There were fewer jobless people in Austin in July than the previous month.
The Texas Workforce Commission reported the unemployment rate for the Austin-Round Rock statistical area decreased slightly from June to July and is now at 3.6%, which equals 53,522 residents. (KLBJ-FM 99.7)
- The Austin metro unemployment rate remains below the Texas (4.4%) and national rate (4.5%) in July.
- The Austin metro lost 12,600 jobs from June to July. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 1.4%, representing the collective addition of 18,900 jobs since July 2023.
- Unemployment in the region decreased slightly to 3.5% from June to July, representing 30,670 unemployed residents.
Industries that experienced regional job growth from June to July include mining, logging and construction, financial activities and trade, transportation and utilities.
Information and professional and business services experienced an annual decrease from July 2023 to July 2024.
Statewide, the Texas job growth rate leads the national rate over twelve consecutive months. (The Center Square)
Texas is suing the Biden administration again to block federal protections for transgender workers. (Texas Public Radio)
The jury in the trial of former Williamson County sheriff Robert Chody and former county attorney Jason Nassour have been excused.
Officials have identified all five people killed in a fiery wreck in Central Texas this week that caused a Leander teenager to lose his entire family. (Austin American-Statesman)
That teenager from Leander is seeing support via a GoFundMe page that has so far raised over $700,000. (MySanAntonio)
The Austin Police Department identified a pedestrian who died after being struck by a driver in Tarrytown last week. (Austin American-Statesman)
Police have also identified the victims of a double homicide in South Austin back on June 26. (Fox7 Austin)
Austin police arrested and charged a man with murder in connection to a deadly shooting in North Austin last month. (KEYE-TV)
The San Marcos Police Department released police body camera footage, and nearby surveillance footage, showing the moments that led up to the fatal shooting of 22-year-old, Malachi Williams, in April.
The San Marcos Police Department said it will share information more quickly than in the past during “critical incidents,” including mass shootings, natural disasters or events where police seriously injure or kill someone. (KUT 90.5)
A 20-year-old man was fatally shot in Lockhart early Friday morning, and police have identified a juvenile as a person of interest. It was the town’s first homicide of the year. (KEYE-TV)
Travis County officials are still looking for suspect in a 2022 cold case murder.
The Lakeway Police Department is asking for help catching a vandal that has been marking private and public property with antisemitic symbols across the Lakeway area. (KVUE-TV)
Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a rollover crash that happened near Lake Travis Friday night.
More schools districts open their doors to students next week, including Austin Independent School District.
Some Austin-area schools are banning smartphones in the classroom as a way to prevent bullying and improve academic performance. (KUT 90.5)
The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees approved a slate of propositions for bond projects to be voted upon in November. If approved, they would bring nearly a billion dollars to the district. (KEYE-TV)
The Texas Freedom Network, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for religious freedom, released an analysis this week finding that the new state-developed curriculum materials for elementary school reading overemphasize references to Christianity, providing only limited attention to other major religions, and often portrays Christian beliefs as truths. (Austin American-Statesman)
Read the complete analysis here.
It’s been another hot summer in Central Texas…but it’s about to get hotter. (KVUE-TV)
Austin saw its 24th 100-degree day of the summer yesterday. The yearly average is 27…but 30 days of extreme heat a year is becoming the norm. (KEYE-TV via MSN)
Urban “heat islands” are worsening extreme temperatures in Austin. (Axios via MSN)
Hurricane Beryl left 4.1 million cubic yards of storm debris in the Houston area, enough to fill a stadium. (Houston Chronicle via MSN)
Hurricane Ernesto is well off the eastern coast of the United States but is causing rough surf along its beaches this weekend. (CBS News)
Officials voted this week to adopt the state’s first comprehensive flood plan. (KSAT-TV)
Heat lightning? No such thing.
A “supermoon” is coming to Austin. (Austin Monthly)
When does wasp season end in the area?
Two Central Texas men have been indicted and arrested on charges related to the unlawful dealing of firearms. (KXAN-TV)
Negotiations around a new farm bill that would increase government support for Texas farmers and ranchers are at a standstill, threatening to push back what could be a $1 trillion piece of legislation until next year. (Houston Chronicle via MSN)
While the Austin metropolitan area is one of the “coolest markets in the nation for competition,” it is now one of seven metros it considers to be in the buyer’s favor. (KXAN-TV)
Taxes are rising and so are charges for city services in Austin. (Austin Monitor)
Despite Texas’ strong economy, small business owners are struggling with high inflationary costs and high property taxes. (The Center Square)
Austin’s apartment construction rate is the third highest in the nation. (CultureMap Austin)
Southwest Airlines will begin seasonal nonstop service between Austin and Omaha, Nebraska, in November. The route is currently operated by Allegiant Air, but that service is being cut along with six other routes. (KXAN-TV)
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is getting heat from some ticketholders after announcing that pop sensation Chappell Roan will now perform on Sunday of both weekends instead of Saturday. (KVUE-TV)
The Dallas Cowboys will return to the field this afternoon for a preseason contest against the Las Vegas Raiders in Sin City. (Lonestar Live)
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans host the New York Giants this afternoon. (Houston Texans)
Texas football teams hit the field as temperatures rise.
In MLB last night, the Houston Astros saw their winning streak end at eight in a row after losing to the lowly Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park, 5-4. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Texas Rangers continued their slide into postseason oblivion, losing at home to the Minnesota Twins, 4-3. (Yahoo! Sports)
New Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle will make an average of $2.2 million a year with a seven-year contract that is expected to be approved by the University of Texas Board of Regents at next week’s regularly scheduled meetings. (Houston Chronicle)
Since the 1800s, the City of Rockwall, Texas has had a mystery it’s been trying to solve. Allegedly, the town was built on a rock wall that was constructed by some ancient civilization or even giants.
