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- ATX PULSE 3/18-20/26 (free): W. 6th Mass Shooting Suspect Avoided Felony in 2022 Case, Plea Deal Led to Misdemeanor Dismissal // 3 Siblings ID’d in SE Austin Apartment Fire // COA Unveils New City Website // Cesar Chavez St Renamed? // #11 Texas vs. #3 Gonzaga at 6:10pm on TBS Tonight
ATX PULSE 3/18-20/26 (free): W. 6th Mass Shooting Suspect Avoided Felony in 2022 Case, Plea Deal Led to Misdemeanor Dismissal // 3 Siblings ID’d in SE Austin Apartment Fire // COA Unveils New City Website // Cesar Chavez St Renamed? // #11 Texas vs. #3 Gonzaga at 6:10pm on TBS Tonight
Everything you NEED TO KNOW about Austin.
Matt Mackowiak
March 21, 2026
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NORTH AUSTIN: 10938 Research Blvd (183 just West of MoPac) Directions
NORTH AUSTIN: 9407 N. IH 35 (I-35 just north of 183) Directions
SOUTH AUSTIN: 1516 S. Lamar Blvd (S. Lamar just south of the river) Directions
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WEATHER
Today: H: 93° / L: 62°.
Sunday: H: 93° / L: 60°.
Monday: H: 88° / L: 61°.
TOP NEWS
"Austin mass shooting suspect avoided felony in 2022 case, misdemeanor later dismissed after plea deal: docs" via Fox News – EXCLUSIVE: The gunman in a shooting in Austin, Texas, now being investigated as a possible terror attack, previously faced a felony charge that was reduced to a misdemeanor and later dismissed, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, was identified as the suspect in the March 1 shooting outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden shortly before 2 a.m., law enforcement sources told Fox News. According to CBS News, Diagne had pictures of Iranian leaders at his home as well as an Iranian flag. Three people, including the suspect, were killed in the shooting that left an additional 14 people injured, officials said.
Documents obtained by Fox News Digital through a public records request show that Diagne faced a felony fail to stop and render aid (resulting in bodily injury) charge, also known as hit-and-run, in relation to a Dec. 5, 2022, car crash that he was involved in.
(Fox News)
"Drivers on Texas 130 will soon be sharing the road with autonomous big rigs" Austin American-Statesman's Andrea Guzmán – Einride's cabless autonomous trucks will soon be seen on the Texas 130 toll road between Austin and San Antonio.
Self-driving truck firm Einride will soon begin using a Central Texas highway as a test bed for its purpose-built, cabless autonomous freight vehicles. Einride is partnering with SH 130 Concession Co. to position the Texas 130 toll road, which connects Austin and San Antonio, as a corridor for autonomous freight operations.
Founded in 2016, Einride has more than 25 enterprise customers across North America, Europe and the Middle East. Based in Sweden with U.S. headquarters in Austin, it boasts a proprietary AI platform with a zero traffic incident safety record.
“This partnership with SH 130 Concession Co. marks an important step forward in proving the scalability and economic benefits of electric and autonomous freight,” said Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli. “By establishing this test bed, Einride is further cementing Austin, Texas, as a hub for our American autonomous freight operations, collaborating with infrastructure operators and regulators to scale safe, performant solutions.”
"Austin Community College embraces AI partnership" VIA Spectrum News — The wave of artificial intelligence is coming, whether or not people are ready for it. Many are pushing back against it, but there are institutions choosing to embrace it. The Austin Community College District (ACC) is on that list, and a partnership with a Texas-based nonprofit is pushing it forward into the AI realm.
College can be overwhelming, from the application process to enrolling in classes to figuring out the path to take in a career and keeping grades up. ACC hopes to ease some of those challenges for students by using AI.
Shilda Fresch is a college relations assistant at ACC. Prior to graduating, she was a student there herself but faced some challenges.
“I had a lot of unexpected circumstances when I was going to ACC back 19 years ago,” Fresch said. “I dropped out of Austin Community College four times.”
Between dealing with family emergencies and being a mother, it was difficult to navigate being a student on top of her other duties.
THE BLOTTER
"Three siblings killed in Austin fire identified; cause still unknown" Austin American-Statesman's Julianna Duennes Russ – Three siblings who died in a southeast Austin apartment fire last week have been identified, and investigators said the blaze does not appear to have been set intentionally, though the cause remains unknown.
