Sophie Leclerc

As the 89th Texas legislative session convenes, a significant disconnect between lawmakers' priorities and the electorate’s desires has come to light, a recent poll by the UT Texas Politics Project reveals immigration and the economy are the foremost concerns among Texas voters, leading the pack at 22% and 16% respectively. While school vouchers scrape a mere 1% of voter interest, a discrepancy emerges with some state leaders championing this issue a top priority—underscored by Governor Abbott's emphatic support based on what he calls "the urgent pleas of thousands of Texans," CBS Austin reported.

Attention Austin artists: your shot at affordable space to hone and present your craft is here with the opening of applications for the Artist Access Program's 2026 season, starting Monday, January 27. The program, an initiative to support local performance artists by providing access to rehearsal and production spaces at minimal cost, is now in the welcoming arms of those seeking to create without the heavy burden of venue overheads.

As Austin readies itself for a significant transformation, residents got their first detailed view of the upcoming light rail system, set to break ground in 2027. With 15 stops across a nearly 10-mile stretch, it aims to serve an estimated 28,000 weekday riders, as reported by FOX 7 Austin.

The disappearance of a University of Texas at Austin graduate student and his wife continues to baffle family and authorities, as the couple mysteriously went offline during a road trip through Mexico to Chile last summer and have not been heard from since. Frank Guzman, a Ph.D. student, and his wife, Caroline Katba, were en route to Chile for Guzman's research on the Palestinian diaspora, embarking on a trip that was expected to span two months, but concerns grew after Guzman missed an online class and subsequent check-ins with his family ceased. "They're very adventurous people," Elizabeth Guzman, Frank's sister, remarked in an interview with FOX 7 Austin.

A 32-year-old Austin man was arrested last Thursday for his alleged role in the murder of a homeless woman in East Austin. According to CBS Austin, Frank Henry Bonner Jr. was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals at a bus stop near Manor Road and Rogge Lane without incident. He has been charged with the murder of 35-year-old Kelly Meazell, who was found with a gunshot wound in an East Austin parking lot on January 9th.

In the sun-drenched expanses of rural Texas, an unusual fusion of solar energy and pastoral farming is taking shape. Large-scale solar farms, essential in the nation's push toward renewable energy, have found a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to manage their expansive grasslands.

As Texas braces for a bout of cold weather, H-E-B is taking measures to keep both customers and employees safe by adjusting store hours across the state. In preparation for incoming icy conditions, the San Antonio-based grocery chain has made the decision to close several of their locations earlier than usual and open later the following morning. KSAT reports that stores in Boerne, Bulverde, Fredericksburg, Kerrville and New Braunfels will shut doors at 8 p.m. on Monday and resume business at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

The City of Elgin is welcoming a seasoned professional to its leadership ranks, tapping the extensive expertise of Isaac Turner to guide the city as its new Interim City Manager. The Elgin City Council made the official appointment on January 7th, according to CBS Austin, bringing in Turner's rich background spanning four decades in city management across Texas and Florida. Elgin boasts a longstanding history since 1872 and currently experiences rapid demographic expansion within Central Texas, now counting over 12,000 residents.

Residents and businesses in Bastrop and surrounding counties in Central Texas are bracing for a winter storm expected to bring cold temperatures and over an inch of snow in some areas. Preparations include winterizing homes, stockpiling essentials, and making provisions for potential service disruptions. Travelers are advised to remain cautious about changing road conditions in response to the forecasted weather.

As Central Texas and Southeast Texas grapple with the aftermath of recent winter storms, local residents are being warned about the risk of black ice on roads and sidewalks. Despite clear skies, the melted snow from Monday's disturbance is likely to refreeze and form treacherous patches as temperatures drop Tuesday night. According to