Austin approved a record $476.5M police budget in 2023, but recruiting shortfalls leave the department hundreds of officers shy and the reimagining debate unresolved.

A TPOR poll finds James Talarico narrowly ahead of both John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, powered by voters of color and independents. The results sharpen focus on a May 26 GOP runoff.

The Texas attorney general sent Austin ISD a new legal notice after a complaint that a male student used a girls’ restroom at a district performing‑arts event. The AG is demanding policies and records and points to steep penalties under SB 8.

Republican groups resurfaced classroom‑era posts from James Talarico and framed them as evidence of poor judgment; his campaign says the posts were taken out of context.

The Fifth U.S. Circuit vacated the injunction that blocked Texas’ SB 4, saying plaintiffs lacked standing. The controversial immigration law can now be enforced while constitutional questions remain.

Council approved a cluster of solar, battery and infrastructure measures, including landfill solar, a 40MW battery portfolio, Longhorn Dam funding and a $59M wastewater bond.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened a civil probe into Spotify, Apple Music and other streamers over alleged undisclosed playlist payments that could have skewed promotion.

Alan Albright, the judge who drew a wave of patent suits to central Texas, plans to leave the federal bench this summer. His exit reshuffles the Western District's patent map.

Baylor will host a Turning Point USA stop at Waco Hall on April 22 while student groups stage an 'All Are Neighbors' counterevent. The paired programs have prompted safety planning and denominational pushback.

City staff presented a five‑year forecast that models a no‑new‑revenue M&O tax baseline and shows how the General Fund and core services would be funded.

A PAC’s parody of Austin’s new $1.1M logo — swapping “Austin” for “Audit” — has become a federal court fight over whether political mockery is protected speech.

Speaker Dustin Burrows ordered a Texas House review of Roblox after a user‑made recreation of the Uvalde shooting surfaced. Lawmakers will study moderation, age checks and developer liability.

Cornyn's campaign accused Ken Paxton of cutting a 'sweetheart' plea in the Adam Hoffman case, a new flashpoint as the May 26, 2026 GOP runoff approaches. The move has prompted outcry from Cornyn's team and questions about prosecutorial discretion.