Austin Fire crews responded just before 1 a.m. March 11 to a fire at a multifamily complex in the 2500 block of Burleson Road. Firefighters extinguished the flames before they spread beyond the initial unit, described as a two-story townhome.
Inside, crews found three children, all pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities on Tuesday identified them as Aniyah Lucero, 10; Athena Lucero, 7; and Jeremy Lucero, 5.
A GoFundMe created on behalf of the family has raised more than $100,000 to help cover burial costs, medical expenses, temporary housing and ongoing mental health care.
"Man arrested after allegedly driving stolen SUV at four police officers in Central Austin" via KEYE – A man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly drove a stolen SUV off the road and directly at a group of four police officers in Central Austin, according to an arrest affidavit.
Alan James Clark, 37, faces four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, all first-degree felonies, along with charges of evading arrest and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
According to the affidavit, an officer first spotted Clark acting suspiciously in the parking lot of the Baymont motel at 5816 N. IH-35. Clark fled in a red Chevrolet SUV before the officer could initiate a traffic stop.
The officer found Clark's vehicle a short distance south on the service road, where four other officers were conducting an unrelated traffic stop. As Clark approached the officers, he abruptly veered off the road, jumped a curb, and drove through a grassy median directly toward the group, the affidavit states.
(KEYE)
"Pflugerville massage therapist arrested again for additional sexual assault charges" via KEYE – Holt Marshall Field, a 43-year-old man who worked as a massage therapist at Pflugerville Massage & Skin Care, was initially arrested in January as part of a sexual assault investigation.
Police in Pflugerville arrested the massage therapist for a second time on Wednesday after public tips revealed further sexual misconduct allegations.
Following the initial arrest and search warrant at the massage business, police say that detectives received additional tips from the public alleging sexual misconduct by Field.
Holt was arrested on Wednesday on 14 charges against nine victims. Those charges include 10 counts of sexual assault, two warrants for attempted sexual assault and two warrants for indecent assault.
Holt is charged with 13 felonies and one misdemeanor.
Pflugerville police say the investigation is ongoing. Those with information on this case are asked to submit tips at 512-990-6731 or by email at [email protected]
(KEYE)
"Cedar Park burglary suspect now facing child pornography charges" via FOX 7 Austin – A Cedar Park burglary suspect is now facing child pornography charges after an investigation, police said.
Gregory Goulet, 33, was arrested after police investigated a burglary at a business in July 2025.
During the investigation, detectives reviewed cell phone data connected to the case and found concerning photos. Based on these photos, detectives obtained another search warrant.
Investigators then found evidence of child pornography. Goulet was charged with possession or promotion of child pornography.
"Millions in cash, undercover agents: Inside a Texas poker club probe" Austin American-Statesman's Dante Motley – State investigators searched a Round Rock poker club last week as part of a two-year financial probe involving undercover operations, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Search warrant affidavits outline investigators’ central claim about the Lodge Card Club, a premier poker destination for Austinites: that multiple people and businesses worked together to run and profit from illegal gambling, funnel money through accounts to make it appear legitimate, and operate the venue and equipment used to carry out those games.
About 20 TABC agents, working with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service, executed the search warrant at the club on March 10, in conjunction with an ongoing investigation, the agency said.
The club said it is cooperating with investigators and has been advised not to reopen while the case is ongoing.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
"Austin launches redesigned city website under multimillion-dollar digital update" Community Impact | News's Ben Thompson – Austin's redesigned website went live early March 19, part of a multimillion-dollar project intended to modernize and streamline the city's digital experience.
“The launch of the new and improved AustinTexas.Gov has been a long time coming, and I am proud to say that the City of Austin website is now the most efficient place to connect Austinites with the information and resources they need,” T.C. Broadnax said in a statement. “We have worked hard to make everything on the site easier to find and navigate—whether that’s adopting your next pet, viewing your recycling schedule or paying your utility bill.”
Austintexas.gov is now search-based, a layout the city called more intuitive for visitors by providing quicker navigation to the webpages or information they're seeking. The search tool was updated to add filtering options and other functions for more accurate results, according to the city.
"Austin commission greenlights rezoning former Rosedale School site for apartment development" Community Impact | News's Chloe Young – Austin ISD’s former Rosedale School site in North Central Austin is one step closer to becoming a six-story apartment building.
At a March 17 meeting, the city of Austin's Zoning and Platting Commission voted 9-2 to recommend that the Austin City Council rezone the property for multifamily units instead of single-family housing.
