The Austin Justice Coalition is criticizing the City of Austin and the Austin Police Department, accusing them of “perpetuating a culture that protects violent behavior, suppresses transparency, and delays desperately needed reform.” This statement was released as the civil trial over the 2021 police killing of Alex Gonzales began this week. The AJC’s criticism is further fueled by a recently released internal APD memo that recommends suspending all public reporting of use-of-force data.
“Alex Gonzales, Jr. should still be alive with his family and raising his child.” — Austin Justice Coalition
The Austin Justice Coalition described the Gonzales trial as “a mirror held up to [Austin’s] broken legal systems.” They argued that the very “systemic failures that led to Gonzalez’s death” are what the Austin Police Department is trying to hide by allegedly suspending public use-of-force data reporting.
APD Chief Lisa Davis, who has held the job for less than a year, has explicitly said she wants to improve how APD investigates use of force incidents.
The trial could run as long as two weeks.
Three people were injured late Wednesday, two seriously, in a multi-vehicle accident in northeast Austin.
Austin police have released an image of a person of interest connected to the June 22 homicide investigation of 29-year-old Keaton Delcore, who was found stabbed behind a gas station at Wickersham Lane and Riverside Drive.
Police asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a cyclist in South Austin last month.
A suspect is still being sought in connection to a liquor store robbery last week.
Social media influencer Brian “Liver King” Johnson has been released from jail after he was arrested by the Austin Police Department Tuesday evening.
Georgetown City Council members have approved new ordinances related to homelessness, including a ban on people sitting, lying down or sleeping in public spaces downtown. (KUT 90.5)
Austin-based dating app Bumble announced on Wednesday that it’s laying off 30% of its workforce, impacting around 240 positions. The layoffs will save the company an estimated $40 million a year.
The Pflugerville City Council on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a special land permit that will allow for the construction of new warehouse and office spaces that could benefit small business owners in the city. (Austin American-Statesman)
The Bastrop City Council on Tuesday approved a $2.4 million contract to rehabilitate two of the city’s wastewater treatment plants, allowing City Manager Sylvia Carrillo to negotiate the rate the contractor would pay if it doesn’t meet the project’s deadline. (Austin American-Statesman)
A community college and activist organizations are working to restore Texas’ in-state tuition benefits for undocumented students after a recent legal settlement eliminated the program.
Austin Community College, La Unión del Pueblo Entero (a Rio Grande Valley advocacy organization focused on low-income communities), and Oscar Silva, a University of North Texas student, have petitioned the court for permission to join the ongoing legal proceedings.
Legal representation for the groups comes from multiple advocacy organizations, including ACLU Texas and Democracy Forward.
The federal government filed suit against Texas on June 4, arguing that the state’s Dream Act violated federal law. The Dream Act had previously enabled undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates when they met specific requirements. (FOX 7 Austin)
Another change is coming to to South by Southwest (SXSW) in 2026.
As was announced in March, the 2026 festival will be two days shorter and is scheduled to take place from Thursday, March 12, to Wednesday, March 18, cutting the second weekend, which includes music events.
The Parks and Recreation Board on Monday recommended city approval of a vendor to operate Zilker Café, the long-vacant concession stand located steps from Barton Springs Pool. (Austin Monitor)
A massive plume of Saharan dust has spread across the Atlantic, stretching from the coast of West Africa to the eastern Caribbean. The highest concentration of dust is currently over the eastern Caribbean, and strong trade winds are expected to push the cloud into the Gulf of Mexico and eventually over Texas.
WEATHER
The weather pattern we’ve been seeing the past few days will continue today with warm and humid conditions and the possibility of a stray thunderstorm.
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A new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll finds approval of President Donald Trump’s job performance falling into net-negative territory for the first time in his second term, with 44% approving and 51% disapproving, tied for the highest negative job approval rating ever recorded for Trump in University of Texas polling.
The poll also covered Texans satisfaction with the direction of the Lone Star State and their opinion on the banning of THC products.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that restructures how school districts are allowed to purchase or keep books for their libraries, vesting power instead with school boards or an advisory committee.
A young Texas man is behind bars without bail after reportedly using an online gaming platform – popular among iPad kids across the country – to plan a terrorist attack at a Christian concert, according to federal court records in Texas, (My San Antonio)
A Houston family is suing the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, alleging the nonprofit refused to perform contracted religious services for a gay Muslim man on the day he was buried. (Chron)
The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its investigation into Epic City, a proposed Muslim-centered development in Collin County. The project’s attorney called the decision a victory and criticized political interference. If approved, the 400-acre community will move forward in Josephine.
An investigation found Houston police using a surveillance tool, meant to deter crime, like a search engine. (Texas Standard)
Meanwhile, the ACLU is criticizing Dallas’s facial recognition rules as less strict than other cities, expressing worry that current safeguards are inadequate.
(Episode from June 25, 2025)
SPORTS
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Rangers are off today.
Paddle the beautiful Guadalupe River in Spring Branch, Texas! This isn’t your typical party float — it’s a peaceful, scenic adventure through the Texas Hill Country.
