Via @AustinJustice on X
Abbott Calls for Statewide Prosecutor to Override Local DAs
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is pushing for the creation of a new “Chief State Prosecutor” position with statewide jurisdiction, arguing that local district attorneys are failing to adequately prosecute dangerous criminals. The proposal, announced via social media in late December, represents Abbott’s latest effort to assert state control over prosecutorial decisions typically left to locally elected officials.
I’m adding this to the growing stack of evidence about local prosecutors who endanger communities by refusing to prosecute.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 27, 2025
Texans deserve a Chief STATE Prosecutor who actually prosecutes criminals rather than setting them loose to harm others.
Join me to support this… https://t.co/Zk9KsgYEZJ
Abbott’s call to action came in response to cases highlighted by the @AustinJustice X account, which has been tracking individuals with extensive criminal histories who remain on the streets. One case involved Michael Nnaji, who has faced more than 30 charges since 2019, ranging from misdemeanors for criminal trespass to felonies including aggravated assault and burglary.
AUSTIN MAN banged on the locked glass doors of Padrón Elementary as students arrived for class, screaming "I'm going to go inside and kill, I'm gonna find a way to get in."
— Austin Justice (@AustinJustice) December 21, 2025
Michael Nnaji has racked up 34 cases since 2019.
Nnaji was once caught in an apartment gym—completely… pic.twitter.com/i0xC6MHoKH
Nnaji also reportedly banged on the locked glass doors of Padrón Elementary back in October as students arrived for class, screaming “I’m going to go inside and kill, I’m gonna find a way to get in.”
“I am calling for legislation that creates a Chief State Prosecutor to actually prosecute criminals like this that DAs in places like Austin refuse to prosecute. Progressive DAs are literally leading to the murder of Texans.” — Governor Greg Abbott
The proposal has drawn immediate criticism from legal experts who point out that Texas already has mechanisms in place for addressing prosecutorial concerns. Retired Travis County judge Charlie Baird noted that the Texas attorney general already possesses significant prosecutorial authority throughout the state. Baird also warned that introducing another layer to the criminal justice system could complicate matters and make cases more difficult to resolve efficiently.
Abbott’s announcement appears particularly aimed at Travis County District Attorney José Garza, who was reelected in a landslide victory in November 2024 after surviving an earlier removal attempt. The Travis County DA’s office responded to Abbott’s criticism by noting that Nnaji has been convicted multiple times and received a two-year jail sentence, and that misdemeanor charges fall under the jurisdiction of a different office entirely.
This proposal is part of Abbott’s broader tough-on-crime agenda. In 2023, state lawmakers passed legislation allowing district attorneys to be removed for refusing to prosecute certain cases. More recently, Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to require urban district attorneys to submit performance reports, though that rule was blocked by a judge in June.
Whether the proposed Chief State Prosecutor position will gain legislative traction remains to be seen, but it signals an ongoing tension between state leadership and locally elected prosecutors over criminal justice priorities in Texas’s urban centers.
Mayor Kirk Watson has introduced a new draft policy to improve transparency in Austin City Council spending following public scrutiny. Currently, the bulk of these taxpayer dollars covers the payroll for the roughly 70 employees working across the mayor’s and council members’ offices.
PODCAST
Austin’s new million-dollar logo caused a lot of controversy this year and despite petitions to stop it, it is officially up and running on the city’s social media accounts and website. , The wavy A in colors inspired by our “greenbelts, lakes, skyline sunsets and bluebonnets,” replaces a seal that was designed as part of a contest back in 1916, as well as hundreds of department-specific logos. But will Austinites ever be okay with the exorbitant cost? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Jessica King, Austin’s chief communications director; and Yasmin Wagner, the city’s web and creative services manager, to discuss.
On Monday, Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) released renderings and preliminary design plans for historic 6th Street between I-35 and Congress Avenue.
Meanwhile, three major construction projects in the ATX that have been underway for years are set to wrap up in 2026.
Reporte Austin reported ICE activity in Manor yesterday.
The Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott and others to denounce a Saturday incident at Walnut Creek Park where men in crusader costumes shouted Islamophobic insults. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin police have identified a man shot and killed Sunday morning in South Austin. The suspect is unknown and still at large.
Austin has recorded 55 homicides so far this year, around a quarter fewer than in 2024.
A woman is facing charges after a deadly crash on U.S. 183 Sunday morning near ABIA.
Austin police are looking for a woman suspected of robbing area men of expensive watches.
Authorities are looking for multiple suspects involved in the theft of an auto and debit card which was later fraudulently used to make purchases.
A reward for information in this case is being offered by Capital Area Crime Stoppers.
Bystanders at a Williamson County park intervened to stop an attempted kidnapping of a young girl on Saturday afternoon, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. (FOX 7 Austin)
Reports of a fire at the Millennium Apartments on Rainey Street downtown overnight.
No other information was provided.
