Stories | Hill Country News

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

Commentary: Politicians' brains are a bipartisan problem

Seriously folks. Maybe we Republicans better stop banging on Old Joe Biden for the serious cognitive issues he obviously has. Unless we hold the players on our own team responsible for their … more

By Michael Reagan, Guest Columnist | 9/7/23

9/7/23

Gas prices held mostly firm over the Labor Day weekend, averaging $3.39 per gallon across the Austin metro area.

Gas prices mostly hold firm over last week

Average gasoline prices across the Austin metro area held mostly firm with a slight 0.9 cents per gallon increase in the last week, to an average of $3.39 on Tuesday, according to GasBuddy's survey … more

Staff Reports | 9/6/23

Chris Davis, WilCo's elections administrator, demonstrates the county's new voting machines back when in-person voting didn't seem so fraught.

Williamson County election administrator resigns without explanation; Judith Ritchie named interim administrator

Williamson County Election Administrator Chris Davis resigned unexpectedly on Aug. 9. He has not provided any comment about the departure and the county's release about his resignation did not … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/6/23

A Round Rock ISD Police Department vehicle, Round Rock, Texas, April 28, 2022.

Leander ISD to seek exception to having officers at all campuses

Leander ISD said its board of trustees will consider a resolution seeking a "good cause exception" that would allow the district time to implement an "alternative standard" to meet the requirements … more

STAFF REPORTS | 9/5/23

Round Rock ISD names chief equity officer

Longtime educator and advocate for equity Dr. Thymai Dong has been named Round Rock ISD’s new chief equity officer. Dong comes to Round Rock ISD from Hutto ISD, where she served as … more

Contributed Report | 9/4/23

Round Rock ISD names Byron Gerard assistant superintendent of student support services

Round Rock ISD recently named Byron Gerard assistant superintendent of student support services. Gerard served as the executive director of college and career readiness at Yakima ISD in Washington … more

Contributed Report | 9/4/23

Fans in a sold-out Gregory Gymnasium cheer on the 7th-ranked defending national champion Texas Longhorns against No. 2 Stanford in an NCAA women’s volleyball match on September 3, 2023 in Austin.

Texas falls in top-10 showdown against Stanford

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns opened the home season with a top-10 matchup against No. 2 Stanford in front of a sold-out Gregory Gymnasium on Sunday, but fell in straight sets, marking the … more

Staff Reports | 9/4/23

The graph shows how a typical Leander ISD resident's tax bill will fare in Fiscal Year 2023-24 under the next tax adopted by the Leander ISD Board of Trustees compared to the current tax rate.

Leander ISD adopts 16.5 cent tax rate cut for Fiscal Year 2023-24

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees adopted a 16.5 cent tax rate cut for Fiscal Year 2023-24, marking the sixth consecutive year the district has cut its total tax rate. At their Aug. 24 meeting, … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/4/23

Texas forward Liz Worden (12) celebrates with midfielder Olivia Ahern (4) after a goal during an NCAA women’s soccer match between Texas and SMU on September 3, 2020 in Austin. Texas won, 6-0.

Longhorns run clean sheet streak to 3 consecutive matches

The 18th ranked Texas women’s soccer program gave its goalkeeper Mia Justus a birthday present she’ll remember as the Longhorn defense fenced in SMU to take Sunday’s contest … more

STAFF REPORTS | 9/3/23

Glenn running back JJ Oritz carries the ball during a game against San Antonio Pieper on August 25. The Grizzlies beat Victoria West 52-17 last week.

High School Football Roundup

Vandegrift quarterback Deuce Adams passed for 309 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Vipers over the Timberwolves on Friday. A trio of running backs shared the … more

STAFF REPORTS | 9/3/23

Suspect in Leander two-fatality hit-and-run crash arrested by U.S. Marshals

The U.S. Marshals' Lone Star Fugutive Taskforce arrested a 32-year-old suspect who allegedly fled the scene of a two-fatality hit-and-run accident in Leander back on Aug. 26. According to the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/3/23

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