Stories | Hill Country News

Commentary: Sunshine Week: Taking a stand against public information blackouts

Shining light on our government through public information helps us ask questions of elected officials — and hold them accountable. Sunshine Week, taking place March 10-16, recognizes the … more

By Kelley Shannon, Guest Columnist | 3/14/24

Commentary: What does spring break mean to you?

You probably crave a break from my patented “sour grapes” routine, but we must face facts: spring break (a.k.a. Easter break, a.k.a. mid-term break, a.k.a. “unwind, rejuvenate, have … more

By Danny Tyree, Guest Columnist | 3/14/24

Leander City Council Place 6 incumbent Becki Ross will face off against challengers Anna Yelaun and Pulla Reddy Yeduru in the upcoming May 4, 2024 municipal elections.

Leander Council Place 6 incumbent Ross facing two challengers

Leander City Council Place 6 incumbent Becki Ross, a 15-year business owner, is facing two challenger candidates this year — local teacher Anna Yelaun and senior software engineer Pulla Reddy … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 3/12/24

Former Williamson County Sheriff's Office deputies James "JJ" Johnson and Zach Camden

Former Wilco deputies found not guilty in Javier Ambler's death

The two former Williamson County Sheriff's Office deputies who were criminally charged following Javier Ambler's death while in their custody were found not guilty of all charges last Thursday, March … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 3/12/24

The Leander City Council named Todd Parton the new Leander City Manager during their meeting last Thursday, March 7.

Todd Parton named new Leander City Manager

A former Kerrville city manager has been named Leander's new city manager. Todd Parton was selected to fill the position last Thursday, March 7, by the Leander City Council. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 3/11/24

Construction continues on Samsung’s 6 million square foot manufacturing facility located in Taylor, about 30 miles northeast of downtown Austin, on January 6, 2024. However, multiple media outlets have recently reported the company will delay mass production of semiconductors at the facility until 2025, several months after the initial target. Samsung Electronics recently announced it would add a second, 2.7 million square foot, building to the facility originally announced in 2021. The second fabrication plant is part of the $17 billion chip plant that is reported to have risen to a an estimated cost of $25 billion due to increase costs of raw materials and construction.

Judge Gravell: $17B Samsung plant beginning operations, receiving employees by July

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said the planned $17 billion Samsung Austin Semiconductor fabrication plant in Taylor will begin receiving employees and begin manufacturing operations by July 1. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 3/8/24

3/8/24

Cedar Park-based aerospace company Firefly Aerospace held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Briggs, Texas, for its newly expanded 207,000-square-foot Rocket Ranch testing and manufacturing facility. The new buildings at the facility feature large robotic fiber placement machines that can automatically lay down more than 200 pounds of carbon fiber per hour to build the first stages of the company's rockets.

Firefly Aerospace holds ribbon cutting for Rocket Ranch expansion; Two mission operation centers opened in Cedar Park

Cedar Park-based aerospace company Firefly Aerospace held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 28, for its newly expanded 207,000-square-foot Rocket Ranch testing and manufacturing facility in … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 3/8/24

RRISD names director of safety and security

Round Rock ISD has named Richard Andreucci as its new director of safety and security, where he will provide strategic direction for the district’s safety and security program, including … more

Staff Reports | 3/7/24

3/7/24

LETTER: Political Primaries and Caucuses

Dear Editor: A political primary is a preliminary election in which the registered voters of a political party nominate candidates for office. The key word here is preliminary. The current … more

3/7/24

Austin Spurs fall to Warriors

The Austin Spurs (12-11) fell 101-94 to the Santa Cruz Warriors (14-11) on Wednesday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Two-Way guard David Duke Jr. led Austin with 25 points, 6 rebounds … more

Submitted Report | 3/7/24

3/7/24

Commentary: Break the cycle of poverty, mental illness and prison

During my time in prison, I lived in hell. I witnessed horrific abuse, suffered from a critical lack of mental health care, and was treated as less than human. Guards even taunted inmates that we … more

By Matthew Rosing, Guest Columnist | 3/7/24

Commentary: Becoming a Swiftie Dad, and other skills I’ve learned

Having raised three daughters, I’ve gained, in the words of Liam Neeson, “a very particular set of skills.” Unfortunately, none of these skills would be useful in the event of an … more

By Jase Graves, Guest Columnist | 3/7/24

An aerial view of a sold-out crowd of 8,060 at Disch-Falk Field for an NCAA baseball game between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies on March 5, 2024. Texas A&M won, 9-2. It was the largest crowd for a regular season game in the stadium’s history.

Record Disch-Falk field crowd watches Texas A&M beat Longhorns

The Texas baseball team's early season slump continued on Tuesday night when the visiting Texas A&M Aggies took a first-inning lead and pulled away in the seventh to beat the No. 24 Longhorns 9-2 … more

Staff Reports | 3/6/24

3/6/24

Campaign signs seen across Cedar Park and Leander ahead of the March 5, 2024 primary.

2024 Primary Results: Incumbents, returning candidates win 2024 Primary Elections by overwhelming margins; Williamson County sees major drop in voter turnout

Although federal incumbent and returning candidates still won their primaries by overwhelming victory margins just like they had statewide, county voters broke with statewide trends by keeping … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 3/6/24

The House voting board in the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.

Analysis: Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton declare victory in attack on House GOP defectors

In a victory for Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, at least nine House Republicans appeared to have lost their primaries on Tuesday evening. Another eight members, at least, were … more

By Zach Despart and Renzo Downey, The Texas Tribune | 3/6/24

Tuesday night's primaries will bring significant change to the Texas Capitol.

State Elections In-Depth: Insurgent Republicans make major gains in Texas primaries

Texas voters on Tuesday handed more power to the insurgent wing of the Republican Party in an expensive and vengeful primary election, punishing GOP lawmakers, judges and a House speaker who defied … more

By Karen Brooks Harper, The Texas Tribune | 3/6/24

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