Austin Free Press

01/09/2026

In a move that’s becoming almost routine, Austin ISD trustees voted in November to close 10 local schools, citing a cocktail of budget shortfalls, declining enrollment, and state accountability pressures — all for a projected $22 million in savings. Parents and teachers protested, saying that the district rushed its decision and ignored community voices. They said AISD is acting without a long-term vision or plan for its schools.

The irony of the district’s decision isn’t lost on anyone: Just three years ago, AISD committed $175 million in bond money to upgrade these very campuses — investments now destined for empty hallways and boarded doors. The whiplash has done little to rebuild public trust.

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Austin ISD Austin Neighborhoods Council ATX Kirk Watson

Our mission is to equip Austinites to make informed decisions through independent, in-depth reporting, diverse opinions, and civil dialogue.

01/07/2026

Hundreds of Austinites welcomed the new year with the annual Barton Springs Polar Plunge, gathering on Jan. 1 for a communal jump into the iconic pool. The tradition brought together families, longtime participants, and first-timers for a moment of reflection, celebration, and community bonding, complete with costumes, cheers, and post-plunge coffee from Save Our Springs Alliance. Just a day later, Austin temperatures surged into the mid-to-upper 80s, marking the city’s hottest January day in over 25 years and offering a stark contrast to the chilly start of 2026.

01/06/2026

Oftentimes, I’m asked about what makes Austin Free Press different from other local media. My simple response is that we tell stories that others don’t – or won’t – that are key to ensuring accuracy in the story Austin is telling itself and the world. That covers many topics, community partnerships and a nationally acclaimed Huston-Tillotson University journalism project, which you can read about in our look back at 2025.

An essential part of telling Austin’s story truthfully is highlighting the city’s unsung heroes — individuals who have received little, if any, recognition from mainstream or local media. In that spirit, I turn now to the life and legacy of Austin trailblazer, Dr. Exalton Alfonso Delco, Jr., who died last month. He was 96.

Throughout his career, Delco crashed racial barriers, worked to open doors for other African American scholars, and mentored several generations of Black and brown students to earn college degrees.

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01/05/2026

First week of the year, here’s what’s on!

01/01/2026

Former City Council Member Kathie Tovo kicked off her campaign for the District 49 seat in the Texas House with a launch at Santa Rita Cantina, sharing her priorities on public education, climate resiliency, and affordability. With endorsements from local leaders and a track record in city government, Tovo joins a crowded Democratic primary vying to represent the heart of Austin.

Read the full story at austinfreepress.org

12/30/2025

In 2025, Austin Free Press delivered scoops on housing and other crucial affordability issues. These included such big-ticket items as the $7.1 billion Project Connect rail line, the $5.6 billion new convention center, the failed Prop. Q tax increase. And we reported how C3 Presents seriously shortchanges the Austin Parks Department for hosting ACL Fest in Zilker Park compared to what it pays the city of Chicago to hold Lollapalooza Fest in Grant Park.

We also reported numerous community engagement stories. These included the vicious attack on a trans woman at Barton Springs, poor emergency responses to the Sandy Creek flood, labor uprisings at local shops, AISD ignoring a school inequality report, Austin’s booming senior citizen population, and a city deal to keep Antone’s nightclub open 50 more years. Meanwhile, we’ve deepened our ties to — and coverage of — Huston-Tillotson University.

We’re proud of what we accomplished, even if there’s much more that we’d like to do when we grow our staff and budget. There are always more stories than we have resources to cover. If you make a tax-deductible contribution of from $10 to $1,000 today or tomorrow to our NewsMatch campaign, journalism foundations and funders will triple your gift to Austin Free Press.

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12/30/2025

Still deciding where to ring in the New Year? From dance floors to fireworks, cozy dinners to late-night parties—here’s your guide to the best places to welcome 2026 in Austin.

12/29/2025

A quick look back at last week in Austin. Stay informed.

12/26/2025

Do you know how Austin City Council’s agenda actually works? 🏛️

12/24/2025

For Austin City Hall, 2025 was less a year of expansion and more a year of constraint. Continued state preemption by the Texas Legislature narrowed local authority on housing, labor, and public health, while federal funding uncertainty complicated long-term planning, particularly around homelessness and social services.

Some wounds, however, were self-inflicted.

At a time when many Austin residents were struggling to meet housing and other expenses, the city council put a huge tax increase on the ballot instead of balancing the budget with available revenues. Voters overwhelmingly rejected it, forcing the city to tighten its belt as the year closed.

To understand how City Hall navigated those limits, Austin Free Press sent a year-end questionnaire to city council members and key community organizations. This first part of a year-end review examines how some elected officials and community leaders describe where they believe progress occurred and where the city fell short in 2025. Part two, coming next week, looks ahead to 2026.

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12/23/2025

Your week, fully booked.
From festive pop-ups to live music, community gatherings, and dance-floor energy, Austin’s packed with reasons to get out, connect, and celebrate all week long.

12/22/2025

Your weekly recap!