Prison Heat Impacts- Amidst this statewide heatwave, people rallied at the State Capitol. They want state prison cells to remain between 65 °F and 85 °F. More than 50 people have died in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities since the start of June. Some died due to cardiac arrest. While TDCJ has not reported a heat-related death in over a decade, there is concern from advocates who say the heat is making conditions and issues deadly. A bill to improve air conditioning at TDCJ facilities did not make it through the regular session, despite bipartisan support.

Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-police-seeking-volunteers-for-blue-santa-holiday-toy-deliveries/ The Austin Police Department is looking for volunteers to help spread some cheer this holiday season.

Read more https://www.kxan.com/investigations/round-rock-isd-trustees-called-to-return-donations-from-embattled-pac/ Two Round Rock Independent School District board members are facing calls to return thousands of campaign dollars they received from a political group, following news of the former president of the group meeting with a widely known white supremacist, antisemitic podcaster.

Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/williamson-county/williamson-co-ems-said-data-event-affected-personal-information-of-patients/ On Monday, Williamson County EMS said a “data event” may have affected patients’ “privacy of personal information,” according to a county news release.

Creating a smoother I-35 commuter means some commercials tenants and property owners along the 8-mile expansion route will have to move making a total of 111 displacements.

Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/district-attorney-drops-17-police-officer-indictments-tied-to-2020-protests/ Attorneys Doug O’Connell and Ken Ervin said the DA dropped indictments against nine of the officers they’re representing in relation to the May 2020 protests.

With many low-income and vulnerable Texans waiting months to get Medicaid and federal food assistance, state officials are now encouraging employees to work 15 hours or more in overtime this week with a "Holiday Blitz(en)" dubbed the "6 Days of Merry Service Challenge," according to an internal memo provided to KXAN.

With many low-income and vulnerable Texans waiting months to get Medicaid and federal food assistance, state officials are now encouraging employees to work 15 hours or more in overtime this week with a "Holiday Blitz(en)" dubbed the "6 Days of Merry Service Challenge," according to an internal memo provided to KXAN.

Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/district-attorney-drops-17-police-officer-indictments-tied-to-2020-protests/ Indictments against 17 Austin Police officers tied to protests in 2020 will be dismissed, according to a joint release from the Travis County District Attorney’s office and the City of Austin. Those officers will be allowed back on duty.

Two Round Rock ISD school board members are facing calls to return thousands of dollars they accepted from a group with ties to an avowed white supremacist. This comes after the Texas GOP has rejected a ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers.

A new center to help care for women justopened in Austin. Texas Children's just opened the Pavilion for Women Obstetrics & Gynecology North Austin Clinic.

Twelve years into a lawsuit over the treatment of Texas children in long-term foster care, a federal judge will consider taking some of the toughest and most extreme actions yet against the state.

Austin's plan to open up housing options for people is already getting some new recommendations before passing. The proposed changed to the land development code include incentives to increase living space.