ATX Pulse 4/15-17/26 (free): ACC Purchases $131M Facility for SE Travis County Campus // 3 Arrested for Meth Charge // Austin Faces $26.4M Budget Deficit for FY 2027 // Austin Airport Among Worst for Delays // UT Football Finishes Spring Practice

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 - FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TOP NEWS

"Exclusive: ACC purchases $131M facility for new southeast Travis County campus" via AAS – On Wednesday, Austin Community College purchased a 560,000 square-foot complex in southeast Travis County to be the future home of a new trades-focused campus. The sale of the property is part of the district’s 2022 bond promise to meet pressing job needs in skilled trades like advanced manufacturing and construction. The college, which serves 80,000 students each year, purchased the former home of Bergstrom Tech Center just west of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for $130.5 million from the bond. The site will become ACC’s second largest campus by square footage.

It will house the Infrastructure Academy, a partnership between ACC, the city of Austin and Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which is designed to train Austinites for jobs created by the city’s $25 billion in infrastructure projects. Initially, ACC planned to build its own facility for the campus; construction would have taken five to six years. The purchase of an existing building saves taxpayers an estimated $100 million, ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said. He expects the campus to start offering classes this summer, and complete renovations within two years. Initially, it will be able to serve up to 3,000 students.

It’s not clear how many students the facility will serve when running at full capacity. “It’s a win-win in terms of being efficient and effective,” Lowery-Hart said. “It will allow us to serve our community more immediately… it’s a big moment.” In 2022, voters passed a $770 million bond package with 70% approval to build campuses in southeast and southwest Travis County, increase student support and expand programs aimed at workforce development in growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing, healthcare and welding.

Lowery-Hart said Central Texas will need 10,000 more workers for infrastructure each year over the next 10 years, accelerating the need for the college’s programs. The new campus will house the college’s skilled trades program, which were previously located at ACC’s Riverside campus. The skilled trades programs include advanced manufacturing, building construction, craft trades, welding, automotive technology and heating and air conditioning technology programs. (AAS)

THE BLOTTER

"3 people arrested, charged after APD executes 'proactive operation'" via FOX7 –- Three people were arrested after a ‘proactive operation’; was executed by the Austin Police Department. Each suspect was arrested for a methamphetamine charge.

Police said on April 13, the APD North Metro Tactical Unit directed a proactive operation at a home in the 1400 block of Broadmoor Drive. The operation was to address ongoing complaints from residents from the neighborhood. They suspected drugs, firearms, arson, trespassing, burglary, criminal threatening and other crimes were taking place there.

"APD wishes to thank the residents of this neighborhood for their support and encourages residents throughout the city to continue to call and advocate for themselves if there are problem areas, apartments or houses in their neighborhoods. This case demonstrates the value of collaboration with our community and the types of efforts we can take to help with situations like these," APD said in a statement.

Three people were arrested during the operation. Lakeshia Robertson, 38, was arrested after leaving the home for a violation of city ordinance. Officers learned she had an active warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Robertson was arrested and taken to the Travis County Jail where she was searched in accordance to jail policy. Officers found 3 grams of methamphetamine during the search. She was charged with an arrest warrant as well as unlawful possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), 1 gram & 4 grams. (FOX7)

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