The capital city’s mayoral race is something of a test case in how the state’s rising housing costs might influence local races in major cities.
Austin
Jewish Texans see surge in antisemitism as a precursor to fascism
Extremism experts and historians sound alarms as politicians, media personalities and celebrities amplify antisemitic conspiracies that have historically led to the killing of Jews.
Texas judge rules Alex Jones must pay Sandy Hook parents full $49 million in defamation case
The judge opted not to apply a $750,000 cap Texas imposes on punitive damages, questioning its constitutionality and saying Jones had “done something horrible” in claiming the shooting was faked.
Tom Brady, Steph Curry and other celebrities face Texas investigation for endorsements of bankrupt crypto firm
This probe is part of the state’s wider investigation into FTX’s multibillion-dollar bankruptcy.
Austin mayor’s race heading to a runoff, Dallas county judge wins reelection
In three key local elections, the Austin mayoral race will be decided in a runoff, Republican Tim O’Hare won the Tarrant County judge race and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins won reelection.
Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuana
Voters in Denton, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Harker Heights overwhelmingly supported the local ballot propositions to decriminalize low-level possession. These moves followed Austin voters’ similar decision in May.
Austin voters banned homeless people from camping in public spaces. The city is creating housing for them but not fast enough.
Police have had to eject hundreds of people from encampments. They still struggle to tell many of them where to go.
As monkeypox cases climb and vaccine is in short supply, some Texas cities declare an emergency
While there are currently 780 confirmed monkeypox cases statewide, Texas cities are bracing for an increase in infections.
Jury awards parents of Sandy Hook victim more than $45 million in punitive damages in Alex Jones defamation case
Lawyers for the parents asked the jury to end Jones’ “gold rush of fear and misinformation.” He’ll owe a total of nearly $50 million to the parents.
Jury awards parents of Sandy Hook shooting victim $4.1 million in defamation case against Alex Jones
The parents sought $150 million in their defamation lawsuit against the conspiracy theorist. The jury could still issue more damages in an upcoming phase of the trial.

