The Texas Department of Transportation is overhauling Interstate 35 through Austin from the north side to the south side of the Travis County line. Construction began on the I-35 Capital Express North Project in March 2023.
But since then, crashes are up 22% in the construction zone.
As the criminal investigation continues into the truck driver who police say “barreled” through nearly stopped traffic on Interstate 35 earlier this month, killing five and injuring 11 others, lawsuits are now starting to emerge as well.
Meanwhile, authorities have identified the woman killed Monday in a multi-vehicle pileup on I-35 in Round Rock
Austin’s key projects, such as the Waterloo Greenway downtown, were denied millions in expected federal funds due to the recently enacted stopgap funding bill.
The bill did not include earmarks for community projects, including ones requested by U.S. Reps. Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett for 10 different community and infrastructure projects:
“While the news that anticipated funding for these important community projects will not be available this fiscal year is certainly disappointing, we will not abandon these efforts. The City will continue to prioritize and seek to identify ways to fund important projects. We are also hopeful that earmarks will be considered in Fiscal Year 2026 and stand ready to assist our Congressional delegation in championing the needs of Austinites.” — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson
This Thursday, Williamson County commissioners will interview four applicants for the county judge position, following Bill Gravell’s resignation to join the Trump administration. (Austin American-Statesman)
An audit report released this week by the Office of the City Auditor revealed that David Johnson, the former chief information officer for Austin Water, misused city resources to identify a complainant. Johnson resigned during the investigation in January 2025. (Austin Monitor)
Austin Water is launching a $1 billion overhaul and expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in East Austin, a project that will modernize every aspect of the treatment process. (CBS Austin)
Meanwhile, Liberty Hill residents are speaking out about a proposed a new wastewater treatment plant.
Buying Austin’s power lines would cost $50 billion…and is pretty much impossible. (KUT 90.5)
An Austin man recently charged in a December 2024 murder has also been linked to a shooting on the UT campus.
The principal of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy informed families in a letter that an Austin ISD teacher, who is currently charged with multiple counts of child pornography, had previously served as a substitute at their campus. (KXAN-TV)
Austin ISD plans to eliminate traditional bus routes for four schools, replacing them with a centralized pickup model as part of their efforts to address a $110 million budget deficit…and that has parents voicing concerns. (KVUE-TV)
Austin firefighters responded to a structure fire in the northeastern part of the city yesterday.
And early this morning, two house fires had AFD responders busy.
Those self-serve coffee machines you see at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are about to become a thing of the past. (Austin Business Journal)
Mattress Firm Group Inc., based in Houston, has leased distribution space in the region between Austin and San Antonio, as reported by multiple Austin-area industrial quarterly reports. (Austin Business Journal)
One person was reportedly injured on March 15 when glass was falling from a downtown high-rise during high winds. The area around Guadalupe between 5th and 6th Streets has twice been shut down recently due to reports of falling glass. (KXAN-TV)
The 183A toll road project from Leander to Liberty Hill is facing construction delays.
Two local pools are temporarily closed for routine maintenance.
The city is trying to fill vacant lifeguard positions for its city pools.
WEATHER
After breaking the 90-degree mark yesterday, we’ll see cooler temperatures today with highs in the low 80s and chances of rain moving in this evening and bringing with it a risk of flooding into Thursday and Friday.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Sometimes weather radar detects more than weather.
The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, and it is poised to be a turbulent year with AccuWeather predicting 13 to 18 storms and warning of hurricanes that can rapidly strengthen leading up to landfall. (AccuWeather)
Without warning, the Galveston area’s continuous National Weather Service radio broadcast went silent Tuesday afternoon, startling even local NWS personnel. (Houston Chronicle)
Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said they believe the House will send both of the current education savings account bills out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote early next week.
The Texas Senate approved a $336 billion budget for the next biennium, allocating surplus funds to increase teacher salaries, implement school vouchers, and reduce property taxes, all while adhering to state spending limits that result in billions remaining unspent. (KXAN-TV)
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, disparagingly called Gov. Greg Abbott “Hot Wheels” to mock his use of a wheelchair Saturday, prompting fierce backlash from Republicans.
More cases of measles have been reported in connection to a West Texas outbreak, according to new information from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Bexar County commissioners declared on Tuesday that drug overdoses in the county represented a public health crisis. (Texas Public Radio)
The state’s 2025 Infrastructure Report Card is out and Texas received a grade of ‘C’.
The latest episode of Y’all-itics looks at the foreign perspective of our politics.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: No. 7 Texas (20-3) scored in each of the final six innings, cruising to a 13-3 run-rule victory over Sam Houston (7-18) on Tuesday night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. (Texas Longhorns)
NBA: Jalen Green scored 32 points ahd had 11 rebounds and the Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 on Tuesday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Both the Mavericks and Spurs lost last night.
Houston, Dallas and San Antonio all have tonight off.
NHL: The Dallas Stars are in Canada tonight.
The latest episode of Texas Country Reporter:
— A passionate flight instructor who honors WWII veterans by piloting a historic B-25 bomber with the Commemorative Air Force.
— Cruise Lake Conroe with an ice cream boat.
— Mission, Texas, where 26-year-old chef Ana Liz Pulido is shaking up the Rio Grande Valley’s food scene.
