ATX Pulse 5/19-23/26 (free): City Hall Wants to Buy a New Power Plant, But Cost Undisclosed // Could Austin Reconsider LPRs? // #2 Texas Softball Earns Trip to CWS // Texas Baseball Earns #6 National Seed

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TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026 - FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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WEATHER

Today: H: 88° / L: 65°. 33% chance of rain.

Wednesday: H: 84° / L: 66°. 24% chance of rain.

Thursday: H: 91° / L: 71°. 24% chance of rain.

Friday: H: 93° / L: 74°. 22% chance of rain.

TOP NEWS

"Austin Energy wants to buy a new power plant but won't say how much it costs" via KUT – Austin City Council Members are set to decide on whether to pursue a new natural gas power project without a public debate or public vote on Thursday. Any discussion between City Council and representatives of Austin Energy, the city's electric utility, will take place during executive session, where the mayor and council go behind closed doors.

Opponents of the plan, including environmentalists and people from neighborhoods where the project would be located, are questioning both the need for the new gas generators and the secrecy around the council vote. Kaiba White, climate policy specialist for Public Citizens Texas, said, "They're literally asking for a blank check, which rate payers are the ones that will be on the hook for. It's everybody who pays an Austin Energy bill that will pay this price.”

The location and full cost of the potential new gas "peaker" plant remains unknown. The gas generators the city utility proposes to buy could be housed in a new facility or installed in existing city power plants. Austin Energy, the city's electric utility, says the project is necessary to fight high energy costs and guarantee reliability into the future.

Gas peakers are natural gas power generators that can start up quickly and run when demand for energy is at its peak and energy costs are highest. Austin Energy says that is exactly what the utility needs to confront booming energy demand, much of it from planned data centers, and overloaded transmission lines. (KUT)

"Judge orders release of Austin student detained by ICE ahead of graduation" via KEYE — A judge has ordered the release of an Austin high school senior who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month, days before his scheduled graduation.

U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam granted a petition for writ of habeas corpus Wednesday in the case of Luis Fernando Cabrera, 18, ordering that he be released from custody no later than May 22. The order also prohibits any removal or transfer of Cabrera while the detention order is in effect.

Cabrera, a senior at Northeast Early College High School, was detained May 1 following a Texas Department of Public Safety traffic stop for expired registration. He has been held at the Karnes Detention Center.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, who had demanded Cabrera's release and visited him at Karnes earlier this week, praised the ruling. (KEYE)

THE BLOTTER

"Man dies after tree falls on Green Mesquite patio in Austin" via AAS -– Green Mesquite BBQ has been open on Barton Springs Road since 1988.

A man died after a tree fell on him Tuesday night on the patio of Green Mesquite, the Barton Springs Road barbecue restaurant confirmed Thursday.

The restaurant identified the man as Kirk Foyle, describing him in a Thursday Facebook post as a friend, longtime customer and “beloved member of the Zilker neighborhood.”

Green Mesquite said Foyle was struck by a tree on the restaurant’s patio that had apparently been hit by lightning. He later died from his injuries, according to the restaurant. (AAS)

"Serial burglar arrested after breaking into Austin store over 10 times" via FOX7 -– A serial burglar is once again behind bars after breaking into two local Austin stores.

On Tuesday, 30-year-old Tyroan Telemacque was arrested after breaking into Royal Blue Grocery.

The first incident happened Sunday at the chain’s East 6th Street location around 4:30 AM. Video footage from inside the store shows Telemacque breaking the glass of a sliding window before jumping inside. He then fills his backpack with stolen goods before escaping through the same window. (FOX7)

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