Latest News
Texas and Kansas Attorneys General Announce Legal Action Against Biden Administration
By Austin Journal | Apr 30, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach are set to hold a press conference to announce new litigation against the Biden administration. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 at 10:00am CT, will take place at the Frisco Gun Club in Frisco, TX.The press conference aims to unveil lawsuits by two multistate coalitions challenging the actions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Media personnel are encouraged to arrive at 9:30am CT to cover the event thoroughly.Paxton and Kobach's joint effort highlights their...
Downtown Austin Community Court Introduces Medication Storage Program for Homeless Individuals
By Austin Journal | Apr 29, 2024
The City of Austin’s Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) launched a Medication Storage Program to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. The program, located at 505 Barton Springs Road, offers a place for homeless individuals to store their prescription medications.
Homicide Investigation in the 1700 block of Rutland Drive
By Austin Journal | Apr 29, 2024
Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a tragic incident on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in the 1700 block of Rutland Drive. The victim, identified as Lowen Alberto Ordonez Lobo, was found with gunshot wounds at The Villas Del Sol apartments. Despite efforts to save him, Lobo succumbed to his injuries.Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Specialists are actively involved in processing the scene and seeking information from potential witnesses. In a plea for assistance, authorities have urged anyone with relevant details to come forward. The community is encouraged...
ATCEMS and APD Respond to Multiple Overdoses in Downtown Austin
By Austin Journal | Apr 29, 2024
Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) and the Austin Police Department (APD) have been actively responding to multiple overdose incidents in downtown Austin, as reported on April 29, 2024. According to the press release, a total of 31 patients were involved in these incidents, with three individuals tragically pronounced deceased at the scene. The overdoses were described as opiate-like, and those transported to local hospitals showed positive responses to Narcan administration, indicating the likelihood of opioid ingestion."We’ve been passing out Narcan kits and teaching...
Homicide Investigation at 91 Red River Street
By Austin Journal | Apr 29, 2024
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to multiple shots fired calls at The Quincy apartments located at 91 Red River Street.According to the APD, they located a male subject with gunshot wounds at the scene. The victim was later identified as Alan Picazzo, a Hispanic male born on May 12, 1999. Emergency services rushed Picazzo to a local hospital, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Specialists processed the scene and interviewed witnesses. The...
Texas Attorney General secures settlement with Multi Media
By Austin Journal | Apr 26, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has securted a settlement with Multi Media, LLC, the operator of the popular pornographic website "Chaturbate," to ensure compliance with Texas state laws regarding age verification. The agreement requires Multi Media to implement an age verification service on the Chaturbate website to uphold the state's regulations.
APD Detectives Search for Leads in Connection to an Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
By Austin Journal | Apr 25, 2024
Austin Police Department (APD) detectives are seeking the public's assistance in a case of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon that took place on Monday, February 19, 2024. The victim, a Hispanic female in her 60’s, arrived at her workplace with severe head injuries and was subsequently hospitalized for treatment.According to the investigation, the victim was unharmed when she exited a CapMetro bus on East Stassney Lane and South Pleasant Valley Road at around 5:56 a.m. However, shortly after, at 6:05 a.m., she was found on the ground in a grassy area near a bus stop...
Fire Investigators Make Arrest in Arson Fires
By Austin Journal | Apr 25, 2024
Investigators with the Austin Fire Department have arrested 75-year-old Dorsey Bryan Hardeman in connection with a series of arson fires in Austin. Hardeman is believed to have intentionally set fires at various locations in the city over the past few months, with his motives becoming clearer as the investigation progressed.The first fire, which occurred on December 25, 2023, at 500 Pampa Dr., was linked to Hardeman, who was reportedly attempting to purchase the property. Subsequent fires on February 17 and 20, 2024, at 4811 S. Congress Ave were allegedly aimed at...
Texas Attorney General to assist Harris County District Attorney in criminal investigations
By Austin Journal | Apr 25, 2024
The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced its assistance in criminal bid-rigging investigations involving the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the Texas Rangers. The investigations are related to a case where the Harris County Judge's Office allegedly manipulated the bidding process for a public outreach contract funded by COVID-19 relief funds.
