TheRepublic.com - Austin News

Senate confirms 3 Texas regents

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:16:33 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate on Friday confirmed Gov. Rick Perry's three appointments to the University of Texas System board of regents with a warning that "all hell would break loose" if they move to fire Bill Powers, the popular president of the flagship Austin campus.

Ex-'Yogurt shop murders' figure seeks compensation

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:25:33 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A man whose conviction in the 1991 slayings of four teenage girls at an Austin yogurt shop was overturned wants compensation for his imprisonment.

High jumper Brigetta Barrett set for full weekend

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:21:25 -0400

High jumper Brigetta Barrett is finishing her career at Arizona on quite a few high notes.

Tax tussle riling Legislature in final week

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:53:47 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Nearly 2,000 people went to Gov. Rick Perry's website in January to sound off on how lawmakers should cut taxes by $1.8 billion. Many won't get what they wanted.

Texas' cities among fastest-growing in US

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:41:28 -0400

Eight of 15 cities with the fastest growth in the United States are in Texas, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

3 Texas cities to share $8.5M for HUD cleanup

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:27:07 -0400

FORT WORTH, Texas - Three Texas cities will share $8.5 million in federal funds to make low-income housing safer and healthier for children.

New DPS plane named for slain Texas Ranger Doherty

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:12:04 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The newest airplane being used by the Department of Public Safety carries the name of a Texas Ranger slain in the line of duty 35 years ago.

Lake Travis levels down but not out since drought

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:16:48 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Boater Roger Weil liked the buzz at last Sunday's grand opening of the Crosswater Yacht Club on Lake Travis.

Urban renewal? Big US cities showing strong growth

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:20:57 -0400

WASHINGTON - Urban renewal? New census estimates show that most of the nation's largest cities further enhanced their allure last year, posting strong population growth for a second straight year.

After steady heckling, Perry meets with protesters

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:56:16 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Hecklers demanding that Texas expand the Medicaid program under the White House-backed health care law repeatedly interrupted a speech by Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday, then descended on his office for a meeting to keep pressing their case.

Austin woman gets 50 years for attack on ex-spouse

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:44:42 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A Central Texas woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for beating and shooting her ex-husband amid a child custody dispute.

Musicians talk about pre-show rituals, from tequila shots...

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:23:34 -0400

By DAVID BURGER - In the hour before we begin work, most of us will ease into the day with a cup of coffee. We'll "like" a few things on Facebook and gossip with co-workers about what happened the night before on TV. Only then can we properly begin our day.

House OKs disclosure, lobbying rules for lawmakers

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:23:11 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House has voted to tighten disclosure and lobbying rules against state lawmakers - including its own membership.

Study: Poverty in Austin suburbs rises sharply

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:08:30 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin metro area saw the nation's second-fastest increase in the number of poor people living in the suburbs from 2000 to 2011, according to a study released Monday.

Texas police: 2 found in burned home were murdered

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:07:28 -0400

SPICEWOOD, Texas - Sheriff deputies say two people found in a burned suburban Austin home were murdered.

Travis sues to block DWI patrol car video release

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:22:25 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Country music star Randy Travis has filed a lawsuit to prevent the release of patrol car video of his 2012 drunken-driving arrest in North Texas.

Challenge to historic preservation program tossed

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:11:15 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A judge dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday that had challenged a Central Texas historic preservation program as giving generous tax breaks to owners who don't deserve them.

Guns on campus bill heads to full Texas Senate

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:00:25 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A bill to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into Texas college buildings and classrooms got a significant boost in the state Senate on Tuesday, but it remains unclear if it has enough momentum to become law.

Insurance officials sponsor Texas Safety Summit

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:05:53 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Safety Summit will focus on workplace issues such as distracted driving and who's responsible for wrecks.

Texas House approves Morton criminal justice bill

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:47:01 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The House on Monday approved the Michael Morton Act, a measure designed to prevent wrongful convictions and named in honor of a Texan who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.

Texas House votes to weaken university regents

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:38:38 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas lawmakers moved to assert more control over state higher education on Monday when the House voted to require that most university regents be appointed while lawmakers are in session, and limit their powers to fire campus presidents.

Highlights from around the Capitol

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:21:46 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Following a week of wobbly talks over a new Texas budget, House and Senate negotiators met publicly Monday to settle some of the fine print and described making "very positive" progress in private about big-ticket items.

San Antonio mayor re-elected among Texas elections

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:57:29 -0400

SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will stay on the job for at least another two years after sweeping to an easy victory over six challengers.

House, Senate face impasse over budget

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:11:41 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Republicans control both chambers of the Texas Legislature, but that hasn't kept them from reaching an impasse over the state budget.

Budget deal stumbles with 2 weeks left in session

Sat, 11 May 2013 14:49:52 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Forget those feel-good vibes at the Capitol. Unless a deal on a new Texas budget is struck in the next two weeks, a summer bummer is coming.