1) a comprehensive bond package that funds and addresses climate, infrastructure, and any other public improvements for the purpose of conducting an election no later than November 2026, and

2) a comprehensive climate implementation program of which one component is a climate bond proposition contained in the comprehensive bond package… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ Austin metro ranks among highest wildfire risk in U.S., analysis shows (KXAN)

So far in 2025, there have been 22 wildland fires in Texas, amounting to 196.1 acres burned, according to data from the National Geographic Area Coordination Center.

As firefighters and crews continue to battle the multiple fires in the greater Los Angeles area, a wildfire analysis report released last year gave further insight into the risks both Texas and Austin face.

Property analytics resource CoreLogic released in August 2024 its wildfire risk report that found Texas is ranked third nationally for homes at moderate or greater risk from fires.

Zooming in on Central Texas, Austin ranked the fifth highest metro in the country whose homes are at heightened risk levels… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ Austin unveils how light-rail could change the city in new report with detailed maps (KUT)

The curtain is finally lifting on Austin's long-planned light-rail system, as a newly released report from the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) reveals a more detailed vision for the 9.8-mile route.

For the first time, Austinites can view block-by-block maps, specific station locations and learn more about both the benefits and costs of the largest transit project in Austin history.

The newly released document is known as a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). It evaluates everything from noise and traffic impacts during construction to effects on the environment and the economy. (If you're interested, we merged the 53 PDFs that make up the report into a single 16,000-page, 605 MB file.)

The DEIS is required for ATP to qualify for federal funding. The Project Connect plan approved by voters in 2020 relies on the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to pay for up to half the $7.1 billion rail project.

"This draft EIS is a big milestone," said Jennifer Pyne, an ATP executive vice president who oversees planning and engagement with the FTA. "It's an important step along the way towards meeting the requirements for federal funding. So we're excited."… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ UT-Austin’s presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leaders (Texas Tribune)

Hartzell starts his new job on June 1 — and some UT-Austin faculty are concerned his departure will make it more difficult for him to effectively represent the flagship campus’ interest in the legislative session that starts next week.

They worry lawmakers will broaden the DEI ban to include academic programs and try to curtail faculty’s voice on campuses by limiting the influence of faculty senates, which have long played a role in developing curriculum and protecting schools’ academic mission.

Republican legislators have criticized them as “woke” activists who indoctrinate students with far-left ideas.

Hartzell’s departure also opens the question of what kind of leader will now step up to the job.

“I would be very nervous if I were a faculty member at UT or someone invested in the future of UT because you’ve essentially had two presidents — three, if you go back to [former UT President] Bill Powers — that the Legislature has made their job difficult, and I’d worry who would want that job,” said Michael Harris, an SMU education policy professor… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ Texas falls 28-14 to Ohio State, capping one of the best seasons in years (Texas Public Radio)

The Texas Longhorns came up short again in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, falling to The Ohio State University Buckeyes.

The Longhorns had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter before a fumble recovery and touchdown for Ohio State put the game out of reach for good.

It's the second straight year the Longhorns qualified for the College Football Playoff and their second consecutive loss in the semifinal round.

This time around, they did it as members of the Southeastern Conference. Head coach Steve Sarkisian led his team to an 11-2 regular season record during their first year of SEC competition. Both losses came against Georgia, once at home and again in last month's SEC championship game… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ Santa Rita Ranch once again among top-selling neighborhoods in US (Austin Business Journal)

For the fifth-straight year, Liberty Hill’s Santa Rita Ranch is the top-selling master-planned community in the Austin metro, and it's also in the top 20 nationally.

The sprawling neighborhood claimed the metro's title despite an overall drop in home sales compared to 2023, according to Robert Charles Lesser & Co.’s 2024 list of the best-selling master-planned communities in the nation. It came in at No. 18 nationally, with no other community in the Austin metro in the top 50.

Overall, 644 homes were sold in Santa Rita Ranch in 2024, compared to 742 in 2023, a 13% drop. In Texas, communities in Katy, Cypress, Aubrey and New Caney ranked higher on the national list… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ ‘Significant strides’ but ‘work to be done’: Austin ISD’s progress update on TEA-agreed order (Community Impact)

Austin ISD officials have made progress on actions required as part of an agreed order between the district and Texas Education Agency that began in 2023.District staff discussed progress during a board of trustees meeting Dec. 12. AISD cited “significant strides” with “work to be done” in the future, district officials said in a news release.

he district has completed 74 of 99 action items detailed in the TEA agreed order, officials said. There are 25 items remaining.If the district does not complete all action items, the district will be overtaken by a TEA conservatorship, as detailed in the agreed order. This means the district would be overtaken by the TEA and would have to comply with any directives made by the TEA-appointed conservator… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ LA’s fire chief is at the center of a public spat with City Hall as wildfires rage (Associated Press)

Kristin Crowley was elevated to Los Angeles fire chief in 2022 at a time of turmoil in a department consumed by complaints of rampant hazing, harassment and discrimination among its 3,400-member ranks. As a career firefighter, she was portrayed by the then-mayor as a stabilizing force.

Three years later, the mood between Crowley and City Hall has changed.

The wildfire in Pacific Palisades that has burned more than 5,000 structures to become the most destructive in city history has put leaders on the defensive and led Crowley to engage in a public spat with Mayor Karen Bass over resources even as the battle against flames continues across the Los Angeles area.

Crowley publicly criticized the city Friday for budget cuts that she said have made it harder for firefighters to do their jobs at a time when they are seeing more calls. She also cast blame on the city for water running out Tuesday when about 20% of the hydrants tapped to fight the Palisades fire went dry… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

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