Credit: Getty Images

GOP Map Is Back for 2026 Midterms: The battle over the state’s congressional districts continues, as the Supreme Court ruled to allow the GOP’s redistricted map to be used for the upcoming 2026 midterms this past Thursday, Dec. 4. There has been plenty of back and forth since the map was originally proposed and passed in the Legislature over the summer. In mid-November, an El Paso three-judge district court ruled that the map had been gerrymandered based on race, blocking the proposal. Shortly after, Gov. Greg Abbott and the state filed an emergency appeal, and Justice Samuel Alito temporarily restored the redistricting. Now, with the map in effect for the approaching midterms, Republicans are expected to take at least five seats. The Supreme Court’s decision was forced as an interim order, as they had to take a stance prior to the deadline for filing on Monday, Dec. 8. While the map is in play in these upcoming elections, the Republican-Democrat clash is far from over.

Candidates Shift Races After Supreme Court Ruling: After the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the GOP map for the 2026 midterms, some Democrats around the state have shifted their focus to other races. State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt has filed in the state comptroller race, rather than running in Congressional District 10. Former U.S. Rep Colin Allred, who was initially running for U.S. Senate, has now filed in CD 33. Joining the U.S. Senate race is Jasmine Crockett, current rep of CD 30, which has been altered by the map. After the map’s reinstatement, longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced his intention to retire at the end of his term; as expected, Rep. Greg Casar filed to run to succeed Doggett as CD 37’s representative.

Waymo Steps on Brakes: After AISD released video footage last week that showed Waymo’s autonomous vehicles illegally passing parked school buses that displayed flashing stop signs, the company is now undergoing software recalls. Similar situations have occurred in Atlanta. In October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the company’s practices. The agency says that, considering Waymo’s vehicles drive 2 million miles a week, “the likelihood of other prior similar incidents is high.” NHTSA has sent the company questions regarding the illegal procedures with a deadline of Jan. 20, 2026, for response.

Animal Services Director Search: Austin Animal Services and the city have invited the public to gather at the Permitting and Development Center on Thursday, Dec. 18, as the organization searches for a new director. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the finalists for the position and provide feedback that will be reviewed by City Manager T.C. Broadnax before the final selection. The position is currently operated by interim Chief Rolando Fernandez. Doors open at 5:30pm with the event set to begin at 6pm.

Austin City Logo Credit: City of Austin

Locked Horns Over Logo: Save Austin Now continues to feud with the city, this time over parody-use of the city’s logo that was unveiled in September. Since the PAC parodized the blue and green logo that reads “Austin” with the same symbol with text that reads “Audit,” continuing its push for an independent audit of Austin finances, the city sent a letter to the group, alleging unauthorized use of the logo. “Save Austin Now’s use of the city’s logo is inappropriate, confusing to the public, and a violation of our established trademark for an identity we established to make it easier for the public to connect with City services,” said Jessica King, the city’s chief communications director.

Turning Point USA Reaches Texas High Schools: Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continue to push their conservative agenda within Texas classrooms, this time launching a partnership with Turning Point USA to establish chapters of the organization at all high schools across the state. On Monday, Dec. 8, Abbott and Patrick, alongside Turning Point USA Senior Director Josh Thifault, announced the plan – shortly after Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath met with Thifault early last month to discuss the initiative, according to Texas Tribune reporting. While they have not committed to a plan to enforce the initiative, Abbott has made it clear that resistance to installing the club from any institution will lead to retaliation from the TEA. “Let me be clear: Any school that stands in the way of a Club American program in their school should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency,” Abbott said about the program.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on November 14, 2023 Credit: John Anderson

In and Out at AUS: The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport recently announced that its outbound baggage handling system has been completed. Part of the Journey With AUS multi-year expansion and development, which launched in 2021, this new baggage system processes 4,000 bags per hour, according to AUS. Originally scheduled to be completed in spring 2026, the airport reports it is working ahead of its timeline and staying within budget. The airport says that this improvement will assist with the demand of 30 million annual passengers. Following the completion, the airport announced that it has received a letter of intent for $108 million in federal reimbursements from the Federal Aviation Administration for the Airfield Capacity Improvements Project and the Journey With AUS expansion.

New Resources Available for Sexual Assault Survivors: The Texas Department of Public Safety announced the installment of the Limited Consent for DNA Testing Program, which allows sexual assault survivors to undergo forensic medical exams without having to make a police report. Created under HB 1422, the program allows for survivors to receive proper testing without fear of having to seek out action from law enforcement. “Survivors can take back some control, get critical evidence collected and tested at no cost, and decide later – on their own timeline – whether to move forward with a police report,” said state Sen. Joan Huffman, a Houston Republican currently running for Texas AG.

Bill Ratliff Passes: At 89 years old, Bill Ratliff, the former Republican Texas lieutenant governor, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, according to KXAN. He began serving in the Texas Senate in 1989, and would go on to work in Northeast Texas for 15 years before becoming lt. gov. in 2000. Ratliff resigned from the Texas Senate in 2004. and then received the 2005 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. 

