• Austin Pulse
  • Posts
  • ATX PULSE: PAID subscribers SAVE TIME and are BETTER INFORMED about Austin.

ATX PULSE: PAID subscribers SAVE TIME and are BETTER INFORMED about Austin.

PAID subscribers receive a FULL email (not just links and headlines) for just $5/mo or $50/yr. Become PAID at ATXpulsepremium.com.

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***

On Oct. 1, 2024 ATX Pulse began implementing a paywall, dividing our newsletter into paid subscribers (same email as you have been receiving) and a free version (with only headlines and links).

Paid subscribers will SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.

» To ensure no interruptions to receiving your complete ATX Pulse email, please become a paid subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr here now — ATXpulsepremium.com.

Thanks,

Matt Mackowiak

ATX Pulse

FRIDAY’S PAID SUBSCRIBER EMAIL — SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

Thank YOU for being a PAID subscriber.

TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 77° / L: 64°. Cooler day with more rain, expected, per Fox 7 Austin.

TOP NEWS

Austin City Council votes to extend license plate reader pilot program, Fox 7 Austin’s Angela Shen — “One year has passed since Austin launched its automated license plate reader pilot program. 

Austin City Council voted 8-3 for a three-month extension. Council Members Mike Siegel, Zo Qadri, and Natasha Harper-Madison voted against it.

The city auditor will do a comprehensive review of the program to present in May. 

The City Council voted for the three-month extension so they could see the auditor's report before voting to make the program permanent.

There are 40 license plate readers located throughout the city, with the highest concentration downtown.

Data shows 641,093 vehicles were detected in the last 30 days. In that same period, there were 1,195 hotlist hits. 

Hits could be a stolen car, a vehicle registered to someone with a warrant, a car associated with a missing person case, or a criminal investigation.

Unrelated data is deleted after seven days. Officers have to do annual training for it. 

In a memo, APD Chief Lisa Davis called it an effective tool. In the first nine months, 165 people were arrested, and 176 stolen vehicles recovered using the data. 

People were arrested for a variety of felonies, including murder, robbery, and sexual assault. 

At a work session this week, Council Member Mike Siegel (District 7) asked APD how outside agencies can access data.

"I'm concerned about how our city's participation in, frankly, a mass surveillance program such as automated license plate readers could negatively impact our community, in particular some of the most vulnerable segments of our community, including immigrants, people seeking reproductive care, people seeking gender-affirming care and more," he said. "Things have changed since the City Council last considered this policy. In particular what has changed is how federal power is being weaponized against many communities."

Assistant Chief Jeff Greenwalt with Austin police says they are not required to turn over data on abortion cases to the state.

"The only agency that we're required under law to provide that information to would be Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," he said. "In the 12 months that we've had the pilot program, we had absolutely zero requests from any outside law enforcement agency for any of our data whatsoever."“ Fox 7 Austin

Steven Snell appointed as Williamson County judge, Fox 7 Austin’s Lisette Lopez — “The Williamson County Commissioners Court has appointed a new county judge.

Steven Snell was appointed by the commissioners court on March 27. 

Snell has been the superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD for the past six years. Before that, he was the superintendent for Spring Hill ISD and the assistant superintendent for Hutto ISD.

Snell is a Leander resident and participates in several boards and councils, including: the Liberty Hill Economic Development Council Board and Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation.

Steven Snell

Snell will serve until the next general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

"I am truly honored to be appointed to this position to serve the citizens of Williamson County," said Snell.

During the absence of a county judge, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, the most tenured court member, has been acting as presiding officer of the Commissioners Court.

"The entire court was dedicated to promptly selecting a highly qualified candidate who could hit the ground running as we are in a crucial time in our budget season," stated Covey. "We are excited to work alongside Steven in setting the priorities for Williamson County through our budget and our strategic plan."

On March 10, Judge Bill Gravell resigned to take a role with the Trump administration.

Gravell will serve as the Region 6 advocate for the Small Business Administration in the Office of Advocacy. The office represents a five-state area including New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.” Fox 7 Austin

THE BLOTTER

Southbound lanes of North MoPac reopen after deadly crash, KVUE’s Morgan McGrath and Britny Eubank — “One person is dead after a crash Friday morning on MoPac in North Austin.

The Austin Police Department (APD) said around 6:40 a.m., the department got a call about an object in the roadway on the MoPac Expressway. Multiple callers reported that the object appeared to be a body.

