Austin, TX

Austin's Soros-backed DA faces Dem challenger pledging to 'return power' to crime victims: 'Enough is enough'

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

Austin's Soros-backed DA faces Dem challenger pledging to 'return power' to crime victims: 'Enough is enough'

A former prosecutor in the office of a progressive district attorney in Austin, Texas is running as a Democrat against his former boss and told Fox News Digital the Soros-backed DA’s policies have been “hurtful to the community” and based on political ideology rather than upholding the law.

“I noticed that there were simple things that weren’t being done and I knew that the expertise level had been so diminished with all of the prosecutors who left,” Jeremy Sylestine, a defense attorney and Travis County prosecutor for 15 years, told Fox News Digital when asked why he has decided to run against Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza.

“It just became apparent that the DA’s office wasn’t maintaining its basic functions and it seems to me that we’re seeing that in the results of cases and the numbers that we are experiencing in terms of crime right now.”

DA Garza has been widely criticized in the community for alleged soft on crime policies and labeled a “rogue prosecutor” by those who say his office has focused on “reimaging policing” and prosecuting police officers rather than taking criminals off the streets and honoring the wishes of the families of crime victims.

FAMILY OF MURDERED TX MAN SAYS SOROS DA IGNORED THEIR WISHES, CUT DEALS WITH SUSPECTS: ‘ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED’

L- Jeremy Sylestine R – Jose Garza

Sylestine, who left Garza’s office to start his own practice in December 2021, roughly a year after Garza was sworn in, told Fox News Digital he has heard the concerns of those families and aims to “return power to the victims.”

“It seems like every day there’s a new story that comes out where someone has been left holding the bag and disrespected by the DA’s office,” Sylestine said. “I know from being a prosecutor that there are tough decisions you have to make, but the cases that I’m seeing in terms of domestic violence and sexual assault are just very incongruent with what my experience was and what I want to do is return that power to the victim because the system isn’t designed to protect their rights.

“It’s the DA’s job I think when the case is right, when the evidence is there to make sure that we’re putting our best foot forward and I think that that’s what victims and survivors want to see, is that somebody is willing to stand up and fight those hard fights.”

Sylestine, a Texas native and member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, pointed to the fact that he is a “proud Democrat” and believes in progressive reforms but said good can come out of the system only if the tools are used “properly.”

SOROS DA PUT MURDER CASE ON ‘BACK BURNER’ BECAUSE IT DOESN’T ‘FIT’ LIBERAL AGENDA: VICTIM’S FAMILY

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza (Travis County DA Website)

“What I’m seeing now are those tools being used in a way that’s hurtful to the community. So, you know, ignoring crime that is happening is not the answer. Going light on sentencing is not the answer. The reason I know that is I’ve tried over 75 cases to jury here in Travis County and I know how thoughtful and intelligent they are and I know that they care about this stuff.”

“So when we start taking those decisions away from them, we really don’t have the feedback that we need to prop the system up. The juries that come in and hear these cases are the backbone of the entire system and if we’re not willing to put those cases in front of them, then we are saying that their opinions don’t matter and that’s the wrong way to go about this and I think that’s exactly what this DA’s office is doing, is assuming that it knows better than the citizens here in Travis County and I want to return back to a system where we rely on the citizens to speak into it.”

Sylestine pointed to one specific example of a case where he says DA Garza ignored his obligation to protect the people of Austin which involved a homeless man named Hilario Adrian who was let back out on the street, despite violent assault charges, and then arrested once again for allegedly stabbing another homeless man to death.

AUSTIN’S SOROS-BACKED DA SLAMMED AFTER WOMAN CONVICTED IN PLOT TO MURDER IN-LAWS DODGES PRISON

District Attorney Jose Garza in Austin, TX (Photo by Spencer Selvidge for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“The guy was in jail for aggravated assault and he was alleged to have been swinging a golf club and a hatchet at someone and he went to jail,” Sylestine explained. “During that time, the DA’s office had 90 days to get a case indicted and they failed to do that. They missed their deadline. So by operation of law, he gets a dollar bond and after that gets out and commits a murder. I just think that’s so egregious that it needs to be highlighted, and it needs to be spoken about. And, you know, Mr. Garza’s going to say, well, there were other considerations. There really wasn’t. He missed his deadline. He dropped the ball and now there’s a dead man on the other side.”

“My question to Travis County is how many more of those stories do we need to hear before we say enough is enough and it’s time for change?”

