“I’ve gone through frustration and being sad and stressed. And now I’m just angry.” — Unidentified winner of the $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot on Feb. 17.
The winner of the $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot from the Feb. 17 drawing was denied her prize Tuesday due to an ongoing investigation into the use of third-party lottery ticket apps. She purchased her winning ticket via such an app and, speaking anonymously, maintains she acted legally. The Texas Rangers are investigating the legality of these app-based ticket sales, which is causing the delay.
Four days after it began, authorities in Gillespie County finally have a firm handle on the nearly 10,000-acre Crabapple Fire.
A RED FLAD WARNING is back in effect today for Central Texas.
To address communication failures during emergencies, exacerbated by recent wildfires, a Texas lawmaker is proposing a statewide network connecting all first responders and government agencies. (Texas Tribune)
More on the risk of wildfires and the extended forecast can be found further down this page in WEATHER.
A motorcyclist is dead after a crash on I-35 Tuesday evening.
The Kyle Police Department provided an update on a fatal accident there early Tuesday morning.
The five victims of last week’s fatal 18-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in North Austin were identified on Tuesday. (Austin American-Statesman)
Authorities have released more information about a fatal car accident last week in North Austin.
Austin police have also released more information about the homicide/car wreck that occurred early Sunday morning on I-35.
The victim’s family is speaking out.
Body cam video has been released of an arrest on 6th Street two weeks ago. The arrest was the subject of a review for the use of excessive force but it was found to have been within the law.
A popular club on 4th Street says it was mistakenly shut down by city offcials.
Austin police officer Alejandro Gaitan received a plea deal, approved by a state district judge on Tuesday, regarding his 2021 excessive force arrest of Carvius Jackson. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin firefighters continue to respond to a high number of grass, trash and brush fires around the city.
Williamson County officials report a recent fentanyl overdose death.
Pflugerville police are looking for a missing woman.
Ending years of speculation, Google announced Tuesday its move into the 804,000-square-foot, 35-story “sail” tower on West Second Street. The move is set for later this year. (KVUE-TV)
Charles Heimsath, Austin’s longtime real estate soothsayer and who helped steer some of Austin’s most influential civic groups, has died. (Austin Business Journal)
Austin’s first poet laureate has been named. (Community Impact)
Upgrades to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard are being looked at.
The city of Austin is in the process of revisiting its rules surrounding electric scooters and e-bikes — and wants community input into how its micromobility program looks moving forward. (KXAN-TV)
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
State health officials gave the latest numbers on the measles outbreak in the state.
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate advanced two bills promoting religion in public schools: one allowing time for in-school prayer, and another requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom.
Following a six-week federal funding freeze that severely impacted Texas refugee services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released $47 million to the state’s refugee services provider on Monday but the program’s fate is still uncertain. (Austin-American Statesman)
The state of Texas collected information on transgender residents who have changed the sex listed on their identification documents…but they won’t say why. (KUT 90.5)
Texas has the third-largest Asian American population in the United States, with Chinese making up the largest group. (Voice Of America)
Texas lawmakers are pushing for a statewide ban on student cellphone use during school hours, responding to educators’ concerns about classroom distractions. (Texas Tribune)
It’s the five year anniversary of COVID, and Texas is facing measles, avian flu and increased vaccine hesitancy. What have we learned?
Two smugglers were found guilty Tuesday in the 2022 San Antonio tragedy where 53 immigrants died in a sweltering, airless tractor-trailer. The incident, following a two-week trial, was the deadliest U.S.-Mexico border smuggling attempt on record.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asked the Small Business Administration to issue a disaster declaration for areas in South Texas affected by Sinton’s Welder Fire.
Will Texas eventually legalize sports betting?
Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has filed Senate Joint Resolution 16, proposing legal sports betting and casino gambling in Texas. The resolution would also establish the Texas Gaming Commission to regulate gambling activities. (KUT 90.5)
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Texas and Xavier square off in the NCAA Tournament First Four round tonight.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has filled out his March Madness bracket and he’s going with…no surprise…the Houston Cougars.
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The No. 8 Texas baseball team had its 17-game winning streak snapped by UTSA, falling to the Roadrunners, 8-7 in 12 innings, Tuesday evening at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
The game lasted 4 hours and 46 minutes.
Texas (17-2) picked up its first loss since Feb. 14, ending its longest winning streak since 2010.
It will be back to SEC play this weekend as Texas hosts LSU for a three-game series.
(Texas Longhorns)
NBA: The Rockets, Mavericks and Spurs all had the night off last night but are back in action tonight.
NHL: Mikael Granlund’s second goal of the game 2:32 into overtime gave him 600 career points and lifted the Dallas Stars to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The vernal equinox, or the first day of spring, is tomorrow.
Did you know there’s a town in Texas named Spring?
