KUT’s Uncertain Future: Following UT-Austin’s decision to fire KUT and KUTX general manager Debbie Hiott, donors to the university’s news outlets are now considering the future of the station, according to KVUE. Hiott’s firing follows disputes between the university and KUT regarding the news outlet’s plans for the KUT Festival that was supposed to be held on UT’s campus but was moved after the university pushed back. While no formal plan has been proposed, those involved are hoping to preserve KUT as the city’s public radio station while maintaining independence from the university and state government. In order to separate from the university, UT would have to terminate the license that currently ties the two together.
Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship: Before entering office for his second term, Donald Trump promised to sign an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, a constitutional right that means that anyone born in the United States is automatically a U.S. citizen. He followed through on that promise, and the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments in April. On Tuesday, June 30, the court upheld the current conception of birthright citizenship, stating that the executive order violates the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. In a 6-3 vote, Republican Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch voted in favor of Trump’s changes. “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights – to freely participate in our political community. The Framers of the 14th Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land,’” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. “We keep that promise today.”
TX Democratic Party Convention: The three-day Texas Democratic Party Convention was held in Corpus Christi this past weekend, centered around winning crucial races in November, like the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races, in which popular House Reps. James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa have a chance to get incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton out of office. Kendall Scudder, who has served as the Texas Democratic Party chairman since March 2025, was also reelected at the event. High-profile Democrats from around the country, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, joined the Texas Dems to help further energize the party ahead of one of the most significant midterm elections in the nation’s history.
Paxton’s Cool Vacation: Attorney general and Texas’ Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Ken Paxton is under fire after a video surfaced of the A.G. on a flight to Iceland for an alleged romantic getaway with a Christian influencer. (Paxton’s wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce in 2025, citing his adultery, but they’re currently still married.) With the country’s 250th birthday just days away and only a few months before Texans decide who they want to represent them in the U.S. Senate, Paxton has caught quite a bit of flak for the trip, as well as his recent back-and-forth stance on IVF. Following the video’s release, his Democratic opponent James Talarico released a statement, saying, “He takes lavish vacations in Iceland while Texans can’t afford the basics. Ken Paxton doesn’t serve us – he serves himself.”
CapMetro Employees Threaten Strike: CapMetro employees have been in negotiations with Keolis North America, the transit company’s hiring firm, for months, fighting for better pay and more thorough training. In May, the union directed the drivers to not accept overtime shifts until a new deal was made. On June 30, the union announced that the employees voted 99.5% in favor of authorizing a strike after rejecting Keolis’ most recent offer. It is unclear at the moment how CapMetro operations around the city could be impacted. Read more in Rina Laby’s online report.
Fostering a Pup for the Fourth: Austin Animal Services is asking community members to assist in providing care to shelter dogs during this Fourth of July weekend. The city department said that it has 175 dogs that they would like local residents to temporarily foster, allowing them a safe space during the stressful holiday. By fostering a pup for the weekend, Austinites are able to give these pets a more comfortable home while also opening up additional space and services for other dogs in need.
Cornyn Against Closed Primaries: Members of the Texas GOP have made it clear that they want closed primaries for future elections, making it a top priority for next year’s legislative session. However, longtime U.S. Sen. John Cornyn – who recently lost the Republican primary election for the U.S. Senate to Attorney General Ken Paxton – has spoken out against the party’s push for closed primaries. Cornyn shared on X a recent Dallas Morning News op-ed by Suzanne Bellsnyder that claimed that the move would come back to bite the party, writing, “Exactly: Closed primaries are a threat to Texas voters.”
SBOE Members at Odds: Last week, the State Board of Education met to vote on new reading and social studies curriculums that will include Bible readings and teachings while minimizing diverse historic teachings. With Republicans representing the majority of the board, most of the new material was approved, as the Republican members discredited their Democratic colleagues’ and the public’s concerns. About a week before the vote, Board Member Julie Pickren called Democratic Board Member Marisa B. Pérez-Díaz a “Marxist” on social media, which Republican Board Member Brandon Hall echoed when he shared Pickren’s post to his own social media platform. Since the two board members’ comments, Pérez-Díaz sent cease-and-desist letters to both members, claiming that their claims could potentially “cause substantial personal, professional, and reputational harm.” Pérez-Díaz said that she will pursue “all available legal remedies” if the comments persist.
Deep Eddy Reopens: After Deep Eddy Pool closed as Austin Parks and Recreation worked to fix a broken valve, the swimming location reopened on Monday, June 29. Austinites can now enjoy the pool throughout the Fourth of July weekend.
West Nile in Travis County: During routine monitoring, Austin Public Health identified a mosquito pool that has tested positive for West Nile virus – the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. – in Travis County, specifically in the 78733 ZIP code. At this time, there have been no confirmed human cases of the virus in the county. According to APH, approximately 20% of people infected with the virus will experience headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. And an even smaller number will experience serious illnesses that impact the central nervous system.
Initial Voucher Funding Disbursed: Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that around 73,000 Texas Education Freedom Accounts received initial funding on Wednesday, July 1. According to the comptroller’s press release, homeschool and eligible nonpublic school students will receive their full $2,000 in vouchers and private school students will receive 25% of their total funds, followed by another 25% in October, with the remaining amount set to be distributed on Feb. 1, 2027. The “TEFA Marketplace” also opened on Wednesday, an online platform for families to use their voucher funds to purchase private school tuition, textbooks, education materials, tutoring services, and other instructional expenses.
