UT System to Silence Certain Topics: Last Thursday, Feb. 19, the UT System Board of Regents unanimously voted to approve a rule that limits its students from studying “unnecessary controversial subjects.” It also directs educators to disclose what matters they are hoping to cover, stating that controversial topics must have a “broad and balanced approach,” yet does not define what subjects could be considered “controversial” or what a “broad and balanced approach” would exactly look like. “We are in difficult times,” said Kevin Eltife, UT System Board of Regents chair. “Vagueness can be our friend.” This change, which advocates have called “ideological and political” comes just after UT-Austin announced the consolidation of the university’s gender and ethnic studies programs into a sole department.
City Removes Rainbow Crosswalks: Last Wednesday, Feb. 18, Austin worked to remove three painted crosswalks around the city, citing requirements from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration leading to the decision. The intersections of Morrow and Watson streets and Manor Road and Leona Street previously had rainbow-patterned crosswalks. The third, at Pedernales Street and Webberville Road, was painted to look like a brick pathway. Last October, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered cities to remove “political ideologies” from streets after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged governors across the nation to get rid of rainbow crosswalks. The city has requested that TxDOT grant an exemption for Austin to maintain 15 painted street markings, which included the three that have been removed. It has yet to receive a response from TxDOT.
Wrongly Incarcerated Yogurt Shop Suspects Exonerated: Over 34 years after the infamous 1991 yogurt shop murders, four men – Maurice Pierce, Mike Scott, Robert Springsteen, and Forrest Welborn – who had been accused of the crimes in 1999 were officially exonerated on Thursday, Feb. 19. Through the use of forensic and DNA evidence, law enforcement identified a man named Robert Eugene Brashers, who died in 1999, as the individual who killed four teenage girls at an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt location. Scott and Springsteen were the only two of the four who were convicted – Scott sentenced to life in prison while Springsteen was put on death row – before both cases were thrown out in 2006 by the Texas Supreme Court. Pierce had spent over three years in jail before his case was dismissed in 2003. During a 2010 traffic stop, Pierce stabbed an APD officer, who shot and killed him. Wellborn had his charges dropped in 2000. The exonerations come after Travis County D.A. José Garza filed a motion to revisit the case last year. “For decades, I have carried the burden of wrongful conviction,” Scott said in court. “Every day, I have carried the weight of a crime that I did not commit. No court ruling can return the years and the love that were taken from me, but it can acknowledge the truth: I am not guilty.”
Travis County Early Voting: According to the Texas Secretary of State, early voting in Travis County is the highest it’s been for a primary election since 2008, as of Tuesday, Feb. 24. According to KUT reporting, around 63,000 individuals have voted in the Democratic primary and 16,000 have voted in the Republican primary. And this isn’t unique to Travis County; across the state, early voting in the Democratic primary has outpaced prior elections. Early voting remains open through Friday, Feb. 27, and election day is Tuesday, March 3.
Immigration Arrests Double Under Trump: According to Statesman reporting, ICE has arrested close to 12,000 individuals in South Central Texas in the first nine months since Trump took office. Within the San Antonio field office’s jurisdiction, ICE arrested over 11,600 people, in comparison to the 4,750 made during the same amount of time under the Biden administration in 2024, though detainees with criminal convictions declined from 51% to 39%. ICE also made over 31,000 detainer requests to local, state, and federal agencies in Texas, asking the facilities to keep individuals in custody beyond their release date in order for ICE to take them into custody – a 33% increase from the previous year.
Six ICE Detainee Deaths in Six Weeks: Within six weeks between December and January, six individuals who had been detained in Texas by ICE have died on the agency’s watch, three of which were detained at the country’s largest ICE detention center, Camp East Montana, according to Tribune reporting. Both tuberculosis and COVID cases have been confirmed at the detention center. Lawyers, politicans, and advocates say the deaths have been a result of the lack of proper care and medical necessities, and overall poor living conditions for the inmates, which has also led to several deaths that the agency has deemed suicides. Despite Congress’ rules that require the agency to publicly post “relevant details” within two business days of the reported death and holds the agency’s office of professional responsibility accountable of investigating each death, ultimately making reports that must become public within 90 days, experts say these reports have often been delayed under the Trump administration. During 2025, 32 individuals died within ICE custody, surpassing the previous high of 20 that was set in 2005.
Dan Patrick Against Camp Mystic Reopening: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is urging the Texas Department of State Health Services to not issue a 2026 license for Camp Mystic to operate this summer after the July 4 floods resulted in the deaths of 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp’s executive director. According to the Tribune, a DSHS spokesperson said that the camp has until March 31 to apply for a renewed license with no penalty. In the lieutenant governor’s letter to the DSHS, he said that special legislative committees are set to meet in the spring to review more information on the incident. Families of the victims have filed a lawsuit against six DSHS officials, several individuals who oversaw the program, and the agency’s inspector of the site, alleging that Camp Mystic did not have a proper evacuation plan for such emergencies.
Paxton Continues to Push Against Abortion Care: Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, Feb. 24, against three medical providers, including Aid Access, an Austria-based nonprofit that provides abortion medication to those who lack access to the resources, like Texans. The lawsuit alleges that the providers shipped abortion medication into the state. According to KUT, in August of last year, the A.G. sent cease-and-desist letters to three organizations, including a California-based physician, for providing the care to Texans. He said that these services can result in “devastating consequences for Texas families.”