The Rosedale School, which serves students with severe special needs, moved to a new campus in 2022 and has since served as a training facility for law enforcement officers. In October, AISD shared its plans to sell the former campus for $26 million to multifamily housing development OHT Partners as the district works to reduce a mounting budget shortfall.
Dozens of Rosedale neighborhood residents spoke in opposition of the rezoning at the March 17 meeting, citing concerns about the proposed development being too large and negatively impacting traffic and safety. AISD has sued more than 100 Rosedale residents, asking the Travis County District Court to determine whether a 1938 deed restriction would allow the development to continue.
"East Austin transit hub sees surge in ridership after major upgrades" via KVUE – East Austin transit hub sees surge in ridership after major upgrades
Transit leaders say the hub is also designed to better connect Central Texans to destinations across the region and beyond.
A major investment in public transportation in Austin is already showing results, with transit leaders reporting a noticeable increase in passengers using a key East Austin hub. The Richard A. Moya Eastside Bus Plaza has become a central transit destination since 2023, when major carriers like Greyhound and FlixBus began using it as a primary stop.
For travelers like Houston-area resident Thalia Castle, the difference is clear. “I like that there’s a Greyhound station here because when I take the FlixBus here from Houston, I’m doing it from a parking lot,” Castle said. She added that the improvements make the experience feel safer and more comfortable. “It feels safe and convenient to me. It’s nice to have a bus stop that has seats and bathrooms,” she said.
(KVUE)
"Transportation officials to launch open house for Parmer Lane Corridor study" Community Impact | News's Brittany Anderson – Local transportation officials are gearing up to gather the final round of public comments on the Parmer Lane Corridor study.
The project from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Texas Department of Transportation could bring various safety and mobility improvements along Parmer Lane from MoPac in Austin to Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park.
What you need to know
CAMPO's Transportation Policy Board adopted 10 regional corridors to study and prepare for future multimodal transportation improvement projects in 2021, according to TxDOT.
The study will use public input to help the agencies more clearly define and identify feasible improvements to make on Parmer, CAMPO officials said.
"Austin officials call for renaming Cesar Chavez Street, march canceled amid allegations" via KEYE – Community organizations have canceled Austin's annual César Chávez March, and four Austin city officials have called for renaming Cesar Chavez Street following the emergence of sexual misconduct allegations against the late labor leader.
Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA), People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER), and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) called off the March 28 event, citing "caution and respect for all parties."
According to CBS News, the allegations include claims of inappropriate sexual behavior involving women and minors during César Chávez's time leading the United Farm Workers. The claims surfaced 32 years after his death.
Austin City Council Members Vanessa Fuentes and José Velásquez, Mayor Pro Tem José "Chito" Vela, and Travis County Attorney Delia Garza issued a joint statement saying they support renaming Cesar Chavez Street.
(KEYE)
"Crews repair 5th break to Pflugerville waterline, restoring water flow to the lake" via KVUE – Crews have repaired a fifth break in Lake Pflugerville’s raw waterline, restoring water flow to the lake.
In an update on Wednesday evening, city officials said lake levels will take time to recover and emergency restrictions are still in place.
As of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, the lake depth was 17.01 feet. Stage 3 restrictions will last at least until the lake reaches 19 feet in depth and maintains that depth for a minimum of three days. How long that takes depends on how much Pflugerville water customers conserve, according to the city.
All city of Pflugerville customers are limited to indoor water use only, with the exception of watering home foundations to prevent cracking. The city is asking Pflugerville water customers to turn off taps when not in use and delay laundry and dishwashing cycles.
If conservation does not continue, further restrictions will be imposed, the city said.
(KVUE)
2026
"Meet the candidates for Dripping Springs City Council Place 2" Community Impact | News's Sienna Wight – Anna Grace Husted and Wade King are seeking votes in the Dripping Springs City Council Place 2 race. King is currently serving as the Place 2 council member.
Mitch Royer and Wm. Travis Crow will be on the ballot for the Place 4 race.
Read some of the key dates released by Hays County.
April 2: last day to register to vote for the May 2 election
April 20: first day of early voting in person; absentee ballot application deadline (received in the elections office, not postmarked)
April 21: San Jacinto Day holiday (no voting)
April 28: last day of early voting in person
May 2: election day
May 8: canvass, release of official results
Voters can cast their ballot at any polling location in Hays County on election day. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
"Q&A: Meet the candidates for Dripping Springs City Council, Place 4" Community Impact | News's Sienna Wight – Wm. Travis Crow and Mitch Royer are seeking votes in the Dripping Springs City Council, Place 4 race. Crow is currently serving as the Place 4 council member.