Garza has pointed to the coronavirus pandemic in response to criticism about the current backlog of cases his office faces and a recent KXAN report casting doubt on the conviction rate numbers his office has put out. Sylestine says part of the problem is that Garza “ran off so many experienced prosecutors” leading to a “dearth of experience” in his office.

“Now what we see is a backlog of over 7000 cases that are now piled upon those same prosecutors who are tasked with keeping track of those deadlines and making sure that they are keeping in line with the criminal procedures that are in place,” Sylestine explained.

AUSTIN POLICE PAST AND PRESENT SOUND ALARM ON RIPPLE EFFECTS OF DEFUNDING POLICE: ‘IT’S CRUSHING MORALE’

Austin, Texas (Reuters/Brian Snyder)

“That is all feeding on itself and it creates dangerous situations. But on top of that, within those 7000 cases are other victims of crime being ignored in the meantime. So there’s been no addressing of that backlog and he’s had three years to do it. I know there was a pandemic, but he’s had three years to get it done and it’s not getting better. It’s getting worse. So I don’t know how much more time he deserves and I’m calling him to the carpet on that one right now.”

A major issue in Austin that has garnered national headlines is the cratered morale within the Austin Police Department after it was defunded by the city council in 2020 and the tense relationship between Garza’s office and police stemming from Garza’s campaign promise to prosecute police officers and the multitude of indictments he has carried out since his election.

Sylestine told Fox News Digital he is “proud” of his relationship with APD and that the relationship between the DA’s office and the police “needs some drastic remeasurement and recalibration.”

“I grew up as a prosecutor and as a young lawyer in the system, so a lot of the officers and detectives that were making up my cases when I was a younger lawyer are now in commanding positions,” Sylestine said.

‘STUNNED’ MOTHER OF DEPUTY KILLED BY MOTORIST BLASTS SOROS DA FOR NOT PURSUING CHARGES: ‘UNCONSCIONABLE’

Demonstrators face members of the Austin Police Department as they gather in downtown Austin, Texas on June 4, 2020, to protest the death of George Floyd. (AP)

“So in terms of the relationship that I have, those men and women of the force, they know my brand and they know that I’m not an APD or law enforcement apologist either. If there’s something that’s been done wrong, they know that Jeremy Sylestine will hold them accountable. But they also know that it takes good communication and trust to make those relationships work and right now, that’s fractured, and it doesn’t have to be.”

Sylestine continued, “Mr. Garza came in and had a political bullseye painted right on the chart on the backs of APD officers. They advertised for prosecutors who wanted to come in specifically to do that and if we did that with any other group, there would be an uproar over what sort of fixed mindset we were having, coming into our cases.”

Sylestine will face off with Garza in the Democratic Primary in Austin on March 5.

When asked by Fox News Digital what his pitch to undecided voters is, Sylestine said the district attorney’s office is in need of a “total shift at the top.”

SOROS-BACKED DA GIVES TEXAS MAN 10 DAYS IN JAIL FOR DUI CRASH THAT KILLED PASSENGER

George Soros, billionaire and founder of Soros Fund Management LLC, speaks during an event on day two of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The annual Davos gathering of political leaders, top executives and celebrities runs from May 22 to 26. (Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“There is a level of ineptitude and bad policy that, when combined, are creating a really dangerous situation here in Travis County,” Sylestine said. “The DA’s office and Jose Garza in particular are going to say that Austin is one of the safest cities in America but that’s not what people are feeling. That’s certainly not what the numbers are showing. So I think that we can point to very specific cases where the DA’s office has simply not done its job.”

Sylestine said that residents “feel ignored and displaced by all of the actions of the DA’s office.”

“I’m telling people that it doesn’t have to be that way,” Sylestine said. “You can have a qualified candidate who knows Travis County, who knows Travis County juries, and still can get the job done while maintaining the progressive traditions of the office and I’m not afraid of that.”

“We always have to keep an open mind about what the system is capable of and what harms need to be repaired, what wrongs need to be righted, but at the same time, we don’t have to sacrifice public and community safety for that,” Sylestine said. “People should feel safe when they go downtown. People should feel free to be out in the world without worrying about whether they’re going to get shot on Sixth Street and that’s just not the case right now.”