The male victim has not yet been identified, but police did identify at least one driver that hit the victim. Police said that driver pulled over and called 911, and they are cooperating with the investigation.

All lanes of North MoPac heading southbound were closed for a few hours Friday morning, but they have reopened as of 9:30 a.m.

APD's Vehicular Homicide Unit is investigating.

No additional information is available at this time.” KVUE

Austin police searching for suspect accused of robbing supermarket on North Lamar, Fox 7 Austin’s Johann Castro — “The Austin Police Department (APD) is looking for a suspect accused of robbing a supermarket in North Austin earlier this month.

According to APD, the robbery occurred just after 2 p.m. at La Finca Supermercado on North Lamar Boulevard on March 16. The suspect allegedly brandished a knife at an employee and demanded money in Spanish before running off into a wooded area behind the store.

The suspect is described as:

  • male in his mid-20s

  • around 5’4”

  • approximately 130 pounds

  • thin build

  • brown, shaggy hair

  • believed to live nearby

He was last seen wearing:

  • blue, long-sleeved SMU crewneck sweatshirt

  • blue denim jeans

  • armed with a knife

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact APD's Robbery unit at 512-974-5092. A tip may be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.” KVUE

Bus fire spreads to building in southeast Austin, injuring one person, CBS Austin’s Victoria Garcia — “One person was injured after a bus fire extended to a nearby building in southeast Austin Friday morning.

AFD posted on social media around 7:30 a.m. saying firefighters were on scene of a fire near the intersection of South Pleasant Valley Road near East St. Elmo Road.

A little before 7:40 a.m., AFD said crews were still working to completely extinguish the bus fire as well as the fire that extending into the building nearby.

AT 7:50 a.m., crews said the fire on the bus and the fire into the building was out.

One person was taken to the hospital following the fire.

AFD said crews would remain on scene to continue to overhaul the bus to search for fire extension. Expect continued delays in the area.”” CBS Austin

Fourth suspect arrested in April 2024 north Austin murder-for-hire case, CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley — “A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with an April 2024 murder in north Austin, the U.S. Marshals announced Thursday.

Darwin Samir Salinas-Martinez, 28, known as "Condon," was taken into custody Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force at an apartment complex in the 4400 block of Airport Boulevard following a brief standoff, officials said.

The Austin Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Salinas-Martinez on March 26 for his alleged role in the April 28, 2024, shooting death of Luwin Alberto Ordonez-Lovo at the Villas Del Sol apartments in the 1700 block of Rutland Drive.

According to the arrest affidavit, Salinas-Martinez allegedly provided the murder weapon to the shooter, encouraged the killing, and later took back the firearm "to prevent discovery by law enforcement." Investigators say incriminating text messages show Salinas-Martinez urging the shooter to "take care of it" and repeatedly checking in before, during and after the murder.

Salinas-Martinez, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras with no legal status in the United States, was also sought on a warrant of removal by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals said.

Three other Honduran nationals were previously arrested in May 2024 in connection with the murder:

  • Jairo Enrique Velasquez Lopez, 23, identified as the getaway driver

  • Julio Geovany Zelaya Perdomo, 21, identified as the alleged shooter

  • Nixon Orthoniel Marquez-Martinez, 33, who allegedly hired the others to commit the murder

Court documents revealed Marquez-Martinez paid $6,000 to have Ordonez-Lovo killed, with $1,500 going to Velasquez Lopez for his assistance.

Investigators used surveillance footage, phone records, and social media accounts to track down all four suspects. The investigation began when multiple 911 callers reported seeing a masked subject running from the scene on the night of the murder.

Salinas-Martinez was booked into the Travis County Jail where he awaits further judicial proceedings.” CBS Austin

Man arrested for indecent exposure incidents in South Austin, CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley — “A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with multiple indecent exposure incidents that occurred in South Austin last month, according to the Austin Police Department.

Jacob Anthony Rodriguez was taken into custody on Sunday, March 9, following an investigation by the APD Sex Crimes Unit. He faces three counts of indecent exposure, police said.

The incidents occurred on Feb. 7, between 5 and 6 p.m. near South Congress Avenue and East Oltorf Street. According to police, Rodriguez was driving around the neighborhood "targeting young females who were out for a walk" and exposed himself to at least three separate victims within a two-hour period.

