“The demand’s there, and it’s being given to adults who don’t know their vaccine status. It’s being given early to children before the recommended schedule now because of the outbreak.” — Angela Solis, director of clinical services at Lamar Plaza Drug Store
A significant measles outbreak in West Texas, with 198 confirmed cases, has triggered a surge in demand for the MMR vaccine across the state. This increased demand is straining vaccine supplies, leading to shortages in some Texas cities. In Austin, pharmacies are actively working to address the sudden spike in requests.
Can you get measles if you’re vaccinated?
Officials are concerned about spring break vacationers…
A measles outbreak that began in January in West Texas has grown to include more than 150 cases in nine counties. As of last week, 94 percent of cases are in six counties: Dawson, Gaines, Lynn, Martin, Terry, and Yoakum, while those counties account for less than one percent of the state’s total population.
Updated numbers on cases in Texas are due from state officials later today.
Meanwhile, authorities are trying to combat false claims online that the measles outbreak was caused by former President Joe Biden’s border policies. (Austin American-Statesman)
Elgin police responded to a shooting early this morning.
Austin police are investigating the cause of a car crash on North Lamar Boulevard that sent a police officer to the hospital Monday night.
Two dogs were rescued from a fire early this morning.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas is suspending its refugee resettlement program and laying off 30 employees across Central Texas due to federal funding cuts.
Demonstrating widespread support, hundreds of current and former public school employees rallied for the Educators’ Bill of Rights at the State Capitol Monday. The event, organized by Texas AFT, brought together K-12 educators, college professors, and students. (Fox7 Austin)
A significant water main break caused an outage for some Austin Water customers in northwest Austin last night. The 42-inch break occurred near the intersection of MoPac Expressway and Spicewood Springs Road. (KVUE-TV)
Two men are dead, and a woman was critically injured after a shooting early Monday morning in Pflugerville.
A man was sentenced to 65 years in prison for the 2023 killing of Keith Bedford, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Officials in Hays County are looking for a suspect in the recent theft of farming equipment.
Travis County officials over the weekend celebrated the opening of a new Fire/EMS station.
Construction is underway on Bastrop ISD’s new police and operations building. (KVUE-TV)
After an increase in calls, Austin’s 911 mental health response team will soon operate around the clock thanks to a recent budget increase. (KUT 90.5)
An Austin-based developer is nearing an incentives agreement for a 60-acre mixed-use development in Elgin that could bring 350,000 square feet of much-needed retail to the city amid its residential boom.
Developers hope to lure a hotel, grocery store, entertainment and big-box retail to the site along U.S. Highway 290. (Austin Business Journal)
A 30-year-old Illinois man was arrested Monday after allegedly stealing an ambulance in Milam County and leading law enforcement on a brief chase. (CBS Austin)
Some business owners downtown say new the parking changes on 6th Street are causing major issues. (KVUE-TV)
Two lanes on the southbound MoPac Expressway frontage road in northwest Austin will be closed for the next several days as crews work to repair a waterline.
Attendees at SXSW got a look at the premiere of a new HBO documentary series that delves into Austin’s tragic Yogurt Shop Murders in 1991.
South By Southwest continues…
A SXSW panel discussion on the national housing crisis and how Austin is responding was held Monday and Mayor Kirk Watson was part of it. (Austin Monitor)
Innovative tech that could change the lives of Texans is on display at the Austin Convention Center.
Between actors, producers, music artists, influencers and podcasters, several big names have been spotted around SXSW 2025 in Austin. Here’s a photo gallery. (Austin American-Statesman)
Film lovers waited hours to step inside Criterion’s mobile closet during SXSW. (KUT 90.5)
The music portion of SXSW begins…
SXSW attendees in Austin say they’re feeling safe in the city.
Why is Barton Springs Pool closed during SXSW for its annual cleaning? Because officials say pool attendance in previous years dropped during the event.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
An outbreak of strong storms is possible tomorrow for the eastern part of Texas.
Cleanup continues in Ellis County after severe weather caused damage over the weekend.
Wednesday will bring a higher risk of wildfires in the ATX.
A live virtual town hall will be held by Bee Cave officials tomorrow to discuss fire safety and wildfire prevention.
The current wildfire situation in Texas according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
Despite a five-year-old FDA ban intended to curb underage vaping, flavored vape products remain readily available in Central Texas stores. (Austin American-Statesman)
Is a total ban on THC products in Texas coming? Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller weighs in.
A coalition of lottery couriers released a statement Monday in support of a Texas Senate bill that aims to prevent bulk sales of lotto tickets. (KXAN-TV)
Local officials and farmers in South Texas traveled to the Capitol Monday to ask lawmakers to get involved with holding Mexico accountable to an 80-year-old treaty that provides water to the region. (KXAN-TV)
The Texas House Public Education Committee is hosting a hearing on its school voucher legislation today. (CBS Austin)
Will Texas criminalize memes?
The latest on what to expect this week at the Legislature…
The DEA made a major drug bust near the southern border, seizing nearly $5 million worth of meth. (Fox7 Austin)
One of Texas’ Ten Most Wanted was recently captured.
The Kendall County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file criminal charges regarding the fatal bleacher collapse at last year’s Kendall County Fair rodeo, which resulted in the death of 79-year-old Vera Asher Smith and injuries to several others. (Texas Public Radio)
A middle school student in Killeen was stabbed and killed by a classmate.
Big Lots locations across the U.S. have been acquired by Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, including nine locations across Texas in New Braunfels, Kerrville, Victoria, Odessa, Midland, Lufkin, El Paso, Cleburne and Brownwood. (My San Antonio)
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns host UT Arlington this evening at 6:30 p.m. (Texas Longhorns)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Some changes are coming to Texas football spring practices.
NBA: Spencer Dinwiddie scored 28 points, and the depleted Dallas Mavericks stopped a five-game slide by edging the San Antonio Spurs 133-129 on Monday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jabari Smith Jr. had 20 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers, helping the Houston Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 97-84 on Monday night for their third consecutive victory. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Spurs, Mavericks and Rockets are all idle tonight.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: College basketball’s biggest prize wrapped up its tour across Texas in Austin. The Final Four takes place in San Antonio.
The latest episode of Texas Country Reporter visits Store House in Bastrop where Sonya Cote & David Barrow are doing farm-to-table literally right down the road from one another, in a building with a rich history.
A visit to Houston where a group of friends’ attempt to spend time together morphed into a full-fledged pinball museum and private club.
And…a visit to Uvalde where Albert Martinez’s Mariachi Los Lobos is showing how just a little bit of effort can go a long way and lifelong passions can be found in surprising places.