Celebrate this Earth Day with 5 Fun Sustainability Facts about AUS
By Austin Journal | Apr 24, 2024
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport recently celebrated Earth Day with an event at the Barbara Jordan Terminal, where they highlighted their sustainability efforts. One of the team members at the event shared, "Yup, you heard that right, I’ll bet you didn’t know AUS achieved Level 3+ Carbon Neutrality for the 3rd straight year through the ACI – Airports Carbon Accreditation Program!"The airport's commitment to sustainability is evident in various initiatives. For instance, AUS has achieved Level 3+ Carbon Neutrality for the third consecutive year, making it one of just...
Homicide Investigation Unfolds at Research Boulevard in Austin
By Austin Journal | Apr 24, 2024
A tragic incident unfolded at the 11200 block of Research Boulevard in Austin, Texas, leading to the death of Jose Rubio, a Hispanic male born on April 29, 1988. The suspect, Javier Vega-Funes, a 29-year-old Hispanic male, has been arrested in connection with the crime.According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the events transpired on Monday, April 22, 2024, around 5:58 p.m. Multiple callers reported the incident, with one witness stating they saw a man running and shooting. Another caller mentioned a shooting near the back of an apartment complex, while a third...
APD and Travis County Medical Examiner's Office Seek Help Identifying Deceased Person's Relatives
By Austin Journal | Apr 24, 2024
The Austin Police Department (APD) and Travis County Medical Examiner's Office are seeking the public's help in identifying the relatives of a deceased individual.The incident occurred on December 2, 2023, at around 1:21 p.m. when APD officers responded to a report of a body found in a retention pond near Slaughter Lane and the 8800 block South Congress Avenue. Despite initial concerns, the death was determined not to be a homicide.The deceased individual has been identified as Jose Lopez, a Hispanic male. He is also known by the aliases Carlos Jose Lopez, Francisco...
Death Investigation in the 5800 block of Spring Meadow Road
By Austin Journal | Apr 24, 2024
The Austin Police Department (APD) is currently conducting a Death Investigation in the 5800 block of Spring Meadow Road following the discovery of a deceased individual. The deceased has been identified as Cristian Rangel, a Hispanic male born on June 4, 1999.According to reports, officers responded to the scene on Friday, April 19, 2024, at approximately 7:06 p.m. and found Rangel already deceased. Detective and Crime Scene Specialists were called in to process the area where Rangel's body was located.Rangel had been reported missing by the Austin Police Department...
Attorney General Ken Paxton takes action against 'guaranteed income' program
By Austin Journal | Apr 23, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against Harris County's "guaranteed income" program, which he believes violates state law. Paxton filed for emergency relief with the Supreme Court of Texas to block the program, which had previously been the subject of a temporary injunction sought by the Office of the Attorney General.
Seattle Children’s Hospital agrees to withdraw from Texas
By Austin Journal | Apr 22, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that Seattle Children’s Hospital will be withdrawing from conducting business in Texas following an agreement reached between the institution and the state. This decision comes after an investigation was initiated into the hospital's provision of "gender transition" treatments to Texas children at its Seattle, Washington facility.
City of Austin Audit and Finance Committee will meet April 24
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 21, 2024
City of Austin Audit and Finance Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 24
City of Austin Mobility Committee will meet April 23
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 21, 2024
City of Austin Mobility Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 23
City of Austin Public Safety Committee will meet April 22
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 21, 2024
City of Austin Public Safety Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Monday, April 22
Attorney General Ken Paxton Highlights Legal Victories Supporting Defense of S.B.4 in Recent Notice to Fifth Circuit
By Austin Journal | Apr 17, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sent a notice of supplemental authority to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, detailing how recent legal victories support Texas's defense of S.B.4.In a recent victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in DeVillier v. Texas, the Supreme Court sided with Texas, directing plaintiffs to seek redress through existing state law rather than directly under the U.S. Constitution. The Court emphasized that constitutional rights do not typically come with a built-in cause of action, but are generally invoked defensively in the absence of...
Attorney General Ken Paxton secures win on Texas property rights case
By Austin Journal | Apr 16, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has achieved a significant victory at the U.S. Supreme Court with a unanimous 9-0 decision in a case concerning Texas's authority to handle property compensation disputes under State law. The case involved a group of citizens who sought compensation under the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution following flooding in the Houston area in 2017 and 2019.The plaintiffs claimed that a barrier on the highway acted as a dam, protecting a flood-evacuation route but leading to flooding on their properties. Despite Texas allowing such claims...