Abbott Data Center Freeze: Data centers have become a focal point in the race to claim the state’s governor seat between House Rep. Gina Hinojosa and incumbent Greg Abbott. In June, Gov. Abbott released recommendations on data center developments for the 2027 legislative session, his first step backward on the issue after supporting the construction of the facilities and helping expand tax exemptions for data centers during his time as governor. On Monday, Aug. 3, he took another step back, announcing a moratorium on the approval of data centers until an audit regarding data centers’ connection to the state’s electric grid is conducted. This comes as Hinojosa has continuously leveraged Abbott’s lax stance on data center developments in the state as part of her own campaign. She isn’t sold on his moratorium, stating that “Abbott’s call for a ‘pause’ could be for one day – and no one buys it.”
$4.7 Million for Social Services: At last week’s City Council meeting regarding the city’s budget for fiscal year 2026-27, the public erupted at the fact that the Austin Police Department was set to receive an additional $25 million in funding after the fatal shooting of Anthoneil Williams II on July 24, while social services throughout the city would see a loss of a little more than $5 million. As the public continues to voice its opposition to City Manager T.C. Broadnax’s proposed budget, the city announced that it is expecting an extra $4.7 million due to additional property tax revenue. Five Council members – Paige Ellis, Vanessa Fuentes, Natasha Harper-Madison, Mike Siegel, and Zo Qadri – filed a budget amendment that they hope will offset the social services cuts.
Musk’s Plan to Promote GOP: With November’s midterm election growing closer with each passing second, the narrative surrounding some of the major races – a U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s office – is that Democrats have a real chance against their Republican opponents this go-round. As Dems continue to attempt to sway independent voters and those fed up with the GOP, the Republicans need all of the help they can get. That’s where our trillionaire tech neighbor Elon Musk steps in. After his America PAC spent over $260 million in 2024 to help get Donald Trump elected, Axios reported that Musk and the group are now planning another major push with hopes of getting Republican nominees across the finish line – canvassing, digital advertising, and mail outreach, heavily focused on voter turnout. The amount the trillionaire is expected to donate remains unknown.
Council’s $295 Million Bond Proposal: On Tuesday, Aug. 4, in an 8-3 vote, Austin City Council approved a bond proposal of $295 million that will go before voters this November. Mayor Kirk Watson and Council members Marc Duchen and José Velásquez opposed the proposal. The advancement of the bond comes after city staff and Watson recommended the city hold off on any bond proposals until 2028 after last year’s Proposition Q, which would have raised Austinites’ property taxes, was rejected by voters. The $295 million would be split between parks and libraries, city facilities that the Council decided needed financial assistance. $65.5 million would go to park buildings and facilities; $65 million for parkland improvements; $29.5 million to improve park infrastructure; $65 million to four pools; $35 million for new parks and trails; $20 million for the Oak Hill Library Hampton Branch renovation; and $15 million for a new library and public health center at Colony Park.
Talarico Voter Registration Questioned: For weeks, House Rep. James Talarico has accused Attorney General Ken Paxton of violating Texas voting laws for allegedly using an address where he did not live to vote in six elections over the last two years. Now, his own voter registration is being questioned after The Texas Tribune and ProPublica found that Talarico voted in five elections under his parents’ address after purchasing his own home. According to the Tribune, Talarico purchased a home in June 2022 but did not change his voter registration address until September 2024. Andrew Cates, a Texas ethics attorney, told the Tribune that, while Texas law requires residents to register to vote where they live, the provisions are “broad and vague,” and that prosecuting an individual for voter fraud requires proof that the individual “knowingly” or “intentionally” broke the law. He finds it unlikely that either of the two candidates for a U.S. Senate seat will be prosecuted for voter fraud.
Hemp Restrictions in Effect: New restrictions on the state’s hemp industry went into effect on Friday, July 31, restricting the already limited market. Now, products containing any cannabinoids other than less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are now illegal to be sold in the state, meaning that Delta-8, Delta-10, THCP, and more are out the window. This all comes on top of Republican state lawmakers’ move to ban THCA products. Now, Texans in possession of these products can face serious consequences. According to the Statesman, the Austin Police Department has said that individuals found with less than a gram of Delta-8 will face a state jail felony; possessing between 1 and 4 grams could result in a third-degree felony; individuals carrying between 4 and 400 grams will face a second-degree felony; and anyone with 400 grams or more will face a first-degree felony.