Ana Grace Husted and Wade King will be on the ballot for the Place 2 race.
Read some of the key dates released by Hays County.
April 2: last day to register to vote for the May 2 election
April 20: first day of early voting in person; absentee ballot application deadline (received in the Elections office, not postmarked)
April 21: San Jacinto Day holiday (no voting)
April 28: last day of early voting in person
May 2: election day
May 8: canvass, release of official results
Voters can cast their ballot at any Hays County polling location on election day. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words.
BUSINESS NEWS
"Austin draws another billionaire as Uber co-founder joins California exodus" Austin American-Statesman's Paul Flahive – Travis Kalanick, the Uber co-founder and one-time Silicon Valley bad boy, has relocated to Austin.
He disclosed the move to a residence on Lake Austin while discussing his new company Atoms.
“I’m Austin now. I own a place in Austin. I’ve owned it for five years,” the billionaire former CEO of ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc. said on the tech podcast TBPN, noting his love of waterskiing and the lake just 20 minutes from the city.
Kalanick was pushed out of the global ride-hailing company in 2017 over reports of rampant workplace-culture issues around sexism, violations of privacy and misogyny.
The company’s massive growth and exploits were detailed in Mike Isaac’s book “Super Pumped,” which later became a scripted Showtime series. The book opened a window on the lives of Silicon Valley’s Tech Bro culture, one that valued fierce competition, shirking of government rules and business growth above all else.
"'Future of aviation': Air taxi testing coming to Austin under federal pilot program" Community Impact | News's Ben Thompson – Test flights for electric aviation services like air taxis will soon be taking off across the state, including in Austin, following the Texas Department of Transportation's selection for a Federal Aviation Administration pilot program this month.
Under an executive order issued last year by President Donald Trump, the FAA is moving to advance aviation systems including unmanned drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft.
The 2025 order called to establish a pilot program to test emerging eVTOL technology and push its "safe and lawful" deployment. After a public solicitation, the FAA on March 9 announced the selection of eight pilot projects across the country expected to kick off this summer.
Expanded eVTOL operations could include local air taxi service, regional passenger and cargo transportation, emergency medical response, and more. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the chosen projects will redefine aspects of travel and logistics, "dramatically" improving how people and products move.
"Tesla's robotaxi crash count reaches 15 since June in Austin. Waymo hits 60." Austin American-Statesman's Andrea Guzmán – Tesla Inc. and Waymo reported more crashes in Austin in the past month as both companies face increasing pressure to improve their self-driving technology.
Tesla Inc., which operates a fleet of fewer than 40 cars that still often have human safety monitors, reported one crash in its latest report to federal regulators, bringing its total to 15 since launching service in June.
Waymo, which operates a fully driverless fleet of 200 cars, reported four new crashes, bringing its total to 60 since June.
Tesla said its latest crash, which was posted in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data reflecting incidents through Feb. 17, was with a fixed object. More detail about what was hit was not available because the Austin automaker redacts narratives in its public reports and did not respond to a request for comment.
LOCAL SPORTS
TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: "Texas overcomes Dybantsa, BYU for NCAA tournament upset" via ESPN – Matas Vokietaitis had 23 points and 16 rebounds, and No. 11 seed Texas knocked off sixth-seeded BYU 79-71 on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming 35 points from Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa.
After needing to beat N.C. State on Tuesday in the First Four just to reach the first round, Texas (19-14) advanced to face either third-seeded Gonzaga or No. 14 seed Kennesaw State on Saturday in the West Regional.
"One word I would use to describe our group is resilient," Texas coach Sean Miller said. "As we entered this tournament in Dayton, I think all of us up here really came to grips with, you know, let's really go out playing at the highest level we can, sticking together."
Dybantsa played every minute of the game but it wasn't enough as BYU (23-12) had its season - and perhaps his college career - come to an end. Dybantsa was two points shy of tying BYU's NCAA tournament record for points in a game, held by Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette.
"We understood that he has the ability to score like nobody else. But what we talked about was a jump shot by him was a victory for us," Miller said. "What we couldn't afford was that he puts Dailyn (Swain) in great foul trouble or he fouls our entire team out."
The freshman who led the nation in scoring with 25.3 points per game will be a candidate for the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft if he leaves school.
