Austin, TX

Texas judge blocks school ratings release amid ongoing lawsuit over STAAR test

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2024

Texas judge blocks school ratings release amid ongoing lawsuit over STAAR test

AUSTIN, Texas — For the second year in a row, a judge blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing school accountability ratings.

It came hours after a coalition of school districts filed a second lawsuit against the state over how standardized tests impact these ratings.

With COVID-19 delaying the complete release of school accountability ratings for three years before these lawsuits, we’re now going on five years without parents having a full picture of how schools are doing across the state. But opponents of these ratings say new rules for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness or STARR test are unfairly impacting these ratings and believe the standardized tests and these ratings may need to be scrapped altogether.

Clay Robinson with the Texas State Teachers Association says scores from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness or STARR test have dropped across the board since going online last year.

“We have been trying to get the legislature to abolish the STAAR test for years. We feel it’s a waste of millions of dollars, millions of tax dollars every year,” Robinson said. “We know it’s not gotten any better, and we also have doubts about the accuracy of the computerized testing of these writing samples.”

His organization isn’t named in a lawsuit filed against the state calling for the tests to be re-standardized, but he says the T.S.T.A. does support the move.

In response to the lawsuit, a Travis County judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the Texas Education Agency from releasing this year’s school A-F accountability ratings, of which the STAAR tests heavily impact.

“It’s sort of a heartbreaking story because so many students took this, in our opinion, invalid and unstandardized test and performed so poorly on it,” Nick Maddoz, an attorney representing the school districts, said. “which not only impacted their own self-esteem and their own academic abilities but also impacted their community school district as well.”

Though initially five districts, the support is growing, and he expects to have 50 districts from across the state join the lawsuit by the end of the month.

ALSO| Central Texas school districts approve pay raises despite budget concerns

“We’re asking for school districts to not be graded on an A through F scale until the STAAR test has been accurized and reformed, and we have a valid basis of comparison,” Maddox said.

Texas State Representative Brian Harrison sits on the House Public Education Committee. He says after a similar injunction last year, this move only hurts parents and students across the state.

“They may have reasons to want to put them in one school or another, and depriving them of data deprives them of some of the most important information they have when making those considerations,” Harrison said.

He says the matter is worse when you consider COVID-19 blocked the complete release of accountability scores during the previous three years.

“I don’t think what makes sense right now is just to say that, okay, well, as a result of these potential concerns, let’s just withhold all of the data and at this point, for multiple years,” Harrison said.

He says if there’s an issue, the legislature should handle it.

“There’s nothing more important that we grapple with as a state and how we educate the next generation of Texans, and we have a system that, while it’s working well for a few, it is unfortunately failing far too many,” Harrison said. “Watering down accountability is the last thing we need to be doing.”

But Maddox claims they’re only suing because the T.E.A. isn’t following the law to begin with.

“Those laws are in place in the state of Texas, and it’s our opinion that the Texas Education Agency and Commissioner Morath are not following those laws,” Maddox said.

We reached out to the T.E.A. for comment, but have not heard back.

A hearing to make the injunction permanent is set for August 26th.

Source link

Click to comment

Austin, TX

Homes are selling fast in Austin — but two Texas cities are faster

Published

7 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Homes are selling fast in Austin — but two Texas cities are faster

A “for sale” sign is displayed near a home on April 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas. The Texas capital had one of the highest home turnover rates among U.S. metros between September 2024 and August 2025.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Even as the average U.S. home turnover rate remains at its lowest since the 1990s, Texas remains one of the leading states for new residents. An August 2025 study deemed Austin the biggest boomtown in the country, with significant jumps in population, housing units and gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

A new analysis by Realtor.com identified the top 10 U.S. metros with the highest real estate turnover rates in 2025 — and nearly half are found in the Lone Star State.

Article continues below this ad

But why is a high turnover rate a good thing? Hannah Jones, a senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, breaks it down.

“Markets with higher turnover tend to function more fluidly than markets with lower turnover, with a healthier balance of active buyers and sellers,” Jones said. “The markets with the highest turnover are typically more affordable and supported by robust for-sale inventory, particularly from new construction.”

Here’s a look at the four thriving Texas cities.

4 Texas metros among top 10 with highest turnover

Among the top 10 U.S. metros with the highest turnover were San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Houston — but such healthy growth didn’t happen overnight.

Article continues below this ad

“Metros like San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin have seen significant building activity over the past five years, which has helped temper home price growth and expand options for buyers, ultimately encouraging more frequent home sales,” says Jones.

