ATX Pulse 5/26-29/26 (free): TEA Rejects AISD's Turnaround Plans for 3 Failing Schools // Watson Pulls Scaled Back Cap-and-Stitch Plan // City Hall Estimates $1.2M Cost for Changing Name of Cesar Chavez Street // UT Softball Plays Miss St. in Elimination Game in OKC Tonight // UT Baseball // UT Baseball Opens Austin Regional Tonight

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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026 - FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026

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WEATHER

Today: H: 94° / L: 71°. AM Clouds / PM Sun.

Saturday: H: 92° / L: 72°. Partly cloudy.

Sunday: H: 93° / L: 73°. Partly cloudy.

Monday: H: 91° / L: 74°. 30% chance of spotty thunderstorms.

TOP NEWS

"Texas Education Agency rejects Austin ISD's plan for failing schools" via KUT – The Texas Education Agency rejected a partnership proposed by the Austin Independent School District to buy the district more time to avoid a state takeover. In a letter sent to Superintendent Matias Segura on Thursday, the TEA denied the district's request to hand over three middle schools to an outside provider to run them under what is known as an 1882 agreement.

In March, the district proposed partnering with the Texas Council for International Studies to run Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools as charter schools. The three campuses have received four consecutive unacceptable grades from the state's accountability system. A fifth failing grade could trigger a total takeover of the entire district, with the TEA replacing the school board with a board of managers.

The letter sent to Segura explains the operating partner must comply with three criteria: have at least three years of experience before taking over a campus; have managed multiple campuses for multiple years; and have significantly improved the academic performance of campuses. The TEA says TCIS only meets two of those three criteria, and it "does not qualify as an operating partner with the capacity necessary to successfully turn around campuses."

The TEA argues TCIS has failed to prove a track record of improving campuses' academic performance. TCIS has managed 16 campuses in San Antonio ISD, Longview ISD and Edgewood ISD. However, only five out of those campuses had a D or an F rating before being operated by the non-profit. (KUT)

"Austin mayor abandons plan to shrink parks over I-35. Here’s why" via AAS – Mayor Kirk Watson is abandoning his proposal to scale back Austin’s ambitious plan to build parks over Interstate 35 after failing to win enough City Council support.

Before withdrawing his proposal Wednesday, Watson sought to significantly reduce the scope of the city’s long-debated “cap-and-stitch” program, which would build public park space and other amenities over portions of I-35 through downtown. He canceled a City Council vote slated for Thursday on the smaller design, admitting he could not gather enough support for the change after a Tuesday work session on the topic.

The mayor’s proposal would have funded one complete park deck for $49.8 million instead of spending $104 million to begin — but not finish — several decks across Central Austin as the Texas Department of Transportation expands I-35 and lowers it below ground. Watson said his latest proposal would represent a compromise between reconnecting East and West Austin, exercising fiscal discipline and giving residents a usable amenity once TxDOT’s project is complete.

“Because of the timing and requirements for financing and the previous council division, I felt some obligation to bring this item forward in hopes of finding a compromised approach,” Watson wrote in a Wednesday memo to the City Council. “It doesn’t appear the proposal will achieve the necessary majority, but I’m glad we had the conversation.” (AAS)

"All lanes now open after gravel spill on State Highway 71 in southeast Austin" via KXAN – All lanes are now open after closing at eastbound State Highway 71 and Montopolis Drive in southeast Austin due to a gravel spill, according to a social media post from the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT said to seek alternate routes and expect delays as crews work to clear the spill. The transportation agency did not provide an estimated time for when the roadway will be reopened.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said in a social media post that the lane closures are heavily impacting traffic around the airport. They are encouraging travelers to use alternate routes to avoid any delays. (KXAN)

"Noisy Waymo chargers are drawing attention near Lady Bird Lake: 'Unacceptable'" via AAS – Waymo robotaxis line up Tuesday to charge at generators near the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake. The operation has drawn complaints about the noise from trailer walkers and others.

Austin’s leading robotaxi operator is once again catching criticism, but this time for noise instead of potential safety risks.

Generators used to charge a fleet of Waymo driverless robotaxis have caught the attention of visitors to Austin's Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake.

In a video circulating on social media site Reddit, an Apollo Energy Resources propane truck can be seen, and heard, supplying fuel to several L-Charge generators in the parking lot of the Austin American-Statesman’s former home at 305 S. Congress Ave. (AAS)

"Skyline Overlook is ready to debut this view of Downtown Austin" via KEYE – One of the best views of the Austin skyline is ready to be enjoyed by residents and visitors. The Skyline Overlook on the east end of Lady Bird Lake provides a spectacular view of downtown Austin.

The 35-foot-by-45-foot vantage point is perched on the edge of the water and was built specifically to take advantage of the view.

"Unbelievable. I would rate that a 10. I mean, you’ve got the water, the trees, and then you’ve got the beautiful city skyline," said Paul Snow, who recently moved to Austin.

The Skyline Overlook sits next to the $25 million Wishbone Bridge. The Y-shaped bridge with a central plaza opened in February. It filled a critical gap in creating an uninterrupted 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake. (KEYE)

THE BLOTTER

"South Austin SWAT call resolved "without incident": APD" via FOX7 – Austin police say a SWAT call in South Austin has been ‘resolved without incident’.

The scene was in the 2100 block of W. William Cannon Drive, just west of Menchaca Road.

APD described it as a "partial SWAT operation" and says there is no further threat to the community.

Police did not share what prompted the SWAT call or how it was resolved. (FOX7)

"19-year-old man indicted in April fatal shooting at Fayette County trail ride" via KEYE — A 19-year-old man has been indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges in connection with a fatal shooting at a trail ride event in Fayette County last month, the sheriff's office said.

Robert Earl Crawford III, of Somerville, was charged with murder and aggravated assault following the April 26 shooting at the "Best Thang Smoking" trail ride at the R.C. Pavilion on Munke Road, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. A Fayette County grand jury returned the indictment.

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek said investigators worked alongside the Texas Rangers to gather evidence and interview witnesses before identifying Crawford as the suspect and obtaining an arrest warrant.

Crawford is currently in federal custody on an unrelated charge. (KEYE)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

"Austin estimates it could cost up to $1.2 million to rename Cesar Chavez Street" via KUT – The city of Austin estimates it could cost up to $1.2 million to rename Cesar Chavez Street. The cost includes paying for new street and highways signs, and the public engagement process. It does not include helping businesses deal with the name change. Businesses would be responsible for those costs once the change happens.

Cesar Chavez Street stretches from MoPac through downtown and to U.S. 183. The road is home to hundreds of businesses and homes that would be affected by the change.

In March, Austin City Council members said they wanted to rename the street after a New York Times investigation included allegations from women that Chavez sexually assaulted and abused them as young girls. Before the city can change the name, it must hold community input meetings. Some Austinites have said they have conflicted feelings about renaming the road.

During a City Council work session this week, city staff said they plan to host three public meetings, one of which will be virtual, throughout July and August. (KUT)

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