PGA TOUR / AUSTIN: "Tickets now on sale for inaugural Good Good Championship" Community Impact | News's Grace Dickens – Tickets for the inaugural Good Good Championship golf tournament at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s Fazio Canyons Golf Course went on sale March 18. The event is scheduled for this November. “The Good Good Championship provides an exciting opportunity for the city of Austin and surrounding regions to experience a world-class golf tournament, with daily ticket options to accommodate a variety of fans,” tournament director Ian Helm said in a news release.
The tournament is the second-to-last event in the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Fall, a series of events that allows players to improve their rank positions prior to the 2026 FedExCup Season starting at the end of November. The upcoming November game is the first time in three years the PGA Tour has come to Austin, according to PGA Tour officials.
QUICK LINKS
Buc-ee's and pop idols: Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling combined combat and cuteness at SXSW - Austin American-Statesman
Sporadic crowds, new format: SXSW 2026 tested its future in Austin. Did it work? - Austin American-Statesman
Final four options revealed in Hutto hippo 'March Mascot' competition - KVUE
APD: 21 arrested in commercial sex investigation, two trafficking victims recovered - KEYE
Start to spring in Austin could break daily heat records this weekend - Austin American-Statesman
Pflugerville massage therapist arrested again for additional sexual assault charges - KEYE
Sushi, chicken and bubble tea: 6 new restaurants from Round Rock to San Marcos - Community Impact | News
Austin Padel Center brings 3 climate-controlled padel courts to North Austin - Community Impact | News
ATI Physical Therapy celebrates fifth anniversary in Buda - Community Impact | News
Austin launches redesigned city website under multimillion-dollar digital update - Community Impact | News
Transportation officials to launch open house for Parmer Lane Corridor study - Community Impact | News
Proposed data center seeks wastewater services from Hutto - Community Impact | News
NTSB: New details on driver’s health, phone use, sleep before deadly March 2025 I-35 crash - KEYE
Hutto moves forward with CR 137 roundabout project - Community Impact | News
Finney’s Books brings romance-only bookstore to North Central Austin - Community Impact | News
New Affordable Housing Community, Red Oaks, Opens in Austin - austin.gov
City of Austin Launched New Website This Week - Patch
How housing policy reform drove down rents in Austin, Texas - Smart Cities Dive
NTSB releases new findings on deadly I‑35 crash in North Austin - KVUE
Best places to see bluebonnets in Central Texas this spring - Austin American-Statesman
Traffic alert: Northbound I-35 mainlanes in South Austin to be closed - FOX 7 Austin
First day of spring, more like summer - Spectrum News
Texas officials spearhead calls to rename Cesar Chavez Street - MySA
Truck driver in deadly I-35 north Austin crash may have taken few opportunities for sleep, report says - KXAN Austin
Austin southern restaurant Hoover's Cooking closing after nearly 30 years - KVUE
Austin's 16 best new restaurants compete for top Tastemaker honor - CultureMap Austin
AUSTIN CULTURE
~ WEEKEND PLANS: “Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend” Culture Map Austin
~ RIP: “Chuck Norris, who starred in 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' dies at 86” AP
~ RESTAURANT CLOSING: “Beloved Austin restaurateur to close Hoover’s Cooking after 27 years” Culture Map Austin
~ ARTS: “City of Austin awards $24 million in arts and culture grants” Culture Map Austin
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
Saturday
~ TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: 11 Texas vs. 3 Gonzaga (Portland, OR). 6:10pm tip. Airs on TBS.
~ TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: 8 Oregon vs. 1 Texas. Moody Center. 5pm tip. Tix $20 and up here. Airs on ESPN.
~ TEXAS BASEBALL: #2 Texas at #5 Auburn (Auburn, AL). 6pm. Airs on SEC Network +.
~ LIVE MUSIC: Robert Plant & Saving Grace. ACL Live. 7:30pm. Tix $200 and up here.
~ LIVE MUSIC: Bob Schneider (and Mitch Watkins). The 04 Center. 8pm. Tix $34 and up here.
~ LIVE MUSIC: Booker T. Jones. Antone’s. 9pm. $43 tix here.
~ COMEDY: Todd Glass. Creek and Cave. 7pm. Sold out.
Sunday
~ TEXAS BASEBALL: #2 Texas at #5 Auburn (Auburn, AL). 2pm. Airs on SEC Network +.
~ COMEDY: Todd Glass. Creek and Cave. 7pm. Sold out.
FEATURED JOB
~ ECONOMIST: Texas Workforce Commission. Salary: $4,523 / month. Info / apply here.