Latest News
Crime Stopper Organization offers $2,500 reward for whereabouts of missing Democratic lawmakers
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 13, 2021
The Texas-based office of Government Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of lawmakers who have fled the state House chamber.
Austin implements policies to bring back families of color, reverse historical 'displacement caused by the city and other government entities'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 13, 2021
The City of Austin is trying to bring black and brown families back to the East Austin area in an effort to slow gentrification in the region.
State ponders overhaul of the electric grid, hopes to 'reallocate payments to most reliable source of power'
By Art Benavidez | Aug 13, 2021
The February winter storm that exposed weaknesses in the state’s electrical grid, leaving much of the state’s residents to deal with subzero temperatures without electricity, could soon be overhauled.
New poll shows more than 80% Americans 'worried' about China's influence
By Christina Heath | Aug 6, 2021
A new poll by the Convention of States Action, with The Trafalgar Group in partnership, shows in surveys done July 12 and July 13 of over 1,000 likely 2022 election voters, that 81% of Americans are concerned about the influence of China in the U.S.
Texas, Connecticut's voting laws share common ground despite one being called an 'assault on democracy'
By Karla Florez | Aug 5, 2021
Texas has fallen under scrutiny after being accused of practicing voter suppression, but similar voting laws in Connecticut indicate the commonality in state guidelines across the country.
'This is a post-pandemic recovery': McCaul criticizes new CDC advisory to wear masks again
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 1, 2021
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Austin) has criticized the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Austin’s ICRC wants to ‘impact city government’ by seeking community input on redistricting maps
By Tamara Browning | Aug 1, 2021
Austin’s Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission invites community input in redrawing the 10 city council districts as the summer schedule of public forums continues.
Patrick forms committee ‘to study the athletic and economic impact’ of UT’s exit from Big 12
By Tamara Browning | Aug 1, 2021
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s formation of a committee studying college sports’ future in Texas after The University of Texas at Austin announced plans to leave the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference apparently is visionary.
Abbott plans to 'keep calling special sessions' until every emergency item is addressed
By Valerie Bonk | Aug 1, 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott said he vows to call special sessions after Texas Democratic lawmakers fled to Washington, D.C. to stop a vote on an election security bill.
Seliger files bill to end Abbott's line-item veto authority, says Abbott's decision to withhold legislative funding 'punishes regular hard-working folks'
By Art Benavidez | Aug 1, 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott has made good on his threat to withhold legislative funding in response to the second Democratic walkout on election security legislation.
'A remarkable Texan': Abbott mourns loss of ZZ Top rocker Dusty Hill
By John Sammon | Aug 1, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said the passing of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, a Texas resident, was a great loss to the state and the music world, while bandmates and fans eulogized him as a unique artist.
Abbott: Texas economy 'booming' as employment figures increase
By John Sammon | Aug 1, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said the state’s employment picture is looking better after the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released figures showing the addition of 55,800 jobs over the month of June.
'Make your voice heard': Austin to hold virtual meeting on bike trail project for underrepresented communities
By Art Benavidez | Aug 1, 2021
The City of Austin will host a public virtual meeting on the ATX Walk Bike Roll project on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.
Majority of Americans oppose potential vaccine mandates as a result of a 'stream of propaganda from the press,' survey finds
By Karla Florez | Jul 29, 2021
A recently conducted Trafalgar Group survey revealed that the majority of American residents would prefer if the COVID-19 vaccine remained optional, while others support proposed vaccine mandates.
31 Texas beaches have unsafe water quality for at least 1 out of 4 sampling days, study finds
By Austin Journal Reports | Jul 28, 2021
The number of Texas beaches that had hazardous water quality for at least one out of four sampling days in 2020 was 31, according to a new analysis of bacteria data in 29 coastal and Great Lakes States as well as Puerto Rico.
Abbott: Texas Democrats' decision to flee to Washington, D.C. 'inflicts harm on Texans'
By John Suayan | Jul 27, 2021
A group of Texas Democratic lawmakers fled a special session of the state legislature on July 12 called by Gov. Greg Abbott in another effort to thwart Republican-sponsored election integrity legislation.
Despite what critics call 'a childish, desperate move,' Texas Dems continue earning per diems in absentia
By Timothy Stuckey | Jul 26, 2021
Dozens of Texas House Democrats who have left the state in order to prevent the majority-holding Republicans from enacting legislation during a special session convened by Gov. Greg Abbott are still collecting their per diem, according to the Wall Street Journal.
‘The lights are going to stay on’: ERCOT, PUC officials said reliability of power grid is top priority, tests to begin next week
By T.H. Lawrence | Jul 22, 2021
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) failed this winter and people died.
Restrictions returning? That is the question for Austin
By Christina Heath | Jul 22, 2021
The recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout Austin and Travis County puts a more probable chance that Stage 4 guidelines will have to return.
Use of force charges dropped; Garza: 'I offer my sincere apologies'
By Christina Heath | Jul 22, 2021
The Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has dropped charges against Austin Police Department Officer Gregory Gentry that resulted from a March 2019 incident.