Texas drag performers face restrictions on library storytelling, prompting debate about diversity and free expression.

Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have created a cost-effective syringe and hydrogel filter system for water purification, which shows potential for improving global access to clean drinking water.

Gov. Greg Abbott showcases Texas' energy and tech sectors in New Delhi, aiming to strengthen economic ties with Indian industry leaders and attract global companies with the state's business-friendly environment.

Researchers discover FEM-1689, a potential non-opioid treatment for chronic pain targeting a protein linked to neuropathic pain, with promising effects observed in animal models.

The Austin Planning Commission voted to recommend amendments to the city's telework policy, amid a debate on making remote work permanent for city employees.

The Texas DPS has launched a Violent Offender Database to inform the public about individuals convicted of severe violent crimes, aiming to enhance community safety.

Meta will start labeling AI-generated images on its platforms to alert users to their synthetic origin, with plans to extend standards to video and audio.

Bill Nye will speak at the Long Center in Austin on February 21, coinciding with the GARSEF, to promote science engagement and the Long Reach for The Arts initiative.

The Texas Workforce Commission celebrates CTE month, highlighting the role of technical education in job training and career readiness, and promotes programs like Dual Credit and JET.

Allen J. Bard, known as the "father of modern electrochemistry," has died at 90. His pioneering work and mentorship at The University of Texas at Austin left a lasting legacy.

Studies uncover high levels of nanoplastics in popular bottled water brands, with uncertain health impacts; researchers explore hydrogel-based filtration to tackle the problem.

UT Austin scientists discover a potential new therapy target, SLC25A51, to slow growth in acute myeloid leukemia without harming healthy cells, paving the way for future treatments.

A report suggests that investment in regulatory technology (RegTech) may lead to lower customer complaints and fewer regulatory issues, despite higher costs, particularly benefiting larger firms.

The Odysseus lander, created by Intuitive Machines, has successfully landed near the lunar south pole, signaling a step towards a lunar economy with benefits for Central Texas's aerospace sector.

The University of Texas at Austin has achieved over $1 billion in research expenditures, marking a 25% increase and signaling its global research prominence.

Texas AG Ken Paxton defends HB 20 at the Supreme Court, a law preventing social media platforms from censoring based on viewpoint, amidst a wider debate on online speech regulation and the First Amendment.

Firefly Aerospace expands its Rocket Ranch in Texas, doubling its manufacturing space to enhance production speed and efficiency for rockets like the Antares 330 and MLV. The expansion includes new test stands and advanced machinery.

UT Austin researchers developed a new fire-resistant sodium-based battery that is safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, with performance comparable to lithium-ion batteries.

TxDOT is conducting over 100 research projects to improve road safety and efficiency, assessing new technologies like geothermal bridge heating and enhanced traffic management.

UT Austin scientists, funded by a $1.7 million DOE grant, are advancing methods to produce hydrogen from iron-rich rocks, offering a cleaner energy source.

SXSW in Austin featured military tech innovations, including drones and AI translation, amid protests over the Army's sponsorship and defense contractor ties.

A study at The University of Texas suggests that touch can jumpstart babies' self-recognition abilities, with tactile experiences leading to earlier mirror self-recognition.

Austin announces the launch of its .austin top-level domain during SXSW, emphasizing increased security through blockchain technology and local pride.

Research by professors Andrew Brodsky and Hayley Blunden indicates that impressions made in virtual meetings have significant long-term impact on perceptions of intelligence and leadership.

Texas integrates AI into state agencies, potentially speeding up services, under advisement from its AI Advisory Council. Programs are enhancing tasks like incident response and paperwork processing.

An audit reveals that Austin's program aiding those needing power for medical devices is hindered by a complex signup process, with many applications denied due to paperwork issues.

UT Austin, ACC, and Texas Institute for Electronics partner to create a Semiconductor Training Center aimed at equipping the semiconductor workforce with necessary skills to meet industry demands by 2030.

The Austin Monitor reports on the city's goals to electrify its vehicle fleet in alignment with its Climate Equity Plan, aiming for zero emissions by 2040, despite facing challenges such as supply constraints and infrastructure needs.

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin developed a brain-computer interface that enables playing video games using brainwaves, bypassing the need for personalized calibration.

San Marcos introduced five electric vehicles, including Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and Toyota bZ4X cars, to its municipal fleet, focusing on sustainability and cost savings.