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“When my friends, when my family come to visit and they say they might be going downtown, that’s not a place that I recommend they go and there’s a very specific reason for that. This all feeds on itself. When we are suffering as a community, when families suffer, when businesses suffer, it all draws in to a larger problem and I think that is part of the DA’s mission is to make sure that we are addressing that community need and that we don’t ignore the issue of community safety.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Garza’s office for comment but did not receive a response.

Fox News Digital’s Aubrie Spady contributed to this report

Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.

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Austin, TX

Christmas Eve In Austin 2025 – Events, Food, Fun & More

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Christmas Eve In Austin 2025 – Events, Food, Fun & More

Last Updated On – 23rd December, 2025

As the sun sets on December 24, Austin shifts into celebration mode. The air feels lighter, the city feels closer, and the night opens up with events designed to bring people together.

These Christmas Eve in Austin happenings offer the perfect way to spend the final hours before Christmas Day arrives.

And if you are looking for more ways to spend the break, explore concerts, pop-ups, markets, and local outings in our latest guide to the Best Weekend Events in Austin.

Editor’s Note: We strive to keep listings up to date, but details are subject to change. Always verify with event organizers or participating locations before heading out.

This article may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through them may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Looking for more holiday fun? Christmas Eve is just the beginning. From festive shows and light displays to family-friendly outings and seasonal experiences, Austin stays busy all week long. Be sure to explore our full guide to Things to Do During Christmas Week in Austin for even more ways to make the most of the holiday break.

Christmas-Themed Events and Holiday Activities

Merry Makers Market

Get ready for the second annual Merry Makers Market, hosted by Contracommon, where holiday shopping meets local artistry. This booth-style market will showcase art and handmade goods from talented Austin-area artists. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts while supporting creative small businesses this holiday season.

Browse original paintings, prints, sculptures, jewelry, ornaments, homewares, and more from artists like Alison Lackey, Cara Jackson, Emily Tolipova, and many others.

Where: Contracommon, 12912 Hill Country Blvd f140, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Mozart’s Festival of Lights

Image credit: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

Celebrate the holiday season at Mozart’s Festival of Lights, a brilliant spectacle perfect for the whole family.

Experience over a million twinkling lights and brilliant displays that offer endless photo opportunities.

Additionally, you can enjoy a holiday market, dine on tasty bites from vendors like savory Salt Lick BBQ, and treat yourself to delectable sweets and Mozart’s renowned hot chocolate. Live entertainment, including Texas and Celtic Christmas music, will play throughout the festival.

Where: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

The Light Park

Buckle up, turn up the volume, and prepare for a dazzling experience at The Light Park! You will immerse yourself in a mile-long light show featuring millions of stunning LED lights perfectly synchronized to high-energy holiday music presented by DJ Polar Ice.

This resident mixologist spins re-imagined holiday favorites blended with fresh beats to keep the energy high from start to finish, and you can even tune in before arrival to set the festive tone on your drive to The Light Park.

From giant illuminated tunnels to towering animated trees and dancing reindeer, every night promises an unforgettable spectacle of color and sound designed to delight all ages.

Where: Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $29

Ice Rodeo: Lakeside Ice Skating

Celebrate the holiday season at Four Seasons Hotel Austin with the return of Ice Rodeo: Lakeside Ice Skating! From November 21, 2025, through January 4, 2026, this lakeside retreat transforms into a festive gathering spot just steps from Lady Bird Lake.

Enjoy outdoor ice skating, themed skating nights, and cozy festive cabanas, all set against immersive décor that brings the magic of the North Pole to Texas. Then, savor seasonal menus featuring local flavors and create lasting memories in this vibrant holiday destination.

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin, TX 78701
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $35

Santa’s Ranch – New Braunfels

Image credit: Santa’s Ranch-Drive-thru Christmas Light Park

Drive along winding country roads at Santa’s Ranch and see over 3 million lights bring holiday magic to life. You’ll spot Santa on a four-wheeler, elves ice skating, nutcracker castles, and even Star Wars scenes, all glowing across a mile of festive displays.

A towering 50-foot Christmas tree will mark the entrance, welcoming you to this long-running holiday tradition.

You can then stop for hot chocolate, kettle corn, or pet-friendly treats at the concession stand and snap photos of whimsical touches, like Santa tossing footballs to reindeer or lighting a fire under a snowman.

Where: 9561 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $37

37th Street Lights

Image Credit: 37th Street Lights FB Page

Step into the playful spirit of the season as West 37th Street bursts to life with bold colors, imaginative sculptures, and creative light displays. Here, you can see homes and yards decorated with fun themes such as Taylor Swift tributes, circuses, or Candyland, blending holiday lights with humor and DIY charm.