Two victims photographed the suspect's license plate, and all three provided descriptions of Rodriguez to authorities. APD officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle blocks away from where the incidents occurred and identified Rodriguez as the sole occupant. At that time, the victims did not file charges.

Days later, the victims notified detectives of their decision to pursue charges. Rodriguez was subsequently apprehended by the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office after arrest warrants were issued. He was transported to Travis County Jail.

"We are pleased to announce this important step in our efforts to bring justice to the victims and the community," said Detective Vonholt. "The work and collaboration of our officers and the community were crucial in bringing this suspect to justice."

Police are asking anyone with information about these incidents to contact APD at 512-974-5000. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Austin Municipal Court announces 2025 Warrant Amnesty Program, Fox 7 Austin’s Lisette Lopez — “The Austin Municipal Court will hold their 2025 Warrant Amnesty program.

From March 31 to April 25, people can take care of their unpaid tickets and outstanding warrants without threat of arrest.

In last year’s Warrant Amnesty program, 1,988 outstanding warrants were cleared, and 14,466 civil parking citations were terminated.

People who take care of their active warrants will have warrant fees waived. However, they must contact the court to take advantage of the program.

There will not be any officers sent to the court to take defendants into custody.

If you decide to come to any Austin Municipal Court or Community Court location voluntarily, you will not be arrested.

There are options available for those who are not able to pay immediately, including payment plans, community service, or hardship waivers for those who qualify. 

This program applies only to active cases in front of the Austin Municipal Court or Downtown Austin Community Court.

There are multiple walk-in dockets scheduled Mondays through Fridays during the amnesty period.  Judges and prosecutors will be available to review cases, discuss options, and issue appropriate orders.

No appointments are needed during walk-in dockets. 

Warrant Amnesty applies only to active cases, and all services are provided free of charge. 

Spanish interpreters will be available.

If you do not want to speak to a judge or a prosecutor, you can visit a substation at the Austin Municipal Court during operation hours:

  • 2121 West Parmer Lane, Suite 116, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

For Downtown Austin Community Court cases:

  • Community Court, 505 Barton Springs Road. Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. & 1:30 to 3:45 p.m.  

For more information, call (512) 974-4800 or visit austintexas.gov/court.” Fox 7 Austin

2025

Tax rate election looks likely for Austin this year, Austin Monitor’s Jo Clifton — “Under state law, Austin is only allowed to raise its tax rate by 3.5 percent without asking voters for permission. That law has been on the books since 2019 without the city scheduling a tax election. But it looks like this is the year.

As Mayor Kirk Watson noted at the Audit & Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, it is time for City Council to start looking at the framework for deciding whether the city should go to the voters to raise the city’s tax rate. He then turned to city staff, asking them “to provide us with some thoughts” about how to go about setting such an election.

Budget Director Kerri Lang said that although such an election would not happen until November, it is time for staff to work on the policy recommendations that Council would consider before deciding whether to have an election. The law dictates that Council must decide on the election at least 78 days before the election date. This fall’s election date is Nov. 4.

Lang told the committee that money generated by the tax rate election would be available to fund all lawful municipal purposes. The budget staff projects that without additional revenues the city will have a $2 million deficit in the 2025-26 base budget. That deficit increases to $6 million by Fiscal Year 2028-29.

She noted that the city had lost $160.8 million in property tax revenue capacity for the current fiscal year as a result of the 3.5 percent cap. Watson asked whether she actually was referring to one year’s lost revenues, and Lang confirmed that she was.

Council must decide what types of expenditures should be funded by the tax rate election. Lang emphasized that staff would not want the city to hold such an election more than once every four years. That would allow for a more thorough and thoughtful planning cycle and reduce “voter fatigue,” she said, noting that there could be an exception when the city is faced with an emergency.

The Legislature approved the 3.5 percent growth cap in 2019. Council Member Chito Vela asked Lang how much property tax had grown in the years prior to the Legislature’s action. In the five years before the cap, growth was 7.3 percent, and in the previous 10 years it was 6.5 percent. She said in the previous 20 years it was 5.9 percent.

“So, the 3.5 percent cap is really cutting our property tax revenue growth in half,” Vela concluded. He asked whether current funding for round-the-clock mental health services would fit into the category of things that could be funded by the additional taxes. The city has recently started that program and it is funded for six months. Lang confirmed that it would fit into the items that could be funded. Vela said he wanted to avoid “voter fatigue” and agreed that the city should not have such an election more than once every four years.

