Latest News
Despite spending $200 million, homelessness in Austin still increasing, says City Manager Garza
By Austin Journal | Feb 8, 2024
On Wednesday, February 7th, the Public Health Committee of the Austin City Council held a public meeting to discuss a range of topics, including some discussion of the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Austin.
APD Cold Case Detectives Identify a Suspect in Connection to the 1994 Murder of Bert Allen Mann
By Austin Journal | Feb 8, 2024
The Austin Police Department (APD) Cold Case Unit has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the 1994 murder of Bert Allen Mann. After almost three decades of relentless pursuit of justice, detectives have identified a suspect in connection to the case.On May 12, 1994, Mann was tragically found with fatal stab wounds in the kitchen of his residence on Star Grass Circle. It appeared that the suspect had forced entry into Mann's home through a rear sliding glass door. Mann discovered the intruder upon his return from work, leading to a struggle near the...
APD Detectives Search for Person of Interest in Connection to Aggravated Assault
By Austin Journal | Feb 8, 2024
The Austin Police Department (APD) is currently searching for a person of interest in connection to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident occurred on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at approximately 2:59 a.m. in the 8900 block of N Lamar Boulevard.According to APD, officers responded to a report of a shooting and found a male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is said to have non-life-threatening injuries.In an effort to solve the case, APD is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a person of interest....
Court Denies Biden Administration’s Effort to Dismiss Texas Lawsuit Against Unconstitutional Asylum Rule
By Austin Journal | Feb 8, 2024
The Biden Administration's controversial "asylum rule" is facing legal challenges as a court denies the government's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The lawsuit argues that the Asylum Rule violates both the statutory system established by Congress and the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.The Asylum Rule, implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, transfers authority from immigration judges to asylum officers. This move has sparked concerns about the erosion of due process and the separation of powers. Texas, in...
UPDATE: Hate Crimes Review Committee Determines Nueces Street Incident to be a Hate Crime
By Austin Journal | Feb 7, 2024
The Hate Crimes Review Committee has reviewed the incident that occurred on February 4, 2024, at Nueces Street and W 26th Street and has determined that the facts of the case meet the definition of a Hate Crime. The information has been provided to the Travis County District Attorney's Office, which will make the final decision on enhancing the offense to a Hate Crime.The Austin Police Department (APD) is currently investigating the incident, which is believed to be bias-motivated. Once the details of the case have been reviewed by the Hate Crimes Review Committee, the...
Traffic Fatality in the Intersection of El Salido Parkway and N FM 620 Road
By Austin Journal | Feb 6, 2024
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, a tragic traffic accident occurred at the intersection of El Salido Parkway and N FM 620 Road in Austin, Texas. The incident involved a collision between a pickup truck and an SUV, resulting in the death of the SUV driver and minor injuries to the pickup truck occupants.According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the driver of the SUV, identified as Adam Sams Weedy, a 53-year-old white male, tragically lost his life at the scene of the crash. The driver and passenger of the pickup truck were immediately transported to a local hospital,...
Traffic Fatality in the 600 block of W Anderson Lane
By Austin Journal | Feb 6, 2024
On Sunday, February 4, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Austin's 600 block of West Anderson Lane, resulting in the death of an unidentified passenger. According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the passenger exited their vehicle while it was still in motion and was subsequently struck by another vehicle that fled the scene without stopping."The passenger of a vehicle exited the car while it was still in motion," stated the preliminary investigation report. Regrettably, the passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the vehicle in which the...
CANCELLED: APD Seeks Community Assistance in Locating Missing Endangered Juvenile
By Austin Journal | Feb 4, 2024
The Austin Police Department (APD) had been seeking the public's help in locating a missing and endangered juvenile, Hannah Smith. The 16-year-old, who is high-functioning autistic, had gone missing from Wichita, Kansas on January 14, 2024.Hannah was last seen in Wichita, but authorities believed she may have been in the Austin area, possibly in the company of an adult male driving a Blue 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with expired tags. The APD was concerned about her immediate welfare and requested anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact 911 or APD's Human...
