ATX PULSE 8/21/25 (free): Regents Approve Davis, Zerwas to Lead UT-Austin, UT System // 5 New Charges Filed Against Target Killer // LPRs Catch Murderer in Hays County // Liberty Hill ISD Moves to Partial Year 4 Day School Week Amid Budget Cuts // Overhaul Lands $105M Investment // Taaffe Thinks UT Defense Can Be Better Than 2024

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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P.S. Some personal news: Amy and I are expecting our first child!

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 93° / L: 73°: Rain expected in some areas, per Fox 7 Austin.

Slightly cooler with another round of hit or miss rain on Thursday, per KVUE.

Hit and miss showers and storms, sunnier weekend, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“University of Texas officially hires Davis as president, Zerwas as chancellor“ KVUE

“5 new charges filed against Austin Target shooting suspect“ KVUE

THE BLOTTER

“APD SWAT team responds to barricaded felony suspect at East Austin hotel“ CBS Austin

“APD makes arrest in deadly William Cannon Drive crash“ KXAN

“Hays County jury sentences Omar Galvan-Ochoa to life for 2023 murder in Buda“ CBS Austin

“Austin house fire kills 1 person, seriously injures another“ Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Liberty Hill ISD adopts 4-day week amid budget cuts” KXAN

“Lake Travis HS to revamp stadium, doubling capacity by 2026” KVUE

BUSINESS NEWS

“Texas supply chain security startup lands $105M investment, acquires Michigan startup” ABJ ($)

“7 board members approved for the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corp.” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Michael Taaffe thinks the 2025 Texas defense can be better than 2024” KXAN

QUICK LINKS

Bon Appétit names Austin coffee shop one of country's best new breakfast spots - Austin American-Statesman

Jim Davis, John Zerwas take UT leadership roles after regents' vote - Austin American-Statesman

Who did Texas softball hire as its new assistant coach? - Austin American-Statesman

Austin concert guide for fall 2025: Billie Eilish, Lil Wayne, Tate McRae and more - Austin American-Statesman

Activists protest as redistricting fight heats up in Texas House, see the photos - Austin American-Statesman

Texas high school football: With Austin roots, David Seaborn takes over Liberty Hill - Austin American-Statesman

Austin, Monitored: Austin skies stay as-is, and homelessness gets a new task force - Austin Monitor

Planning Commission recommends industrial rezoning in Govalle - Austin Monitor

City, DAA among partners for new homelessness task force - Austin Monitor

Austin metal, rock venue The Lost Well finds new home in East Austin - Community Impact

Travis County eyes sites for permanent mental health diversion center - Community Impact

College application season in full swing: Here’s what to know - Community Impact

Bluefin Sushi & Ramen to open new restaurant in Northwest Austin - Community Impact

Raising Cane's looks to open location in Tech Ridge area - Community Impact

Japanese restaurant Kappo Kappo to open at Austin Proper Hotel this fall - Community Impact

WilCo officials advance creation of Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation - Community Impact

Investigation underway after deadly house fire in South Austin - KVUE

Man arrested, charged with manslaughter in connection to S Austin crash - KEYE

Austin Target shooting suspect facing five new felonies - FOX 7 Austin

Three found dead in Austin residence, APD investigating - KXAN Austin

Natural Grocers to close Austin, Texas store - Supermarket News

Austin Public Health Celebrates National Breastfeeding Month 2025: “Forward Together” - AustinTexas.gov

UT System names new chancellor and new flagship president - Houston Chronicle

Families of Central Texas flood victims testify in Austin - CBS News

Here are all the businesses participating in Austin Restaurant Weeks - Spectrum News

Driver arrested after deadly South Austin crash - KVUE

Several Texas Democrats sleep in House chamber on Tuesday night - KVUE

Gov. Abbott adds quorum break penalties, Ivermectin access to special session call - KXAN Austin

Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout - KVUE

Judge blocks AG Ken Paxton from targeting Beto O'Rourke's political group - KUT

Austin Topic Spayed female | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News - KEYE

Canada-based HydroGraph to relocate to Austin - ABJ

7 board members approved for the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corp. - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “New Georgian restaurant brings khachapuri 'bread boats' to Austin” Culture Map Austin

~ AUSTIN ICONS: “Peter Pan Mini-Golf secures lease extension through September 2026” CBS Austin

~ CHARITY EFFORT: “More than 300 musicians to perform free sets for HAAM Day in Austin” Culture Map Austin

~ GROCERY: “Natural grocery store to close Austin location after store-wide sale” Culture Map Austin

~ TEXAS WINE COUNTRY: “Texas Hill Country wineries host first-ever, single-day Wine Camp” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Treaty Oak Revival. Whitewater Amphitheater (New Braunfels, TX). 7:30pm. Tix $93 and up here.

WHAT TO DO TOMORROW

~ LIVE MUSIC: Lil Wayne. Germania Insurance Amphitheater.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Jack Ingram. Gruene Hall. 8pm. Tix $51 and up here.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

~ WEEKEND PLANS: Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend Culture Map Austin

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Communications and Outreach Liaison. Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC). Salary: $4,801 - $6,637 / monthly. Info / apply here.