Austin City Council meets today with another busy agenda including a vote on the $26 million purchase of office space just north of the University of Texas for city departments.
Other items on its agenda:
— Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes has proposed an agenda item for the Council’s consideration: their second artificial intelligence resolution in recent times. This resolution addresses the local environmental impact of AI and specifies guidelines for its use by city employees.
— Following a resolution passed in July, the Council will also consider changes to the Land Development Code. The first proposed amendment aims to enhance the appeal of the city’s “preservation bonus” by increasing its value. This adjustment would permit the construction of larger homes on properties where an existing house is preserved.
— Waste and waterline relocation for the I-35 expansion project.
— A Planned Unit Development on East Riverside and South Congress Ave., the first-ever zonings in Hickmuntown, a vacant lot on Bruning Ave., a massive multifamily project in Montopolis and the demolition of the Holy Cross Hospital complex.
Today’s session begins at 10:00 a.m. and can be viewed here.
An Austin funeral home owner has been charged with multiple felonies after police accused her of tampering with bodies and fabricating death certificates.
The Texas Education Agency on Wednesday issued an extended deadline for Dobie Middle School’s federal accountability plan.
Currently there are 9,991 students in the Liberty Hill school district, but according to a recent demographic report— in 10 years the district is forecasting more than 19,000 students. (KXAN-TV)
Hays CISD is asking voters on May 3 to approve $968.6 million in bonds that would pay for several projects.
One person was injured and was flown to a hospital after a shooting Wednesday in the 800 block of N. Pecos St. in Lockhart.
Austin police are looking for witnesses to an altercation two weeks ago where one person brandished a gun.
Authorities are also looking for help from residents in Del Valle in locating a robbery suspect.
The man who was allegedly making bombs inside a South Austin home is now facing a federal charge. (KVUE-TV)
The warrant amnesty period for city residents ends tomorrow.
It looks like major construction projects in downtown Austin are wrapping up.
According to CBRE research, unless a new project breaks ground this year, there will be no new office buildings under construction once downtown’s Waterline tower is complete. (Austin Business Journal)
Speaking of the Waterline, the tower, which will eventually stretch 74 stories into the sky, has surpassed the 66-story Sixth and Guadalupe tower as the tallest building in Austin and will become the tallest building in Texas (surpassing the 1,002-foot-tall JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston) and will be the 24th tallest building in the U.S. once finished.
The Waterline is expected to open next year.
The city of Elgin has a new police station. (KXAN-TV)
A crash involving several vehicles, including an 18-wheeler, caused road closures for hours on Wednesday in Georgetown.
The Hill Country Humane Society is urging pet owners to get their pets vaccinated after two cases of canine distemper were confirmed in owned pets in Kingsland.
The nation’s largest supplier of plumbing, heating, and cooling equipment has signed a lease for approximately 35,000 square feet at Clovis Crossing in San Marcos.
This new location expands the company’s real estate holdings in the Austin area to over half a million square feet. (Austin Business Journal)
Pink pancakes, a Beach Burger and more are being offered at Austin’s newest pop-up cafe.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Storms may erupt today into this evening and may occur and behave in a nearly carbon copy manner of Wednesday. Storms again will blossom late in the day along U.S. Route 385 from West Texas to eastern Colorado and then progress eastward Thursday night along the U.S. Route 83 and 183 zones of the southern and central Plains. (AccuWeather)
The Texas House on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require a secure, out-of-sight area to keep phones during instructional times in schools.
The Texas Senate passed the “Women’s Privacy Act,” ensuring women are safe in their bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. However, it explicitly prohibits trans people from sharing those spaces. (KXAN-TV)
A plan to cut property taxes for senior citizens and disabled Texans is moving forward at the State Capitol. The Texas Senate voted 30-1 Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 23, which raises the homestead exemption for those 65 and older. (KXAN-TV)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Wednesday creating a permanent office dedicated to government efficiency in Texas.
Yesterday, the Texas House approved a Senate bill proposing a $3 billion Texas research fund dedicated to dementia. However, a separate measure required to activate this funding may encounter hurdles in the House chamber on Monday. (Texas Tribune)
The Texas Education Agency is due to release schools ratings for the 2023 school year later today.
Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday night and said she would be willing to take an IQ test against Donald Trump.
Certain emergency preparation supplies can be purchased tax free in Texas from April 26-28. Texans can purchase tax-free emergency supplies for events that can cause physical damage such as hurricanes, flash floods and wildfires. (Community Impact)
A workboat exploded in southeast Texas yesterday killing two people.
Border Patrol officers seized $850,000 in alleged cocaine at the Hidalgo International Bridge on Easter Sunday. (Fox7 Austin)
The Texas Department of Safety announced the arrest of two fugitives from justice.
The U.S. Secret Service released a study on Tuesday about Devin Patrick Kelley, the perpetrator of the 2017 mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas — the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. (Texas Public Radio)
Moises Mendoza was executed by the state of Texas last night.
SPORTS
NHL PLAYOFFS: Tyler Seguin scored at 5:31 of overtime after Dallas killed a late double-minor penalty, and the Stars beat Colorado 2-1 in Game 3 on Wednesday night in a contest that featured the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.
Dallas took a 2-1 lead in the first-round series with its second straight overtime victory. The Stars have led for only 1:02 in regulation so far. (Yahoo! Sports)
The series will shift to Colorado Saturday for Game 4.
MLB: Christian Walker homered in a three-run second, Ryan Gusto pitched well into the sixth and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Wednesday night to sweep the three-game series. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Texas Rangers lost in Sacramento last night.
The two teams conclude their series tonight while the Astros have the night off.
NFL DRAFT 2025: The first round of the draft begins tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and there are some familiar names in the mix.
Legendary Chicago Bears defensive tackle and former Longhorn Steve McMichael ended his fight with ALS. He was 67 years old.
A visit to Pecos County and Fort Stockon for a little history.
