In his sixth State of the State address Sunday evening, Governor Greg Abbott touted Texas’s robust economy and outlined a plan to maintain its national leadership. His agenda prioritizes business-friendly policies, property tax relief for homeowners, and the implementation of a school choice program similar to vouchers.
Abbott laid out seven emergency items that he said would help Texas remain a national leader: cutting property taxes, a “generational investment” in the state’s water infrastructure, increasing teacher pay, beefing up vocational career training programs for students after high school, allowing the use of public dollars for private education purposes, stiffening the state’s bail laws and creating a cybersecurity hub in San Antonio. — Texas Tribune
The Democratic response to Texas State of the State address:
Governor Abbott’s address is drawing criticism:
“With all due respect, the governor doesn’t have a clue what the state of your state is.”
“Texans love this state, and they will do anything to make things a little brighter for their kids and grandkids.The fact is, people are struggling after 30 years of Republican rule. Regular people, from all walks of life and every neighborhood, deserve a fair shot to get ahead, and they’re not going to get it while Abbott’s billionaires are lining their pockets.” — Gilberto Hinojosa, chair of the Texas Democratic Party.
Two people are dead following a shooting last night in Cedar Park.
Opening 6th Street back up to car traffic downtown is just step one of an over-arching public safety plan for the entertainment district. Officials say keeping the area “vibrant” while achieving public safety is the goal.
Austin City officials say they’re now taking extra steps to address the issue of car break-ins at city parks and greenbelts. (Austin Monitor)
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson recently sat down with the Texas Tribune to talk about his return to the office after reelection, the challenges and successes he’s faced, and his vision for the future.
NinjaOne, an endpoint security startup that moved to Austin in 2021 and was valued at nearly $2 billion after a massive fundraising round early last year, has announced a $252 million deal to buy Australia-based cloud backup platform Dropsuite. (Austin Business Journal)
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
January in Austin is typically the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of 52.2°. It is also the 4th driest month, with an average rainfall of 2.64″.
Last month was colder and drier than usual. (KXAN-TV)
Long-range outlooks suggest that warm, spring-like conditions are far more likely than an extended winter that Punxsutawney Phil predicted yesterday. (Lonestar Live)
Current drought conditions in Texas:
Ther latest from Earthquake Tracker:
Today is expected to be a chaotic day at Texas’ trade ports with Mexico as companies scramble to move goods into the U.S. before President Donald Trump’s tariffs take effect on Tuesday. (Texas Public Radio)
There are real concerns that the President’s imposed tariffs will raise the rate of inflation and cost Texans jobs.
More than a dozen Texas counties are opposing an initiative by Republican state lawmakers to eliminate a program that permits voters to cast their ballots at any county location on Election Day, arguing that the option saves taxpayers millions of dollars and enhances voting convenience. (Texas Tribune)
Hundreds of people gathered outside Arlington City Hall Sunday afternoon at a rally against ICE raids.
104 passengers and five crew members were evacuated safely Sunday at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when the wing of a United Airlines flight caught fire as the plane was about to take off.
Passenger video from inside the aircraft:
Texas-based D.J.‘s Boudain is recalling 17,720 pounds of their sausage due to possible foreign material contamination after “pieces of a pen” were allegedly found in sausage links sold in the state. (Lonestar Live)
The Wall Street Journal says Facebook’s parent company Meta is in talks with Texas state officials about a potential move to the Lone Star State.
Over 53,000 acres of Piloncillo Ranch in South Texas up for sale. It is a premiere destination for hunting and ranching opportunities. (MySanAntonio)
What are the least-visited state parks in Texas? (KXAN-TV)
Texas native Beyoncé won a Grammy in the country music category for “Best Country Album” for “Cowboy Carter”.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The No. 5/7 Texas women’s basketball team won their seventh road game of the season with a 70-50 victory over Texas A&M in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown. (Texas Longhorns)
NBA: Dallas Mavericks fans, and pretty much the entire professional basketball world, is still in shock over the blockbuster trade Saturday night that sent Luke Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fans held a “funeral” for Doncic yesterday:
Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford were dealing with minor soreness, Dereck Lively II is still recovering from a stress fracture, and Anthony Davis and Max Christie have yet to join the Dallas Mavericks.
All of the above played a part in last night’s 144-101 blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Mavericks are idle tonight while the San Antonio Spurs travel to Memphis and the Houston Rockets are in New York to face the Knicks. (Yahoo! Sports)
NHL: Make it five-in-a-row for the Dallas Stars.
Evgenii Dadonov scored two goals in the final 8:38 as the Dallas Stars beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 on Sunday.
The Stars have tonight off.
MLB: The Houston Astros acquired four MLB veterans this offseason that could play key roles on the 40-man roster, despite Alex Bregman’s contract negotiations being unresolved. Meanwhile, young prospects from within the club, particularly Cam Smith, are hoping for opportunities. (Chron)
As reported earlier, Texas native Beyoncé won a Grammy last night for Best Country Album (“Cowboy Carter”).
A track from that album…“Texas Hold ‘Em”:
