Austin’s beloved Barton Springs Pool will keep its late-night hours, allowing residents and visitors to continue enjoying evening swims and the famously quirky full moon howling events. A recent proposal to end nightly access at 9 p.m., eliminating the 9 to 10 p.m. free swim hour, has been withdrawn following public concern and a reassessment by city officials. Over the weekend, a sign at Barton Springs indicated that new operating hours would begin June 1, closing the pool ni

More than 59,000 Austin Energy customers were left in the dark on Wednesday night as powerful storms rolled across Central Texas, bringing damaging wind, hail, and intense lightning. According to Austin Energy's website, the outages began after 9:30 p.m. and affected numerous areas in the Austin metro due to broken tree limbs and storm-damaged electrical infrastructure. The energy provider reported no estimated timeline for power restoration, stating on its outage map, “We

Communities across Central Texas gathered this Memorial Day weekend to honor and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. Ceremonies in Austin, Pflugerville, and Round Rock served as powerful reminders of the cost of freedom and the enduring legacy of fallen service members. In East Austin, the Thankful Hubbard Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and the Patrick Henry Chapter of the So

A new 2025 report from personal finance platform WalletHub confirms what many California residents already suspect: owning a home in the Golden State is becoming increasingly unattainable. In fact, nine out of the top ten least affordable cities for homebuyers in the U.S. are located in California. At the bottom of the list is Santa Barbara, which ranked 300th out of 300 cities studied, making it the least affordable city in the country. Other California cities in the bottom 10 include Santa

In one of the most significant drug seizures in recent San Marcos history, police uncovered a massive stash of illegal narcotics and firearms earlier this month during a search of a home on Hughson Drive. Acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, the San Marcos Police Department Narcotics Division executed a search warrant that led to the arrest of 28-year-old Erik Cadena, who now faces a list of multiple felony charges. Authorities reported finding a staggering quantity of controll

The City of Hutto has officially been recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, landing the 13th spot on a new list released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The data reflects population changes from 2023 to 2024, during which Hutto grew by over 9 percent, making it the only city in Central Texas to break into the top 15. What was once a small, quiet town on the outskirts of Austin is now experiencing a development boom fueled by an influx of new residents and

Federal authorities have arrested Kenneth Mattson, a 63-year-old real estate investor from Sonoma and former owner of a specialty car consignment shop in downtown Pleasanton, on charges related to a $28 million Ponzi scheme that allegedly spanned over a decade. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that Mattson is facing a nine-count indictment for wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice, unsealed this Thursday. Mattson, known locally for operating the now-d

In a deeply tragic incident that has shocked the Indian-American community and the tech startup world, 30-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur Akshay Gupta was brutally stabbed to death on a public bus in Austin, Texas. According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the attack occurred without provocation and has led to the arrest of 31-year-old Deepak Kandel, who has been charged with first-degree murder. The incident took place on the evening of May 14, when emergency services re

Austin state Representative Vikki Goodwin, a Democrat, has officially entered the 2026 race for Texas lieutenant governor, setting up a high-stakes political showdown with Republican incumbent Dan Patrick. The announcement, made Tuesday, introduces Goodwin as a challenger willing to confront long-standing Republican control in Texas with a platform centered on public service, transparency, and essential policy reforms. Goodwin, who has served four terms in the Texas House representi

Television lovers, get ready for an unforgettable weekend as the ATX TV Festival returns for its 14th edition in Austin, Texas. Taking place from Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1, 2025, the festival promises a packed schedule of exclusive screenings, cast reunions, behind-the-scenes conversations, and interactive panels featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. Founded in 2010 and often referred to as “TV Camp for Grown Ups,” the ATX TV Festival brings

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Texas and Florida have taken the lead as homes to some of the fastest-growing cities in the United States from 2023 to 2024. The surge in population across these states has reaffirmed a major demographic shift to the southern and western regions of the country. Among the most dramatic examples is Princeton, Texas, a Dallas suburb, which recorded an astonishing 30.6% population increase making it the fastest-growing city in the U.S. for 2024.

In a major legislative move, the Texas Senate has approved a bill to shut down the Texas Lottery Commission, potentially bringing dramatic changes to how the state’s lottery is managed. The bill now heads to the Texas House for further consideration. The decision follows months of controversy surrounding the use of online ticket sales and third-party courier services. Critics raised concerns about regulatory loopholes and lack of oversight, prompting Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other lawma

Yamal Said, the drummer for the Austin-based band Lord Buffalo, was detained by Customs and Border Protection agents on Monday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Said, a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was reportedly removed from a Europe-bound flight and handed over to local authorities due to an active arrest warrant, according to CBP officials. The band took to Facebook on Wednesday to break the news, stating that the drummer was forc

In a significant move toward strengthening child protection laws in the state, the Texas House has tentatively approved House Bill 168, a proposal aimed at closing legal loopholes that currently allow for child marriages under certain conditions. The bill, authored by Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Democrat from Houston, passed with a vote of 83-51 and is scheduled for a final vote later this week. If it clears that hurdle, the legislation will advance to the Senate. House Bill 168 would pro

For the first time in a quarter century, San Jose is witnessing the return of affordable housing development on property owned by the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Located just steps from Tamien Station, a key transit hub south of downtown, construction is well underway for a brand-new housing complex expected to be move-in ready by August. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the city’s effort to address the growing housing affordability crisis in the Bay Area.

In a critical move to reform the Texas Lottery, a new Senate bill filed by Senator Bob Hall could provide the much-needed lifeline to an increasingly scrutinized institution. Senate Bill 3070, introduced at the tail end of the Senate session, seeks to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and place oversight of the state-run lottery under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This bold step aims to address concerns raised over illegal activities and enhance accountability within th

Austin’s own Devon Walker, best known for his rising presence on “Saturday Night Live,” is making waves outside late-night TV with his brand-new comedy podcast, “My Favorite Lyrics.” Known for his wit, relatable charm, and offbeat humor, Walker now brings that same energy to the podcast world but with a twist. Walker, a native of Pflugerville and Texas State University graduate, launched the show just two weeks ago. The premise? A lovingly absurd breakd

Zscaler, a leading cybersecurity company, has entered into a sublease agreement with Airbnb for a major office property in Santa Clara, marking a significant real estate shift in Silicon Valley’s post-pandemic office market. The sublease covers two buildings located at 4301 and 4401 Great America Parkway, a combined space of approximately 300,000 square feet. Originally leased by Airbnb in 2020, the twin 150,000-square-foot buildings are connected by a skybridge and feature modern design e

The federal government is finally preparing to enforce the Real ID Act after nearly 20 years of postponements and shifting deadlines. Starting May 7, travelers who do not yet have a Real ID will still be permitted to board domestic flights, but they should expect additional steps and delays at airport security. Officials clarified this position in response to widespread confusion, especially given the assumption that lack of a Real ID would automatically mean being barred from flying.

As Central Texas braces for another round of early May storms, experts warn that the region’s most dangerous weather is yet to come. While May is traditionally known as the peak of severe weather season bringing thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes flash flood season officially reaches its height in June, according to data from the National Weather Service (NWS). Between 1996 and 2020, South Central Texas reported 498 flash flood incidents in May, 506 in June, and 430 in July. T