Firefighters responded to a large house fire Monday afternoon in Georgetown.
A 911 call came in at around 5:25 p.m., reporting a fire at 109 Wolf Ridge Road. All occupants of the home safely evacuated. (CBS Austin)
A large fire at a two-story home off Round Mountain Road in Travis County was destroyed by fire early Monday morning.
Travis County is under a burn ban. No outdoor burning is allowed.
Hays County, too.
Austin-Travis County Emergency Services said they’ve seen more interest from potential candidates than ever before.
Fort Worth had more residents than Austin. Until now. (Austinn American-Statesman)
Employees from three Austin restaurants operated by Flavor Hospitality Group are raising concerns about allegedly not being paid. A GoFundMe page has been created to help those affected. As of early this morning, over $3000 had been donated. (Austin American-Statesman)
The city of Cedar Park wants the community to help shape the future of Lakeline Park.
After receiving three consecutive F ratings amid low academic performance, three Austin elementary schools have been appointed new principals. The three schools: Pecan Springs Elementary, Sánchez Elementary and Woolridge Elementary. (Community Impact)
A fox has tested positive for rabies in Hays County.
WEATHER
Cold weather shelters will open overnight tonight Tuesday, Dec. 30.
— City of Austin (@austintexasgov) December 30, 2025
Go to One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road from 6-8pm to register for overnight shelter.
More information at https://t.co/MKRUn6cg0D or call the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline: 512-972-5055.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/VjeNHziC24
MONDAY’S HIGH /LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST /AUSTIN, TEXAS
January usually brings the most freezes of any month of the year in Central Texas.
Will this January reflect that?
KXAN Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin and KXAN+ Host Esmeralda Zamora discuss what may lie ahead for winter in the ATX.
Newly obtained dashboard camera video may show a Bexar County teenage girl right when she went missing on Christmas Eve.
Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, has been missing since Wednesday morning.
51-year-old Carl Randal McBride of New Braunfels, who has been identified as the suspect in a shooting that occurred during the overnight hours of December 21, was captured after a brief search.
A body was recovered from the San Antonio River early Monday near the Pearl, according to San Antonio police.
For the first time since being sidelined by a major flood, Camp Mystic, the historic all-girls Christian camp, will begin enrollment in January. However, the decision to reopen has become a point of contention, drawing criticism from legislators and splitting opinion among camp families. (Austin American-Statesman)
Former Uvalde CISD officer Adrian Gonzales is facing child endangerment and abandonment charges connected to the law enforcement response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.
There may be no personal income tax in Texas, but property tax? That’s another thing. And perhaps, the next big thing in Texas politics. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more on what’s emerging as a new theme in Texas politics for 2026: Property taxes.
Four million Texans signed up for health plans from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and all are expected to be paying more for their premiums in the new year if subsidies are allowed to expire.
And look back at some of the big stories in TV and film in Texas as we close out the year.
(Episode from December 29, 2025)
The Y’all-itics team is on holiday break, spending time with family. But they wanted to share some of the top performing episodes of 2025 with you while they’re out.
Bob Kafka, an Austin-based activist who pushed for accessibility at the local, state and federal level for more than 40 years, died at his home in Austin on Friday at the age of 79. (KUT 90.5)
The Harris County treasurer was arrested on Saturday after being accused of breaking into a vehicle, according to court records.
A 14-year old Texas boy was accidentally shot by his best friend in the head on Christmas Day but is expected to recover.
A man killed himself after shooting his son and killing his son’s mom in Grand Prairie on Monday morning.
Texas is receiving $1.4 billion through the Rural Health and Transformation Program, according to the Governor. (Office of the Texas Governor)
Gas prices in the Lone Star State are currently low…but a Texas energy professor says that will change in 2026.
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Texas Longhorns continue preparations for Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
From Cedric Golden at Austin American-Statesman.
How much should Texas quarterback Arch Manning play in the Citrus Bowl?
NBA: San Antonio, Dallas and Houston all played last night but only the Rockets came away with a win.
Kevin Durant scored 30 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 126-119 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
It’s the second straight 30-point game for Durant and his 10th this season, his first in Houston since a blockbuster summer trade from Phoenix. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jarrett Allen had 27 points and 10 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on to beat Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 113-101 on Monday night.
The Spurs have dropped their last two games after an 8-game winning streak this month. (Yahoo! Sports)
Deni Avdija had 27 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and Shaedon Sharpe added 24 points as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 125-122 on Monday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Rockets, Spurs and Mavericks have the night off tonight.
STANDINGS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No. 8 Houston had a surprisingly tough time against Middle Tennessee State last night but came away with a victory. (Yahoo! Sports)
NFL: The Houston Texans are ready for a playoff fight this weekend.
The latest episode of Texas Parks & Wildlife features alligator snapping turtles, Cooper Lake State Park, two new reservoirs in North Texas, Nature Conservancy in Texas and a visit to Barton Springs Pool in Austin.