Ken Paxton Credit: Jana Birchum

Paxton Sues EPIC: On Dec. 5, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the East Plano Islamic Center, a nonprofit Muslim organization focused on educational, religious, and social purposes, alleging securities fraud. The lawsuit comes after the community has seen excessive pushback from Gov. Greg Abbott, who launched a criminal investigation against the group in March. The group proposed a Muslim community called The Meadow, formerly EPIC City, that would hold 1,000 residential units, a K-12 institution, a mosque, and retail shops in the Dallas area. Community Capital Partners, a private organization that Paxton alleges was founded by EPIC, is being accused by the attorney general of committing securities fraud and failing to register as a securities dealer.

TAB CEO Hamer Resigns: Following a lawsuit filed against Texas Association of Business’ Glenn Hamer on Nov. 24 that accused the CEO and president of sexual harassment and assault, the TAB leader is resigning from the positions, TAB Chair Bill Jones announced. Prior to the decision, Hamer was placed on administrative leave while the organization conducted a “full internal investigation,” according to Texas Tribune reporting. The Texas Association of Business, an organization that was established to help provide a fair business climate, is listed as a co-defendant in the lawsuit, alleging that the group was “vicariously liable” for the former CEO’s actions. TAB’s previous vice president and chief of staff, Megan Mauro, will continue to serve as interim CEO. 

ICE Persistent in Deporting López Belloza Family: After ICE arrested and deported Boston student and Texas native Any Lucia López Belloza in mid-November, the agency is continuing to pursue action against the student’s family, recently showing up at the family’s Austin home in an attempt to arrest her father, Francis López. According to the Austin American-Statesman, as he was on his property with his 2-year-old daughter, ICE agents pulled up in a pickup truck, hopped out, and approached the two. The father rushed his daughter inside of their home, as agents stayed on the property for the next two hours. Kristin Etter, a Texas Immigration Law Council lawyer, said that the agents never tried to enter the home.

New LGBT Chamber of Commerce CEO: The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce announced on Monday, Dec. 8, that it has appointed Todd Hogan as its new chief executive officer, set to take effect in January of next year, according to a press release from the organization. Hogan is currently aGLIFF’s president, has served as the director of marketing at KMFA 89.5 for nearly 10 years, and has been heavily involved in the city’s inclusive arts, culture, and nonprofit scenes. Hogan takes over the role from outgoing CEO Tina Cannon, who stepped down in September after serving as the organization’s CEO since 2017. “He brings not only experience but heart,” said Cannon in a press release. “He understands how to build community, how to grow organizations sustainably, and how to advocate for those whose voices need to be heard.”

Double Homicide in Georgetown: On Saturday, Dec. 6, emergency services responded to a house fire in Georgetown, where they found 76-year-old James Yost and 33-year-old Kenneth Clanton unresponsive. Investigators revealed that the two men suffered fatal injuries that were “consistent with a cutting instrument” and had died before the house was set ablaze. According to CBS Austin, law enforcement has a suspect in custody, yet no charges have been filed. The instance raises the total of Georgetown homicides in 2025 to six, in comparison to zero in 2024.

Sustainability and Climate Prioritized in Austin Schools: Austin Climate Action and Resilience announced earlier this week that 53 schools within the Austin area will receive a total of $136,000 in funding for sustainability and climate projects through the Bright Green Future Grants Program, covering 65 projects. The projects consist of establishing bicycle clubs, rain garden and water conservations, school gardens, recycling and composting initiatives, planting trees, and outdoor classrooms. According to the city, more than half of the institutions receiving funds are Title I schools. “When students have the chance to learn sustainability by doing, the impact lasts far beyond the classroom,” said Zach Baumer, director of Austin Climate Action and Resilience.

City Works to Curb Drunk Driving: The city is highlighting the Parking Ticket Waiver Program, which allows for Austinites to leave their car behind at a paid city parking meter overnight without fear of it being towed or receiving a ticket. Drunk driving crashes occur at an all-time high in the month of December, according to KVUE reporting. The only requirement is that individuals fill out an online form with a photo of the parking ticket and proof that they took a taxi, bus, or rideshare to their desired location. 

Austin Energy Employee Defrauds $1 Million from City: According to an Austin Energy investigation released this past week, an AE employee has been accused of defrauding the utility provider of nearly $1 million between 2017 and 2023. KUT reporting claims that Mark Ybarra falsified credit card payments to contractors that amounted to $980,000 during the six-year stint. An employee since 2014, Ybarra resigned in 2023 and was indicted by the Travis County DA on first-degree felony theft charges and arrested in September of this year.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Voters are supposed to choose their politicians – not the other way around. No matter what Donald Trump or his hand-picked Supreme Court throw our way, we’re going to keep fighting.”

State Rep. and Senate candidate James Talarico on the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the new state congressional map

Credit: jamestalarico.com

This article appears in December 12 • 2025.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.