Aside from the lights, the community also sets up interactive stations such as the insecurity checkpoint, where you can share a secret, the manifestation station, where you can write a dream for the year ahead, and the beloved Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo.

The street stays open only to foot traffic, so you and your loved ones can enjoy an easy, relaxed stroll each night from sunset to 10 pm throughout December.

Where: 507 W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Zilker Holiday Tree

Step beneath the Zilker Holiday Tree and watch thousands of colorful LEDs spiral around one of Austin’s historic moontowers. You’ll see the 10-foot double star glowing at the top as the lights shimmer across the 155-foot tree, creating a magical scene that fills the park with a spirited glow.

For fun, try spinning slowly beneath the lights and watch the pattern swirl above you. It’s playful tradition since 1967 that keeps Austin’s longest-standing holiday celebration bright and joyful!

Where: 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Domain Northside Holiday Display

Head over to the Northside Lawn and watch the Holiday Tree light up with a dazzling show of synchronized lights, filling the air with festive energy. You can also catch performances each hour, with extended evening hours on weekends, and enjoy playful touches like the Gen Z Selfie Wall and seasonal photo spots.

You’ll also find Letters to Santa open until December 24, family-friendly activities (like snow globe making, face painting, and balloon twisting), plus ongoing giveaways and holiday guides for shopping and events.

Where: 11821 Rock Rose Ave, Austin, TX 78758
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Family-Friendly and Kid-Focused Activities

Mozart’s Festival of Lights

Celebrate the holiday season at Mozart’s Festival of Lights, a brilliant spectacle perfect for the whole family.

Experience over a million twinkling lights and brilliant displays that offer endless photo opportunities.

Where: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

The Light Park

From giant illuminated tunnels to towering animated trees and dancing reindeer, every night promises an unforgettable spectacle of color and sound designed to delight all ages.

Where: Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $29

Ice Rodeo: Lakeside Ice Skating

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin, TX 78701
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $35

Santa’s Ranch – New Braunfels

A towering 50-foot Christmas tree will mark the entrance, welcoming you to this long-running holiday tradition.

Where: 9561 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $37

Domain Northside Holiday Display

Where: 11821 Rock Rose Ave, Austin, TX 78758
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Free Events and Neighborhood Light Displays

37th Street Lights

The street stays open only to foot traffic, so you and your loved ones can enjoy an easy, relaxed stroll each night from sunset to 10 pm throughout December.

Where: 507 W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Zilker Holiday Tree

Image credit: Zilker Holiday Tree

Where: 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Nightlife and Adults-Only Christmas Eve Events

The Ugly Sweater Holiday Pop-up Bar

Jingle and mingle at The Ugly Sweater Holiday Pop-up Bar at Rules and Regs! Come dressed in your best festive attire and embrace the merry vibes, complete with kitschy holiday decor, lively drinks, and a fun seasonal menu.

Where: Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Not stated

Miracle on 5th Street Christmas Pop-Up Bar

Step into a winter wonderland at Miracle on 5th Street Christmas Pop-Up Bar, the most festive and nostalgic setting in the city!

This Christmas-themed cocktail bar features dazzling wall-to-wall holiday decor, multiple bars, and a whole lot of Christmas spirits.

You can sip one of the many Christmas cocktails crafted by the jolly staff, take your next profile picture in Santa’s Throne, and connect with friends and family in the city’s most decked-out holiday bar, enjoying Christmas cheer as you’ve never seen before.

This is a ticketed event with first-come, first-served tables and seats. For parties of fewer than 8, you can skip the General Admission line by purchasing limited-quantity Dasher Passes!

Where: The Eleanor, 307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: December 24, 2025
How Much: Starts at $13.30

Where to Eat on Christmas Eve in Austin

If you’re planning a Christmas Eve meal out (or just want to skip cooking), these are five of the most popular, holiday-friendly picks featured in our 2025 guide: Kerbey Lane Cafe for a comforting Austin classic that’s great for an earlier meal, Waffle House for a reliably-anytime option when you need something late, Truluck’s for a special-occasion dinner with holiday vibes, The Cheesecake Factory for a crowd-pleasing spot that works for families and groups, and Din Ho Chinese BBQ when you’re craving something different that still feels festive. Since Christmas Eve hours and reservations can change by location and demand, always confirm before heading out.

