Austin Current

05/28/2026

BREAKING: The Texas Education Agency denied Austin ISD's request to approve an 1882 partner to run its three chronically failing middle schools — Dobie, Webb and Burnet — that would have put a pause on the campuses accountability ratings and staved off a state takeover.

TEA on Thursday denied the district’s request to approve an 1882 partner to run its three chronically failing schools that would have put a pause on the campuses accountability ratings.

05/21/2026

After weeks in ICE detention, Austin ISD senior Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria came home Wednesday night and reunited with his 2-year-old nephew and family. Austin Current's Acacia Coronado obtained exclusive video of the emotional reunion.

After weeks in ICE detention, Austin ISD senior Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria reunited Wednesday with his sister and 2-year-old nephew.

05/20/2026

Should data centers be allowed in Austin? explains that’s the question facing the City Council and Mayor .

The state so far has been friendly toward the industry, and lawmakers have given more than $1 billion in tax breaks to data centers each year. But as the water and power hungry data centers swarm to Central Texas, Austin leaders have asked the city manager to look into the effects and benefits of large data centers within the city limits — and whether they should be allowed here at all.

📷: Jennifer Whitney, Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune & Angelina Marie for The Texas Tribune

05/13/2026

As Austin traffic worsens and the region grows, the city is making steady progress toward ditching single-occupancy driving, which is down 6% since 2019, according to a recent survey. But more work remains to be done, advocates of alternate modes of transportation say. Right now, the city’s drive-alone rate is 68%, but ’s goal is to have that down to 50% by 2039.

explains what work is left to be done as city works to get more cars off the road and ease congestion amid Central Texas’ rapid growth.

05/11/2026

As the City of Austin works to close its budget deficit, a crucial housing voucher program could be on the chopping block. But at a time when the city is increasing homeless encampment clean-ups, it’s unclear where the program’s nearly 400 residents could go.

Austin’s local housing voucher program for chronically homeless residents may face cuts amid budget deficits and increased encampment clean-ups.

05/07/2026

Austin ISD is under investigation for the third time this year by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, this time over compliance with a state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Austin ISD is under investigation by the Texas Attorney General’s Office for the third time this year.

04/30/2026

Austin ISD board members voted in March to partner with Texas Council for International Studies and hand the nonprofit operational control of the three failing schools for the next three school years in a high-stakes effort to improve academic performance and prevent state action, records obtained by Austin Current show.

ustin ISD had a lone bidder step forward to tackle the turnaround of three struggling middle schools as state intervention loomed.

04/27/2026

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton escalated his inquiry into Austin ISD as his office investigates a second allegation of a student using a bathroom inconsistent with their s*x assigned at birth as required by the state’s “bathroom bill.”

In a letter to the district, Paxton’s office said it received a complaint on April 2 alleging a male student used a girls’ restroom at Austin ISD’s Performing Arts Center and demanded information about district policies and enforcement actions related to the bathroom restrictions.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s second complaint prompts renewed records demand as state scrutinizes AISD enforcement of bathroom law.

04/24/2026

More than a dozen Austin ISD teachers, staff and supporters packed into Thursday night’s school board meeting at the district’s headquarters to protest potential cuts, including reductions to teaching positions and stipends for roles like special education, warning the changes could directly harm educators and students.

As Austin ISD board members prepare to pass a budget for next school year, possible cuts could include teacher positions and planning time.

04/24/2026

Austin has won a temporary reprieve in a high-stakes dispute with the state, after the governor’s office extended a deadline to roll back police limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, or risk losing millions of dollars in public safety funding.

Extension delays funding decision as Austin weighs legal risk and public safety dollars in ICE policy clash