Playbook to Address City Challenges: On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the city of Austin released a strategic plan to address climate risks, affordability, and infrastructure challenges, called the Resilient Austin Playbook. With the city’s rapid growth, the city is hopeful that the plan will build on prior efforts to combat Austin-area issues. The plan was crafted in partnership with Resilient Cities Catalyst, a New York-based organization that partners with metros to overcome city-specific obstacles. “The Resilient Austin Playbook focuses on taking a proactive and collaborative approach to protecting our community and strengthening opportunities for all,” said Zach Baumer, director of Austin Climate Action and Resilience, who will lead the implementation of the plan.
City’s New Homeless Plan: During the Austin City Council work session on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations revealed its inaugural strategic plan to alleviate homelessness issues in the city. With the vision being to grant stable housing and support to all Austinites, the city’s Homeless Strategies and Operations Department plans to execute this through transparent system leadership, impactful community investments, crisis response system management, strong communication, and investing in residents. “[The plan] is the product of deep collaboration with our dedicated staff and community partners who brought their lived experience, expertise, and heart to this work,” said David Gray, director of the department.
Burn Ban Extended: On Tuesday, Feb. 24, The Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office announced that the county is extending its burn ban through March 24, unless the county judge or fire marshal lifts the ban earlier. Outside of prescribed burns and some hot work operations that are conducted under guidelines of the fire marshal’s office, the ban applies to outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. “Continuing the burn ban is an important step in reducing the risk of wildfires as dry brush, gusty winds, and low humidity continue across Travis County,” Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Gary Howell wrote in a press release.
City Warns of Potentially Toxic Algae: On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Austin Watershed Protection warned residents of the presence of blue-green algae mats, some potentially toxic, in the city’s lakes and creeks. The announcement states that the algae typically looks like “dark blobs” that float among the surface of bodies of water, which could increase in waterways as spring grows nearer. The city advises residents to avoid coming into contact with water containing algae, urging residents to report potential human or animal illnesses related to algae through the city’s online reporting form.
No More Bus Fareboxes: CapMetro has announced that, in mid-2026, it will begin replacing fareboxes on all fixed-route buses. The transition is a part of a larger effort to modernize the company’s fare system and enhance experiences for customers, according to CapMetro’s press release. Due to the changes, the public transportation agency will no longer accept paper magnetic and day passes. Users can still pay for single rides with cash, but physical day passes will not be sold or printed on CapMetro buses. The shift is necessary, CapMetro said, because of farebox incompatibility with modern payment systems. Those still wanting to take advantage of daily and monthly fare capping – which ensures riders do not pay more than the cost of a daily or monthly pass – can do so through the Umo app or a reloadable fare card.
Free Pet Spay/Neuter: In partnership with Greater Good Charities, Austin Animal Services is hosting free spay/neuter clinics for cats and dogs from today, Feb. 26, to Tuesday, March 2, at 11580 Stonehollow Dr., Ste. 160. Throughout the five days, AAS will also provide flea and tick prevention vaccinations and microchips to pets undergoing spay or neuter surgeries. AAS says that these procedures usually cost a hefty amount of money with wait times that stretch to weeks or months – this clinic removes these barriers by providing high-volume, high-quality same-day care.
TXST Partnership for Rocket Motor Testing: Freeman Center Ranch, which is managed by Texas State University, is set to be the home of a new rocket motor testing facility. The university announced a partnership with X-Bow Systems – a producer of advanced solid rocket motors and defense technologies – in 2024 with the goal being to advance technology in the field. However, community members have begun raising concerns about the facility’s location, considering the ranch sits atop the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, which helps provide adequate water to Central Texas. Advocates against the development say that the chemicals used in the work create long-term risks if they were to invade the water source. The San Marcos River Foundation has launched a petition that aims to move the facility elsewhere. The university has defended the project and partnership, stating “Protecting the Edwards Aquifer is critical to TXST and to our region. All testing is conducted under controlled conditions with strict safeguards in place to prevent contamination or runoff.”
St. Edward’s President Resigns: After serving as St. Edward’s University president for five years, Montserrat “Montse” Fuentes announced in a Tuesday night email to students, faculty, and staff that she is resigning from the position this summer, according to Statesman reporting. Though she did not give a specific reason for stepping down from the position, the first Hispanic president of the private Catholic institution said that the decision comes after “deep reflection, prayer, and heartfelt gratitude.” St. Edward’s Board President Linus Akanoh said that the university will hire a third-party firm to find an interim president who will serve for no more than two years while the board searches for a permanent replacement.
What to Make of the State of the Union: At the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24, President Donald Trump took the opportunity to boast about issues – which he pinned on the Biden administration and other Democrats – that he claims he has resolved: international wars, health care, education, the economy, and more. Simultaneously, yet unsurprisingly, he seized the chance to mock Democrats, calling them “crazy” and saying they “should be ashamed” for not standing and supporting him as he spewed platitudes. Seats were left open in the Capitol’s House Chamber as Democrats from around the country refused to attend and instead held counter-events. Within just minutes of the inception of the event, Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Green was removed for the second consecutive time at a presidential address for holding a sign that read “Black people aren’t apes!,” referring to a video that the White House posted on X that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as cartoon apes. During the longest State of the Union speech in the country’s history, Trump said that the union is “strong,” though many say otherwise. Instead of discussing the best possibilities for the country to move forward, he continued to jab at Democrats, tout losses as victories, and neglect the damage that his administration has done in just one year since he took office.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Dr. King did not allow the consequences to prevent him from going to Birmingham, and he went to jail. Rosa Parks did not allow the consequences to prevent her from taking a seat on the bus. That’s where we are now – We’re back to a point where people have to take a stand.”
U.S. House Rep. Al Green regarding his removal from the State of the Union address
This article appears in February 27 • 2026.