Expect a significant shift this afternoon and evening as a Pacific cold front arrives. This will bring a dramatic decrease in humidity and strong winds, creating a high fire risk. While isolated strong storms are possible, particularly north and northeast of Austin, the fire danger is the main concern.
More on the wildfire risk and the extended forecast can be found further down this post in WEATHER.
Texas is experiencing a rapid measles outbreak, with cases surging to 227 as of Tuesday, up from 202 just last Friday. Tragically, one child has died, and 29 people have required hospitalization. The majority of cases, 156, are concentrated in Gaines County, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The measles outbreak in rural Texas has exposed how hospital buildings are ill-equipped. Meanwhile, long distances between providers makes testing people and transporting samples difficult. (Texas Tribune)
Many Texas doctors said they fear the current measles outbreak may be just the beginning, given how state data shows an increasing number of parents are opting out of vaccinating their children.
Two area MMR vaccination clinics are being held this week, today and tomorrow.
We’re learning more about a homicide over the weekend at an apartment complex in South Austin.
The victim, Jamie White, was a writer for Austin-based Infowars. Investigators believe White saw his car being burglarized, went to intervene and was shot and killed.
Austin police also released more information about a killing that occurred Saturday that was an apparent road rage incident.
One person is dead after a crash that was reported in southeast Austin Tuesday evening.
Austin firefighters battled a blaze in Southeast Austin before dawn Tuesday morning.
Austin City Council Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes is responding to a growing homeless encampment that has neighbors concerned.
Pressure has been put on Fuentes and other city leaders not just by residents in the affected neighborhoods but also by social media accounts that regularly document these issues.
Dwindling federal funding could have a major impact on the city’s response to its homless population.
Refugees in Austin are still struggling amid pauses in federal funding. (Austin American-Statesman)
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell resigned Tuesday to take a position with the U.S. Small Business Administration in President Donald Trump’s administration. (CBS Austin)
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has canceled two federal agency leases in the Austin area: a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Austin and a Natural Resources Conservation Service building in Temple. The agency’s “wall of receipts” indicates dozens of other Texas leases were also terminated as of March 5. (KXAN-TV)
A live bat with rabies found on Camden Cove in Cedar Park raises exposure concerns.
Keep Austin Beautiful is calling for volunteers for its 40th annual Keep Austin Beautiful Day on April 12. (Community Impact)
Today is Day 6 of South By Southwest.
Day 5 in photos. (KVUE-TV)
A recap of recent SXSW events…
Hollywood takes over Austin. (My San Antonio)
Yesterday was “Industry Day”.
Singers and musicians at South by Southwest are banding together to end the gun violence epidemic. (CBS Austin)
The city’s “Spring Festival Event Operations Center” is open during SXSW to help handle everything that’s going on downtown and to improve safety.
Barton Springs Pool’s newly renovated bathhouse is expected to be completed and open by the summer.
WEATHER
RED FLAG WARNING
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Get ready for some celestial treats! A total lunar eclipse is coming up soon, the first since November 2022. Unlike the 2024 total solar eclipse, you won’t need any special equipment to enjoy this one. Just look up! If you happen to miss it, the next total lunar eclipse won’t be until March 3, 2026. (Austin American-Statesman)
Texans are getting their chance to weigh in on a plan to create Education Savings Accounts. House Bill 3 would help families pay for private school with state funds.
Texas lawmakers are looking at new ways to crack down on mail theft. The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice took up Senate Bill 1281 on Tuesday. (KVUE-TV)
A Texas appeals court has issued a stay of execution for a man scheduled to be executed this week. He’s been on death row for over 30 years for the murders of six girls and young women whose bodies were discovered in the desert near El Paso. (KXAN-TV)
Nearly three dozen states will be participating in a federal program offering summer grocery assistance to families. However, Texas, despite having the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, will opt out for the second consecutive year. (Austin Monitor)
Texas Congressman Sylvester Turner’s casket is on display at Houston City Hall.
The Texas comptroller’s race is underway in what’s expected to be a very crowded field. Who’s running and what’s at stake? That and more on the latest episode of NPR’s Texas Standard.
Fights, scandals and there’s still half a legislative session to go. The latest episode of the Texas Tribune’s Tribcast.
Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Texas, is ending its long-standing policy of free checked bags, and will now charge a fee. (KUT 90.5)
An 18-year-old has been added to Texas’ Ten Most Wanted list.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No. 13 seed Texas (17-14, 6-12 SEC) vs. No. 12 seed Vanderbilt (20-11, 8-10 SEC)
Will Texas make it to the Big Dance?
The Longhorns are hoping for a spot in the NCAA Tournament…especially Tre Johnson.
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Sophomore Ethan Mendoza delivered a go-ahead two-run triple in the eighth, as No. 11 Texas won its 14th straight game with a 7-4 victory over UT Arlington on Tuesday. (Texas Longhorns)
NBA: Dallas, San Antonio and Houston all had the night off last night. Tonight, it’s the Mavericks at Spurs and the Rockets hosting Phoenix. (Yahoo! Sports)
The latest episode of PBS’ Texas Parks & Wildlife visits Austin’s food forest, Bastrop State Park, Buescher State Park and the West Texas Wetlands.
