The Trump administration rescinded a memo Wednesday that had called for a freeze on federal funding. This decision averted the potential jeopardy of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of local projects and programs.
Austin officials reacted with relief:
In a memo Wednesday that was obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, the city’s intergovernmental relations office informed City Council members of hundreds of millions of dollars for projects that could have been jeopardized by the freeze, including major projects at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The memo was sent prior to news of the policy being rescinded.
The memo also highlighted that other significant projects could be impacted by such a freeze, including nearly $234.5 million allocated for street and construction projects. This includes the park caps over Interstate 35 through downtown and the replacement of the Barton Springs Road Bridge. Also, Austin Public Health relies on around $39 million “for critical family health programs” that could have been impacted. (Austin American-Statesman)
City Council member Paige Ellis:
“This is a win for our city and the rule of law. Unfortunately, this kind of whiplash has become all too familiar, so we know the fight isn’t over.”
On Wednesday, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, (D) Austin, said the president exceeded his authority with his most recent action:
“We need to be pushing back at every level, both legislatively through the court system and also engaging the public.”
“I know there are many people throughout Texas who supported President Trump, but I believe many of them will be asking, is this what I voted for? To takeaway food from those who are hungry to not provide the resources that our schools and our universities do.”
Officials with the White House issued a statement saying the president did not rescind an order, calling reports of that a hoax:
“No such thing took place. Instead, a memo from the Office of Management and Budget was rescinded in an effort to alleviate confusion — and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed President Trump’s order remains in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented as the administration works to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.”
The Trump administration has announced that all federal employees who choose not to return to the office are eligible for an eight-month buyout.
With nearly 130,000 federal employees, Texas ranks third in the nation, making the potential impact particularly significant for the state.
Officials expect 5 to 10% of federal employees might accept this offer. Consequently, between 6,000 and 13,000 federal employees in Texas might accept the resignation offer.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to carry out immigration sweeps throughout Central Texas.
Federal agents could be seen outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building downtown on Wednesday.
In the wake of recent federal immigration operations, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis directly addresses her department’s role and stance on immigration enforcement in a one-on-one interview with CBS Austin.
According to the Hays County Sheriff’s Department, a 14-year-old boy has been arrested after shooting and killing a juvenile girl in Driftwood.
Another fatal accident in Austin involving a pedestrian. It happened early this morning just before dawn.
Local authorities have identified the victim of a two-car crash in Austin Monday morning.
Officials said a Georgia teenager allegedly admitted to making a bomb threat that canceled classes at Georgetown High School Wednesday. (KVUE-TV)
Police have recovered a rare Steven McQueen tribute Jaguar XKSS that was stolen last month. (Fox7 Austin)
The Austin Fire Department responded to a vehicle rescue in the northern part of the city Wednesday evening.
Georgetown officials evacuated 388 people and closed several roads near the downtown area due to a gas leak on Wednesday morning.
If you received a million-dollar bill from Penn Credit on behalf of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), it’s likely a mistake. One person received a bill for over $112 million for just a few late tolls, and another for over $124 million. (KVUE-TV)
According to a US Department of Justice release, an Austin man faces the possibility of up to 10 years in federal prison after being charged with attempting to smuggle dozens of firearms into Mexico via Eagle Pass. (KXAN-TV)
The Bastrop City Council on Tuesday denied a city charter amendment to decriminalize possession of low amounts of marijuana, which was passed by 70% of voters in November. (Austin American-Statesman)
An Israeli electric vehicle company that makes platforms for varying sizes of vehicles is no longer moving forward with a manufacturing facility in Pflugerville. (Austin Business Journal)
Tuesday’s malfunction at the Longhorn Dam caused water levels along Lady Bird Lake to drop around two feet before repairs were made.
It’s been a recurring issue that needs a permanent fix.
Wednesday’s significant drop was still clearly marked by the water lines stained on concrete pillars lining the lake. One spot near the Holiday Inn Boat Ramp unearthed muddied trash along the shoreline.
Questions are being raised about the dam’s integrity. (KUT 90.5)
Two items on today’s Austin City Council agenda related to wildfire prevention have raised alarms among at least two community groups – the Save Our Springs Alliance and Community Not Commodity. (Austin Monitor)
The city of Austin is wrapping up work on a new boardwalk system near Zilker Park.
Two earthquakes were felt by residents in Karnes and Wilson Counties Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, respectively, according to the United States Geological Survey.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the first 25 of 40 anticipated priority bills for the Texas Senate, outlining a number of hot-button, culture-war issues that he said will bolster President Donald Trump’s agenda. (Austin American-Statesman)
The Texas Senate will approve a bill next Wednesday to allocate $1 billion in taxpayer money for thousands of students to attend private schools. The bill, SB 2, has already passed the Senate Education K-16 Committee.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed five executive orders directing state agencies to aid the Trump administration’s deportation efforts.
State Rep. Claudia Ordaz, D-El Paso, filed a bill that would require health insurance plans that include prescription contraceptive devices to also cover “evidence-based” anxiety and pain management during insertion and removal procedures. (Lonestar Live)
Nobody won the huge Lotto Texas jackpot last night.
The jackpot increases to $75.5 million for Saturday’s drawing. That is higher than both current Powerball and MegaMillions jackpots. (Texas Lottery)
After tying with Publix and Costco for the top spot in 2024, H-E-B dropped to fifth in the 2025 Retail and Consumer Shipping Study from the American Customer Satisfaction Index. (Lonestar Live)
Texas-based Siete Foods is strengthening its relationship with its hometown MLS team as the official jersey partner for Austin FC. (MySanAntonio)
What would a pause on wind energy projects mean for Texas? (Texas Public Radio)
National test scores show Texas students still lag in math and reading.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Freshman guard Tre Johnson recorded a game-high 22 points, but Texas (14-7, 3-5 SEC) fell 72-69 at No. 23/23 Ole Miss (16-5, 5-3 SEC) on Wednesday night. The Rebels marked the seventh AP-ranked opponent that the Longhorns have faced in their last eight contests. (Texas Longhorns)
#5/7 Texas (20-2, 6-1 SEC) vs. Missouri (12-10, 1-6 SEC)
Influenza is making its way through the Texas women’s locker room and will face an uphill battle against Missouri tonight.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Texas football has secured a transfer from former Ohio State defensive tackle Hero Kanu. (KXAN-TV)
The University of Texas has solidified its standing as a financial powerhouse in college sports, becoming the first Division I public school to report more than $300 million in both operating revenues and expenses in the same fiscal year, according to a newly released financial report to the NCAA. (Longhorns Wire)
NBA: The Los Angeles Clippers rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-116 on Wednesday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
P.J. Washington scored 25 points and Kyrie Irving added 25 points and six assists as the Dallas Mavericks outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans 137-136 on Wednesday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Houston Rockets were off Wednesday but play in Memphis tonight. Both Dallas and San Antonio are idle. (Yahoo! Sports)
With issues involving Longhorn Dam making the news, we take a look at how damming the Colorado River helped shape Austin.