For the full, verified 2025 lineup (plus hours and more options across the Austin area), head to our complete guide: Austin Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve.

Last-Minute Shopping and Store Hours

Need a last-minute gift, groceries, or a quick essentials run on December 24? Our 2025 guide highlights five go-to options that cover the biggest needs: H-E-B for groceries and holiday meal pickups, Whole Foods Market for prepared foods and nicer grab-and-go items, Target for gifts and stocking stuffers, CVS Pharmacy for prescriptions and late-in-the-day essentials, and 7-Eleven for true last-minute snacks, drinks, and basics when everything else is winding down. Most locations run on reduced Christmas Eve hours, so it’s smart to shop earlier and double-check your nearest store before you go.

For a list of stores confirmed to be open in 2025, along with expected Christmas Eve hours, visit our full guide to Austin Stores Open on Christmas Eve.

There are always festive events happening across the city during the holidays. For seasonal attractions and local happenings, explore our curated Austin weekend event picks.

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Austin, TX

Austin’s left-turn pilot program shows promising results

Published

16 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Austin’s left-turn pilot program shows promising results

AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin recently released a report about a year and a half-long pilot program aimed at reducing the number of left-turn crashes. City officials say the tools used in the pilot seem to work.

Left-turn calming treatments were installed at 16 intersections across Austin as part of the city’s Vision Zero program.

“We have some posts on a curb system and a low-profile speed cushion, which is high visibility, including at night, and they can extend to the crosswalk and also a little bit beyond,” said Michael Kiel, a program manager for Austin’s Vision Zero. “Or have a curb extension made out of white materials on the other side.”

The city adopted Vision Zero 10 years ago, aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.

“We’ve seen a 46% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians, as well as a 50% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians that led to injury,” Kiel said regarding the calming treatment pilot.

It involves leveraging highly visiblity posts to reduce the risk of pedestrians getting hit by a car making a left turn. It cost about $5,400 to install at each location.

“Building on our own research and that from other cities, we designed a pilot program to install low-cost treatments at intersections to reduce the speed and improve the angle that vehicles are turning left,” Kiel said.

The findings also revealed the treatments at each location saved more than $180,000 in crash costs, which includes emergency response, medical bills and other damages. Because of its success, the city may expand the treatment to other intersections.

“We find those results, as well as some video observation and engineering observation about turning behavior, very promising and encouraging to potentially use these treatments in different locations throughout the city,” Kiel said.

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Austin, TX

Heading into 2026, polling shows close primary races in Texas

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Heading into 2026, polling shows close primary races in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — With just 70 days to go until the Texas primary election date, major races across the state are ramping up with competitive poll numbers.

Recent polling shows races within just single digits for the high-profile Senate nomination races in both parties. The primary is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3.

The Democratic field, made up of U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Texas State Rep. James Talarico, is proving to be a close race after a shakeup earlier this month.

Polling from the Barbara Jordan Public Policy and Survey Center at Texas Southern University shows Crockett leading with 51% and Talarico with 43% among likely Democratic primary voters.

On the other side of the aisle, Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn’s race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is proving to be a three-way race, with U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt gaining traction in recent polls.

A Dec. 4 poll by J.L. Partners shows Paxton leading with 29%, just a few points ahead of Cornyn and Hunt at 24%. Still, 23% of likely Republican primary voters surveyed were undecided.

“I think we’re clearly in a three-way race now for the Republican Senate,” said Mark P. Jones, political science professor at Rice University.

The other big races that are an uphill battle for lesser-known democrats. The latest polling from the Barbara Jordan Center focused in on the Democratic races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

The polling shows Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is leading the Democratic field for the gubernatorial race with 41%. Her biggest challenger, however, is voters who are still unsure—making up 42% of those polled.

Jones explained the lack of name recognition in much of the Democratic state primary races.

“Whoever the Democratic nominee is for U.S. Senate can count on tens of millions of dollars coming in from outside of the state to support their candidacy. That simply isn’t going to happen for, say, someone like Gina Hinojosa running for governor, or Vikki Goodwin running for lieutenant governor,” he said.

43% of voters surveyed said they don’t know enough about Hinojosa. 81% said they don’t know enough about Goodwin.

“Even the best known candidates generally are only known by about a third of Democratic primary voters,” Jones said.

That presents a major challenge, with just 70 days and counting until the March primary.

If in any of these races, a candidate does not reach the 50 percent threshold, a runoff primary election will happen at the end of May.

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