Lubbock woke up to a silence it was not expecting on Thursday. Chad Hasty, a fixture on local airwaves and the voice behind The Chad Hasty Show, died suddenly at age 43. Known across West Texas and much of the state for his political interviews and his punchy call-in format, Hasty had become a daily habit for many listeners, and colleagues said news of his death felt sudden and devastating to both fans and the local media community.
Chad Hasty was one of the finest broadcasters Texas has ever produced. My and Cecilia’s prayers are with his family as they mourn his sudden passing. Every day, Chad showed up to the microphone with conviction, informing Texans on the critical policy and political fights https://x.com/i/status/2049959467589009550
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 30, 2026
KFYO Says He Passed Away Peacefully
News/Talk 95.1 & 970 KFYO and owner Townsquare Media announced Hasty's death in a statement, saying he "passed away peacefully in his sleep" Thursday morning, according to KFYO. The station described Hasty as a Lubbock institution and urged listeners to tune in to a tribute broadcast later in the day to share memories on air.
State Leaders And Colleagues React
Tributes from Texas political leaders and broadcasters arrived quickly. Gov. Greg Abbott posted his condolences on X and called Hasty "one of the finest broadcasters Texas has ever produced," while others from across the state echoed that praise. KCBD reported that Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Rep. Carl Tepper and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller were among those publicly saluting Hasty's interviewing skills and his years of service to listeners.
A West Texas Voice On The Air
Hasty first joined Lubbock radio in 2003 and eventually grew into a regional presence. He moved into a late-afternoon, regionally syndicated slot in 2021, according to KFYO. The station notes that he was a Texas Tech graduate and that he had recently spoken on air about his and his wife Jennifer's decision to become foster parents, sharing that part of his life with the same openness he brought to politics and policy.
Tributes And Next Steps
KFYO planned a special edition of The Chad Hasty Show to give listeners and colleagues a chance to remember him on the air, and the station has asked for privacy for Hasty's family while memorial details are finalized. KCBD reported that broadcasters from around Texas were expected to call into the program, and that listeners were already posting stories and condolences online as they processed the loss of a familiar West Texas voice.
