ATX Pulse 6/22-24/26 (free): WilCo Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus // Outside Audit Charter Amendment Certified for Nov. 2026 Ballot // Austin Leaders Consider 2026 Bond // Barton Springs Pool Reopens as Deep Eddy Temporarily Closes // APD Files Terrorism Charge in String of 13 Shootings

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MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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WEATHER

Thursday: H: 956° / L: 76°. AM clouds and PM sun, breezy.

Friday: H: 96° / L: 76°. AM clouds and PM sun, breezy.

Saturday: H: 96° / L: 77°. AM clouds and PM sun, breezy.

Sunday: H: 97° / L: 77°. Sun & clouds, breezy.

TOP NEWS

"Williamson County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus as health officials urge precautions" via KVUE — Health officials are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after mosquitoes collected in Williamson County tested positive for West Nile virus.

The positive tests were identified through routine mosquito surveillance conducted by the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD). Officials said no human cases have been linked to the infected mosquitoes, but the findings confirm the virus is circulating in the area as mosquito season continues across Central Texas.

West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Most people infected with the virus don't develop symptoms, but some may experience fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, joint pain, nausea or a skin rash. In rare cases, the virus can cause serious neurological illness, particularly among older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Health officials said residents should take steps to reduce their risk of exposure and help limit mosquito breeding around their homes. Recommended precautions include using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when possible, and limiting outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. (KVUE)

"Should Austin be audited before asking voters for higher taxes?" via AAS – Austin voters are now poised to decide whether the city should be required to undergo regular outside audits before asking residents to approve higher taxes.

The local political action committee pushing to enshrine recurring audits of Austin’s spending in the City Charter announced Monday that city officials had validated its petition, clearing the way for the proposed charter amendment to appear on the November ballot.

City Clerk Erika Brady sent a letter to Save Austin Now certifying that the PAC’s petition had met Austin’s 20,000-signature requirement for an initiative petition. Brady estimated that the petition included 20,051 valid signatures out of the 21,131 names submitted after her office checked a random sample of 5,283 lines.

The proposed charter amendment would require Austin to undergo an independent spending audit every five years to identify potential cost savings. It also would bar the city from calling a tax rate election — such as last year’s Proposition Q — unless an audit had been completed within the previous 12 months. (AAS)

"Austin still hasn't hit 100 degrees. That could change soon" via AAS – Temperatures in the mid-90s are expected to start Austin's work week. By the end of the week, Austin will be closing in on the first 100-degree day of the year.

Austin's first 100-degree day of 2026 may finally be on the horizon as a strengthening heat dome settles over Texas and sends temperatures climbing this week.

Several days of upper 90s are expected across Austin this week, with humidity pushing afternoon heat index values as high as 108 degrees. The hot stretch could also bring another milestone: the city's first 100-degree day of 2026. Austin typically records its first 100-degree day in early July, but the date can vary widely from year to year.

With above-normal warmth expected to persist through the end of the month, the city's first triple-digit temperature of 2026 may already be within reach. (AAS)

"Austin-area hospitals denied miscarriage care despite clarification to Texas' abortion ban, federal complaint alleges" via KVUE – There came a point when the chills, fever and cramps were so intense that Lynn Callaway thought she might die.

Callaway was having a miscarriage, and had developed an infection. She wanted abortion-inducing medication or surgery to help empty her uterus and bring her suffering to an end. But, in a federal complaint filed Monday, Callaway says she’d already been refused that type of care at two Austin area emergency rooms, and felt she had no choice but to endure alone at home.

Her husband, Mario, was unwilling to accept that his otherwise healthy 40-year-old wife was suddenly wan and bleeding on the floor, while their young son watched in alarm. He wanted to take her to New Mexico or Colorado to get the care they say they were wrongfully denied in Texas. But she was too weak to sustain the trip.

When they finally saw her doctor days later, Callaway was prescribed abortion-inducing drugs to pass the miscarriage. In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Callaway said when she pressed her doctor on why it had taken three medical facilities four days to treat her, she was told the emergency room would “have to be damned sure that it’s an actual miscarriage to be offering the pill.” (KVUE)

"Restore or replace? A battle over Barton Springs Bridge on its 100th birthday" via AAS – With Barton Springs Pool closed Sunday, the creek below took on the feel of a summer swimming hole. Kids swung from ropes, kayakers drifted beneath the arches and the Barton Springs Bridge marked its 100th birthday with a celebration that became a rally against Austin’s plan to replace it.

