Travis County Republican Party chair Matt Mackowiak announced Monday that he would be stepping down immediately from his leadership position.
“There is a season for everything, and this past weekend my wife Amy and I decided that our most important goals are starting a family and creating financial security.” — Matt Mackowiak
As party chair, Mackowiak raised $1.75 million during his tenure, increasing the party’s budget from $40,000 to $300,000. He has also heralded for gains made among Republicans in Central Texas despite Travis County being heavily Democratic.
Texas PTA members, alongside students and legislators, rallied at the state capitol Monday, demanding more public school funding and demonstrating strong opposition to school vouchers, with marching bands and cheerleaders adding to the energetic atmosphere.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, however, isn’t looking to budge on the issue.
Photo gallery from Monday’s rally. (Austin American-Statesman)
Leander police say they are investigating two threats made against Wiley Middle School on Sunday. (Fox7 Austin)
A rapidly escalating measles outbreak, originating in West Texas, has reached a critical point with 90 confirmed cases and over 16 hospitalizations with the virus now detected in Hays County, including San Marcos and Texas State University. Health officials warn this is the worst outbreak in decades.
Austin Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated.
Students at Texas State react to the exposure at their campus.
An update on the measles outbreak and possible exposure from Texas health officials is expected today.
A Central Texas nonprofit dedicated to affordable housing and healthcare is facing significant financial challenges in the wake of President Trump’s cuts to federal grants.
Mass layoffs at the Internal Revenue Service include some here in Central Texas.
Central Texans who work for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System are also feeling the effects.
Austin’s proposed $1.4 billion general fund for 2025, largely derived from property taxes, includes allocations of 36% to the police department, 18% to the fire department, and 10% to EMS. On Monday, residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on these proposed spending priorities. (CBS Austin)
The Texas Lottery remains under scrutiny and calls for change by state lawmakers after recent huge jackpot wins on tickets sold via “courier” services online.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has even called in the Texas Rangers to investigate.
Clark Smith, the lottery agency’s commissioner, stepped down from his position Friday. (Texas Tribune)
Received a text like this recently?
It’s a scam.
Police in Round Rock are warning residents of a different scam:
Kyle Municipal Court is providing an opportunity to resolve unpaid citations, warrant fees, and clear active warrants through its warrant amnesty program.
The death of a man found Sunday in eastern Travis County is under a “suspicious” investigation by authorities.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 9700 block of Bitting School Road, south of Littig Road, after a body was reported at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Police have arrested and charged a second individual in connection with the death of a 17-year-old, which they believe stemmed from a drug deal that escalated into an attempted robbery in a parking garage near The Domain last year, according to police and court documents. (KXAN-TV)
Capital Area Crime Stoppers announced the arrest of a wanted suspect.
The city of Austin is in the early stages of upzoning the neighborhood just west of the University of Texas to allow for even taller buildings. (Austin Business Journal)
Officials in Williamson County battled a blaze in Florence that affected traffic for a while.
A prescribed burn is planned for today at the Barton Creek Habitat Reserve.
According to a CoreLogic Wildfire Risk Report conducted in 2024, Austin ranks fifth in the nation for cities most at risk for wildfires. The top four cities are all located in California. (Austin Monitor)
During last week’s cold snap here in Central Texas, eleven people were hospitalized and nearly two thousand homeless residents sought shelter.
WEATHER
Grab your disco shoes and wear your flashiest bell bottoms because, apparently, it’s 70s Week!
5-DAY FORECAST /AUSTIN, TEXAS
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and special agents assisted Homeland Security Investigations with an operation in Colony Ridge Monday morning, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on social media.
The governor said the initiative aims to apprehend “criminals & illegal immigrants” in the Liberty County housing development. (KVUE-TV)
Sources tell ABC News the Trump administration is telling immigration agents to track down unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working in the El Paso area seized a variety of items last week, one of which was among the most notable seizures recorded by CBP officers. (Fox7 Austin)
A 35-year-old McAllen resident has confessed to aiming a laser at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter. (My Texas Daily)
A Texas Senator wants to extend a ban on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 schools in Texas. The bills suggest school districts which fail to comply could lose out on funding, but neither specify how that would happen.
A San Antonio TV station has reportedly let go of some of its employees. (MySanAntonio)
Costco will open its newest stores in the Lone Star State in Prosper and Weatherford on March 14 and 15, respectively. (Austin American-Statesman)
A jury has convicted the first female sexually violent predator in Texas history.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared deeply split over a Texas death row inmate’s appeal for DNA testing, which he argues would exonerate him in the murder of an elderly woman during a robbery. (The Texas Tribune)
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Texas defense held Georgia to single digits for three of the four quarters as they picked up their thirteenth Southeastern Conference victory with a 57-26 win over Georgia on Monday. (Texas Longhorns)
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer after the win:
The Longhorns are atop the Top 25 Women’s Basketball Poll.
Milos Uzan scored a career-high 22 points and No. 4 Houston clinched at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title with a 69-61 victory over 10th-ranked Texas Tech on Monday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
NBA: All three Texas NBA teams had the day off Monday but are back in action tonight.
The Houston Rockets host Milwaukee…the San Antonio Spurs travel to Milwaukee…and the Dallas Mavericks travel to Los Angeles to face former teammate Luka Dončić and the Lakers. (Yahoo! Sports)
A restaurant in Dallas is holding a watch party for still-brokenhearted Mavs fans.
NHL: The Dallas Stars are on the road tonight in Columbus. (Yahoo! Sports)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Terry Joseph, the Longhorns’ defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach, is taking a similar role with the New Orleans Saints. He joined the Longhorns’ staff in 2021 after spending three seasons at Notre Dame.
Former Texas defense backs coach Duane Akina will return to the Forty Acres. Akina was with Texas for over a decade in the early 2000s.
Barton Creek was mentioned earlier in the news.
PBS’ Texas Parks & Wildlife looks at Shield Ranch, which lies in the Barton Creek watershed near Austin, a region of Central Texas experiencing massive and explosive growth. Here, an historic ranching family has taken steps to forever protect their wild land, providing access to nature for youth and many others.
