ATX PULSE 4/14/25 (free) (sponsored by No Scrubs): 6 Injured, 24 Homes Damaged After NW Austin Home Explosion // Richards School Principal Accused of Violating Policy Shortly After Sudden Resignation // Airlines Bullish on ABIA Amid Expansion // #1 UT Softball Loses Series w/ #5 Tennessee // UT Baseball Wins Another SEC Series in Lexington // Austin FC Embarrassed by Vancouver

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MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 93° / L: 65°. Warm week ahead, per Fox 7 Austin. Heat continues for the next week, per KVUE. Dry cold front moves in overnight, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“6 injured, at least 24 homes damaged after house explosion in Northwest Austin,” Fox 7 Austin’s Amber Kite — “The Austin Fire Department is investigating what may have caused a two-story home in Northwest Austin to explode Sunday just before noon.

Officials say at least 24 homes were damaged by the explosion and six people were injured.

Officials say that just before 11:30 a.m. April 13, multiple initial calls came in about a house that had blown up.

When crews arrived in the 10400 block of Double Spur Loop, they found a two-story home that looked like it had exploded and was leveled to the ground. A neighboring house had also suffered severe damage.

There was a vehicle fire at the home that collapsed, and fire crews extinguished small spot fires in the collapsed debris as well.

EMS says that a total of six people were treated in connection with the explosion. Two people from the collapsed residence are currently listed in critical and serious but stable conditions. A third person from the neighboring house is also in critical condition.

Another person with minor complaints refused transport from the scene. EMS also treated two firefighters for minor injuries. One was taken to the hospital and the other refused transport.

Officials are also working with Animal Control to account for several pets in the neighborhood.

Officials say at least 24 homes were damaged and two have been determined "uninhabitable". The Red Cross is assisting those displaced. Some homes on nearby Spicewood Mesa, Pantera Ridge and Muley Drive have reportedly been damaged.

Power was out in the area due to power lines damaged in the explosion, but has since been restored to all homes except the severely damaged ones.

Officials said Sunday afternoon they expected to be on scene for hours.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown. 

Texas Gas Service confirmed to FOX 7 Austin that the home did not have natural gas service; however, the home did have propane tanks, according to officials.

Officials also addressed "rumors circulating around," saying that there was no plane crash or law enforcement activity in the area prior to the explosion. …

Whatever caused the quake was so powerful that people reported feeling it for miles, including Austin City Council Member Krista Laine (District 6).

"It shook my entire house, and it has reverberated throughout Northwest Austin," said Laine. "I absolutely needed to be here to find out exactly what is at play."

Many people reported on social media seeing a large smoke cloud and hearing a loud "boom".

The Cedar Park Police Department posted on X (formerly Twitter) that they were aware of the boom, and CapMetro responded saying they heard it in Pflugerville.

Leander police also shared on social media that they had received reports about the explosion as well.

Gabriel Lacey shared this photo, showing the smoke cloud from just over a mile away.

Officials say the explosion was heard as far as Georgetown.

Aerial drone footage from KXSR Labs shows the aftermath of the explosion. …

The Austin Fire Department also shared footage from the scene, showing the home had been leveled. 

Windows and doors were also blown in by the shockwaves.” Fox 7 Austin

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THE BLOTTER

“Multiple child abduction attempts raise Williamson County neighbor's concerns” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Austin ISD accuses former principal, executive director of violating school policy, report shows” KXAN

2025

“Several municipal utility districts on ballot in Hays County area” Community Impact Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“Airlines bullish on Austin airport as it undergoes multibillion-dollar expansion” ABJ ($)

“Texas Supreme Court clears way for more development in Austin's fastest-growing suburb” ABJ ($)

TEXAS SPORTS

TEXAS BASEBALL: “No. 2 Texas keeps rolling through SEC, picks up road series over Kentucky” KXAN

TEXAS SOFTBALL: “No. 1 Texas drops series to No. 5 Tennessee after ‘nightmare’ first inning” KXAN

AUSTIN FC: “Austin FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 4 takeaways as Verde & Black embarrassed Saturday” AAS ($)

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas Longhorns to host special fan day April 26 replacing spring football game” KXAN

TEXAS ATHLETICS: “Here's the staggering amount of money UT student athletes have made on NIL since 2021” ABJ ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ Austin will soon require properties have working air conditioning in buildings - Austin American-Statesman

~ Dell Medical School clinic joins global bipolar study for treatments - Austin American-Statesman

~ Council to appoint Erika Brady as city clerk - Austin Monitor

~ Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announces new flight service while anticipating capacity cuts - Austin Monitor

~ Council OKs next steps in planning improvements to Sixth Street district - Austin Monitor

~ Banyan & Bamboo day and med spa now open in South Austin - Community Impact

~ Live music events to attend this April, May in Cedar Park, Leander - Community Impact

~ Limestone Link trail opens in Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone - Community Impact

~ Bondi Bowls opening soon in Steiner Ranch - Community Impact

~ Bee Cave supports local water conservation bills - Community Impact

~ Alumna-founded 2nd annual Austin Texas Book Trail invites community to support independent bookstores - The Daily Texan

~ Vintage find or hipster relic? Best record shops in Central Texas - MySA

~ Trek Through 29 Independent Bookstores on the Austin Texas Book Trail - The Austin Chronicle

~ Employees unite to save iconic Austin BBQ restaurant - KVUE

~ Update: Austin City Council approves new and expanded wildfire risk map - Austin American-Statesman

~ NTSB releases more details in preliminary report on I-35 crash that killed five - KXAN Austin

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ GAME NIGHT: “Pins Mechanical Co. opening tops Austin news this week” Culture Map Austin

~ DINING: “Austin's new Fish Shop hosts 4 pre-opening pop-ups” Culture Map Austin

~ BALLET: “Ballet Austin to finish season with ‘Romeo and Juliet’’ KXAN

~ CONVENTION CENTER: “3 of 4 remaining art pieces at Convention Center to be relocated” KXAN

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Soul Man Sam (with Lindsey Beaver). Antones, 305 E. 5th St). Doors 7pm, show 8pm. $12 tix here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Information Security Analyst. Travis County. Salary: $65,997.32 - $90,000.00 / annually. Info / apply here.