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August 13, 2026

Two Austin schools receive fifth failing ratings, opening door to state takeover

By: Austin Signal

Two struggling Austin middle schools have received a fifth consecutive failing accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, opening the door to a state takeover of all the schools in the district. Houston ISD, the biggest school district in Texas, has been under state mandate for a few years. How it’s going so far.

The Austin City Council has adopted a budget of more than $6.5 billion. There were plenty of cuts, but a few late additions, too.

Plus, a preview of the new season of the Tacos of Texas podcast.

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Episodes

September 25, 2026

Webb parents discuss school’s future, Medical care for detainees, Insanity plea in 2023 shooting spree

Parents from Webb Middle School, one of the failing schools putting the Austin district at risk of a takeover, met with the superintendent to discuss their future. But many questions remain surrounding an option to petition for closure of the school to avoid state intervention. Wilber Garces Perez was quickly discharged from an Austin hospital after […]

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September 24, 2026

Wilber Garces Perez’s life in Austin, Light-rail agency scraps office plan

Friends and family of Wilber Garces Perez, the man shot by an ICE officer in Austin, say he’s spent his time focused on family, work and soccer since coming to the United States from Venezuela in 2024. We’ve got more from the people who know him best. The agency building Austin’s light-rail system is scrapping a controversial plan to […]

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September 23, 2026

Latest on ICE shooting, Camp Mystic investigation, AC in state prisons

A judge has set a hearing for the end of this month in the case of Wilber Garces Perez, the man who was shot by an ICE officer in Austin on Sunday. Austin police have released a pair of videos showing a before-and-after perspective of the incident. Camp Mystic is under investigation by the Texas Rangers, who […]

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September 22, 2026

Austin ICE shooting updates, Hispanic community reacts, Dog’s Head lawsuit

We’re learning more about Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, who was shot by an ICE officer on Sunday in North Austin. The 28-year-old from Venezuela is in custody at an ICE processing center in South Texas. His lawyer says a federal judge has granted an emergency order to stop his deportation. Plus: reaction from Austin’s Hispanic community in response […]

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September 21, 2026

Latest on Austin ICE shooting, AISD appeals failing ratings, HAAM Day Music Festival

A man was shot and injured on Sunday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in North Austin, leading to protests through the evening. The 28-year-old is now being held in a ICE processing center. We spoke with some of the folks who were near the scene of the shooting. The Austin Independent School District […]

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September 18, 2026

Delta-8 probable cause arrests, voter suspension list, Grocery Bag

A state rule that was reinstated July 31 bans Delta-8 in Texas. Austin police say the packaging on some products could now establish probable cause for a felony arrest. But the department says cracking down on Delta-8 isn’t a “primary objective.” We’ve got more about that. More than a million Texans are on something called […]

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September 17, 2026

UT cutting ethnic studies majors, Nonprofit board diversity, Vanessa Gonzalez comedy special

UT Austin is set to eliminate at least four majors, including Mexican American & Latina/o Studies and women’s & gender studies. It’s the latest move following the consolidation of seven ethnic and gender studies departments earlier this year. A new report found that 1 in 3 leaders of color serving on Central Texas nonprofit boards experience […]

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September 16, 2026

Austin DeFlock movement, Hispanic Heritage Month at MACC, Central Health budget

You’ve probably heard something about the pushback against automated license plate readers. The biggest name in the game is Flock, and there’s a growing movement to “De-Flock” Austin and other cities in Central Texas. We’ll hear their reasoning. Austin’s newly renovated Mexican American Cultural Center is gearing up to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We’ll dive into more […]

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