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said she was very concerned about keeping up with the city’s needs, especially knowing that past budget cycles included 6 or 7 percent growth per year. She expressed particular concern about programs to help the homeless.

Fuentes noted that the city had used ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars to provide services for unhoused people at the Marshalling Yard. Lang confirmed that the project was not in the plans for next year’s budget.

Starting in 2021, Council approved spending $188 million over five years in federal ARPA funds. Lang said all those funds were expended or encumbered by Dec. 31, 2024. Staff is currently preparing a memo on programs and services that have been funded with the federal money and any ongoing costs.

Lang told the Austin Monitor, “Our first goal is to get to the policy.” She said staff would probably come back in April to present policy recommendations. If City Council directs the city manager to move forward, “we’ll go back and work on the language” for the ultimate recommendations.

However, it will probably be mid-July before staff lays out the specifics on the election. Council will be working on that and will finally give approval for the election in mid-August at the same time they approve the budget, she said. Of course, the Legislature could change the rules in the meantime, but Lang did not point to any specific changes related to a tax rate election.” Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

Mattress Firm inks lease for large distribution space between Austin and San Antonio, Austin Business Journal’s Justin Sayers — “Mattress Firm Group Inc. — which was recently bought by Somnigroup International Inc. for $5 billion — has inked a lease for distribution space between Austin and San Antonio, according to several industrial quarterly reports for the Austin area.

The Houston-based mattress retailer signed a 120,000-square-foot lease in the Whisper Hills West industrial park at 1425 Susurro Parkway in Kyle — representing one of the biggest local leases signed during the fourth quarter of 2024. Mattress Firm is expected to soon occupy the 17-acre, 208,000-square-foot development, which is owned by Dallas-based CLX Ventures LLC and leased by Stream Realty Partners LP.

It marks Mattress Firm's second industrial lease in the Austin area. The company also has a 99,200-square-foot lease at Prologis Corridor Park at 401B Parker Drive in Austin, according to The CoStar Group, which tracks real estate data throughout the country. Mattress Firm has dozens of retail locations.

Mattress Firm has inked a large lease for distribution space in the Austin area.

In February, Kentucky-based Somnigroup International Inc. completed its roughly $5 billion purchase of Mattress Firm, a deal announced late last year. Somnigroup subsequently changed its name from Tempur Sealy International. And earlier this month, it named longtime Tempur Sealy executive Steve Rusing as the new president of Mattress Firm.

In February, Somnigroup reported $4.93 billion in 2024 revenue — essentially even with the year prior — while income rose 4.4% to $384.3 million.

Representatives of Mattress Firm and Somnigroup haven't responded to requests for comment.

The new distribution space that Mattress Firm has leased is located near the border of Kyle and San Marcos. The Mattress Firm site is adjacent to an Amazon.com Inc. distribution center, and it's near distribution and warehouse facilities for FedEx Corp. and Lowe's Cos. Inc.

Whisper Hills West, a Class A industrial space completed in April 2023, appears to have about 40,000 square feet left to lease, according to publicly available brochures.” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Harmon’s competitive spirit driving top-seeded Longhorns into Sweet 16, KXAN’s Billy Gates — “It took Texas senior point guard Rori Harmon a while to feel like herself again after tearing her right ACL last season. She had to watch her teammates make it to the Elite Eight from the sideline, and as a fierce competitor, that’s not easy to do.

But when she recovered from her injury physically, doing her rehabilitation workouts and gaining strength in the joint again, that was just the beginning of her journey back to leading the Longhorns through the NCAA Tournament.

Texas guard Rori Harmon (3) drives the ball during an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference …

“It’s a real traumatic thing,” she said. “Your heart immediately breaks because it’s not one of those things that you know, ‘Oh, I just hurt me knee.’ You know you probably just tore your ACL. Then when you come back to play and you don’t feel like yourself, it attacks you and makes you feel bad. I think, mentally, I’m still recovering.”

Harmon’s leadership, on the court and off, has the top-seeded Longhorns in their fourth Sweet 16 in five seasons. They’ll take on Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. CDT Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Lady Volunteers are somewhat a familiar opponent. Texas beat the Lady Vols 80-76 in Austin on Jan. 23, led by 26 points from Madison Booker and a double-double from Taylor Jones, 21 points and 14 rebounds. Harmon had eight assists and three steals to go with eight points, and she said they’ll lean on what they learned about the Lady Vols in the previous matchup.

