Central Texas top stories for April 4, 2025. Authorities say dozens of people arrested in Hays County this week are connected to a Venezuelan gang. Austin ISD is considering closing Dobie Middle School because it has received too many failing grades from the state. The Texas women’s basketball team will play defending national champion South Carolina tonight for a spot in the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game. Texas DPS says there may be delays in getting an emissions inspection right now. Several roads will be closed Sunday for the annual Statesman Cap10k.
Final Four
There’s no online registry for ranchers’ brands – but that could change
As China announces retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., the possible toll on Texas ranchers is generating lots of anxiety. A Texas A&M trade expert who’s worked on previous trade deals takes a closer look as the implications of extended trade wars loom large.
Fatalities related to child abuse in Texas fall dramatically – but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
And: There are thousands of unique livestock brands in Texas, but no centralized database to keep track of them all. State lawmakers could soon change that.
‘Mistaco’ teaches kids how tacos can make everything better
Houston’s affordable housing project has winners and losers – and the winners are not the renters. Digging into a new investigation from the Houston Chronicle.
Changes in funding for refugee resettlement programs have nonprofits scrambling to figure out how to continue to help.
Matthew McConaughey and industry reps push for Texas lawmakers to beef up the state’s film incentive fund.
Texas topped TCU in the women’s NCAA tournament to reach the Final Four. What to expect from the Longhorns.
Plus: A new children’s book by Texan Eliza Kinkz explores how tacos can make everything better.