APD Welcomes 38 New Officers to the Force
The Austin Police Department celebrated the graduation of 38 new officers on Friday, as the 155th Cadet Class completed their commissioning ceremony at Greater Mt. Zion Church.
The new officers successfully completed an intensive 32-week training program that began in late April.
Their curriculum covered essential law enforcement skills including legal issues, crisis intervention, community policing, defensive tactics, physical fitness, and driving techniques. Chief of Police Lisa Davis administered the oath of office during the ceremony, while various awards were presented to recognize individual cadet achievements.
This graduation represents a significant milestone for the department, which has been working to rebuild its force after years of staffing challenges. The Austin Police Department has struggled with high attrition rates and recruitment difficulties in recent years, with hundreds of positions remaining vacant across the force.
The 32-week academy pushes cadets through both mental and physical challenges. Trainees must maintain an 80% average across all exams and physical fitness tests to graduate. The rigorous program includes classroom instruction, hands-on training, and scenario-based exercises designed to prepare officers for real-world situations they’ll encounter on Austin’s streets.
Chief Davis, who took over leadership of the department earlier this year, emphasized the quality of training that Austin’s academy provides. The department has undergone significant reforms in recent years, shifting toward a curriculum that emphasizes de-escalation tactics and community engagement over traditional paramilitary-style training.
The 38 graduates will now move forward to complete field training with experienced officers before beginning independent patrol duties. Their addition brings the department one step closer to its staffing goals, though challenges remain in filling the hundreds of positions still vacant.
Austin Police Oversight, the city agency formally known as the Office of Police Oversight, hasn’t faced public questioning from council members in more than two years despite annual presentations being required under the Austin Police Oversight Act. (Austin American-Statesman)
Two bystanders injured when Austin police opened fire on a crowded downtown street have filed lawsuits against the city, police department and a nightclub. (CBS Austin)
A helicopter was shot from below by a high-powered firearm in Bastrop County last month, officials said Friday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is joining the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office in the search for the person responsible.
San Marcos police arrested a man who attempted to kidnap two adult women, the first attempt happened at the San Marcos City Cemetery.
A man was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty to stabbing a Palestinian American student near the UT campus.
A jury convicted a man of indecency with a child by exposure on Dec. 4, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday. (KVUE-TV)
This week’s Crime Watch from FOX 7 Austin:
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will become a Southwest Airlines crew base starting in March.
We were honored to host @austintexasgov City Manager Broadnax, Governor @GregAbbott_TX, Mayor @KirkPWatson & @SouthwestAir’s Bob Jordan to announce AUS as the newest Southwest Crew Base!
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AustinAirport) December 12, 2025
📰https://t.co/CNlx9cPeSv
📸 : Office of Governor Abbott pic.twitter.com/WaQvMi14AT
Leander Independent School District trustees will meet December 17 to vote on potential school consolidations as the district faces a $12.8 million budget deficit.
A decision on whether three Austin public schools will become in-district charter schools could come as early as January, according to district leaders. (KXAN-TV)
Austin fire officials have determined that a massive three-alarm blaze Thursday at an apartment complex in North Austin was accidental.
Meanwhile, the City of Austin and the Austin Firefighters Association say they may finally be seeing eye to eye on a new labor contract. Both sides are expected to vote on the proposed agreement next week. (KVUE-TV)
The family owned El Mercado cantina, a South Austin staple since 1985, announced it has sold the restaurant and will be remodeled and reopened under a new name and ownership.
Austin City Council authorized a contract for construction services for the C4 Segment of the Burnet Road Corridor from U.S. 183 to Bright Verde Way near Q2 Stadium and The Domain.
The construction of a new concert venue in Dripping Springs might not happen.
WEATHER
FRIDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Dates have been set for hearings where evidence will be considered in the case of East Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson.
A San Antonio man was arrested for placing pipe bombs at two ATMs in September.
Court records show that a Montgomery County municipal judge who was arrested earlier this week for allegedly driving while intoxicated has faced similar charges before. (Houston Public Media)
A Texas migrant shelter that’s part of the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville is accused by the DHS of numerous grant discrepancies in their work to help migrants released by the CBP, reports say. (FOX 7 Austin)
Human rights experts are sounding the alarm about living conditions at an immigration detention camp at Fort Bliss, saying the situation there has reached “a breaking point”. (Texas Public Radio)
Camp Mystic officials said they are in the process of installing a new flood warning system ahead of the all-girls Christian camp reopening its Cypress Lake location this summer. (KXAN-TV)
According to a new Greater Houston Partnership forecast, Houston’s oil and gas sector is expected to shed thousands of jobs next year as falling crude prices slow drilling activity, marking one of the sharpest pullbacks for the industry in recent years. (Houston Chronicle)
Federal regulators warn Texas could lose $182 million in federal highway funding.
As a growing number of people are caught in the affordability crisis, they are turning to selling their blood plasma to make ends meet. That plasma is used to make many lifesaving medications but are the donors being fairly compensated? We take a look at how the international blood plasma economy works and why Texas is the leading source for plasma.
(Episode from December 11, 2025)
A small plane “veered off” a runway at Bourland Field Airport near Cresson on Friday, and came to a stop in a ditch, officials say.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Alex Karaban scored 18 points, including the 1,500th of his career, as fifth-ranked UConn overcame a poor shooting second half to hold off Texas 71-63 on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
In the Top 25 today:
NBA: Look who’s suddenly hot.
Anthony Davis scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half to go with 14 rebounds and three blocks, and Cooper Flagg had 22 points and eight assists as the Dallas Mavericks rallied to beat the Brooklyn Nets 119-111 on Friday night.
The Mavericks (10-16) have won five of their last six games and two straight at home for the first time this season. (Yahoo! Sports)
Dallas is idle today, as is Houston. San Antonio continues play today in the NBA Cup.
Good news for Spurs fans. (My San Antonio)
NHL: The Dallas Stars return to the ice tonight.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: After firing Chad Scott after a season following one of the worst rushing years in program history, the Texas football team has its new running backs coach. (Horns 24/7)
Welcome to the Forty, Jabbar Juluke 🤘 pic.twitter.com/Mkiw7T9woo
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 12, 2025
Jabbar Juluke Hired as Texas Running Backs Coach
West New Harmony Trail in The Woodlands, Texas, just outside of Houston.
