Austin’s office market is experiencing significant turbulence as it posts the nation’s highest vacancy rate increase of 27.7%.
The spike comes as the city grapples with reduced office utilization and weakening demand, even as development continues at a breakneck pace.
Austin ranks first regionally and third nationally in office space under construction, with 3.5 million square feet in development, representing 3.7% of its existing inventory. Including planned projects, Austin’s office footprint is projected to expand by an ambitious 12.1%. (Silicon Hill News)
The Austin Police Department is dealing with hefty spike in homicides in November.
Two of the most recent homicides occurred within the last 24 hours – a homicide near the Bridge at Granada Apartments and another near the intersection of West Parmer Lane and North Lamar Boulevard. (CBS Austin)
Police on Tuesday revealed the name of a man accused of a deadly shooting near a shopping center on West Palmer Lane and N. Lamar. (KVUE-TV)
Tuesday was the fourth day of former APD officer. Christopher Taylor’s sentencing trial. Two former Austin Police Department chiefs who were called to the stand by the defense.
Austin police have identified the man who allegedly committed crimes at multiple gas stations around the city Sunday and Monday before leading law enforcement on a chase that ended in a crash and the man’s arrest. (Austin Police Department)
On Tuesday, the Austin Police Department held a press conference to inform the community about the increase of burglaries that happen around this time of the year.
Mail and package thefts are about 50% higher in December compared to the rest of the year. (KXAN-TV)
A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection to a shooting in downtown Austin that left a man critically wounded early Saturday morning, according to an arrest affidavit.
The shooting happened around 12:35 a.m. at the intersection of East 6th Street and Trinity Street. (CBS Austin)
Austin police are investigating a violent assault that occurred in September at a west Austin H-E-B store after receiving an anonymous tip. (CBS Austin)
An attempt at keeping a dog bed warm with a nearby space heater sparked a blaze at a residence in the 400 block of Mulberry Street yesterday.
Authorities responded to rollover crash Tuesday.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued an Austin nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness.
WestJet announced it’s launching direct flights between Austin and Vancouver starting in May.
The new service will run three times a week, with morning departures from Austin landing in Vancouver just before lunchtime. (KVUE-TV)
A Colorado-based developer plans to break ground next month on its 362,000-square-foot industrial park near the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. factory in Taylor after securing financing for the project.
The project is part of a wave of industrial parks heading to Taylor. (Austin Business Journal)
“The best way to think about it is if you’re driving on I-35 at 5 pm, you’re going to wait because of the volume. It’s the same thing at the airport.” — Texas TSA Spokesperson, Patricia Mancha
Holiday travel continues in earnest today, the day before Thanksgiving.
A conservation group is using the largest federal grant it has received to protect water rights and fragile ecosystems in the Hill Country. (Austin American-Statesman)
City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Monday that he has selected Jesús Aguirre to lead the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department. (AustinTexas.gov)
The Austin Zoo says they are prepared for the cooler weather ahead. (KXAN-TV)
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
As Arctic air blasts across the Great Lakes region in the wake of a late-November snow and rainstorm, a tremendous natural snowmaking machine will be turned on high and will encompass much of the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend and into early next week. (AccuWeather)
The Bowie High School Silver Stars will be performing in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York tomorrow.
Texas has one of the lowest averages gas prices in the country.
AAA recorded the average gallon of gas in the Lone Star state cost $2.638, compared to the day’s national average of $3.067. Only two states had lower averages: Mississippi ($2.629) and Oklahoma ($2.517). (Austin American-Statesman)
Inspectors said Gigafactory employees were exposed to a chemical called Hexavalent Chromium, which can impact the kidney, liver and respiratory system.
A Greenville police officer was shot and killed while chasing a wanted felon Monday night.
A recently-filed bill in the Texas Legislature looks to crack down on the increase in false threats against schools and critical public infrastructure. (Fox7 Austin)
Texas’ utility regulator has adopted a rule requiring cryptocurrency mining facilities connected to the state’s main electric grid to register with the state’s grid operator. (Texas Tribune)
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) will be a part of the newly-formed Senate DOGE Caucus, designed to find and eliminate governmental waste. (TexasGOPVote)
“The national debt has skyrocketed to more than $36 trillion under Leader Schumer and the Biden administration, and about two thirds of federal spending is on autopilot, which is neither sustainable nor acceptable. Congress must responsibly budget, evaluate key priorities, and cut excess spending just like American families and small businesses, and I’m looking forward to working with the Trump administration on this as a founding member of the DOGE Caucus.” — U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
A 23-foot Virginia pine tree arrived at the Texas Capitol building Tuesday.
Approximately 52 cars worth nearly $5 million were stolen by a large organized crime group at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. (Lonestar Live)
A 25-year-old man from Seagoville, Texas, was charged after trying to enter a church with a tactical rifle. (Lonestar Live)
Incoming U.S. border czar Tom Homan visited the Texas border Tuesday to see Operation Lone Star in action.
Gov. Greg Abbott joined Homan as they served meals to state troopers and National Guard members at a facility on the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass.
SPORTS
No. 5 Texas women’s basketball is gearing up for the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida. They begin play tomorrow. (KXAN-TV)
The No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies were upset by unranked Oregon last night, 80-70. The Ducks scored the last eleven points. (Yahoo! Sports)
In the NBA last night, the two Texas teams in action both got victories on the road.
The Houston Rockets beat Minnesota in overtime, 117-111, as Alperen Sengun had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. (Yahoo! Sports)
Victor Wembanyama scored 34 points, rookie Stephon Castle matched a season high with 23 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 128-115. (Yahoo! Sports)
Houston, San Antonio and Dallas are all scheduled to play toady.
The Rockets are in Philadelphia. San Antonio hosts the L.A. Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks host the New York Knicks. (Yahoo! Sports)
In the NHL tonight, the Dallas Stars (13-7) are in Chicago to face the Blackhawks (7-12-2). (Yahoo! Sports)
An SEC Championship is on the line as Texas and Texas A&M prepare for their renewed rivalry.
Butterball’s tips for the perfect turkey.