AISD Trustees Approve Paredes Closure: The closure of Paredes Middle School is official after Austin ISD trustees approved Superintendent Matias Segura’s recommendation to shutter the Southeast Austin campus. Students set to attend Paredes will now be split between Bailey and Mendez middle schools this upcoming school year, with those who reside east of Bluff Springs Road and north of Slaughter Lane to go to Mendez. The district’s move to end operations at Paredes came in anticipation of the school’s fifth F accountability rating. The Texas Education Agency is set to release accountability ratings on Friday, Aug. 14.
APD Officer Texting Before Crash: Video obtained by KVUE shows Austin Police Department Officer Daniel Kessler texting with both hands while responding to an emergency call before wrecking his vehicle into two other cars in January last year, one of which was carrying a family of five. The driver of the other car, Jacob Mancha, spent a week in the hospital due to the crash. Travis County District Attorney José Garza ended up making Kessler pay just a $1,000 fine for two class C misdemeanor tickets. Kessler has since resigned from APD.
Huffines Sworn in as Comptroller: Last month, acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock unexpectedly sent Gov. Greg Abbott a letter, informing the governor that he would step down at the end of July. Shortly after receiving notice, Abbott appointed Don Huffines, a former state senator and current Republican candidate for the position, to step in as the state’s comptroller. Huffines was officially sworn in on Aug. 1, stating that he will not accept a state salary in the position. Days after claiming the seat, he announced that he will be conducting a comprehensive performance review of the comptroller’s office to determine potential inefficiencies, assessing “all aspects of agency operations.” Huffines will face Democrat Sarah Eckhardt in November.
Ten Commandments Lawsuit: Texas is currently being sued by three mothers from Houston – Audrey Nath, Sanjam Kaur Sohal, and Emily Roth – over Senate Bill 10, the law that requires schools in the state to hang posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The three filed their suit on Thursday, July 30, arguing that SB 10 violates religious freedom and parental rights. The debate about posting religious texts within the classroom has been ongoing for years, with the U.S. 5th Court of Appeals issuing its decision to allow the law to take effect, after First Amendment advocates rallied against the bill. The Houston mothers are now worried that students could be bullied for their views on the religious text and are currently seeking a temporary restraining order from the court, hopeful that the law won’t go into effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Houston Sued in Connection to ICE Arrest: 29-year-old Erick Lopez has sued Houston and the city’s police officers for detaining him until Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived. Lopez allegedly ran a stop sign, which led to a traffic stop where a Houston police officer detained him for two hours until ICE agents arrived. While Lopez had a federal administrative immigration warrant, his attorney said he did not have a criminal history. He has since been deported back to Honduras as the lawsuit unfolds. Civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen said that he is in the process of making the case a class action lawsuit because other Houston residents have had similar experiences with the city’s police department.
New Youth Sports Heat Guidelines: Changes are coming to youth sports and extracurriculars, as the University Interscholastic League, which oversees sports, music, theatre, and other extracurricular activities in school districts throughout the state, begins to require the use of Wet Bulb Global Temperature. According to KVUE, the WBGT will monitor outside conditions during the 2026-27 school year by using temperature data from three thermometers that will estimate the impacts of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The UIL’s changes will not impact live competitions, but will shape how long youth athletes can practice and mandate institutions to take the necessary precautions to ensure students don’t experience heat stroke.
Arrest Made for Recent Shooting, Robbery: The Austin Police Department arrested a 20-year-old on Saturday, Aug. 1, in connection to a July 26 shooting and robbery on Rainey Street in Downtown. The department was originally searching for two suspects involved in the crimes, however, KVUE reported that APD has cleared the second individual of any involvement in the offenses. The victim of the crimes was shot at multiple times and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 20-year-old has since been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
Parents Charged for Serving Alcohol: Two parents who hosted a graduation party for a Hyde Park student back in May have been charged with purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor – a class A misdemeanor – after one of the students who attended the party died in a car crash following the celebration. According to the Statesman, 19-year-old Caleb Petersen struck an 18-wheeler in the early morning hours of May 17, causing his car to flip on its roof. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Witnesses told law enforcement that the parents had supplied a keg and hired a bartender for the party, aware that minors were drinking with no age checks being conducted. Petersen’s brother Colin expressed his frustration with the parents’ charges, stating that they received “a slap on the wrist.”
