Episode 3990: Hearst hits Lubbock TV anchor in shoddy story | Is there too much “local control” in Texas? – Pratt on Texas 5/28/2026

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Does Texas state law allow for too much local control for local governments? If not, then how does a relatively small school district amass more than $1 BILLION in debt that is payable by taxpayers for generations?Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Lubbock Central Appraisal District: Are accusations that company played property tax process to gain advantage a one-time issue or burgeoning problem? Yes, there are statewide problems with the way the appraisal side of the property tax system works but that’s not what is really at issue here. In this case it seems more of a mattter of integrity of LCAD officials: If you give one firm a deal, you should give the same deal to the other firms representing taxpayers.Hearst’s Chron.com lashes out at a Lubbock TV anchor implying he made “racist” statements on the air.What shoddy work by the reporter who neither shows how the comments are in any way racist or that what was said was demonstrably untrue. It is the reporter and media outlet that needs to issue an apology to the Eppler unless it can present actual information. And if Eppler was wrong on the statement, all that needs is an on air correction, it certainly isn’t a racist or bigoted comment in and of itself.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com