Shutdown Circles the Drain: On Monday, the U.S. Senate passed a funding bill that would end the government shutdown, now the longest in history. Despite Democratic senators’ insistence they would not pass the bill without the restoration of federal health care subsidies for lower-income Americans that are set to expire at the end of year, a handful of Dems broke rank and voted with Republicans to pass the bill. At press time, the U.S. House of Representatives had convened to take up the legislation and was expected to pass it, though pockets of resistance have emerged to last-minute provisions that would heavily restrict hemp-derived products such as CBD and THC drinks and gummies and would allow Republican senators who had their phone records seized during the Jan. 6 investigation to sue for six figures.
Food Banks Struggle to Meet Demand: Throughout the shutdown, the Trump administration has balked at funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a food benefit for the neediest, even after being ordered by a federal judge to do so. Nationally, recipients have experienced delays in receiving full or partial benefits; that coupled with struggling government workers who have not received pay since the shutdown began, demand at area food banks has soared. KUT News reports that Central Texas Food Bank has offered 10 more distribution events this month than it usually does to accommodate the roughly 270,000 people in Central Texas experiencing SNAP delays and more than 74,000 federal employees in Central Texas. A CTFB rep said the organization has spent an additional $1 million each week of the government shutdown, and it has seen at least a 50% increase in demand at its food distributions.
Council Revises Budget: Following defeat of Prop Q at the polls, City Council is now considering an amended budget and seeking public input. At least two budget-related town halls are scheduled with Council members before next week’s Council vote – Nov. 13, 6-8pm, at Austin Energy HQ; Nov. 17, 6-7:30pm, at Texas AFL-CIO. (Check CMs’ social media feeds for additional community engagement sessions.) For more on the amended budget, see story on p.xx.
Jolt Initiative Sues Paxton: An Austin nonprofit empowering Latino civic participation is pushing back against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who first sued the organization in an effort to revoke their corporate charter. In their new federal suit, lawyers for the Jolt Initiative argue that Paxton launched a retaliatory campaign against the organization after they successfully defended their voter registration drives and First Amendment rights last year. The organization is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction to block Paxton’s efforts. “This campaign is not about election integrity; it is an act of political intimidation intended to suppress the vote of young Latinos in Texas,” said Maria Tolentino, director of programs at Jolt Initiative.
Wildfire in Texas Credit: Getty Images
Increased Wildfire Risk for Hundreds of Communities: More than 200 Austin-area communities face wildfire danger because of limited access to escape routes, according to a new Austin American-Statesman analysis. Homes located in neighborhoods west of the city, such as Cuernavaca Drive, have few ways in and out, which experts say pose greater hazard in the event of an emergency. Approximately 19,500 people live in communities across the city with similar conditions. With new mapping tools, city and county officials plan to meet with specific neighborhoods to discuss these risks and ways to prepare.
Gay Marriage Still Safe: The Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge against the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which recognized same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. The court’s decision on Monday without comment reaffirmed that right, against the challenge of former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who was jailed 10 years ago after denying same-sex marriage licenses. Although the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act provides extra federal protection for marriages, if Obergefell had been overturned, individual states could refuse to recognize same-sex marriage.
Antone’s Home of the Blues Credit: Camryn Hutchens
Permanent Blues: Antone’s signed a 50-year lease thanks to a $1.3 million investment from Rally Austin’s Iconic Venue Fund. Celebrations for the blues club’s 50th birthday are still underway this year, as the storied venue looks forward to celebrating its 100th in the same Downtown location. The investment, and ongoing funding through the simultaneously launched Antone’s Forever Fund, will also support a forthcoming museum, opening in 2027, on the club’s second story. Read more online.
Rendering of the new Mile Zero Trailhead Credit: Hill Country Conservancy
Zero Hero: On Saturday the Hill Country Conservancy celebrates the grand opening of the new Mile Zero Trailhead and Education Pavilion at Zilker Park. This entryway to the Violet Crown Trail features a steel “Zero” archway, plus a native wildflower meadow, a butterfly pavilion, and an overlook of Barton Creek with interpretive signage about the local aquifer system. Construction began in January on the trailhead, which is meant to “honor the transition from city park to wildland while showcasing how native ecosystems protect our water supply.”
Whooping Cough on the Rise: The Texas Department of State Health Services issued an alert on Nov. 3 saying the state is seeing an 11-year high of 3,500 whooping cough cases reported, even before the historically most infectious last two months of the year, per The Texas Tribune. Disease experts cite that the increase follows a trend with a decrease in vaccinations taken for the illness, despite the severe harm it can cause infants, elders, and people with chronic conditions.
Camp Mystic Sued by Flood Victims’ Families: The Austin American-Statesman reported that on Monday, families of July flood victims sued Camp Mystic’s owners for negligence and the wrongful death of 13 campers and 2 counselors. The flooding – which killed 27 total at Mystic – brought four separate lawsuits in Travis County, two being multifamily suits. Three seek over $1 million in damages, and one doesn’t list a dollar amount. They argue that the deaths were preventable as Mystic’s owners largely avoided proper safety measures against known flood risks.
Anti-Drag Law Strikes Back: The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a Houston district court’s block on Senate Bill 12, a 2023 law that restricts “sexually oriented performances” in the presence of minors or children. The bill was praised by Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton as a statewide drag ban, and sets up criminal and civil penalties. The lawsuit filed in 2023 against AG Paxton, Montgomery and Taylor counties, and the city of Abilene stated that the law violates the First Amendment. Drag performers also voiced concerns over the law’s ambiguous language that could create a chilling effect. The majority opinion written by Judge Kurt Engelhardt ruled that the plaintiffs did not substantially prove First Amendment violations and dismissed claims against the defendants, except the AG, who is responsible for enforcing civil penalties, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
On Air –> On the Ground: Public radio mainstays KUT and KUTX announced they’re hosting the first-ever KUT Festival on May 1-2, 2026. Details are scant so far, but they tease the festival will feature “speakers and panel discussions on civic engagement, arts/culture, music, health/wellness, energy/environment, transportation, and more,” plus robust children’s programming and a free street fair offering music, activations, demonstrations, and all-ages activities.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Greg Abbott is the strong and highly respected Governor of Texas, a State I love and WON BIG three times, including with 6.4 Million Votes in 2024 (The most Votes in History, BY FAR)!”
President Donald Trump endorsing via Truth Social Greg Abbott, now seeking his fourth term as Texas governor
This article appears in November 14 • 2025.
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