Texas senators approved a measure Wednesday that would divert public money to private schools. Democrats raised concerns about transparency and the bill’s potential impact on low-income families, but the legislation advanced to a third reading regardless.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick:
A response from the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus:
Reaction online from both sides:
Protests against the Trump Administration, initially an online movement, went offline Wednesday with demonstrations across the U.S.
In Austin, protesters gathered at the Capitol building, carrying signs and flags with messages such as “Trump is bad news” and “Save Our Democracy.”
The crowd eventually began marching down Congress Avenue.
Protests were held in all fifty states.
What are 50501 protests? What to know about the anti-Trump, anti-Project 2025 movement in Texas. (Austin American-Statesman)
Are customers staying away from Latino-owned businesses in Austin fearing immigration authorities? (KUT 90.5)
After dozens of protesters gathered last weekend outside a suspected ICE facility near the intersection of Highways 130 and 45 in Pflugerville, city officials issued a statement:
Citing slow growth and budget constraints, the Leander Independent School District announced Wednesday that it will reduce staff by 6% at the central office and 5.8% at campuses for the 2025-2026 school year.
Reaction online:
A “Save Texas Schools Rally” will be held at the Texas Capitol on February 22nd.
The Liberty Hill Independent School District discussed at a recent board meeting the possibility of transitioning to a four-day school week for the 2025-2026 school year.
Austin police have provided more details about the city’s 5th homicide of the year. It happened Monday near Zilker Park.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Department has launched its very own podcast with an interview with Sheriff Gary Cutler.
A gun was found in a student’s car Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot shared by Manor Senior High School and Early College High School, according to a letter sent to parents by the superintendent and police chief. The weapon was seized without incident. (Austin American-Statesman)
New numbers from the FAA show just how understaffed the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is when it comes to air traffic controllers.
Five Austin-area hospitals have been named as being among the “top 250 hospitals in the country”. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austinites can now sign up to be on the waiting list for Uber’s new autonomous vehicle service coming to the city soon. (Fox7 Austin)
An iconic mural downtown featuring the one and only Willie Nelson is coming down after a fire made the vacant structure unsafe…but a new one may take its place. (CBS Austin)
Filmmaker John Waters, Aziz Ansari, Pete Holmes and Joey Diaz are just some of the names on the full lineup for the Moontower Comedy Festival in April, released yesterday.
The Texas Lotto jackpot climbs even higher after no one correctly matched all six numbers in last night’s drawing.
The jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing will be an estimated $78.25 million.
The highest ever jackpot for a Texas Lotto drawing was $145 million won in 2004 by a ticket sold in El Paso.
Burning question on everyone’s mind: How many tacos did Austin’s airport sell in 2024?
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
While meteorological spring begins on March 1st, astronomical spring, marked by the March equinox, will officially start on March 20th at 5:01 a.m. EST.
AccuWeather has released its spring forecast for 2025.
A Texas man was executed Wednesday evening for the murder of a Dallas-area pastor, whom he beat and suffocated during a church robbery. This was the second execution in the U.S. this year and the first of four scheduled in Texas over the next three months.
Houston City Controller Chris Hollins warned City Council Wednesday that the city is nearing a financial crisis and called for a “joint emergency task force” to address the looming budget shortfall. (Chron)
Texas legislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state by banning certain lessons at state colleges under an expanded DEI crackdown. (Texas Tribune)
Governor Greg Abbott met with President Donald Trump at the White House Wednesday to discuss border security. During the meeting, Abbott appealed for the federal government to reimburse Texas for its multi-billion-dollar investments in border security.
PODCAST: The latest episode of Texas Standard looks at the following topics:
— Gov. Greg Abbott announced his priorities over the weekend, and it looks like lawmakers in his party are getting right to work.
— The Arlington City Council unanimously approved a drilling site that would put 10 new gas wells within a few thousand feet of homes, a daycare and elementary schools. A closer look at the debate.
— The impact of bird flu goes far beyond the price of eggs. The latest on how it’s affecting Texas farms and people.
— Elon Musk is taking a big role, attempting to re-shape the U.S. government. The young engineers helping him do it.
— It’s feeling a bit like spring already in Texas, but there’s still winter ahead. What the Farmer’s Almanac predicts for the coming months.
Listen here.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Freshman guard Tre Johnson recorded a game-high 25 points, but Texas (15-8, 4-6 SEC) dropped a 78-70 decision to Arkansas (14-8, 3-6 SEC) on Wednesday night inside Moody Center. This marked the first matchup played in Austin between the two former Southwest Conference rivals since the 2010-11 season. (Texas Longhorns)
#4/6 Texas (22-2, 8-1 SEC) vs. #24/24 Vanderbilt (18-5, 5-4 SEC) tonight at Moody Center at 6:00 p.m.
Texas is 11-0 at home this season and 43-5 all-time inside Moody Center.
At 22-2, the Longhorns are off to their best start since the 2015-16 season.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Former Texas Longhorn and Washington standout player Johntay Cook II was arrested in North Texas on multiple charges on Tuesday morning. (Longhorns Wire)
MLB: The work of removing the Houston Astros ballpark’s Minute Maid Park signs, some of which have been on the stadium for nearly 23 years, began Wednesday morning. (Houston Chronicle via MSN)
The Astros will retire Billy Wagner’s #13 jersey this August.
NBA: Victor Wembanyama broke a tie with a free throw with 2.4 seconds left and De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points in his first game for San Antonio, leading the Spurs to a 126-125 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Spurs are off tonight.
The Dallas Mavericks are in Boston tonight while the Houston Rockets are in Minnesota. (Yahoo! Sports)
Learn some of the history behind the long-standing Eagle Grocery in Eagle Pass and find out what it means for a small community to have a staple business like it.
