“Thunderstorms are not going to spread consistent rainfall totals across an entire area. There will be some pockets that get more, and some pockets that get less and we just happen to be the short end of the stick this time.” — Chikage Windler, chief meteorologist for CBS Austin
The much-anticipated and much-needed rainfall expected in the Austin area Friday afternoon and evening fell way short of expectations.
While the city missed out of rain, many other parts of our region got much needed relief. Areas like Lake Buchanan got more than five inches of rain over the past couple of days.
CBS Austin’s Avery Tomasco went so far as to issue a statement as to what went wrong with the forecast:
A powerful EF-1 tornado carved a path of destruction over 3 miles long through Burnet County on Thursday, the National Weather Service reported. Preliminary findings indicate the twister packed peak winds of 110 mph, leaving multiple structures damaged and causing one injury.
A second tornado was confirmed in Burnet County just northwest of Briggs. However, surveyors believe the tornado cycled twice and happened in an area they couldn’t access.
The tornado near Briggs was ultimately given an unrated status of EF-U with no injuries or damage reported.
More on the forecast for the rest of the weekend and on the chances for rain next week can be found further down this post in WEATHER.
Voters across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties will line up today to cast their ballots, deciding who represents them and how their local school districts get funded.
Voters across the region will find numerous contested races on their ballots, from mayoral and city council seats in Cedar Park, Round Rock, and West Lake Hills, to school board positions in Eanes ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, and Dripping Springs ISD. Additionally, Hays CISD voters will consider a nearly $1 billion school bond, while Dripping Springs ISD has a $400 million bond measure on the ballot. (KUT 90.5)
A woman was killed, and an elderly man was taken to the hospital after a house exploded in Granger on Friday morning.
Austin firefighters responded overnight to a vehicle rescue.
Austin police released more details concerning the city’s 22nd homicide of the year which occurred Thursday night on E. Riverside Drive.
APD is seeking information on a robbery suspect.
The city of Austin will replace the temporary barriers along 6th Street with a “more durable” alternative until the city can install permanent barriers, according to a Thursday press release from the city.
A Kyle man faces a murder charge following a fentanyl overdose death investigation that began on New Year’s Eve. (CBS Austin)
Two people were injured Thursday evening after a shooting just outside the city of Round Rock, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. (Fox7 Austin)
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded Thursday evening to a report of a shooting in the 2200 block of Chandler Creek Road and found two people with gunshot wounds. Both people were taken to the hospital for treatment. (KXAN-TV)
An arrest affidavit reveals that the assistant principal at Reed Elementary School was arrested on Monday for allegedly driving while intoxicated and striking a cyclist near the school. (CBS Austin)
A former divorce attorney accused of killing an Ohio nurse in 2013 was arrested in Williamson County.
Mustang Ridge authorities arrested two people after a car stolen in Austin was pulled over Friday.
Also out of Mustang Ridge…
A developer aims to have seven parcels totaling roughly 13 acres near the intersection of Koenig Lane and Airport Boulevard rezoned to allow construction of about 2,300 residential units.
The 7.4-acre tract currently includes the site of the Leif Johnson Ford dealership. (Austin Business Journal)
Up to four new libraries, more neighborhood health centers, and a host of new park properties and recreation centers are among the facilities being considered for the city’s next bond election that will likely take place in 2026. (Austin Monitor)
Developers are getting closer to kicking off the first phase of construction for a massive mixed-use development along the Colorado River in East Austin. (Austin Business Journal)
President Trump signed an executive order fulfilling a long-standing threat to cut federal funding to NPR and PBS stations nationwide. This order, if it survives potential legal challenges, could result in millions of dollars in lost annual funding for public media stations in Austin. (KUT 90.5)
Lake Travis ISD has named Conroe Superintendent Curtis Null as its sole finalist for the district’s top leadership position. The Board of Trustees made the selection at a special meeting on Thursday. (Austin American-Statesman)
The University of Texas chancellor is leaving for the same position with the University of California.
J.B. Milliken has served as chancellor of the University of Texas system since 2018.
“We’re only four months into 2025 and, already, 21 wildfires have burned over 11,000 acres across Central Texas.” — Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard
Austin currently ranks fifth in the nation for the number of homes at risk of wildfire. As summer approaches, officials from Travis County, the city of Austin and local fire departments are urging residents to prepare for a potential wildfire season in Central Texas. (Community Impact)
Current Texas drought monitor…
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
The onslaught from heavy rain is not over for the South-Central states as more rounds are on the way that will bring renewed flooding in some locations and initiate flooding in others into mid-May. (AccuWeather)
Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign the private school voucher bill into law today in Austin. This action marks the culmination of what has often been a contentious and defining issue in Texas politics this decade.
Texas may have a new city by the end of today.
A contentious debate unfolded on the Texas House floor Friday morning regarding Senate Bill 412, legislation critics argue will criminalize educators and parents. Authored by Galveston Republican Senator Mayes Middleton, the bill removes legal safeguards for adults providing potentially harmful material to minors. Following a final 92-39 vote, it now heads to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature. (Texas Tribune)
More than a year after the State of Texas took over Shelby Park in Eagle Pass during the peak of illegal border crossings, it has now reopened to the public.
The park a focal point in tensions between the state and the Biden administration over immigration enforcement. The park lies adjacent to the Rio Grande and sits right next to an international bridge connecting Eagle Pass to the Mexican city of Piedras Negras. (Texas Public Radio)
State health officials provided updated numbers on the continuing measles outbreak in Texas.
Twenty new confirmed cases have been reported since the last update on Tuesday, bringing Texas’ total number of cases to 683. (Texas Department of Health Services)
Collin County has reported its second confirmed case.
As measles cases continue to spread across Texas, we consider how Texas dealt with massive measles outbreaks in the past. New research shows that measles could soon be common in the United States if vaccination rates don’t increase.
Should local administrators represent us as they face corruption charges?
Following the discovery of a significant breach of federally protected data at the beginning of this year, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) uncovered an additional contributing factor during its investigation. HHS, the agency responsible for programs like SNAP, food stamps, and public medical care, identified another culprit in the data security incident. (My San Antonio)
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) warned that there’s a “slight chance” of needing to issue an energy emergency alert during peak demand periods in July. (Houston Chronicle)
A Bexar County deputy has been arrested for murder after allowing inmates to ‘violently assault’ another inmate.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The Texas Longhorns (38-7/19-4) have run into a bit of a buzzsaw in Fayetteville this weekend.
For the second day in a row, the Arkansas Razorbacks held complete command of the top-ranked Longhorns with a 6-1 win Friday, causing Texas to drop their first SEC series of the season. (Texas Longhorns)
The series concludes today.
MLB: Both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers lost on the road Friday.
Both series resume today.
MLS: Austin FC is back at home tonight for the team’s sixth home match of the season. The VERDE & Black will take on Minnesota United FC at 7:30 p.m. CT at Q2 Stadium. (Austin FC)
NBA PLAYOFFS: The Houston Rockets still have life in them.
Fred VanVleet had 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, Alperen Sengun contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets kept their season alive by beating the Golden State Warriors 115-107 on Friday night and forcing a deciding Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. (Yahoo! Sports)
It’s the end of an era in San Antonio.
NHL PLAYOFFS: The Colorado Avalanche visit the Dallas Stars in game seven of the first round of the NHL Playoffs tonight. The teams meet Thursday for the 10th time this season. The Avalanche won the previous meeting 7-4. Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals in the victory. (Yahoo! Sports)
A visit to Monahans Sandhills State Park in Monahans.
This unique stop is unlike any other in Texas, drawing many people near and far to surf the sand dunes of West Texas.
