Austin

Austin Independent School District filed a lawsuit against North Austin residents who oppose the district’s plan to sell a former school site, seeking a court ruling on its authority to dispose of the property. Neighbors said the proposed sale could permanently change their community and have raised concerns about future land use, traffic, and neighborhood character. The case now moves through the civil court process in Austin, where a judge will determine the parties’ rights and any limits on the district’s ability to sell the land.

Leander Independent School District in Austin, Texas, has approved a plan to close Faubion Elementary School for the 2026-27 school year. The school board voted after reviewing enrollment and facility data and directed administrators to create a transition plan for students and staff. District officials said they will announce new school assignments, transportation details and rezoning information before the 2026-27 academic year and will hold community meetings to explain the changes.

Austin Energy in Austin, Texas, announced a $735 million 10-year electric resiliency plan to strengthen grid infrastructure against severe weather. The utility developed the plan after a year of stakeholder meetings, system analysis and weather impact assessments. The long-term program will fund grid hardening projects, phased upgrades and reliability improvements across the service area. Austin Energy will align the work with state reliability standards, provide public updates and adjust project priorities based on system performance and evolving weather conditions.

Austin city leaders approved a $150,000 incentive package for the Apple TV+ series “Brothers,” starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, to support filming in Austin, Texas. The award, structured as a rebate, will reimburse eligible local production expenses once the project meets spending and hiring requirements. The agreement, administered through Austin’s film and television incentive program, requires detailed reporting and compliance with city ordinances while cameras roll in and around the city.

Taylor police in Texas are investigating a reported bomb threat at an H-E-B grocery store in Taylor, where officers responded, secured the area, and searched the premises while coordinating with store management and evaluating the need for additional resources as they worked to determine the origin of the threat and identify any suspects.

The Maywald family in Austin, Texas, announced that the 2024 season will be the final year of their long-running Maywald Christmas Light Display. The neighborhood holiday attraction, which has operated for more than 15 years at the family’s residence, has drawn visitors from across Austin and surrounding areas. The display features thousands of lights synchronized to music and will continue on its regular schedule through the current holiday season before closing permanently. City officials have previously monitored traffic near the site to ensure safety.

TxDOT announced that Austin’s Oak Hill Parkway project, which upgrades the congested US 290 and SH 71 corridor in southwest Austin, is scheduled for completion by mid-2026. The multi-year construction effort includes new lanes, reconfigured intersections, bridges, ramps, and safety improvements designed to increase capacity and improve traffic flow. Officials say crews remain on schedule and within budget while maintaining traffic through phased construction and coordinated detours. The project aims to enhance mobility and regional connectivity once the upgraded highway facility opens to drivers.

A large fire at the Sage at Franklin Park apartment complex in Southeast Austin, Texas, caused an estimated $3 million in damages, according to the Austin Fire Department. Firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke and flames and deployed multiple units to contain the blaze and protect nearby structures. Investigators from the Austin Fire Department opened an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire and are reviewing witness accounts, physical evidence, and video footage. Officials said they will release further details after completing the investigation and damage assessments.