Bill Spelman, the former Austin City Council member and University of Texas professor, passed away at the age of 68. Spelman, renowned for his work in public policy and criminology, was remembered for his commitment to data-driven policymaking and his significant contributions to the Austin community. The news was shared by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who paid tribute to Spelman, describing him as a man who brought intellect, integrity, and heart to everything he

Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell, the city’s longest-serving mayor, has announced his resignation one year before his term officially ends. His departure marks a significant moment in the political landscape of Kyle, Texas, as he prepares to step down after nearly a decade of dedicated service. Having first joined the city council nine years ago, Mitchell has served as mayor for the past eight years and has become a familiar and trusted figure in the local government. Mitchell&

Tensions are mounting in Washington, DC after DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson came under fire from the city's police union for his response to a protest that took place outside his residence over the weekend. The protest centered around Initiative 82, a controversial measure that has drawn sharp division among residents, lawmakers, and labor advocates. According to the DC Police Union, Mendelson allegedly called the police to report a group of peaceful protesters gathere

A fatal crash early Monday morning shut down all eastbound lanes of State Highway 114 in Irving, Texas, disrupting thousands of commuters and drawing an active police investigation. The accident happened near the intersection of SH 114 and Ester Boulevard, where emergency responders arrived to find a major collision resulting in at least one confirmed death. According to local authorities, the crash forced a complete closure of eastbound lanes, and traffic was being rerouted at Fr

NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) looking for housing in Texas can fall victim to scams. These frauds target those unfamiliar with local markets or unable to inspect properties in person. Here are the top 3 scams to watch out for and how to avoid them. 1. Phantom Rental Listings How It Works: Fraudsters post fake listings on websites like Craigslist, Zillow, or Facebook Marketplace. They ask for an upfront deposit or rent through untraceable methods after the NRI

Houston is gearing up for a spectacular weekend as Beyoncé brings her Cowboy Carter tour to NRG Stadium. With two sold-out shows, the BeyHive is buzzing with excitement, and fans are ready to rock their denim and rhinestones for a weekend of hits and high energy. While the weather may not be perfect, any weekend with Queen Bey in town is a great one. Here's your concert weekend weather forecast to make sure you're prepared.

Rama Duwaji, a Syrian American illustrator and animator, has recently stepped into the public eye as her husband Zohran Mamdani leads the Democratic primary in the New York City mayoral race. While Mamdani’s rapid ascent—from state assemblyman and former rapper to mayoral frontrunner—has captivated the political world, it has also cast a spotlight on the quietly powerful presence of Duwaji. A New York-based artist originally from Damascus, she has lent her voice and support

Former US President Donald Trump launched a scathing online tirade against Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani after Mamdani secured a major victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Mamdani, who currently serves in the New York State Assembly representing Astoria, Queens, won 43.5% of the vote with 90% of ballots counted. His success marks a significant milestone for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, sparking both celebration among his supporters and criticism from

The San Jose District 3 special election is reaching its decisive moment, with voters heading to the polls Tuesday. The final financial disclosures ahead of the vote reveal a competitive and high-stakes race between Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos and community leader Gabby Chavez-Lopez. Both candidates have used the final weeks of the campaign to consolidate support and push messaging, but it is Tordillos who holds the lead in fundraising. According to official filing

A last-minute veto from Governor Greg Abbott has spared Texas’ growing hemp industry from a sweeping ban on THC products, prompting celebration from businesses across the state including in Cedar Park. At J Heart CBD, store manager Lizzie Taylor said the team was in disbelief on Sunday night as the news broke. “My coworker and I started screaming,” said Taylor. “We thought we were going to los

Two controversial bills involving religion in Texas public schools are currently awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval before the Sunday deadline. Senate Bill 10 would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms with a specifically Protestant wording. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 11 would permit designated periods for voluntary prayer and Bible reading in public and charter schools. Bot

A 71-year-old woman in Texas tragically died from a rare but deadly brain infection caused by a microscopic organism known as Naegleria fowleri. This fatal incident occurred after the woman performed a nasal rinse using unboiled tap water taken from her RV while staying at a campground. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed in a report that the contaminated water, which was inadequately disinfected, introduced the amoeba to her body through her nasal passages. The

In a surprising move during the first week of Pride Month, the mayor of Taylor, Texas, Dwayne Ariola, declined to issue a proclamation recognizing Taylor Pride, sparking backlash from LGBTQIA advocates and local community members. According to Taylor Pride representatives, this marks the first time the city has refused the request since the proclamation tradition began in 2020. Community Reaction and Rising T

As Houston eases into summer, the latest episode of "Hello Houston" serves a sizzling mix of political developments, barbecue bragging rights, and family-friendly activities. On June 2, hosts Ernie, Frank, and Celeste guided listeners through the biggest stories impacting the Bayou City. In the first hour, political analyst and University of Houston professor Jeronimo Cortina joined the program to break dow

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is facing backlash after calling for the death penalty in the case of a fatal jet ski crash on Lake Grapevine, which killed 18-year-old Ava Moore. His remark, shared on social media, read, “Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty,” and quickly gained viral traction, amassing over 35,000 likes and more than 1,300 replies. The suspect in the crash, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez of Venezuela, has been charged with manslaughter af

Tarrant County’s proposed redistricting plan, spearheaded by County Judge Tim O’Hare, is drawing intense opposition from Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and a coalition of other city leaders. The redrawn district map, set for a vote on June 3, could split Arlington into three separate precincts foa move critics argue is being rushed without sufficient public input or legal clarity. Mayor Ross, who initiated a formal letter of opposition signed by nine other Tarrant County mayor

Many American travelers are rethinking their summer travel plans in 2025 as political tensions and global perceptions shift. Traditionally enthusiastic about overseas travel, one Georgia-based couple had intended to visit South Korea this August, even finalizing their hotel reservations. However, rising unease surrounding U.S. international policies and increasingly strained relations with other nations prompted them to cancel their plans. Instead of jetting off to Seoul, they opted for a dom

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

A Texas man has filed a lawsuit against Whataburger, alleging negligence after he suffered an allergic reaction from eating a meal that contained onions despite explicitly requesting that his food be made without them. The legal petition, submitted on April 25, 2025, in Harris County, claims the restaurant failed to meet a reasonable standard of care, which resulted in the plaintiff, Demery Ardell Wilson, suffering personal injuries that required medical treatment. The incident oc

A criminal investigation has been launched into EPIC City, a proposed Dallas-area development centered around a mosque in Josephine, Texas. Senator John Cornyn announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the community project due to growing concerns about its potential to enforce Sharia law and discriminate based on faith. Senator Cornyn requested the investigation after multiple Texas officials raised alarms about the project, which some claim could result in the creation