A University of Texas study in Nature Scientific Reports shows regular physical activity improves sleep quality and reduces stress, with data gathered from young adults using wearables and wellness app reports.

The University of Texas at Austin launches the Texas Quantum Institute to advance quantum science and engineering.

CJ Anderson, an Austin Community College student, expresses gratification in the sustainable agriculture program, combining hands-on farm experience with academic learning, aiming to live off-grid and transfer to Texas State University.

The HotRock Geothermal Research Consortium has launched in Austin, Texas, aiming to advance geothermal energy development with support from industry leaders.

Tesla surpasses H-E-B as Austin's largest private employer with 22,777 workers, an 86% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.

The Williamson County IT Services Department won the TAGITM Excellence Award for its innovative Unify Project, a communication system for emergency services coordination.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is enhancing runway safety through new FAA-endorsed surveillance technology aimed at preventing on-ground accidents.

Austin's police, fire, and EMS will begin using a fully encrypted radio system on April 22, limiting public access to their communications for operational security.

Eleven University of Texas at Austin faculty members are elected AAAS fellows for notable advancements in STEM fields, including breakthroughs in AI, enzyme design for plastic degradation, and water resource management.

A study from The University of Texas at Austin indicates earthquakes in the Midland Basin are moving towards Big Spring, with 1,305 detected from 2017 to 2023.

Amazon Pharmacy now offers prescription delivery within hours in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities, emphasizing affordability, speed, and a blend of AI and human expertise.

UT Austin researchers found that a cholera strain resists genetic change by neutralizing plasmids using a unique two-part immune system, a discovery which could guide new treatments.

Pipedream Labs raises $13M for their innovative underground food delivery system, aiming to cut emissions and congestion by using robotic vehicles in tunnels.

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin are developing Ambient Diffusion, a method to train AI on corrupted images to prevent replication of copyrighted material.

UT Austin receives a $12 million NSF grant to develop AI-driven operating systems that will adapt to new hardware and applications, promising efficiency and future-proofing against evolving technologies.

The Austin Police Department is utilizing new license plate readers to tackle auto theft, with the technology already leading to the recovery of five stolen vehicles since activation on March 29.

Dutch company Holoconnects revealed their AI holography technology, potentially revolutionizing digital interaction in various industries, as reported by CBS Austin.

A saber-toothed cat fossil found on the Texas coast offers new insights into the ancient predator's territory, once spanning a land bridge between Texas and Florida.

Hyundai and the Austin Police Department offered a free anti-theft software upgrade for Hyundai owners to counter the rise in vehicle thefts. Owners could get the installation at a local substation, and steering wheel locks were provided for some.

The article describes a study on how Southern sea otters use tools to forage and adapt to prey scarcity, reducing tooth damage and aiding survival, especially for females during pup rearing.

The Texas Attorney General has launched a data privacy initiative to enforce state and federal privacy laws against companies misusing personal information.

The Texas Supreme Court declined to review a case concerning IVF practices, leaving a lower court's decision intact and maintaining the status quo for reproductive technology in the state.

The University of Texas at Austin study reveals unique vortex structures known as polarons in halide perovskites, enhancing energy conversion, potentially benefiting solar cells and LEDs.

The FAA is introducing a new airfield surveillance system at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to improve air traffic controllers' situational awareness and reduce runway incidents. This advanced system will be operational by June 30.

Austin Community College and the Texas Department of Information Resources have launched a tech and cybersecurity apprenticeship program, designed to enhance career readiness and address workforce shortages in the IT sector.

A new geophysical technique developed at The University of Texas visualizes Earth's interior by using surface deformation, measuring the rigidity of the crust and mantle.

UT Austin researchers developed a rapid carbon storage technology that creates carbon dioxide hydrates quickly without harmful chemicals, potentially advancing carbon sequestration efforts.

NASA launched the CURIE mission to study the origins of solar radio waves, which impact space and Earth technologies, using two CubeSats equipped with eight-foot antennas.

The Texas Institute for Electronics at UT Austin has been awarded $840 million by DARPA to establish a microelectronics center, enhancing U.S. semiconductor production and defense technology.

Texas DPS closed offices statewide due to technical issues, part of a global outage affecting various sectors. CrowdStrike assures it wasn't a cyberattack, while Microsoft is addressing related software update problems.

A software update from CrowdStrike caused widespread tech disruptions in Austin, impacting emergency services and transportation, with agencies adapting and essential services restored.

