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&

Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR) is urgently searching for a new location for its Intake Center before its current lease expires at the end of November. Having been based in East Austin for 25 years, AWR is looking for a new facility to continue its vital work rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. The nonprofit posted on social media asking for help in finding a suitable property, as its current location on E. MLK Jr Boulevard no longer meets their needs.

A devastating fire broke out early Thursday morning at a mixed-use apartment building in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, claiming the lives of three people, including a 5-year-old child, a 32-year-old pregnant woman, and a 76-year-old man. At least three others were injured, including a 4-year-old boy in critical condition. The fire, which occurred at 5222 W. North Ave., was extinguished before 4 a.m., but the damage was severe, particularly on the buildi

Austin is considering a new proposal to introduce a parks maintenance fee that could be added to residents' utility bills. The proposal, introduced by Council Member Paige Ellis of District 8, aims to address the city's growing park maintenance needs as the city expands. Ellis believes this fee will help Austin manage the rising demand for new park facilities, maintain older infrastructure, and fund new land acquisitions. According to the Austin Parks

A well-known social media fitness influencer who goes by the name "Liver King" was arrested in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday after authorities say he posted threatening messages directed toward popular podcaster Joe Rogan. According to the Austin Police Department, the man behind the persona, Brian Johnson, was taken into custody and charged with making a terroristic threat, a Class B misdemeanor under Texas law. Police were alerted after Johnson shared a series of Instag

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

After years of hype, shifting timelines, and skepticism, Tesla has officially launched its fully driverless Robotaxi service marking a historic moment in the company’s journey toward autonomous transportation. The pilot service, which began on June 22 in Austin, Texas, offers paid rides to the public using Tesla Model Y vehicles with no one behind the wheel. A Limited Yet Landmark Rollout

Across Central Texas, dozens of school districts are stepping up to provide essential nutrition to children during the summer months through free meal programs. These programs are designed to support children and teens aged 18 and younger, as well as disabled students up to 21 who are enrolled in school programs. Families do not need to register, provide identification, proof of residency, or income to access these meals, making it one of the most accessible su

A disturbing incident unfolded near the Tesla plant in Fremont, California, where Austin Hills, the 45-year-old heir to the prominent Hills Bros. Coffee family, now faces serious felony charges. The case has drawn widespread attention not only because of Hills' lineage but also due to the bizarre and aggressive nature of the events that led to his arrest. According to court documents, the incident began around 3:15 a.m. last Thursday when Hills, driving a Land Rover, allege

Starting July 1, 2025, the City of San Marcos will implement paid parking for non-residents at City Park, located at 170 Charles Austin Drive. This move comes as part of a broader initiative to maintain and support local park resources as community usage continues to grow, especially during weekends and holidays. Non-residents visiting City Park will need to pay for parking either at on-site kiosks (cash or card) or

In Austin, Texas, public school advocates are voicing strong opposition to the Austin Independent School District's proposed "turnaround" plan for three underperforming middle schools Dobie, Burnet, and Webb. On Thursday, ATX United for Public Schools, a coalition of parents, staff, and educators, staged a protest demanding transparency, job security for teachers, and more time to explore alternatives to disruptive reform.

A fatal pedestrian crash has claimed the life of a 59-year-old woman in Taylor, Texas, marking the city’s first deadly traffic incident of 2025. The tragic collision occurred on June 5 around 4:03 p.m. in the 3700 block of North Main Street. According to a preliminary report by the Taylor Police Department, a black 2013 Subaru driven by 22-year-old Brynn Trovinger of Jarrell failed to yield the right of way while entering the intersection and struck Ramo

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

The growing use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) is sparking significant public debate in Austin and San Marcos, with many residents and civil rights advocates raising red flags about surveillance, data access, and privacy rights. The controversy centers around Flock Safety cameras, already in use across both cities, which are designed to track stolen vehicles and wanted individuals but also collect vast amounts of data from everyday drivers.

The 2025 All-District 26-6A baseball team has been officially announced, highlighting the best high school baseball talent from the Austin area. Voted on by district coaches, the honors spotlight athletes who displayed exceptional performances throughout the season in one of Texas’ most competitive 6A baseball districts. Dripping Springs center fielder Taylor Tracey leads the list as the district’s Most V

Texas softball delivered a statement win at the 2025 Women’s College World Series, defeating rival Oklahoma 4-2 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. The victory not only ended a brutal 25-game losing streak for the Longhorns in the state of Oklahoma but also kept Texas unbeaten in the tournament and on pace for a second consecutive appearance in the WCWS championship series. Sophomore ace Teagan Kavan starred on the

The Austin Fire Department (AFD) was inundated with emergencies following a powerful storm that swept through the region on Wednesday. From rescuing people trapped in floodwaters to handling over 700 storm-related calls, AFD crews were on high alert as neighborhoods like Shoal Creek faced the brunt of the storm. As intense rain, gusty winds, and hail pounded the area, multiple swift water rescues were initiated across the city. Among the most serious incidents was a tragic rescue at

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