APD Missing Person - Silver Alert - Cancelled
By Austin Journal | Feb 3, 2024
Larue Wright, a 92-year-old white female diagnosed with Alzheimer's, has been reported missing by the Austin Police Department's Missing Person's Unit. She was last seen driving a 2009 Silver Lexus ES 350, with the Texas license plate PH7DRY, in the North Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park areas.Wright's family last saw her on the Life360 app, driving around the mentioned areas before her phone shut off. Concerns about her immediate welfare are growing as she does not have access to any funds.The Austin Police Department is urging the public to be on the lookout for...
Austin recognized as a leader in digital inclusion
By Austin Journal | Dec 15, 2023
The city of Austin has been recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) as a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer for 2023. This year, Austin is one of 47 honorees, including municipal, county, and regional governments across the country, all acknowledged for their contributions to the development of digitally inclusive communities.
Austin seeks artists for public art projects
By Austin Journal | Dec 9, 2023
The city of Austin has announced that its Economic Development Department Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) is actively seeking professional visual artists and artist-led teams with a passion for creating artwork for public spaces. The commission budgets, ranging from $70,000 to $400,000 for three distinct projects, are open to Austin-based artists, Texas-based artists, and national artists.
Abbott on Hill Country shooting spree: 'Texans grieve for the loved ones of the six Texans who were murdered by a hardened criminal'
By Austin Journal | Dec 7, 2023
A shooting spree that occurred between Austin and San Antonio resulted in at least two fatalities, eliciting a response from Gov. Greg Abbott. The Office of the Texas Governor reported that the incident also left three people injured, including an officer from the Austin Police Department (APD).
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Abbott responds to shooting near Austin high school
By Austin Journal | Dec 5, 2023
Governor Greg Abbott has expressed his concern over the shooting of an on-duty officer from the Austin Independent School District (AISD) near Northeast Early College High School. The Governor's office stated that he and First Lady Cecillia Abbott are praying for the officer's recovery.
Texas Comptroller allocates $8.5 billion to state highway and rainy day funds
By Austin Journal | Dec 4, 2023
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar recently confirmed the completion of a massive transfer amounting to approximately $8.52 billion into two vital state funds. The money will be split between the State Highway Fund (SHF) and the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), also known as the "Rainy Day Fund," with both funds being critical for the economic stability and infrastructure development of Texas.
Austin police accepting applications for Community Police Academy
By Austin Journal | Nov 29, 2023
The Austin Police Department (APD) is currently accepting applications for its Community Police Academy (CPA). The program makes a return following its suspension because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is a crucial aspect of APD's community outreach efforts, providing citizens with an immersive insight into police operations.
World War II veteran celebrates 106th birthday with skydive with Abbott
By Austin Journal | Nov 28, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott made a 106-year-old World War II veteran’s birthday all the more memorable by accompanying the gentleman on a skydive. The Office of the Texas Governor said Abbott, a Republican, and Al Blaschke went to Skydive Spaceland San Marcos on Blaschke’s special day. This thrilling event took place when both men were flown in a de Havilland DHC-6-200-Twin Otter aircraft and leapt from 8,500 feet above the ground.
Austin City Manager unveils Homeless Strategy Office initiative
By Austin Journal | Nov 23, 2023
The city of Austin announced the Homeless Strategy Division, presently under Austin Public Health, is slated to become a standalone office. This strategic transformation will take effect on December 4, 2023.
Cruz praises passage of temporary spending bill
By Austin Journal | Nov 20, 2023
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) commended legislation that would fund the federal government through the start of next year. The junior senator hailed new House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) decision to push the deadline pertaining to a government shutdown past the holidays. This move aims to provide ample time for lawmakers to negotiate a long-term financial package.
Abbott hails latest Texas employment data as testament to state's economic strength
By Austin Journal | Nov 20, 2023
The Office of the Texas Governor announced that October employment data reveals the continued leadership of the Lone Star State in annual jobs growth nationwide. The state also set new records with the largest civilian labor force ever at 15,162,100 and more Texans being either employed or self-employed than ever before, reaching a count of 14,536,800.
Texas comptroller issues the State of Texas Annual Cash Report
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 15, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has issued the State of Texas Annual Cash Report for fiscal 2023, offering a cash-basis representation of the state's financial condition. This comprehensive report covers all funds within the State Treasury, providing details such as the date of origin, administering agency, authorizing statute, revenues and expenditures at the object code and category levels, according to the report by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.