Delivery robots by Avride, formerly Yandex, are being tested in Austin's Mueller neighborhood, partnered with local businesses for efficient last-mile deliveries.

The Plymouth County Retirement Association is suing CrowdStrike over claims it made false statements about its cybersecurity services, affecting its stock value.

Researchers at the University of Texas have used AI to create a non-toxic antibiotic variant, showing effectiveness against resistant bacteria in animal trials, as reported in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

UT Austin astronomers used AI to discover hundreds of "polluted" white dwarf stars in the Milky Way, improving our understanding of planetary compositions.

BANF and Goodyear, with Gatik, introduce smart tire tech to enhance commercial and autonomous vehicle safety by monitoring tire conditions in real-time, which could lead to a decrease in truck-related accidents.

The Bee Cave Police in Texas is testing autonomous drones for faster emergency response, in partnership with Eve Vehicles Corporation. The drones provide real-time information without the need for a pilot.

The University of Texas at Austin introduces a unique undergraduate robotics program, offering an interdisciplinary curriculum and research opportunities from the start of the students' academic career.

The Texas Advanced Computer Center partners with Sabey Data Centers to bring the "Horizon" supercomputer to Round Rock, with NSF funding $457 million for the project set to launch in 2026.

The Texas DPS honors its Crime Laboratory Division during National Forensic Science Week, highlighting their essential forensic work and public tours of the facilities.

The University of Texas at Austin has developed EvoRank, an AI model that creates proteins for new drugs and vaccines by leveraging evolutionary data.

Austin Community College partners with Arizona State University to create MyPath2ASU®, a program facilitating credit transfers from ACC to ASU degree programs.

The Texas Science & Natural History Museum celebrated record attendance, drawing visitors with exhibits like the "Big Eye on Dark Skies" and planning new features.

Uber Eats partners with Avride to launch autonomous delivery robots in Austin, with expansion plans for Dallas and Jersey City, and a future robotaxi service.

Austin integrates AI into its single-family home building permit process, contracting with Archistar for a more efficient and transparent system, which is also a part of a national pilot initiative.

University of Texas astronomers utilized the JWST to image exoplanet AF Lep b, a 23-million-year-old gas giant and the smallest ever observed outside our solar system.

The University of Texas at Austin received a $1.4 million donation from Love, Tito's to build an instrument for studying electron behavior in nanomaterials.

Scientists at UT Austin developed a new thermal interface material for efficient cooling in electronics, potentially reducing data center cooling needs by 13% and overall energy consumption by 5%.

The University of Texas has introduced a new Climate System Science major, focusing on climate-related challenges and the interaction of Earth's components, equipped with a strong emphasis on data management skills.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott plans to lead in advanced nuclear power to increase grid reliability and meet rising electricity demand from tech industries.

Austin Energy's new Solar Standard Offer program enables property owners to host or lease rooftops for solar panels, with generated power sold back to the utility, promoting renewable energy and offering additional income.

Firefly Aerospace of Cedar Park, Texas, has launched its "Blue Ghost Mission One" from Kennedy Space Center, delivering scientific experiments to the moon with NASA's financial support.

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, launched from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9, is heading to the moon with scientific experiments, as part of a new era of commercial lunar exploration.

The Texas Lyceum held a conference in Austin, discussing the state's potential for leading in AI and the importance of navigating its complexities and regulation.

Texas Governor Abbott announced the creation of the Texas Cyber Command as an emergency item to improve state cybersecurity and combat threats from foreign enemies, with San Antonio chosen as the headquarters.

Uber teams up with Waymo to offer Austin residents rides in autonomous electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Interested users can join a waitlist via the Uber app.

Texas now leads in top-tier research universities, with 16 institutions earning Tier 1 status, surpassing other states in educational excellence and research investment.

Residents in West Odessa, Texas, face environmental hazards from nearby oil and gas activities including water pollution and exposure to dangerous toxins.

Firefly Aerospace received a $50 million investment from Northrop Grumman for the development of their new launch vehicle, Eclipse, which aims to increase payload capacity into space by 2026.

Dell Technologies made the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For list, highlighting its commitment to employees and the local economy in Round Rock.

Retired Vice Adm. T.J. White is leading Texas Cyber Command from UTSA and centering the agency on hands‑on training to build a Texas cyber workforce.

UT Austin has doubled the computing power of its Center for Generative AI to more than 1,000 GPUs, a move meant to speed model training and scientific research.

