Austin’s HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopens near airport with public art walls
Spray paint cans were flying again Friday as Austin’s iconic HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopened at a new 17-acre site near the airport, years after its closure.
Spray paint cans were flying again Friday as Austin’s iconic HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopened at a new 17-acre site near the airport, years after its closure.
Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR), a nonprofit that rehabilitates and releases injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals, announced it will move its intake center to a new location at 811 E. 13th Street, near I-35. Operations at the new facility will begin Dec. 1, with hours remaining 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Williamson County will conduct a regional water study to forecast and address future water demands.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), challenging rules that he says prevent religious organizations from receiving public funding.
Authorities returned the remains of 1st Lt. Woody T. Owen, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, to his hometown of Elgin, Texas, after more than 80 years. Family members, local veterans’ organizations, and uniformed service members gathered for a graveside service and military funeral honors. Military officials coordinated the transfer of Owen’s remains following their identification and arranged his burial in Elgin in consultation with his relatives.
Austin Public Health reports that Austin-Travis County has recorded more than 130 whooping cough (pertussis) cases so far this year, marking a 58% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Health officials say the rise spans multiple age groups and neighborhoods and emphasize vaccination, early diagnosis, and isolation during the contagious period as key steps to limit spread. The department continues to monitor case data, coordinate with state health authorities, and provide guidance to schools, childcare facilities, and healthcare providers across the county.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper joined a turkey drive on the east side of San Antonio ahead of Thanksgiving, helping distribute turkeys and groceries to local residents. The event formed part of the Spurs organization’s ongoing community outreach efforts and aimed to support families facing food insecurity during the holiday season. Organizers, volunteers and team representatives coordinated distribution, provided information on local resources and worked to assist households preparing Thanksgiving meals.
A former University of Texas at Austin police chief filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired because of her gender as part of a coordinated purge of female employees from the campus police department, claiming sex discrimination, retaliation and financial harm, and seeking damages, policy changes and a jury trial.
Austin City Council approves a new city budget for the coming fiscal year, adopting a spending plan that includes more than $38 million in cuts to social services and other programs. The council vote followed public hearings and staff presentations on revenue limits, rising costs, and funding priorities. The balanced budget sets funding for public safety, infrastructure, and city operations while reducing support for some health, human services, and community-based initiatives. Departments and contracted providers now prepare to adjust programs and contracts to align with the new allocations.
The Austin Independent School District board in Austin, Texas, voted to approve a school closure and consolidation plan that will shut down 10 campuses beginning next school year. District officials cited enrollment, facility use, and budget factors in the decision and will reassign students to designated receiving schools. Administrators will coordinate transportation changes, staff placements, and transition plans, and will communicate new campus assignments and support services to affected families and employees in the coming months.