Natalie Petrovich

In a move that underscores Nashville's burgeoning reputation as a business powerhouse, Oracle Corporation's co-founder and Chairman Larry Ellison announced the company's plans to establish its world headquarters in the city, signaling a major shift for the global tech titan. The proclamation was made on April 23 at a healthcare industry summit, as reported by the Austin Business Journal, where Ellison underlined the strategic importance of Nashville in Oracle's growth trajectory, amidst the backdrop of a pending 8,500-job campus.

The homeless population in Hays County has seen a startling increase over the last four years, with numbers doubling since 2020. Results from a 'point in time'count conducted in January reveal that the number of individuals without permanent housing has surged to 210, as per a report during a Hays County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday.

An Austin man's high-stakes bluff has finally been called. Saint Jovite Youngblood, 52, was convicted by a federal jury on multiple charges of fraud and money laundering. The Manor native, also known as Kota Youngblood, had concocted a nefarious plot where he claimed Mexican drug cartels were targeting his victims, offering his "Delta Force" protection for a hefty price, according to court documents.

The Austin community reels after the body of missing Bell County man and Uber driver, Ernest Anderson, was found dead in his vehicle on the east side of the city. Anderson, 39, was reported missing since April 11 when he was last spotted heading to pick up a fare near Riverside Drive, as per the Nolanville Police Department. KVUE reports that his sister has requested privacy for the family to mourn their loss, saying there was "no foul play" suspected at this time.

An Austin Police officer has resigned from the force following accusations that he entered his ex-girlfriend’s apartment without permission. Juan Asencio, who served as a senior officer, stepped down on April 1 after being charged with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor offense, after his arrest on March 25.

As Austin navigates a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, local workforce leaders are doubling down on efforts to bridge the labor gap, calling for robust training initiatives and community partnerships. The city, which is in the throes of substantial infrastructural endeavors, is aiming to pump up its skilled trades workforce by more than 10,000 annually over the next decade, as reported by the Austin Monitor.

Faculty at St. Edward's University express a lack of confidence in President Montserrat Fuentes, citing governance issues.

Round Rock's got it all figured out – at least according to S&P Global, which reaffirmed the city's AAA bond rating. Citing "very strong" management, budgetary performance, and a booming economy, the ratings agency is giving its seal of approval for the city's latest financial maneuvers. The AAA rating is the highest on the charts, and it spells out lower interest rates and big savings for Round Rock's upcoming projects.

The streets of Austin just got a bit safer as the city's Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) office rolled out the Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP), serving as a pioneering local effort to snuff out the threat of domestic terrorism. Funded through the State Homeland Security Grant Program, Austin HSEM is taking a proactive stance, aiming to educate and engage the community in a concerted effort to prevent the unthinkable.

Austin's streets were marred by violence as the Austin Police Department (APD) began an investigation into a homicide that occurred downtown near the 90 block of Red River Street. This grim discovery has put the city on alert and authorities are tirelessly working to unravel the situation.