Stories | Hill Country News

Animals in cages at City of Eagle Pass Vector Control, Eagle Pass, TX, Monday, May 27, 2013.

New Texas law bars animal cruelty offenders from owning animals for five years

Texas lawmakers are making it harder for those convicted of animal cruelty to own any animals – at least for the next five years after their initial offense. The animal possession ban or … more

By Ali Juell, The Texas Tribune | 9/13/23

Pecan Gardens, the former Candlewoods Suites hotel site at 10811 Pecan Park Boulevard in the Austin section of Williamson County, that the City of Austin plans to use to provide permanent, supportive housing for people 55 and older who are experiencing chronic homelessness.

Williamson County lawsuit against Austin's Candlewood Suites housing project dismissed

Williamson County's lawsuit aimed at stopping the City of Austin's plans to convert the former Candlewood Suites site on Pecan Boulevard into a supportive housing complex aimed to helping people … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/13/23

Texas outside hitter Madisen Skinner (6) at the net during an NCAA women’s volleyball match between Texas and Stanford on September 3, 2020 in Austin.

Texas volleyball sweeps Rice, prepares for big matchups this week

No. 6 Texas Volleyball picked up its second-straight sweep, taking down Rice, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15, on Monday night at Gregory Gym. The Longhorns (4-2) have a big week at home and will turn their … more

Staff Reports | 9/13/23

Gas prices slid by a few cents over the last week.

Gas prices slide again

Average gasoline prices in the Austin metro area slipped an average of 8.1 cents per gallon over the last week, to an average of $3.31 on Monday, according to GasBuddy's survey of 830 stations. … more

Staff Reports | 9/12/23

A general view of the entrance to Dell Diamond on the Round Rock Express Opening Day, May 6, 2021 in Round Rock, Texas. Round Rock won, 6-0.

Express splits series with El Paso, sit atop PCL standings

The Round Rock Express (38-25 | 82-55) took home a 14-4 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas (28-35 | 60-78) on Sunday night at Southwest University Ballpark. The win secured a series … more

Staff Reports | 9/12/23

Leander ISD amends recess, sport start times to beat extreme heat

With sweltering temperatures still reaching as high as 107 degrees, Leander ISD has switched up recess hours and pushed back the start times for its sporting events. This means that elementary … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 9/12/23

Texas goalkeeper Mia Justus (1) leaps to make a save during an NCAA women’s soccer match between Texas and LSU on August 24, 2023 in Austin. LSU won, 3-1.

No. 17 Texas secures draw against No. 23 Gonzaga

Coming into Sunday afternoon's women's soccer match, No. 17 Texas and No. 23 Gonzaga were ranked number one and three, respectively, in scoring offense in all of NCAA Division I women's soccer. But … more

Staff Reports | 9/11/23

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) prepares for a snap during the Longhorns' 34-24 win over Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Longhorns display potent offense and stifling defense in upset of No. 3 Alabama

After last season's close game against Alabama, the Texas Longhorns were looking to make a statement in year three of Steve Sarkisian's time on the 40 acres. A road game at No. 3 Alabama … more

Staff Reports | 9/10/23

Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) scores on a 7-yard touchdown run during an NCAA football game between Baylor and Utah on September 9, 2023 in Waco, Texas. Utah won, 20-13.

Baylor loses close matchup with No. 12 Utah

On the brink of upsetting a top-15 team, Baylor gave up two touchdowns in the last two minutes and lost to 12th-ranked Utah, 20-13, Saturday afternoon at McLane Stadium in a game the … more

By Jerry Hill, Baylor Bear Insider | 9/10/23

Cedar Park tight end Joshua Pecci carries the ball after a catch during a high school football game between Cedar Park and Round Rock on September 7, 2023 in Cedar Park.

High School Football Recaps

With the non-district portion of their schedules coming to a close for Leander ISD and Round Rock ISD teams, the 5A teams will all take their bye week this week ahead of district play starting next … more

Staff Reports | 9/9/23

Books at Vandegrift High School's library on March 2, 2022. A federal judge said Thursday he will temporarily block a new state law that would require book vendors to rate the materials they sell to school libraries based on the presence of sex depictions or references.

Federal judge bars Texas from enforcing book rating law

A federal judge said Thursday he will stop a new Texas law aimed at keeping sexually explicit materials off of school library shelves on the eve of the law going into effect, according to state … more

By Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune | 9/9/23

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passes the ball during last year's game against Alabama. Ewers left the game after sustaining a shoulder injury.

ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit looks ahead to Texas vs Alabama matchup

“If you're going to win this game, you've got to come in swinging,” ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit said on Wednesday, looking ahead to Saturday’s showdown between No. 11 Texas and No. … more

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN | 9/8/23

Members of the Fe Y Justice Worker Center hold signs to protest House Bill 2127, dubbed the "Death Star bill," during a press conference at Houston’s City Hall on July 14.

Judge declares new Texas law that would erode cities’ power to enact local rules unconstitutional

A sweeping new Texas law aimed at undermining the ability of the state’s bluer urban areas to enact progressive policies is unconstitutional, a Travis County judge ruled Wednesday. State … more

By Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune | 9/8/23

Commentary: Hop on down to San Antone

These days, getting all three of my semi-grown daughters together for a family activity is like herding cats who have cars, jobs at coffee shops and their own debit cards. So, when our girls were … more

By Jase Graves, Guest Columnist | 9/8/23

Leander adopts 1.5 cent tax rate cut for Fiscal Year 2023-24

Leander residents will see a tax rate cut for the 11th consecutive year. The Leander City Council unanimously approved last Thursday a 1.5 cent tax rate cut, setting the new tax rate at … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/8/23

Compedia USA, PD Labs plan to create national headquarters in Cedar Park; Plug and Play to expand into Cedar Park; Compedia plans to create over 200 jobs

Compedia USA Inc, an Israeli educational computer game developer with over 30 years of experience, and PD Labs, a prescription laboratory that researches and develops new treatments for autism, Lyme … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/7/23

Power lines crisscross the Permian Basin landscape south of Gardendale in 2018.

How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do better

After months of unrelenting heat during a particularly sweltering summer , the Texas power grid’s ability to meet high electricity demand hit shaky ground Aug. 17. With power production … more

By Emily Foxhall, The Texas Tribune | 9/7/23

Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a Collin County Labor Day picnic in Plano, on Sept. 2, 2023, just days before his impeachment trial.

“Let’s clean house”: Paxton tells supporters to lead charge in removing his Republican rivals who impeached him

PLANO — Ken Paxton , the state’s embattled suspended attorney general, took jabs at his political opponents — including members of his own party — during a rare public … more

By Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune | 9/7/23

Migrants walk along the Rio Grande past recently installed buoys in Eagle Pass on July 29.

Texas can keep buoys in the Rio Grande while legal challenge continues, federal appeals court rules

A federal appeals court granted Texas' request to leave its floating barrier in the Rio Grande Thursday evening, a victory for the state that reversed a federal judge's order issued one day earlier. … more

By William Melhado and Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune | 9/7/23

Cedar Park head coach Michael Quintero during the Timberwolves' openening game against Cedar Ridge on August 25. Cedar Park will host Round Rock on Thursday.

Football Schedule

Thursday: Cedar Park vs Round Rock Gupton Stadium, 7 p.m.; Rouse vs Glenn Bible Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday: Vandegrift vs Waco Midway UMHB Cru Stadium, 7 p.m.; Vista Ridge vs … more

STAFF REPORTS | 9/7/23

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