A bill that would ban all products containing THC received initial approval from the Texas House late Wednesday, likely signaling the end of the state’s nascent hemp industry. If signed into law by the governor, the legislation would impose a penalty of up to a year in jail for adults possessing hemp products with any amount of THC. This is a stricter penalty than the current one for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana.
“It’s poisoning our children…and we must ban THC. We can’t regulate it. We don’t have enough police to check every store…all 5,000 of them…” — Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
Reaction online from advocates for THC legalization was swift…
Recent polling on the issue…
On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, impacting over 100 flights. This action was attributed to ongoing staffing shortages within the airport’s air traffic control tower, reflecting a broader national strain on the air traffic control system.
A trailer at a mobile home park caught fire early this morning in Del Valle. No injuries have been reported. (KVUE-TV)
A police pursuit ended with a crash in downtown Austin on Wednesday morning.
Austin police released more information about two recent fatal car accidents.
Authorities in Hays County are asking for the public’s help in locating stolen equipment.
An Austin man was sentenced to 12 years in prison roughly a year and a half after a standoff with police in 2023. (CBS Austin)
A man in Hays County was sentenced to serve nearly three centuries in prison Monday after being convicted on seven charges related to child sex crimes. (KXAN-TV)
A deadly shooting during a Round Rock Juneteenth event last year was likely part of a “ongoing violent feud” between two gangs “that had been going on years before the Juneteenth shooting and inevitably led up to the Juneteenth shooting,” according to an arrest affidavit. The shooting began as a confrontation over a “rap diss”.
Capital Area Crime Stoppers announced the capture of one fugitive while seeking another.
Austin City Council meets today and on its agenda is a vote on a new plan for the I-35 “Cap-and-Stitch” project through downtown.
Among the other items on today’s agenda…
The United States Postal Service has finalized its decision to close its East Austin station, located at 1914 East Sixth Street, and move operations to a new facility at 3112 Manor Road. This relocation, approximately three miles from the current site, follows a 30-day community feedback period. (KXAN-TV)
A semiconductor supplier has commenced a $25 million expansion of its South Austin facility. This initial phase is part of a larger, three-phased project, projected to exceed $100 million, designed to address the increasing demands of the Central Texas semiconductor industry. (Austin Business Journal)
What’s the history of segregation at Barton Springs Pool?
Listen to the podcast from ATX Explained…
WEATHER
Authorities are investigating the death of George “King George” Coulam, the owner of the Texas Renaissance Festival at his home in Todd Mission.
More than five years after a jury convicted him of carrying out a $325 million health care fraud scheme over the course of nearly two decades, a South Texas rheumatologist was sentenced to a total of ten years in federal prison. (Click2Houston)
Texas saw the country’s second lowest turnout in the 2024 presidential election, according to new Census Bureau estimates. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Texas House and Senate lawmakers are nearing a deal on an $8.5 billion public school funding package. This agreement would include the Senate’s proposed $55 per-student increase to districts’ base funding, while also allocating over $1 billion to help schools cover fixed costs like utilities and transportation. (Texas Public Radio)
The Texas House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a bill mandating that public schools educate students about the dangers of communism. The 112-20 vote followed a spirited debate, primarily focused on the bill’s omission of teachings on the harms of fascism and Nazism. (Texas Tribune)
A bill aimed at clarifying when doctors can perform emergency abortions passed the Texas House in a 129-6 vote Wednesday. Senate Bill 31 now needs one more procedural vote before it heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. (Texas Public Radio)
Texas House members on Wednesday set aside $12 billion to reimburse states for efforts to enforce immigration laws since the day of former President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. (Texas Tribune)
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC defeated in-state rivals Houston Dynamo FC in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium, advancing to the tournament’s Quarterfinal Round with a 3-1 win. (Austin FC)
NHL PLAYOFFS: The Dallas Stars took full advantage of their opportunities in the third period of Game 1 of the Western Conference Series, with three power-play goals in a game-turning 5:26 span on way to a 6-3 victory Wednesday night, a year after going 0 for 14 in six playoff games against the Oilers. (Yahoo! Sports)
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The Tennessee Volunteers advanced to the quarterfinal round after yesterday’s big win over the Alabama Crimson Tide and will now face the Texas Longhorns this afternoon in Hoover, Alabama.
First pitch today is at 3:00 p.m.
MLB: Both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers lost last night.
The Rangers finish their series in New York this afternoon while the Astros return home to host Seattle this evening.
The Daytripper is headed to Katy.
