A second body has been found at the University of Texas at Austin within a week, prompting an ongoing investigation. The discovery occurred overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
A body was found at the university’s Perry-Castaneda Library on April 5 after a reported medical emergency.
Dobie Middle School is underperforming, parents fear it could close.
Austin ISD held a board meeting Thursday night to discuss the school as well as other topics.
At the same time, protests took place over the principal’s recent resignation at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Demonstrations of support for Nicole Griffith took place, including an off-campus gathering and a student walkout. The school and district cited legal restrictions in withholding details regarding her resignation.
Austin City Council tackled another busy agenda at its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday.
Among the topics discussed: safety on 6th Street, a change in residential building codes, housing and air conditioning requirements and expanding the area’s wildfire risk zone.
Video of yesterday’s meeting can be viewed here.
On Thursday, federal investigators released a preliminary report regarding the multi-vehicle crash on I-35 that left five dead last month.
Authorities in Hays County uncovered a car theft ring involving forged VIN numbers.
Law enforcement in Leander is requesting security footage after an attempted kidnapping incident on April 2 at the Lakeline Apartments.
Tesla’s plan for a big public park next to its gigafactory is being greeted with skepticism.
Tesla included designs for a “riverfront eco-park” in a recent report to Travis County, complete with illustrations of well-populated hike-and-bike trails and a boardwalk. But some area residents and representatives of community groups say they lack confidence the company will go through with the project. (Austin Business Journal)
Despite anticipating potential capacity reductions due to a softening economy and its impact on travel demand, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is launching new flights this month. (Austin Monitor)
Travis County appraisal notices are on their way to property owners.
On average, the median market value for single-family properties with a homestead exemption in Travis County is $519,677, down 3.4% from $537,965 last year. (Austin American-Statesman)
Residents in Burnet are rallying against a proposed rock-crushing quarry near Camp Longhorn, a long-standing summer camp near Lake Inks.
Will Austin-San Antonio become the next “Dallas-Fort Worth”? (Fox7 Austin)
Work on the 5-way intersection of East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Springdale Road, and Heflin Lane is set to start during the summer, according to the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. (CBS Austin)
In a unanimous first reading vote, the Bastrop City Council approved an ordinance earlier this week mandating pet microchipping and city registration for all pet owners within city limits. (Austin American-Statesman)
The gas service at Ruth Barron Elementary School in Pflugerville is being inspected after a series of gas leaks caused disruptions to classes. (CBS Austin)
Longtime businesses on Barton Springs Road in Austin are struggling to stay open.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A wildfire along the Texas coast had firefighters there busy Thursday.
The Texas House approved a $337 billion budget for the next two years on a 118-26 vote yesterday after a marathon session.
With less than two months to go, the Texas House has passed only 16 bills this session. Why? (KUT 90.5)
The Texas Senate has passed an anti-squatter bill aimed at stopping people from living on property they don’t own or rent without permission. (Fox7 Austin)
A new study says Texas is one of the worst states for children’s health care. (Austin American-Statesman)
A lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could end special needs students’ rights to accommodations in the classroom.
A bill introduced Thursday could help bring the Space Shuttle Discovery back home to Texas. (Space.com)
The Boerne Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own.
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Former Texas WR Isaiah Bond turned himself in to the Frisco Police Department for a sexual assault warrant.
Meanwhile, former Longhorn Xavier Worthy and his ex-fiancée are ending their legal battle.
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The Texas Longhorns (27-4 overall, 11-1 SEC) are in Lexington this weekend for a series against SEC foe Kentucky. (Texas Longhorns)
A new Longhorns logo?
MLB: The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros has Thursday off and resume play tonight.
What type of team are the Astros through 12 games?
NBA: Dallas, San Antonio and Houston did not play last night but return the court tonight.
NHL: Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24 shots for his single-season franchise record 45th win and NHL-leading eighth shutout, and the Winnipeg Jets moved closer to the top seed in the Western Conference with a 4-0 win over the second-place Dallas Stars on Thursday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Julie Mattox transformed an overgrazed dairy farm into a tallgrass prairie. But instead of getting rid of the cows, she uses them as a tool to restore the prairie ecosystem. Now it’s a haven for migratory birds, but it’s also an outdoor classroom where children learn about the prairie ecosystem and the wonders of nature.