“It makes it a little easier to prepare, but they’re going to press you, run and jump you the whole game,” Harmon said. “I’m excited to prepare for them. It’s fun to play against teams like this.”

And that’s where Harmon’s competitive spirit starts to churn — on the practice floor — and then it spills over to game time. Texas head coach Vic Schaefer has been sitting in the front row her entire career to witness it.

“Y’all see it,” he told reporters before the team left for Birmingham. “You look at how she’s playing right now, you’d never know a year ago she had a devastating injury.”

She put in the work to get herself physically ready, and while the mental part still may be a work in progress, it’s enough to put the Longhorns in position to potentially win another Sweet 16 game and get to their fourth Elite Eight in five seasons.” KXAN

TEXAS BASEBALL: No. 7 Texas baseball has to ‘play to a standard, not a scoreboard’, KXAN’s Billy Gates — “Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle knows that the best team doesn’t necessarily win a baseball game; it’s the team that plays the best that day. The No. 7 Longhorns need to remember that when taking on Missouri this weekend, a winless team in Southeastern Conference play.

The Tigers’ schedule to start SEC play has been loaded, and the Longhorns are the third consecutive ranked opponent for them. They were swept by No. 8 Louisiana State, No. 2 at the time, and No. 15 Ole Miss, No. 23 at the time, to open their SEC slate. Schlossnagle said the Longhorns can’t take their foot off the gas pedal.

“(Missouri head coach) Kerrick Jackson is a good friend of mine, and he’s doing an unbelievable job at a place that has challenges in our league,” he said. “They scored a bunch of runs last week against Ole Miss, and they have three left-handed starters. At the end of the day, left-handed pitching gives you a chance to win in this league.”

Missouri snapped a seven-game losing streak March 25 with an 11-9 win over Illinois, and in the three losses to the Rebels, they averaged 7.3 runs per game, so their offense doesn’t appear to be the issue.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Jason Flores could be on the mound sometime this weekend after throwing 33 pitches in 2.2 innings March 25 against Sam Houston, and he said the team’s chemistry is starting to come together.

“All the guys are saying that this is a team they’ve never been on before, so that’s awesome to hear,” he said. “The SEC is definitely a challenge. I mean, I’m a freshman so I don’t know what the Big 12 was like, but this has been a challenge so far.”

Flores and fellow freshman reliever Dylan Volantis are roommates, and Flores said they’ve become best friends not just by being on the team and living in the same place but also by experiencing big-time college baseball for the first time together. Volantis has been terrific out of the bullpen for the Longhorns this season with five saves and a 1.29 ERA.

Flores has pitched 15.1 innings in five appearances with a 1.17 ERA, including 3.2 innings of relief March 16 against Mississippi State in a 4-1 win. Combined, the duo has allowed five earned runs in 35.1 innings.

“We talk baseball all the time,” Flores said. “We talked about that double that got hit off him against Mississippi State, and it got so loud, but then he said whatever and got the next out. It was pretty awesome.”

After struggling last year, the Longhorns’ pitching staff has emerged as a strength this season. They are No. 12 in Division I with a 3.39 ERA, No. 13 in hits allowed per nine innings at 7.19 and No. 15 in WHIP at 1.15. Control issues derailed last year’s staff, but Schlossnagle said pitching coach Max Weiner has simplified and streamlined a tried-and-true approach — just throw it over the plate.

“We’re throwing pitches to the middle of the plate to the point where you may give up some 0-2 hits, a supposed cardinal sin of baseball,” Schlossnagle said. “But the more pitches you throw, the more information the hitter has.”

It may be leaning toward coachspeak, but Schlossnagle firmly believes in the mantra that if a team plays to its potential, more times than not, they’ll come out on top after nine innings.

