number of executive actions on gun reform. 

While many agree that these changes are necessary to keep us safe, many also feel that they infringe on our second amendment rights. 

“What he’s trying to pass, first off, it won’t have any bearing on safety at all,” said gun owner Jim Baxa. “And second off, they’re completely unconstitutional.”

Some of the actions include creating tighter regulations around ‘ghost guns’ — which are guns assembled from kits that don’t have serial numbers and can’t be tracked. 

“Ghost guns haven’t been used in a massive amount of crimes,” said Lonestar Shooting Sports owner Thomas Larson. “Honest people are going to do things, honestly anyway. People that want to circumvent the law, are always going to find ways to circumvent the law.”

However, some gun reform advocates like Jen Shelton with Moms Demand Action, disagree.

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published April 8, 2021.

LUBBOCK, Texas — The excitement was contagious as Texas Tech fans gave Coach Mark Adams a warm welcome at Tuesday’s press conference at the United Supermarkets Arena.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tech basketball — and Red Raider Nation couldn’t be more excited to see what the new coach will bring to the table.

“I’m pumped I’m ecstatic, like couldn’t be happier with the decision,” said Tech fan David Mueller.

“This was the best choice they could’ve made and I think it’s home,” said fan Taylor Szymanski.

After losing Coach Chris Beard to one of their biggest rivals, a West Texas native like Coach Adams was just what the Red Raiders needed.

“I mean he’s a hometown guy,” said Raider Riot’s Vice President Mia Gibaszek. “We’ve had him all the time that I’ve been here, I think it’s great honestly.”

Fans said they’re also looking forward to having a Tech alum as their coach.

“I actually really love that he’s loyal to West Texas and Texas Tech. It means a lot to me being a fan and a student here,” said fan Dade Mumaw.

Other fans said they’re excited to see what this will mean for Tech’s defense.

“I think we got the best deal out of the two,” said fan Justin Thornhill. “I think Mark Adams is a defensive mastermind.”

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published April 6, 2021.

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech’s Department of Environmental Toxicology released a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on the effectiveness of mask mandates during the pandemic.

Tech Professor of Advanced Materials Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar worked with doctoral student James Ayodeji for approximately seven months to examine how COVID-19 data trends in states that implemented mask mandates throughout the pandemic in 2020. 

“In that time of the severe pandemic, this was one of the first lines of defense,” said Ramkumar. “The simple things which we take for granted – a face mask – made out of cotton, can save lives, nobody knew.”

Their research backed up just how effective masks can be as a public health tool. 

“We have looked at the efficacy of facemask mandates on curtailing the COVID infection rates in 32 states from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020,” said Ramkumar. “The whole three quarters where the surge was ongoing after WHO declared this pandemic in March of last year.”

The majority of states in the study saw a reduction in COVID-19 cases within three to four weeks after implementing the mandate. 

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published April 5, 2021.