Austin, TEXAS — The plan for Austin Independent School District to improve its underperforming campuses is off and now majorly supported by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Austin ISD superintendent Matias Segura said on Thursday that the TEA approved 22 out of 24 of the district’s Turnaround Plans (TAPs) without requiring any adjustments. The plans were submitted in November 2025 when the district’s board of trustees approved a motion to consolidate and close 10 schools.

“This reinforces the confidence TEA has in the work Austin ISD is undertaking and is an important affirmation of the school improvement work already underway on our campuses,” Segura said in a statement.

Plans for Widén Elementary School and Winn Montessori School were the only two not approved by the agency. Segura said TEA requires “additional information” before approval but that once that information is provided, they expect those to be approved as well. Segura said district officials need to provide TEA with more details around the funding to support reassigned students from those campuses.

TEA requires TAPs for schools that have received consecutive failing accountability ratings from the agency.

Segura said the district’s next major focus is implementation for the 2026-27 school year, including teacher assignments among the turnaround campuses. District officials plan to return the two revised plans back to TEA by March 24.

AUSTIN, Texas – An East Austin smoke shop owner says a woman has vandalized his business three times since Thanksgiving, causing about $30,000 in damage despite repeated arrests.

What they’re saying:

Clinisha Henderson returned Wednesday and trashed the store again in a housecoat with nothing underneath. Police officers, customers, and employees have been assaulted during the incidents. 

“My employee called the police again, and they locked her up, and we thought that was kind of it,” Travis Tyler, owner of Smoking Burnouts, said. “We thought these were some pretty bad charges.”

The first incident occurred around Thanksgiving.

“She just came in with the intent of destroying everything,” Tyler said. “She wouldn’t even say anything. She just came and started pushing stuff over and throwing stuff. She tried to assault him with a 4-foot water pipe.”

Henderson was arrested on charges of assault of an officer and theft. About a month later, she returned.

“She went and assaulted another police officer,” Tyler said. “She assaulted a disabled person, a visually impaired person.”

She was arrested on charges of resisting arrest, criminal mischief and assault on a disabled person.

Tyler said he’s considering his options.

“I don’t think she needs to go to jail. I think she needs help,” Tyler said. “We’ve tossed around the idea of hiring a security guard. I think those guys are pretty expensive, though, and we really are a small local company.”

Henderson has been arrested more than a dozen times in Travis County, with most charges eventually dropped or dismissed. 

A mental health diversion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11. 

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately provide comment.

AUSTIN, Texas — Ariana Grande is bringing “The Eternal Sunshine Tour” to Austin’s Moody Center for three nights of concerts this summer — Wednesday, June 24; Friday, June 26; and Saturday, June 27 — with showtimes expected around 8 p.m. Central.

As the only Texas dates on the tour, these Austin concerts are among the most in‑demand stops on her limited‑city return to the road.

Where to get Ariana Grande Austin, Texas, ticket discounts

If you still have yet to secure tickets to one of Grande’s Austin concert dates, there are still avenues for locking in savings on great seats. Verified ticketing retailers including Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub and Viagogo are now offering value pricing.

Additional coupon savings:

• Vivid Seats offers $30 off tickets over $200 with coupon code ADVANCE30
• SeatGeek gives $5 off orders over $300 using discount code TAKE5

Below is a comparison of the lowest ticket prices currently available across several platforms for Ariana Grande’s Austin concert dates:

Wednesday, June 24 — Moody Center | Austin, Texas

• Vivid Seats: $792
• SeatGeek: $884
• StubHub: $932
• Viagogo: $849

Friday, June 26 — Moody Center | Austin, Texas

• Vivid Seats: $945
• SeatGeek: $967
• StubHub: $1,054
• Viagogo: $961

Saturday, June 27 — Moody Center | Austin, Texas

• Vivid Seats: TBD
• SeatGeek: $924
• StubHub: $1,003
• Viagogo: $913

“Eternal Sunshine:” Ariana’s first tour in seven years

Ariana Grande announced the 2026 tour on Aug. 28, 2025, revealing a compact itinerary supporting her 2024 album “Eternal Sunshine” (and its 2025 deluxe expansion). The initial schedule covered a handful of U.S. and Canadian venues before expanding to include a multi‑night run at London’s O2 Arena. Presales opened Sept. 9, with general on‑sale Sept. 10, and the overwhelming response led to added shows in multiple cities—including Austin.