Steps to overhaul a program meant to address affordable housing and approval of more than $15 million dollars in contracts to artists for projects related to the expansion of the airport were just two of the actions taken covering more than 100 items on Thursday’s agenda for the meeting of the Austin City Council. (KVUE-TV & CBS Austin)
The city has ended its ALPR program.
Video of yesterday’s City Council meeting can be viewed here.
A comprehensive rundown of actions taken by the City Council yesterday:
Reports of a fatal accident early this morning out of San Marcos.
Police in Taylor say a pedestrian was struck and killed there Thursday.
An 18-wheeler hit a bridge on I-35 in Georgetown Thursday evening.
Northwest of the city, in Spicewood Springs, a major collision on State Highway 71 Thursday briefly shutdown that roadway.
Three lanes of US 183 South will be closed this weekend.
The Austin Police Department confirmed that a man was found dead outside the Menchaca Road Branch Austin Public Library Thursday morning. No foul play is suspected. (CBS Austin)
While Austin is ending its Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) program. officials in Grimes County are just beginning such an effort.
Authorities in Caldwell County made two arrests at a home known for drug activity during a SWAT call.
Former Austin Police Officer Brian Yarger faces charges of assault causing bodily injury and official oppression in three separate cases, according to Travis County Court documents filed this week. Both are misdemeanor charges.
Austin police released more information about a fatal wreck last week in South Austin.
Two people were injured and multiple vehicles were damaged after several teens reportedly threw frozen water bottles from vehicles in Leander.
Austin ISD is beginning early planning for a school consolidation process that could result in campus closures starting in the 2026–27 school year. (CBS Austin)
Thanks to a new health safety inspection program, Austin food trucks will no longer have to move trailers for health and safety inspections. (KUT 90.5)
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) has received federal approval to extend the deadline for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp, recipients in Travis County to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed by last week’s severe weather. (KVUE-TV)
WEATHER
Current Texas drought monitor…
State Rep. James Talarico, of Austin and a former schoolteacher who often goes viral on social media for his feisty exchanges with Republicans, told Hearst Newspapers he is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2026. (Chron)
Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones announced Monday her campaign for Congress, seeking to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death earlier this year. (KXAN-TV)
Dallas U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett — a rising star within the Democratic Party — is jumping into the crowded race for her party’s top post on the House Oversight Committee. (Texas Tribune)
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson said dozens of names were sent to the state’s attorney general’s office for investigation into whether they voted as noncitizens during the November 2024 general election. (Fox7 Austin)
Gov. Greg Abbott signed several bills into law on Thursday that aim to crack down on the theft of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. (KVUE-TV)
King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss was shot and killed outside his San Antonio home, leading to a neighbor’s arrest and a police PR scandal as investigators explore potential hate crime links and a history of neighborhood disputes.
San Antonio police walked back a statement from earlier this week that said the killing of Jonathan Joss showed no evidence of being a hate crime or related to his sexual orientation. (Texas Public Radio)
An inmate at a Beaumont prison is dead, and three others are injured following a fight, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
A 21-year-old Peruvian woman was acquitted by a federal jury and judge on Thursday of illegally entering a national defense area. The woman had crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico into Texas last month. Lawyers note this is the first such trial since the Trump administration designated parts of the border as a military zone. (Texas Tribune)
Texans and park advocates are speaking out against the National Park Service’s decision to shut down one of Big Bend National Park‘s most popular areas for construction, calling it poorly timed, overly broad, and potentially harmful to local businesses. (Chron)
Hooters has abruptly closed dozens of locations just a few months after the chicken wing chain filed for bankruptcy.
Three locations in Texas are affected.
Texas-based Buc-ee’s is taking a South Carolina-based apparel brand to court over the use of its trademarked beaver logo. (My San Antonio)
A Texas law pending Governor Greg Abbott’s signature could make traveling between Texas cities easier for food truck owners by establishing a single statewide health permit.
SPORTS
COLLEGE SOFTBALL: The University of Texas softball program was in prime position to display to the world its Texas Fight, but Leighann Goode, representing the game-tying run, was stranded at third base as the Longhorns dropped Thursday night’s contest to Texas Tech, 4-3.
Texas (55-12) and Texas Tech (54-13) will play a decisive Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series this evening at 7 p.m. CDT
MLB: Good things come to those who wait.
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings, Isaac Paredes homered twice, and the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 after a lengthy rain delay on Thursday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Texas Rangers, meanwhile, are struggling to get a winning streak going.
Taylor Walls hit a two-run single to second baseman Marcus Semien in the ninth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Thursday night. Texas is now five games below .500. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Rangers head to the nation’s capital tonight while the Astros begin a weekend series in Cleveland.
Along Interstate 20, in Taylor and Jones counties, sits Abilene, Texas.
Immortalized in song…
Let’s go!
