{"id":383942,"date":"2026-07-23T15:35:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T15:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/383942\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T15:35:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T15:35:15","slug":"the-weeks-biggest-news-in-brief-july-16-22-the-austin-chronicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/383942\/","title":{"rendered":"The Week’s Biggest News in Brief: July 16-22 \u2022 The Austin Chronicle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flooding in Central Texas: Ahead of last week\u2019s persistent rainfall throughout the state, local leaders<\/a> and Gov. Greg Abbott both issued disaster declarations<\/a>, warning Texans of potential flooding throughout the state. As the water poured down, it became clear that the declarations were well-warranted, as flash flooding was seen across many parts of the Hill Country last Thursday, July 16, into Friday, and Abbott later issued a major disaster declaration<\/a> for 28 counties. At least two people died<\/a> as a result of the flooding, one in Uvalde and another in Comfort. The Pedernales and Llano rivers both saw immense increases in water levels, as Lake Travis reached 100% capacity<\/a> for the first time since 2019 and the city issued a waterway ban<\/a> that is set to expire today, July 23. The largest impacts of the flood were felt in Kerr and Uvalde counties<\/a>, which each saw over 25 inches of rainfall; however, after last year\u2019s July floods that killed over 100 people, communities and first responders were better prepared for this year\u2019s incident. Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country recently launched a relief fund<\/a> for the areas that have been impacted by this round of flooding.<\/p>\n

CM Fuentes Cancer Diagnosis: On Tuesday, July 21, City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes made the public aware of her battle with breast cancer<\/a>. The Council member has been on parental leave since early May, now announcing that she has been diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Shortly after safely delivering her daughter, Fuentes began cancer treatment, which she will continue to undergo as she rejoins the rest of the Council.<\/p>\n

Potential Dog\u2019s Head Tenant: As community members continue to raise concerns about the plans surrounding the 2,600-acre area known as Dog\u2019s Head<\/a>, it was revealed at City Council\u2019s Tuesday work session that the Fortune 100 company that Endeavor, the development company spearheading the project, plans for Amazon to be its first tenant. The group has already sketched out plans to include the Tesla Gigafactory<\/a> in the development with construction of a bridge to the facility and is now paving the way for Amazon to build a robotics manufacturing facility on the 4-square-mile site. While Council members are expected to approve the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement with Endeavor to move forward with the plan at today\u2019s regular meeting, local advocates have continued to raise their concerns<\/a> regarding Endeavor\u2019s plans. Read more in Brant Bingamon\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

Hays County Inmate Escapes: A Hays County Jail inmate escaped<\/a> from custody on Sunday, July 19, after posing as another inmate who was scheduled to be released. The Hays County Sheriff\u2019s Office is now conducting an investigation into the incident.<\/p>\n

\"\"Austin Police Department headquarters Credit: John Anderson<\/p>\n

Mold at APD Headquarters: Part of the Austin Police Department\u2019s Downtown headquarters is off-limits after tests found that mold is present<\/a> in an air-conditioning unit. Employees have been relocated as crews work to mitigate the issue. The department did not say how many employees were moved, which parts of the building have been closed off, and how long the mold removal process could take.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Abbott Aide Named Sec. of State: Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Robert Howden<\/a>, a senior adviser of his, to become the interim secretary of state last Friday, July 17. This comes after Jane Nelson, who served as Texas secretary of state for about three and a half years, announced<\/a> that she would be stepping down. Howden will now serve without any legislative approval until January, when the Texas Senate will hold a vote to see if Howden will continue to hold the seat. Howden is now tasked with overseeing future elections, including this year\u2019s midterms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nonprofits Miss the Mark: Last week, the Austin City Auditor\u2019s Office released a report<\/a> regarding the performance of several unnamed family and social service nonprofits that are partnered with the city. Of the 25 contracts, worth around $30 million, examined in the report, the office found that 19 of the groups failed to meet one or more performance expectations. According to the report, of the reviewed performances where the nonprofits failed to meet expectations, more than half of what the nonprofits \u201cprovided was more than 40% below the expected amount.\u201d Despite the majority of the groups failing to meet expectations, the city said that it still paid each nonprofit in full. \u201cThe city uses a cost-reimbursement model where the nonprofits providing family and social services are generally paid for expenses regardless of outcomes,\u201d the report reads. Since the report was made public, Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Member Ryan Alter expressed their worries<\/a> about the nonprofits\u2019 services at a recent Audit and Finance Committee meeting.<\/p>\n