Preservation advocates, neighborhood leaders and park users gathered near Barton Springs Pool and along the trail below the bridge, where the Bat City Brass Band led a march and people signed petitions urging city officials to move away from the replacement project now in design.

The city has said the bridge, which crosses Barton Creek near the entrance to Zilker Park, needs to be replaced because it no longer meets modern transportation needs. The city says the bridge is in fair structural condition but has narrow sidewalks, guardrails and other outdated features that create challenges for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The Austin City Council recommended replacement in 2023, and the city has received a $32 million federal grant to help fund construction.

“The city’s own engineering reports tell us we can save it for less money than tearing it down,” said Bill Bunch, executive director of Save Our Springs Alliance. (AAS)

"Barton Springs Pool is open again after flood cleanup" via AAS – Barton Springs Pool reopened early Tuesday morning, city officials announced, after the Austin landmark was shut down last Monday due to flooding from heavy rain.

The pool will return to its regular scheduled swim times, according to the city. A storm-filled start to last week left the pool overfilled and polluted, causing the city to close it for a then-indefinite amount of time.

The city said park staff spent the week since removing debris — such as tree branches, cans and fish hooks — from the water, along with cleaning off the surrounding decks. Teams also reinstalled the diving board and lifeguard stands around the pool.

Dante Motley covers breaking news for the American-Statesman. He previously completed a fellowship with the Texas Tribune, worked as an intern for the Sacramento Bee, and interned for chef José Andrés's media company, helping with cookbooks, TV shows and podcasts. He graduated from Yale University in 2024, where he was managing editor of the Yale Daily News. (AAS)

"Texas' oldest swimming pool temporarily closes due to repairs" via MySA – Deep Eddy Pool in Austin, the oldest swimming pool in Texas.

As summer travelers seek to beat the heat, Texas' oldest swimming pool will be temporarily closed this week for repairs. Deep Eddy Pool in Austin will be closed Monday, June 22, through Sunday, June 28.

The City of Austin said in a release that the pool is closing for repairs to a fill inlet valve that broke earlier this year. According to the city, the broken inlet valve prevents the pool from being filled in time for morning openings, which is why it has to close.

Deep Eddy Pool is expected to reopen on Monday, June 29, just in time for July Fourth weekend, barring any weather-related delays. In the meantime, Austin residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the Capital City's 31 other year-round seasonal pools and swimming holes. (MySA)

THE BLOTTER

"Austin Police file terrorism charge for teen suspect in string of 13 shootings" via KUT – The Austin Police Department has recommended that the 17-year-old suspect in the May string of shootings across Austin be charged with terrorism, a first-degree felony.

An affidavit filed Monday in Travis County’s 331st Criminal District Court said police believe Cristian Fajardo Mondragon’s actions were intended to intimidate people and hinder government operations.

“These actions created a substantial risk of death and serious bodily injury to members of the public and were [reasonably] calculated to generate widespread fear, alarm, and disruption within the community,” the affidavit said.

There were a total of 13 shootings over the course of May 16 and 17 — 12 were initially reported by APD before the Buda Police Department announced an additional shooting was connected. The suspects stole multiple vehicles, shot about 149 rounds across the crime scenes, injured five people and prompted shelter-in-place orders as police worked to arrest them, the affidavit said. (KUT)

"Person hit by train will survive: Austin Police" via KXAN –- A Union Pacific train hit a pedestrian early Monday in northwest Austin, according to Austin Police. Fortunately, but also unusually for such collisions, the pedestrian will survive, APD said. It did not say what injuries that person sustained.

It happened at the railroad crossing at Duval Road around 3:30 a.m. According to satellite images, there are sidewalks at that crossing. APD estimated that Duval Road will be closed until around 7 a.m. (KXAN)

"Woman arrested in connection to deadly auto-pedestrian hit-and-run" via FOX7 – AUSTIN, Texas - A woman has been arrested in connection to a deadly hit-and-run crash that happened on June 12.

Martha Maria Flores was arrested on June 15.

On June 12, Austin Police Department patrol officers responded at around 11:35 p.m. to a crash that involved a pedestrian in the 600 block of north I-35 service road southbound.

The suspect, identified as Flores, left the scene after the crash. (FOX7)

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