Round Rock Police Fatal Shooting: Round Rock Police officers shot and killed a male suspected of stabbing two individuals on Tuesday, Aug. 4. According to the Statesman, officers responded to a report of a stabbing early Tuesday morning after one of the victims escaped from the scene and contacted law enforcement. Upon arrival, officers heard an individual calling for assistance inside a home. They forced the door open, and encountered a male suspect holding a knife. One of the officers shot the individual before he was taken into custody. They then found another victim inside the home who was suffering from multiple stab wounds. The suspect was later pronounced dead while the two victims were in critical condition at a hospital. Investigators believe the incident was connected to domestic violence, with no active threat to the public. The officer who shot the suspect has been placed on administrative leave as investigations continue.
Caldwell County Investigator Drowns: The Caldwell County Constable’s Office, Precinct 2, announced that environmental crimes investigator Ryan McKnight died in a “drowning accident” in Uvalde County on Saturday, Aug. 1. McKnight was on a “personal outing” in Uvalde County when the tragic incident occurred near the Cooksey Dam. McKnight’s body was recovered with assistance from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Uvalde County Sheriff’s Department.
APD RESET Project: The Austin Police Department announced that it will be providing free advanced Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing training to clinicians who serve law enforcement and professional staff through its new Resiliency Enhanced Support EMDR Therapy project. According to the press release, the “program is designed to support clinicians in developing and deepening their skills in delivering cutting-edge, effective treatment for a broad range of law enforcement professionals.” The RESET project is set to help identify Austin-area therapists who have completed and incorporated EMDR therapy into their work and have an interest in providing top-notch quality treatment to law enforcement and professional staff.
Austin Energy Small Business Bundle: Austin Energy announced the launch of its Small Business Bundle – an initiative that would bundle HVAC tune-ups, LED lighting, and smart thermostats designed for qualifying small businesses and nonprofits that will reduce energy use, lower operating costs, and upgrade old equipment. Participants in the bundle will receive a free energy assessment, the option to customize their upgraded equipment, and benefit from contractors managing the rebate process for their business. In partnership with Velocity Credit Union, businesses will also have access to low- to no-interest loans to cover project costs.
Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend: Between Aug. 7 and 9, Texans will be able to purchase select items – including clothing, footwear, school supplies, and diapers – under $100 completely free of sales tax. The exemption applies for purchases made in person, online, by telephone, or by mail. Products placed on layaway or final payments made on existing layaway items that are under $100 during the weekend will also be tax-free. Comptroller Don Huffines expects Texans to save an estimated $142.5 million over the weekend.
Community Input on Palm School: Travis County is inviting members of the community to participate in in-person and virtual events to provide input on the future of the historic Palm School property. The school operated from 1892 to 1976 before transitioning into the Travis County Community Center from 1985 to 2020. The Palm School Steering Committee will hold four in-person and four virtual meetings, with the first in-person event being held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Austin Public Library Cepeda Branch, followed by the first virtual event on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Online surveys will also be available for those who are unable to attend a meeting.
Braker Lane Extension Completion: The city has invited Austinites out to Pioneer Crossing Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 7, to celebrate the completion of the East Braker Lane Extension. The street has been expanded from its previous endpoint at Dawes Place to Samsung Boulevard, an additional 0.75-mile stretch, expected to reduce traffic on East Parmer Lane. City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison and other city leaders will be at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completed project.
Austin Hosts Wildfire Symposium: On Wednesday, Aug. 5, the Austin Area Firewise Alliance partnered with Mayor Kirk Watson to hold a wildfire symposium at City Hall. With the goal being to highlight the risks of regional wildfires, showcase collaborative mitigation and recovery efforts, and raise awareness about the role Austinites play in wildfire preparedness, the event featured presentations, panel discussions, problem-solving sessions with representatives from government agencies, wildfire stakeholders, and local and state leaders.
Sheffield Northwest Pool Turns 70: The city will celebrate the Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest Pool’s 70th anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 9, as Austin Parks and Recreation invites community members to gather for a free event that will feature historic photos and memorabilia and a demonstration from the McCallum High School swim team. The popular swimming spot – which is Austin’s first 50-meter Olympic-size pool – recently underwent renovations that include a refreshed lap pool, a new zero-entry toddler pool, two new shaded structures, new benches, upgraded bathhouses and family restrooms, and new fencing, lighting, landscaping, and an entrance plaza.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“That’s progress, but it’s still not enough. … I again call on Governor Abbott to convene an immediate special session of the Texas Legislature to establish permanent safeguards for Texas water, farmland, electricity, and local communities before any additional AI data centers move forward.”
Democratic commissioner of agriculture candidate Clayton Tucker on Gov. Abbott’s data center moratorium
This article appears in August 7 • 2026.