Two suspects were arrested following a SWAT standoff in downtown Austin Thursday night.
Austin Police Department officers were attempting to serve a warrant at the Embassy Suites hotel in the 300 block of South Congress when one suspect barricaded themselves, prompting the SWAT response. The suspect subsequently surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.
On Thursday, the Austin Police Department provided an update following the completion of its review of the APD Sex Crimes Unit’s sexual assault cases.
“The primary goal of the annual case review is to continuously improve the quality of service, professionalism, victim sensitivity, and investigative thoroughness within the APD’s SCU. By understanding current practices and identifying areas for improvement, the department can enhance its response to sexual assault cases year after year.” — Austin Police Department
Stephon Martin Morson, accused of murder, has seen his bond reduced multiple times, leading to repeated releases and re-arrests. This pattern has raised concerns about the potential for his release while awaiting trial. The recent bond reduction adds to the controversy surrounding this case.
The Austin Police Department has released surveillance video showing two men suspected of shooting and killing a man near I-35 and Fourth Street.
As the legal process unfolds in the wake of the arrest of dozens of Tren de Aragua gang members in a raid Tuesday, the fallout is igniting sharp political division among Texas leaders and sparking calls for greater transparency.
Austin firefighters were called to a balcony fire just after midnight in northeast Austin.
Austin-Travis County EMS recently graduated a new class of recruits and the agency’s vacancy rate is at its lowest in years. (KXAN-TV)
A missing Llano man was found dead Wednesday morning after a search involving multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteer groups, the sheriff’s office said. (CBS Austin)
City officials on Thursday released at Austin’s “2024 Year In Review”.
“In 2024, we achieved significant milestones, such as strengthening public safety through a new police contract and improving operational efficiency with the approval of the City’s first two-year budget. We made progress in areas such as affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and transportation infrastructure — each playing a vital role in Austin’s continued growth. The accomplishments of the organization last year were extensive and truly deserving of recognition.” — T.C. Broadnax, Austin City Manager
A nonprofit organization that persuades landlords to rent homes to people living on the streets has begun operating in Austin. (KUT 90.5)
Celebrating a record-breaking March with 97 successful pet reunions, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is waiving all reunion fees this weekend. (CBS Austin)
LegalZoom has sold its Northwest Austin office building and surrounding property to the Round Rock Independent School District for about $38 million. (Austin Business Journal)
The South By Southwest YouTube channel this morning released dozens of videos from this year’s conference and festival.
Upcoming events in Austin…
Austin City Council is set to vote next week to amend the city’s property maintenance code, notably requiring all residences to have accessible air conditioning, as part of a broader revision of technical building codes. (Austin Monitor)
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Snow in Texas tonight? The Lubbock area is expecting 1-2 inches.
Many areas of the central U.S. experienced heavy rainfall, flooding and deadly storms Wednesday into Thursday. It’s a pattern that will continue today and into the weekend. (AccuWeather)
Seventeen named storms are predicted for the 2025 hurricane season that begins June 1.
The Texas House Public Education Committee is set to review new revisions to the school choice bill, which includes a proposed $1 billion spending cap for the first two years of the school voucher program.
The Texas Education Agency can now release 2023 A-F accountability ratings for schools.
A report published yesterday by the Associated Press, citing two unnamed sources, revealed that the U.S. Justice Department made a “quiet” decision months ago not to prosecute Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. This decision reportedly occurred in the final weeks of the Biden administration. (Austin American-Statesman)
Ken Paxton’s legal woes are lifting, clearing a path for a likely Senate run. (Texas Tribune)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Ysleta international crossing in El Paso recently intercepted approximately one-third of a pound of fentanyl. According to border officials, the narcotics were concealed in the rectum of a 41-year-old male U.S. citizen attempting to cross the border on foot. (Fox7 Austin)
State health officials are expected to release updated numbers on the Texas measles outbreak today.
Meanwhile, Harris County authorities are reporting their first documented case.
Cameron County in South Texas will lose some authority over the beach near the SpaceX launch site if a bill approved by the state Senate Thursday becomes law. (Texas Tribune)
A new bill introduced in the Texas legislature could fine museums $500,000 per day if they display “obscene” works of art, months after GOP officials sought to remove photographs involving nude children from a museum in Fort Worth. (Houston Chronicle)
WFAA-TV’s podcast Y’all-itics discusses the new National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington.
BORDER WATCH: March saw a big drop in migrant crossings along the Texas/Mexico border.
Gas prices in Texas are up.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The Texas Longhorns (23-4 overall and 8-1 in the SEC) begin a three-game series tonight hosting the Georgia Bulldogs. (Texas Longhorns)
MLB: Christian Walker and Jeremy Peña homered and Brendan Rodgers had three hits and three RBIs to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Astros and Twins take a break today and resume their weekend series tomorrow.
The Texas Rangers begin a three-game series at home against Tampa Bay tonight.
NBA: The Mavericks, Spurs and Rockets were idle last night but are back on the court tonight.
NBA: Jake Oettinger made 28 saves and the Dallas Stars beat the Nashville Predators 5-1 on Thursday night for their seventh straight victory. (Yahoo! Sports)
Up for some BBQ?
Today we’re visiting Mesquite Wood Steakhouse in Kennedy, Texas.
