Matt Mitchell

Pro-Palestinian protests at UT-Austin ended with arrests and legal debate over free speech and criminal trespassing laws.

Fish tales are shifting from the same old whoppers in Lady Bird Lake, thanks to two local anglers reeling in record-setters that have Austin buzzing. Callie White, an Austin native, hauled in a fish that's more at home in a decorative pond than a Texas lake—a mammoth 30-pound koi. White was stunned to snatch up the strikingly colored carp, a sight she never expected while out for her thrice-weekly ritual catch, as reported by KXAN.

In San Marcos, Texas, the past weeks have seen the town gripped by the tragedy of Malachi Williams, the 22-year-old shot dead by local police on April 11. At a recent vigil for the deceased, family and community members united in grief and called for transparency and answers from the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD). Williams, known to be struggling with mental health and homelessness, was killed following a 911 call reporting a man brandishing a knife, according to KVUE.

Georgetown, Texas is getting ready to paint the town red - not with brush strokes, but with its vibrant history and love for the red poppy flower. The 25th annual Georgetown Red Poppy Festival is set to kick off this Friday night, bringing a plethora of events to the downtown square for a weekend packed with tradition and entertainment, as reported by Spectrum Local News.

The FTC has voted to ban noncompete clauses, impacting 30 million U.S. workers, amid concerns over legal challenges.

An AP investigation uncovered 15 deaths in Texas involving police-administered sedatives, like midazolam, during arrests, raising concerns about its safety and consent issues.

Every Saturday, Paste will be revisiting albums that came out before the magazine was founded in July 2002 and assessing its current cultural relevance.

The Austin art scene is getting a tactile overhaul with the return of "Touch the Art," a sensory exhibit that challenges the conventional hands-off gallery experience. The exhibit, which opens up the art world to the visually impaired, is back for a second year. According to KXAN, this interactive affair boasts the creative genius of over 40 artists, including the young talent from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Harry Styles opens the Pleasing Saloon, a beauty pop-up shop in Austin, featuring merchandise, a nail salon, and limited-edition products.

The Lone Star State's spirit industry is not just about bold flavors, it's also a robust economic engine. Recent data suggests Texas distilleries have poured more than $830 million into the state's coffers through tourism, as recovering industries clink glasses to a post-pandemic boom. CBS Austin reported these distilled dollars are the result of a significant uptick in visitors flocking to the state’s 188 distilleries.