Microsoft and Austin startup Aalo Atomics are piloting generative AI to streamline nuclear permitting for factory-built reactors aimed at data centers.

UT Austin and UTSA students used supercomputers and orbit‑based models to show Segue 1 may host a ~450,000‑solar‑mass black hole — upending assumptions about dark matter in tiny galaxies.

A Texas A&M entomologist has consulted on roughly 200 criminal cases, using insect life cycles to help investigators narrow timelines and train students.

TCS will buy Coastal Cloud from Sverica for $700M, bringing 400+ Salesforce specialists into its AI and Salesforce practice.

An Austin father with ALS says a Neuralink implant restored his ability to move a cursor and type with thought, sparking fresh hope and questions.

Dozens of suits tied to Oracle EBS breaches could be centralized in Austin; plaintiffs say negligence exposed millions of people’s data.

UT Austin led the U.S. in NSF-funded research in FY2024, drawing $176.4M and pushing total R&D past $1.14B. The ranking highlights major federal investments on campus.

Penn Medicine's mRNA vaccine stopped allergic reactions in mice — a hopeful development for cedar‑fever sufferers, but human trials and funding shifts could delay its arrival.

The University of Austin has built an applied engineering lab beside Elon Musk’s Bastrop campus; public records and a university post show contractors tied to the Musk complex filed permits.

Gov. Abbott awarded Tekscend Photomask a $15.2M TSIF grant to expand its Round Rock facility, backing a $223M investment and about 50 local jobs.

Meta closed three Austin‑linked VR studios in a Reality Labs cut, leaving dozens of local developers and more than 100 area workers looking for new roles.

Gov. Abbott announced a TSIF grant to LTD Material for an 88,000‑sq‑ft Austin facility to produce high‑purity quartz parts, add training and create about 40 jobs.

A new Austin survey finds 61% of residents worry AI could displace jobs and many fear deepfakes and a loss of the human touch. Local leaders are pressing for reskilling.

ERCOT's new 'batch' interconnection plan could put about 8.2 GW of approved data‑center load back under review, forcing clearer timelines and staged commitments.

Texas Instruments will buy Austin-based Silicon Labs for $231 a share in a $7.5B cash deal that folds the wireless‑chip maker into TI’s U.S. manufacturing network. Closing is expected in the first half of 2027.

Austin drone maker Skyways is pushing from test flights to a Tech Ridge production push and expects to double local staff as defense awards and policy shifts ramp demand.

A randomized national trial that included Austin sites found a midpregnancy blood test plus a short care bundle cut the earliest preterm births and reduced NICU time.

Austin neurotech Phantom Neuro says its Phantom X implant decodes muscle signals so amputees can control prosthetic hands more naturally; early human trials are set for Australia in 2026.

UT Austin and national labs developed CRAFT, a low‑cost 3D printing method that makes lifelike body‑part models on consumer printers, promising cheaper surgical training.

UT Austin will consolidate computer science, information and statistics into a School of Computing, hire about 50 faculty and open in Fall 2026.

An Austin business court heard arguments this week over whether CrowdStrike is really headquartered here as GoSecure accuses the company of using stolen trade secrets. The judge took the matter under advisement.

A Texas State/X‑Bow plan to static‑test solid rocket motors at Freeman Ranch has neighbors and conservationists warning the Edwards Aquifer could be at risk. University officials say safeguards are planned.

UT Austin researchers built a near-atomic map of the Andes hantavirus and produced a vaccine candidate that triggered neutralizing antibodies in mice.

SXSW panels, a $50M Texas fund and Compass Pathways' Phase 3 results are converging to push psychedelic therapies toward clinical reality. The debate ties downtown Austin to the state Capitol and clinics abroad.

Texas Tech researchers used ATR‑FTIR and Raman spectroscopy with machine learning to identify fentanyl exposure in fingernail clippings, a noninvasive method presented at Pittcon.

SXSW's Emerging Tech Expo opens a free public day Wednesday at Fairmont Austin with demos from AI to XR.

A 20i survey finds Texas web designers report more pay satisfaction than peers on the coasts, even with lower average salaries. Cost of living and career stage appear to matter more than raw dollars.

UT Austin will add digital university IDs to Apple and Android wallets in the 2027 6 28 academic year, eliminating replacement fees and modernizing campus access. Physical cards will remain during the phased rollout.