Paxton Still Sidestepping Questions: As we grow closer to November\u2019s midterm elections, Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat against Democratic Rep. James Talarico, continues to dig himself deeper in a hole. This summer, Paxton has been on blast for leaving the country during the Fourth of July for a vacation to Iceland<\/a>; for allegedly violating Texas election laws<\/a> in six recent elections (while making the push for \u201cfree and fair elections\u201d a cornerstone of his campaign); for granting a Waco attorney charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a child an \u201cEpstein-style sweetheart\u201d plea deal<\/a>; and for intervening on behalf of Texas Tech University and Brendan Sorsby, who was set to be the university\u2019s starting quarterback until news broke that he had gambled on previous games that he was involved in, only a day after receiving a generous $275,000 donation<\/a> from Cody Campbell, one of the university\u2019s Board of Regents chairs. On Tuesday, July 21, at an event honoring state law enforcement, reporters pressed the A.G.<\/a> on all the recent headlines, only for Paxton to walk away, unwilling to speak to any of the controversies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

ICE Protests Continue: Following the fatal shootings of Houston resident Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Maine resident Joan Sebasti\u00e1n Dur\u00e1n Guerrero earlier this month, Austinites have gathered<\/a> on multiple occasions throughout the city. On Saturday, July 18, organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, community members demonstrated<\/a> at the Capitol, urging state and federal lawmakers to hold ICE agents accountable for the recent incidents. On Wednesday, July 22, Texas Impact \u2013 an interfaith justice advocacy group \u2013 organized a press conference<\/a> at the Capitol, calling on Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders to take action against ICE\u2019s ongoing pursuits in Texas.<\/p>\n

UT Professor Denied Tenure: Despite support from over 30 colleagues, Iv\u00e1n Chaar L\u00f3pez, a professor in UT-Austin\u2019s Department of American Studies, was denied tenure \u2013 a status that would allow the educator to freely research topics without consequences and is considered for staff who have completed around six years of research, teaching, mentoring, and service to the university, according to the Statesman<\/a>. In February, the tenure committee, consisting of non-public members who were appointed by UT President Jim Davis, denied Chaar L\u00f3pez\u2019s application. Both Davis and the committee declined to give the professor a reason for their decision.<\/p>\n

Montopolis Pool Closes and Reopens: Montopolis Pool at 1200 Montopolis Road closed<\/a> last Friday, July 17, as Austin Parks and Recreation worked on electrical repairs following a lightning strike that damaged equipment. The pool reopened<\/a> on Monday, July 20, after city employees successfully repaired the damages.<\/p>\n

Local Deaf Actress Dies in Crash: Kaylee Hottle, a Texas School for the Deaf senior, died in a Maryland single-vehicle car crash on Tuesday, July 21. The 18-year-old was best-known for her appearances in 2021\u2019s Godzilla vs. Kong and 2024\u2019s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. According to the Statesman<\/a>, a preliminary investigation found that the driver of the vehicle was operating at high speeds before striking a culvert early Tuesday morning. Hottle, a passenger, was the only fatality. In a Facebook message, TSD called her death \u201ca tremendous loss\u201d and offered counseling and support services to the school community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Austin Earns Highest Credit Rating: Austin Financial Services announced<\/a> on Friday, July 17, that the city of Austin earned Moody\u2019s Investors Services\u2019 highest issuer credit rating \u2013 Aaa. According to the press release, multiple factors contributed to the city earning the rating: the city\u2019s robust reserve levels, conservative budgeting, and a healthy, diverse economy. City leaders said that the recognition will allow Austin to receive loans at the lowest interest rates available and encourages investors to commit future funding to the city for large public projects. The city now holds the top credit rating possible from Moody\u2019s, S&P Global, and Fitch Ratings.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lt. Gov. candidate Vikki Goodwin Credit: John Anderson<\/p>\n