Here’s what local real estate professionals had to say about each city:

No. 2: San Antonio

Downtown San Antonio — San Antonio Express-News file photo

Daniel Cabrera, owner and founder of Sell My House Fast SA TX, attributes much of the area’s high turnover to job relocations and “equity unlocking.”

Article continues below this ad

“Corporate hiring and military rotations provide constant job openings,” he said, adding, “People in San Antonio are monetizing appreciation and resetting life logistics, not panic selling. They are selling to repay debts, relocate for their relatives, and escape the commute for more space.”

Sain Rhodes, real estate expert for Cleve Offers, also emphasized the relationship between demand and sales.

“San Antonio is a city where sellers are riding the wave of demand,” Rhodes said. “Last quarter, I personally relocated clients from high-tax states like California to San Antonio. Sellers are taking advantage of this window of opportunity and not waiting around.”

No. 5: Dallas

Dusk view of the skyline in Dallas, where the pandemic-era shift to remote work exacerbated already-high office vacancy rates. The same is true in other Texas metros.

Photo by Carol M. Highsmith/Buye/Getty Images

Harrison Polsky, director of luxury sales at Douglas Elliman in Dallas, observed how rising home values were enticing homebuyers in DFW.

Article continues below this ad

“In Dallas-Fort Worth, we’re seeing a healthy increase in homeowners putting their properties on the market, which reflects strong buyer interest and vibrant market activity,” Polsky said. “Many people are taking advantage of rising home values to move into larger homes, upgrade to newer properties, or relocate closer to family or work.”

No. 7: Austin

The Austin Skyline from the campus of the Texas School for the Deaf, Oct. 7, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Speaking of rising home values and job relocation, those are also among the factors driving turnover in Austin — according to local real estate broker Noá Levy, of The Boutique Real Estate powered by eXp Realty.

Article continues below this ad

“During the [COVID-19] pandemic, Austin experienced rapid price appreciation, and many buyers moved here quickly and for many reasons,” Levy said. “In the last couple of years, political reasons, cost of living, desire to return to their previous areas, and even job relocation have been a factor in deciding to move away from Austin and Texas in general.”

Even those who bought before the pandemic maintain big equity.

“So people feel maybe now that interest rates came down a little bit, it may be the moment to take advantage of gains from the appreciation we saw from 2020 to 2022,” Levy added.

No. 9: Houston

The downtown Houston skyline is photographed from Sabine Street Bridge Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Houston.

Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Down in Houston, the factors contributing to high turnover seemed much the same, according to HoustonHomeTools.com founder Ahmed Harhara.

Article continues below this ad

“A lot of people bought homes during competitive market conditions, and now that lifestyles or budgets have changed, they’re adjusting by relocating sooner than planned,” Harhara said. “Turnover doesn’t necessarily reflect dissatisfaction; it reflects how dynamic the market has become.”

Heather Shepherd, a real estate agent at Douglas Elliman in Houston, listed off the reasons she’s repeatedly heard from those selling: rising homeowners insurance premiums and property taxes; commute fatigue; lifestyle upgrades; and new-construction pressures.

“Some older neighborhoods feel squeezed or overshadowed, and builders are starting to buy the older homes for new construction,” Shepherd said.

Top 10 US metros with the highest turnover

The following table shows the 10 metros with the highest turnover between September 2024 and August 2025.

Article continues below this ad

Rank	Metro	Median list price	Turnover rate (per 1,000 housing units)
1	Kansas City, Mo.	$380,000	45 sales
2	San Antonio	$329,000	45 sales
3	Indianopolis	$320,000	45 sales
4	Las Vegas	$471,975	43 sales
5	Dallas	$425,000	42 sales
6	Nashville, Tenn.	$536,739	42 sales
7	Austin	$489.859	42 sales
8	Charlotte, N.C.	$438,348	42 sales
9	Houston	$358,000	40 sales
10	St. Louis	$295,900	39 sales

Source link

Austin, TX

Texas Tech lands K-State LB Austin Romaine out of transfer portal

Published

19 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Texas Tech lands K-State LB Austin Romaine out of transfer portal

The Texas Tech football team landed its first commitment out of the transfer portal on Sunday.

Kansas State transfer linebacker Austin Romaine announced his commitment on social media. A second-team all-Big 12 selection this season, Romaine joins Texas Tech with one year of eligibility plus a redshirt year available.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker has been a fixture in the middle of the Kansas State defense since his true freshman season of 2023 — when he earned five starts and was named Big 12 defensive freshman of the year, an award he shared with his new teammate Ben Roberts. He started all 12 games in 2024 and had 66 tackles, six quarterback hurries, an interception and a fumble recovery in 2025.