UT Austin’s FORTE system combines 3D‑printed soft fingers and air‑channel tactile sensors to pick up fragile items like potato chips in lab tests.

Snorkeling in a Comal County water cave, UT researchers recovered fossils from giant tortoises, pampatheres and ground sloths that suggest a warmer, wetter Ice Age Texas.

Dell Children’s is expanding its fetal surgery team and launching a fellowship, bringing more prenatal surgical care and training to Austin. The move aims to keep complex deliveries local.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has started training deputies on Axon’s AI Translation Assistant, which transcribes and translates body‑cam audio in near real time. The feature is being added to existing Axon cameras and evidence software.

Local pad activity, Booster 19 testing and a Starbase closure have pushed SpaceX’s next Starship flight into an early‑to‑mid‑May window. Here’s what to watch.

PitchBook/NVCA tallies show Texas startups raised $5.8B in Q1 versus Massachusetts’ $5.3B, driven by several massive defense and robotics rounds in Austin. The reversal highlights how a few big deals can flip statewide VC rankings quickly.

A private, invite-only Endless Frontiers retreat in Austin brought Trump and Biden-era officials, top CEOs and backers together to map U.S. tech and national-security strategy.

London-based Synthesia is opening a downtown Austin office and expects dozens of hires by year end as it scales U.S. operations. The move follows a major funding round.

UT Austin, UTSA and Baylor are moving AI into core computer‑science classes as software hiring cools and many students delay the job market for extra training.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Michael and Susan Dell will join UT leaders Tuesday at a West Braker Lane event. University and state officials are expected to attend; specifics remain unclear.

A Texas A&M team reports a two‑dose nasal spray made from stem cell‑derived vesicles cut brain inflammation and improved memory in older mice.

Samsung moved chipmaking tools into its Taylor campus, pushing the long‑delayed build toward production and tying the site to a major Tesla chip deal.

UT Arlington will lead a $4M, state-backed project with Rice to deploy a radar-integrated, real-time flood-warning network across the Texas Hill Country. The platform aims to deliver location-specific depth forecasts to emergency managers.

Corning says three new U.S. plants and more than 3,000 jobs will follow a multiyear partnership with Nvidia; the deal includes warrants that could lead to a multi‑billion dollar investment.

A $13M state award will expand Texas A&M’s Cyclotron Institute, boosting radiation testing used by satellites, defense systems and semiconductor makers.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Netflix, alleging the streamer secretly harvested Texans’ data — including kids’ viewing logs — and shared it with ad-tech and data brokers.

ACC and Central Texas school districts have launched a healthcare academy that lets ninth-graders earn industry credentials and stack them toward ACC degrees. The program is backed by more than $10 million in grants.

A Baylor‑led consortium's AllFaith Benchmark finds major language models often omit religious perspectives in ethics answers and show conversion biases. The work is open‑sourced for developers and scholars.

A Dallas Fed survey finds two-thirds of Texas companies use AI; a small share say it lowered their need for workers.

HydroGraph’s HGRAF shares swung from $0.15 to $8.37 as the company raised C$30M and opened an Austin HQ — even though fiscal‑2025 revenue was just $43,051.

UT Austin researchers are installing ultrasonic sensors and refining seismic models to spot canister damage before it spreads as Texas invests $350M in advanced nuclear.

Cedar Park's Firefly Aerospace will deliver four propulsive drones to the Moon’s south pole under a $75M JPL subcontract, stepping into NASA's Moon Base plans.

UT Austin will lead the NNME South node, convening 104 partners and industry-backed training to prepare technicians and engineers for thousands of chip jobs across 10 states.

UT Austin researchers found Gulf Coast coal and ash contain large rare‑earth inventories on paper, but low per‑ton value and tricky extraction keep the economics tight. Pilot projects and co‑products may be the only realistic path to profit.

UT Austin and MD Anderson launched a cross‑campus accelerator funding five projects to speed protein therapies, AI and surgical robotics into patient care.

A $3.9M TSIF grant will back Schunk Xycarb's Georgetown expansion, which the state says will unlock more than $42M in investment and add roughly 25 jobs.

TPWD says a vendor‑related breach may have exposed driver’s license and passport details for more than 3 million hunting and fishing license customers. The agency is offering one year of free credit monitoring.

UT Austin theorist Allan MacDonald shares the 2026 Kavli Prize for twistronics — the discovery that a 1.1° twist in graphene can create superconductivity and other exotic states.