Goodwin Challenges Patrick to Debate: On Saturday, July 18, Vikki Goodwin, Democratic House Rep. and candidate for lieutenant governor, challenged incumbent Dan Patrick<\/a> to a debate at an anti-data center rally in Lubbock. Her call for Patrick to take the podium comes after she and other Democratic nominees for multiple offices gathered at the Long Center<\/a> last week to call for tighter data center restrictions.<\/p>\n

City Council Candidates: While Paxton and Talarico continue to dominate headlines amidst their race to fill the state\u2019s second U.S. Senate seat, Austinites have a few other local elections<\/a> to keep an eye on: City Council districts 1, 3, 5, 8, and 9. District 1 incumbent Natasha Harper-Madison is leaving office after two terms, as candidates Alexandria Anderson, Steven Brown, Amber Goodwin, Michael Nahas, Misael Ramos, Portia Riggins, Kyra Rogers, and Dan White race to claim the seat that represents Northeast Austin; District 3 incumbent Jos\u00e9 Vel\u00e1squez will face off against Eduardo Romero and Neha Shah to represent a portion of Southeast Austin; District 5 so far sees only one challenger, David Weinberg, competing against incumbent Ryan Alter for the Southwest Austin seat; District 8 Council Member Paige Ellis will face off against Jeffery Bowen and Selena Xie to represent West Austin; and District 9 incumbent Zo Qadri will take on Ard Ardalan, Richard Heyman, and Katie Kam to represent Central Austin. Races are subject to change, as the deadline for individuals to file to run in one of the five City Council elections is Aug. 17.<\/p>\n

\"\"AISD headquarters Credit: John Anderson<\/p>\n

AISD Ends Partnership With TCIS: Austin ISD announced<\/a> on Monday, July 20, that the district and the Texas Council for International Studies have mutually agreed to end a partnership that would have allowed the TCIS to manage Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools \u2013 all three of which have four consecutive failing ratings by the Texas Education Agency. AISD\u2019s announcement comes after the TEA rejected the district\u2019s proposal to work with a nonprofit to improve the schools\u2019 scores. The TEA is expected to release accountability grades in mid-August, as a potential takeover of the entire district looms if the schools were to receive a fifth consecutive F grade.<\/p>\n

Paredes Middle Allegedly Set to Close: On Wednesday, July 22, Education Austin, the district\u2019s labor union, announced<\/a> through a Facebook post that Paredes Middle School is permanently closing. According to the post, the district\u2019s decision to close the campus is due to anticipation that Paredes will receive its fourth consecutive F accountability rating. Education Austin said that students initially intended to attend Paredes this upcoming school year will now be reassigned to Bailey and Mendez middle schools while employees will be moved to multiple campuses. Bailey is set to take on the TEA turnaround plan. The Texas Education Agency is scheduled to release accountability ratings in mid-August, which will determine if the district will face a state takeover.<\/p>\n

IVF Grant Applications: The Fertility Foundation of Texas, a nonprofit that financially assists Texans to obtain access to fertility treatment, announced that it is accepting summer grant applications. The grants, which could be as large as $10,000, are meant to help families pay for costs of in vitro fertilization<\/a> (IVF). In order to qualify for the grant, individuals must live in one of the Central Texas counties served by the organization, have a household income below $150,000 per year, be uninsured for fertility treatment or have exhausted possible benefits, be under the care of a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, and receive treatment at a Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology member clinic. Applications remain open through July 31 and can be found on the Fertility Foundation of Texas\u2019 website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: austintexas.gov<\/p>\n

QUOTE OF THE WEEK<\/p>\n

\u201cThe findings are troubling. It appears we\u2019re not effectively meeting the goals that we set. \u2026 The focus shouldn\u2019t be on protecting City Hall or protecting any particular organization. It should be on protecting the people these dollars were meant to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mayor Kirk Watson on nonprofits failing to meet expectations<\/a><\/p>\n

This article appears in July 24 \u2022 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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