Joe Lonsdale 12-Hour Vigil: Over the weekend, members of VOCAL-TX, a local group of homeless advocates, held a 12-hour vigil outside of the Cicero Institute, a public policy think tank that works to criminalize the homeless community, which is owned by billionaire Joe Lonsdale. As part of the organization’s Billionaire Backers of Hate campaign, VOCAL-TX and other community members protested overnight from Sunday, June 28, to Monday. City Council members Mike Siegel and José Velásquez, along with U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, joined the group to express their concerns with Lonsdale and his company’s pursuits to dehumanize homeless individuals.
Giraffe Recovered in Hill Country: After escaping from the Cedar Hollow Ranch on June 22, a giraffe was finally found on Friday, June 26, in the Hill Country. According to KXAN, the Real County Sheriff’s Office spotted the giraffe about 4 miles away from the ranch while conducting an aerial search. She is now back home at the Cedar Hollow Ranch.
Body Found in Lake Travis: Travis County Sheriff’s Office lake patrol deputies responded to a report of a man having gone underwater and not resurfacing from the main channel of Lake Travis on Friday, June 26. The deputies initiated a recovery mission after their rescue efforts were unsuccessful. Assisted by Texas game wardens, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and Travis County Parks staff, the body was recovered on Saturday, June 27, through the use of remotely operated underwater cameras. Last month, the TCSO took KXAN on a tour of Lake Travis and reminded those planning to spend time on the water this summer to have life preservers on hand, call 911 as soon as an emergency occurs, and do not boat while intoxicated.
Semi Falls on SH 130: All southbound lanes on State Highway 130 closed for an extended period of time on Monday, June 29, after an 18-wheeler fell off the overpass on University Boulevard in Williamson County, resulting in the death of the semi driver. According to Statesman reporting, another driver was operating a vehicle while intoxicated with children in the car when he struck the semi, causing it to fall off the bridge. The driver and two children were taken to the hospital following the incident. The intoxicated driver has since been booked into Williamson County Jail.
Paramount Water Main Break: Paramount Theatre was forced to postpone a number of showings last week after the State Theatre auditorium next door flooded due to a water main break, resulting in minor flooding. Screenings through the end of June were postponed as a result, as staff now work to reschedule the shows. This comes after the Paramount closed its doors on June 16 for an 11-month restoration project.
AE Ups Solar Rebates: Austin Energy announced that the city is offering increased incentives for residents to help produce solar energy. Homeowners with a solar photovoltaic system that is larger than 3 kilowatts have had their rebate increased from $2,500 to $4,000 per project. Nonprofit organizations with projects under 200 kilowatts will also see an increase from $0.60 to $1.00 per watt, while commercial businesses with projects under 100 kilowatts will see an increase from $0.50 to $0.70 per watt. Larger projects – from 400 kilowatts to over 1,000 kilowatts – are also seeing small increases.
Ash Tree-Destroying Insect Near Austin: According to Austin Climate Action and Resilience, there have been reports of the emerald ash borer – a small, iridescent green beetle – near the Austin area. The insect has already destroyed North American ash trees throughout the country, now threatening Central Texas. The city department said that the insect could impact the city’s over 1 million estimated ash trees – nearly 3% of Austin’s total trees. The department is asking Austinites to report any potential signs of the insect, as infected trees can become hazardous.
Carless Condo Community Opens: On Saturday, June 27, the city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Ivory, Austin’s first carless condo community, meaning the complex will offer alternative transportation options rather than residential parking. Located at 1309 Chicon Street, the space was developed by the Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation. The complex has three commercial spaces and 53 residential units, 40 of which are designated for those earning at or below 70% of the median family income. There will be an on-site bus stop, a bike-share station, and two electric car-share vehicles provided to residents through a partnership with CapMetro and Quantum Mobility. Residents will also receive mobility credits and transit passes to support the carless living model.
Free CapMetro Rides for Fourth of July: At 5pm on Saturday, July 4, CapMetro will suspend fares in order for Austinites to get around town for free to enjoy the holiday festivities. With the city’s annual Austin Symphony Orchestra July 4 Concert and Fireworks show being held at Auditorium Shores, the company will be providing several bus routes to the venue, with buses stationed at Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores and South First and Riverside to give individuals a lift home following the event.
Free Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic: Emancipet, a nonprofit that provides veterinary care, announced that the organization is expanding its free clinic from two to three days per week, now providing free spay/neuter and additional veterinary services on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Through September, Travis County residents will be able to take their pets to one of Emancipet’s mobile clinics to receive the preventive care.
Transgender Girls Excluded From School Sports: On Tuesday, June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court gave rulings on two cases involving transgender women’s and girls’ eligibility to play sports. The court decided that schools can declare eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex, rather than gender identity. Those in favor of the court’s ruling argued that the decision is necessary to ensure fairness for other athletes, while those opposed said that it discriminates against transgender students, violating the Constitution and federal civil rights. The Tuesday decision is expected to set a nationwide precedent on cases around the country.
Federal Minimum Wage Bill: Last Thursday, June 25, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy introduced the Living Wage for All Act, a bill that would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $25 an hour. Currently being reviewed by congressional committees, if passed, the bill would require large employers to begin paying employees at least $25 an hour by 2031. Small-business owners would have until 2038 to raise their compensation rates. If passed, it would be the first time that the federal minimum wage has risen since 2009 and would also end below-minimum wage rates for tipped workers.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“No president has the authority to rewrite the Constitution with the stroke of a pen. Our rights do not change because a politician wants them to.”
Texas House Rep. Gene Wu on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship
This article appears in July 3 • 2026.