Austin’s municipal courts will run a warrant amnesty March 23–April 17, 2026 so people can clear low‑level warrants and citations without arrest; warrant fees may be waived.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian in north Austin says it has temporarily hired plain‑clothes security after state Rep. James Talarico's Senate run drew increased attention. Leaders say safety is the priority as they consider longer‑term steps.

Ben Cohen used a chainsaw on a mock Pentagon at SXSW to promote his Up In Arms campaign and to show how brand stunts can become political pressure. The moment tied the Free Ben & Jerry’s push to a broader call to reallocate Pentagon funds.

Austin ISD is proposing an SB 1882 partnership with TCIS to run Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools as a bid to avoid a state takeover; trustees could vote March 26. An application for TEA benefits is due March 31, 2026.

Austin’s council moved the job of logging lobbyist contacts from council offices to lobbyists themselves, a shift that supporters call efficient and critics call a transparency risk.

Austin ISD will hold a week of Pride-themed, voluntary activities the week of March 23–27 while conservative officials cite SB12 and urge state oversight. The district’s guidance stresses privacy and non-instructional timing.

State House Republicans launched a 'Sharia Free Texas' caucus in Austin, echoing a federal effort and drawing swift criticism from civil‑rights groups. The move follows heightened security concerns in the state.

The Texas PUC cleared interim Aqua Texas rates that take effect Monday, March 9 — a change residents say will drive higher monthly bills across Austin’s suburbs. Protest filings and advocacy groups are lining up for contested hearings in April.

Texas will let businesses use federal bonus‑depreciation rules to write off eligible equipment faster, lowering franchise‑taxable margins on the 2026 report.

A new TelevisaUnivision/Harris Poll of 526 Texas Hispanic voters finds inflation, health care and housing top concerns — and many say politicians take them for granted.

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in Edinburg over whether Starbase can close Boca Chica Beach and State Highway 4 for SpaceX launches.

John Messinger won the Place 9 Republican primary for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Alison Fox and Thomas Smith will face a May runoff for Place 3.

Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic primary and will challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in November. Her campaign ran on schools, health care and anti-corruption themes.