“You play to a standard, not a scoreboard,” he said. “I trust our team, leadership group, and we’ll be ready to go.”” KXAN

~ Spirit Airlines resumes nonstop service from Austin to Detroit Culture Map Austin

~'This has been a game changer' | Educators embrace AI at Texas State University symposium KVUE

~ Authorities recover another dead body from Lady Bird Lake; APD says no foul play suspected - Austin American-Statesman

~ Giddy-up and go check out all the fun at the Rodeo Austin fair, see the photos - Austin American-Statesman

~ Austin City Council approves five-year plan for Animal Services Office - Austin American-Statesman

~ 'One tough grandma': A look back on former Austin Mayor Carole Keeton's life and career - Austin American-Statesman

~ Travis County looks to fill 100+ positions at downtown Austin job fair - Austin American-Statesman

~ Council members celebrate unanimous defeat of bill that proposed putting Austin under state control - Austin Monitor

~ In rare move, Council delays decision on nominee’s appointment to the parks board - Austin Monitor

~ $1 billion expansion of wastewater treatment plant poised to break ground - Austin Monitor

~ Tax rate election looks likely for Austin this year - Austin Monitor

~ 1 dead after AFD pulls body from water in downtown Austin - KXAN Austin

~ Austin lifeguards claim employees were sexually harassed, push for independent investigation - KVUE

~ Round Rock massage parlor shut down after investigators discover sexual services being offered - KVUE

~ Austin police searching for suspect accused of robbing supermarket on North Lamar - KVUE

~ Health care CEO admits to hiring private investigators to look into Texas lawmakers, patients - KVUE

~ Neighborhood plagued by nearby wastewater plant’s ‘fart smells’ sees relief - KXAN

~ Round Rock massage parlor closes after allegations of human trafficking - KXAN

~ Police say no foul play suspected after woman's body pulled from Lady Bird Lake - KVUE

~ National industrial developer CenterPoint names new regional head - ABJ

~ Turning dream homes into reality earns JGB Custom Homes this year's Top Builder award - ABJ

Lariat in Liberty Hill wields Hill Country charm to take Top Project Award - ABJ

Day One Concludes in Austin at Texas Relays - UK Athletics

Crystal Village, a $250M mixed-use development, is taking shape in Leander - ABJ

Best Realtors in Austin: 2025 Residential Real Estate Awards unveiled - ABJ

Woman's body pulled from Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin - MySA

Alamo Drafthouse faces unionization effort at Slaughter Lane location - ABJ

Cadency, Clemson’s student-led brand agency, takes on Austin, Texas - Clemson News

City of Austin Issues Vaccines for Children Day Proclamation Amidst Measles Outbreak in Texas - AustinTexas.gov

Body found in Lady Bird Lake near Congress Ave, no foul play suspected - KEYE

TPH Academy Expands to Austin, Bringing Elite Academics & Athletics to The Crossover - Queen City News

Austin Infrastructure Academy pipeline to bolster thousands of jobs in Central Texas - Community Impact

News | Austin, Texas, suburban counties lead in population growth - CoStar

‘Zero tolerance to zero consequences:' Texas Senate bills aim to tighten public school discipline policies - Community Impact

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “The Saddest Austin Restaurant Closings to Know, March 2025” Culture Map Austin

~ NEW TOP AUSTIN REALTOR RANKINGS: “Ranked Austin realtors by sales” ABJ ($)

~ INTRASTATE TRAVEL: “Luxury bus Gogo Charters will connect Austin to other Texas cities” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Fri

~ UT ATHLETICS: Texas Relays. Held today through March 29. Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field. More info here.

~ UT SOFTBALL: #1 Texas at #18 Mississippi State. 4pm. Airs on SEC Network+.

~ UT BASEBALL: #7 Texas at Missouri. 6pm. Airs on SEC Network+.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Tracy Lawrence. Rodeo Austin (Travis County Expo Center). Rodeo 7pm, show 9pm. Sold out. Resale tix $29 and up here.

Sat

~ UT ATHLETICS: Texas Relays. Held today through March 29. Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field. More info here.

~ UT SOFTBALL: #1 Texas at #18 Mississippi State. 2pm. Airs on SEC Network+.

~ UT BASEBALL: #7 Texas at Missouri. 4pm. Airs on SEC Network+.

~ COMEDY: Fred Armisen. Emo’s (2015 E. Riverside Dr.). Shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Sold out. Limited resale tix for 7pm show here.

Sun

~ UT SOFTBALL: #1 Texas at #18 Mississippi State. 1pm. Airs on SEC Network+.

~ UT BASEBALL: #7 Texas at Missouri. 1pm. Airs on SEC Network+.

~ AUSTIN FC: Austin FC at St. Louis. 1:15pm. Airs on Apple TV.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ General '/ Legal Counsel. State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas). Salary: $6,500/month. Info / apply here.