“There is mounting evidence that our district attorney is not vigorously prosecuting cases and that is of grave public safety and also of grave concern for the fairness to the accused.” — State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt
Pressure is mounting on Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza to answer for how his administration handles serious crimes after recent lapses have allowed criminals charged with serious offenses and a long history of prior crimes to go free after having their bonds dramatically reduced.
Online criticism of Garza has been consistent and vocal:
A woman was fatally struck by a vehicle in North Lakeway Thursday night.
The suspect arrested after a domestic disturbance in Round Rock earlier this week has been identified.
A portion of Main Street in Round Rock is closed until March 14 to accommodate construction of a pedestrian crossing. (Community Impact)
Austin city officials plan to completely close or restrict more than 30 streets during the South by Southwest festival next month as part of safety planning for the event, a major economic driver for the area. (Austin Monitor)
Georgetown City Council approved a new ride-share voucher program that will offer discounted Uber rides to residents and visitors.
Officials in Kyle will relocate an old live oak tree on Old Stagecoach Road to make way for a road-widening project. (KUT 90.5)
Capital Metro’s long-awaited Rapid lines finally debut this weekend, but instead of the promised 10-minute frequency and all-electric fleet originally slated for 2023, riders will face 20- to 30-minute waits and diesel buses. Park-and-ride facilities planned for the end of each line are also delayed. (KUT 90.5)
Austin City Council members received several major transportation updates during its Mobility Committee meeting Thursday including how federal grants may be impacted by changes in federal leadership and a progress update on Austin’s light rail project.
According to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, some Austin IRS workers are among those being laid off. Austin is home to one of the few IRS centers in the country.
A new day health care center that will serve adults primarily facing cognitive or physical challenges, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, has opened in South Austin. (Community Impact)
Two data center projects are under consideration for development in the San Marcos area, which continues to experience rapid growth in the data center industry. (Austin Business Journal)
Survivors of violence and advocates with The Texas Council on Family Violence and The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault rallied at the Texas State Capitol yesterday to push for their policy and funding items. (Austin American-Statesman)
An Austin man was aboard the Delta flight that recently crashed landed upside down in Toronto and is now suing the airline.
Interim University of Texas President Jim Davis, appointed Wednesday by the UT System board of regents, has named David Vanden Bout, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, as interim provost. (Austin American-Statesman)
Researchers at the University of Texas have been ordered to stop, or pause, work on at least nine major projects as a result of executive orders from President Donald Trump that restrict federal money for initiatives that support foreign aid and diversity, equity and inclusion. (Austin American-Statesman)
A burst pipe in a ceiling at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Thursday caused water to leak in a passenger terminal.
ERCOT reported that Texas’ power demand peaked at approximately 83,000 megawatts Thursday morning, close to the state’s 88,000-megawatt capacity. The agency expects demand to remain within reserves for the remainder of the cold snap. (Texas Public Radio)
This week’s extreme cold weather was an extra adversity for area firefighters during several big blazes they faced.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A light wintry mix tonight into tomorrow morning? (KXAN-TV)
Warmer days are on the way for much of the Central and Southern states with milder conditions for the Northeast following extended spells of teeth-chattering chills in February.
Current drought monitor for Texas:
A sweeping package of education-related legislation was filed in the Texas House on Thursday, featuring a school voucher proposal and an $8 billion investment in public education.
Texas Senators approved a resolution that would allow judges to deny bail to people accused of certain violent crimes. SJR 5 passed the Senate by a vote of 28-2. It now heads to the House for consideration. (KXAN-TV)
Texas lawmakers want to make it easier to convert office space into apartments and condos. (Texas Tribune)
Two teenage girls are in custody after the FBI became aware of a potential mass casualty attack in Montgomery County early this week, law enforcement confirmed Thursday. Authorities have declined to disclose the location of the arrests or any specifics about the planned attack. (Austin American Statesman)
A 35-year-old man from the Houston area is facing a felony charge after allegedly threatening to attack Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership club here in Austin. (KVUE-TV)
Torus Ventures, a New York company, is accusing Texas-based burger chain Whataburger of stealing their digital data protection code in a new lawsuit. (My San Antonio)
Texas Lottery ticket sales to third-party courier services is fueling controversy and questions about the agency’s future. (Texas Tribune)
A Houston Police Department supervisor who was facing child pornography charges is now facing two additional felonies.
SPORTS
NBA: Heartbreak for San Antonio Spurs fans.
De’Aaron Fox scored 11 straight points in the final three minutes and finished with 26 as San Antonio beat the Phoenix Suns 120-109 Thursday night, hours after learning Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was done for the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Spurs host the Detroit Pistons tonight. (Yahoo! Sports)
Also tonight, the Dallas Mavericks host New Orleans while the Houston Rockets host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The Texas Longhorns baseball squad opens their 2025 home slate at UFCU Disch-Falk Field today as part of a weekend series against Dartmouth. (Texas Longhorns)
MLS: Austin FC is preparing for their season opener tomorrow night.
NFL: Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Guard Zack Martin is retiring after eleven seasons.
NHL: The Dallas Stars return to action tonight after a break for international play. They’re in New Jersey to face the Devils at 5:00 p.m. (Yahoo! Sports)
Twenty-four hours in Houston.