What Kansas State transfer Austin Romaine brings to Texas Tech football

Romaine will likely be seen as Jacob Rodriguez’s replacement as the other starting linebacker next to Roberts next season. It would also indicate John Curry will remain at the STAR (the hybrid linebacker-safety position) in which he excelled this season.

For his career, Romaine has three forced fumbles (all in 2024) and had his first career fumble recovery and interception in 2025.

Source link

Austin, TX

Top 10 Gyms In Austin TX (2026) – Fitness For Every Goal

Published

1 day ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Top 10 Gyms In Austin TX (2026) – Fitness For Every Goal

Updated: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Jump To: Full-Service | Affordable | Group

As the new year approaches, many Austinites are setting fresh fitness goals and rethinking their workout routines. Austin’s gym scene continues to evolve in 2026, offering everything from luxury athletic clubs to no-frills strength gyms and high-energy group fitness studios.

Whether you’re training for performance, looking for community, or simply trying to stay consistent, these gyms in Austin stand out for their programming, facilities, and overall value.

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Also, check out our articles on the Healthy Food Cedar Park, Healthy Food Round Rock, and Healthy Food in Austin!

Full-Service Gyms

Life Time

Image credit: Life Time Austin North

Life Time is ideal for those who want a premium, all-in-one fitness experience. Members have access to expansive workout floors, boutique-style classes, pools, recovery amenities, and family-friendly programming.

Where: 1301 S Lamar Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm | Monday – Friday 4:00 am – 11:00 pm

Gold’s Gym

Gold’s Gym remains a staple for strength training and general fitness in Austin. With multiple locations, members benefit from large free-weight areas, machines, group classes, and personal training options.

Where: 13435 N Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Hyde Park Gym

Hyde Park Gym is a longtime favorite among serious lifters in Austin. Known for its old-school atmosphere, it prioritizes heavy lifting, strength equipment, and a focused training environment.

Where: 4125 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
Operating Hours: Saturday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm | Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm | Saturday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Affordable & Budget-Friendly Gyms

Korrect Fitness

Image credit: Korrect Fitness

Korrect Fitness is a premier 10,000-square-foot training facility in South Austin that specializes in functional performance through small group conditioning, unconventional equipment like steel maces and kettlebells, and elite recovery amenities including cold plunges and saunas.

Where: 4401 Freidrich Ln, Unit 301, Austin, TX 78744
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is best for beginners or anyone looking for a low-pressure, affordable gym membership. The gym focuses on cardio equipment, circuit training, and a welcoming environment.

Where: 1807 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
Operating Hours: 24/7

Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness offers 24-hour access and smaller gym footprints, making it a convenient option for busy schedules. It’s a solid choice for members who value consistency and flexibility.

Where: 8516 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78729
Operating Hours: 24/7

FeV Iron Vault Gym

Image credit: FeV – Iron Vault Gym

Iron Vault Gym caters to powerlifters, bodybuilders, and experienced strength athletes. The gym emphasizes high-quality equipment and a no-frills approach to training.

Where: 2101 W. Ben White BLVD #105, Back of building facing Redd St, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Monday = Friday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Group Fitness & Specialty Studios

Orangetheory

Orangetheory delivers coach-led group workouts combining cardio, rowing, and strength intervals. The structured format appeals to members who want accountability and efficient, results-driven sessions.

Where: 401 W 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm | Monday – Thursday 5:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm

F45 Training

F45 focuses on fast-paced functional training in a group setting. Daily workout variations keep classes engaging, making it popular with members who enjoy high-energy, team-based fitness.

Where: 500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Sunday 9:30 am – 11:15 am | Monday – Thursday 5:30 am – 7:15 pm | Friday 5:30 am – 6:15 pm

Big Tex Gym

Image credit: Big Tex Gym

Big Tex Gym is a veteran-owned, old-school strength sanctuary in North Austin that provides 24/7 access to specialized equipment for powerlifting, bodybuilding, and strongman training within a supportive community atmosphere.

Where: 1921 Cedar Bend Dr A 130, Austin, TX 78758
Operating Hours: 24/7

Many gyms offer free trials or seasonal promotions at the start of the year, making January an ideal time to explore. And once you’ve locked in your workouts, you can also check out our weekend guide of activities and events!

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.