ATX Pulse 6/10-12/26 (free): Musk Outlines Plan for 11M Sq. Ft. Facility in Bastrop // Blue-Green Algae Reappears in City Waterways // Travis County Deputy Indicted // AISD Students Show STAAR Test Improvement // UT Baseball Falls to UGA, Plays Bama Mon at 1pm

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026 - FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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WEATHER

Monday: H: 82° / L: 74°. 80% chance of heavy thunderstorms.

Tuesday: H: 86° / L: 73°. 60% chance of scattered thunderstorms.

Wednesday: H: 90° / L: 74°. 30% chance of widely scattered thunderstorms.

Thursday: H: 96° / L: 76°. 10% chance of rain. Partly cloudy.

Friday: H: 92° / L: 77°. 30% chance of widely scattered thunderstorms.

TOP NEWS

"Oracle, Meta, Dell and more: Tech layoffs with ties to Austin" via AAS –- As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in workplaces, its impact on the tech workforce is becoming harder to ignore. Companies have cut thousands of jobs this year, with many employers citing AI as a factor in their restructuring.

Layoffs across the broader tech industry had reached more than 139,700 as of June 8, with AI cited as a factor in more than half of those job cuts, according to an industry analysis.

At the same time, Big Tech’s AI spending is expected to reach $700 billion as companies including Oracle, Apple, Amazon and Google pour money into massive data center and chip factory projects.

Several of those firms have a presence in the Austin metro area. Here's a breakdown of which tech companies have cut jobs and how Central Texas could be affected. (AAS)

"Musk outlines plans for 11M-square-foot facility in Bastrop" via KXAN – Elon Musk has outlined plans for an 11 million square-foot facility in Bastrop, Texas. The massive project is expected to significantly expand the footprint of SpaceX in the area.

As the demand for data centers continues to surge, Texas is experiencing explosive growth in facilities tied to artificial intelligence operations. This expansion has raised concerns among state officials.

Governor Greg Abbott has responded by recommending new data center regulations. He is urging the state legislature to consider implementing stricter rules and rolling back certain tax incentives currently benefiting the industry.

The move aims to ensure that the rapid development aligns with state policy goals and manages its impact on local communities and resources effectively. (KXAN)

"Austin Economic Indicators, April 2026" via Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – In April, Austin experienced employment growth and wage increases, though the unemployment rate also rose. Meanwhile, housing prices climbed as months of inventory declined.

The Austin Business-Cycle Index, a broad measure of economic activity, grew an annualized 2.5 percent in April, slower than the 3.6 percent gain in March.

Austin’s unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent in April, but is still below the state and national rate of 4.3 percent. The number of unemployed expanded an annualized 8.9 percent, while the labor force decreased by 2.1 percent from December to April.

Austin employment increased an annualized 1.3 percent in April. In the three months ending in April, employment increased an annualized 0.2 percent. The greatest gains were in professional and business services (1,400 jobs), information (1,200 jobs) and construction and mining (500 jobs). Sectors that declined include leisure and hospitality (-2,000 jobs), and other services (-600 jobs). (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas)

"Austin issues warning as blue-green algae reappears in city waterways" via KVUE -– The city of Austin is again urging residents to use caution around local waterways because of possible toxic blue-green algae.

Austin Watershed Protection staff have observed thick mats of potentially toxic algae near Red Bud Isle on Lady Bird Lake and at Walsh Boat Landing on Lake Austin. Officials said samples were collected from six lake monitoring sites for testing. Algae mats may also be present in other areas of both lakes and nearby creeks.

Residents are urged to avoid contact with algae and to keep dogs out of affected water.

Blue-green algae can appear as dark, floating blobs on the water’s surface and may be mixed with other algae or aquatic vegetation. Warmer weather creates more favorable conditions for algae growth, and officials expect it to become more widespread. (KVUE)

THE BLOTTER

"Police identify man killed after officers use Taser during North Austin arrest" via KVUE -– Police on Wednesday identified a man who died after officers deployed a Taser during an arrest in North Austin over the weekend. The Austin Police Department also released body camera footage, a neighbor’s Ring footage, and 911 audio of the incident. Seven officers have been placed on leave as the case is being investigated.

According to APD, police received multiple 911 calls around 5:42 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, reporting a man who had broken a car window and was attempting to flag down vehicles in the 7700 block of Woodrow Avenue, in the Crestview neighborhood. Callers told police the man was bleeding, sitting in the road, and behaving “erratically.” The man reportedly had blood on his arms. Austin-Travis County EMS medics were notified and began responding.

Between 5:43 p.m. and 5:58 p.m., APD received more 911 calls reporting the man near the intersection of Princeton Avenue and Woodrow Avenue running with blood on his arms. Officers arriving on the scene searched the area and did not find the man and later canceled the ATCEMS response, according to APD.

Around 6:31 p.m., police responded to reports of a prowler in the 7600 block of Grover Ave., where the suspect was allegedly trying to force entry into a home that was occupied by an armed homeowner. The 911 caller told APD he heard banging at the front door and initially believed someone was trying to kick the door open. Other 911 callers reported a shirtless man bleeding and banging on doors in the neighborhood. (KVUE)

"Train rider's alleged killer found unfit to stand trial will receive treatment" via KEYE — Iryna Zarutska's alleged killer, 35-year-old Decarlos Brown, Jr., was found unfit to stand trial in the federal case against him and ordered to receive treatment.

On Tuesday, at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte, Judge Kenneth D. Bell ruled that Brown is mentally incompetent to stand trial in the killing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska last August, the Daily Mail reported.

In the federal case, Brown is charged with causing death on a mass transportation system, a capital offense. (KEYE)

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