Austin, TX
George Strait Announces Back To Back Shows At The Moody Center In Austin, Texas | Whiskey Riff
Another round of shows for the King.
After another successful year in 2025 for the living legend that included a limited run of stadium shows with Chris Stapleton and being honored by President Trump at the Kennedy Center back in December, George Strait is showing no signs of slowing down heading into 2026.
If you recall, back in October, he announced a one-night only show in Death Valley, home of the Clemson Tigers in Clemson, South Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. Here, he’d call upon none other than fellow Texan troubadour, Cody Johnson, along with the stellar Wyatt Flores.
In November, he’d up the ante, announcing not one but two separate shows at Texas Tech’s Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th. Similarly to the Clemson show, he’d be calling on a mix of young star power with Miranda Lambert and hot up-and-comer, Hudson Westbrook, opening night one and reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, Zach Top, as well as the severely underrated Dylan Gossett setting the stage for night two.
As time passed, it became a bit unclear if the “Amarillo By Morning” singer was going to make those shows his only dates for 2026. That, however, changed today.
Just announced, Strait announced back-to-back nights at the iconic Moody Center in Austin, Texas, with the underrated traditionalist, William Beckmann, on April 9th and 11th.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Beckmann, he recently had a new song with the red-hot Carter Faith, “Lay Your Heartbreak Onto Mine,” featured on season two of Taylor Sheridan’s hit show, Landman. Additionally, he’s scored some hits on streaming such as “Bourbon Whiskey,” “Tennessee Drinkin’,” “Danced All Night Long” and a country-fried cover of Bruce Springsteen’s classic, “I’m On Fire.” Though names like Zach Top, Jake Worthington and Drake Milligan typical dominate lists of young traditional country acts, Beckmann undoubtedly deserves more recognition for his unique, classic sound.
In the Instagram comment section of the announcement post, Beckmann would call the opening spot a dream come true.
“I can’t wait sir! This is literally such a dream come true. Thank you.”
Presale for the back-to-back shows begin TODAY at 10 a.m. CT with signups being available right now. General sale, on the other hand, will begin this Friday, January 30th, at 10 a.m. CT.
As previously mentioned, given the fact that Strait has yet to announce a full set of dates for 2026, these shows very well may be his only shows for 2026. If you recall, back in 2012, he announced that he was retiring from full-length tours. Obviously, that hasn’t stopped him from still going on limited runs over the past 14 years. With that being said, however, at 73 years old, it’s becoming clear that he’s been slowly taking a step back from touring throughout the year. With less and less shows being scheduled per year for the King, I would not hesitate on tickets if you’re in the Austin area.
Before you go, fire up “Troubadour” for ‘ol time’s sake.
George Strait 2026 Tour Dates
April 9 – Austin, Texas – Moody Center with William Beckmann
April 11 – Austin, Texas – Moody Center with William Beckmann
April 24 – Lubbock, Texas – Jones AT&T Stadium with Miranda Lambert & Hudson Westbrook
April 25 – Lubbock, Texas – Jones AT&T Stadium with Zach Top & Dylan Gossett
May 2 – Clemson, South Carolina – Clemson Stadium with Cody Johnson & Wyatt Flores
Austin, TX
Camp Mystic warned of safety plan problems as it seeks to reopen this summer after deadly 2025 flood
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas state regulators found nearly two dozen deficiencies in the emergency operations plan submitted in Camp Mystic’s bid to reopen less than a year after 27 children and counselors were killed in a devastating flood.
Camp Mystic’s owners have applied for a license to reopen the all-girls Christian camp in late May in part of the campus that did not flood. That has angered families of the girls killed, some of whom have filed lawsuits against the camp, and prompted several prominent state officials to call for the license to be denied or delayed pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The 11-page letter from the Department of State Health Services notes deficiencies that include problems with flood warning evacuation plans, use of an emergency warning and public address system, monitoring safety alerts and training campers on safety.
It was sent to the camp about a week after a three-day court hearing in the family lawsuits when several camp operators and staff acknowledged they missed official flood warnings, lacked a detailed evacuation plan and waited too long to try to get the children out. One of the camp’s owners, Richard Eastland, also died.
The letter notes that Camp Mystic is allowed to revise the emergency plan. Camp Mystic officials said they would work with the agency to address the problems cited.
“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our campers, and we hope to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic to provide a Christian camping experience for girls that allows them to grow physically, mentally and spiritually,” the camp said.
The camp’s emergency plan was submitted as part of strict new guidelines imposed by state lawmakers after the deadly flood.
DSHS spokesperson Lara Anton said many camps have received deficiency notices ahead of summer opening.
“This is part of the licensing application review process, and most youth camps have received a notice of deficiency letter for their emergency plan due to the statutory changes and increased emergency plan requirements,” Anton said.
Texas lawmakers have scheduled two days of hearings next week on what happened during the flood that ripped through the Guadalupe River and killed more than 130 people in all. Several lawmakers and the Texas Rangers, the state police elite investigations unit, visited the camp site this week.
Austin, TX
Austin ISD is under state investigation for celebrating Pride Week
The Texas Education Agency launched an investigation into the Austin Independent School District for celebrating its annual Pride Week.
A TEA spokesperson confirmed with KUT News the state has opened an investigation, but declined to comment since “the matter remains ongoing.”
The investigation comes after conservative State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, from the Fort Worth area, raised concerns in March about AISD breaking the law and working to “indoctrinate” students by celebrating Pride Week.
“It’s time to defund AISD and criminally investigate Superintendent Matias Segura,” Hall said in a social media post.
During an interview with the conservative nonprofit Texas Values, Hall said taxpayers in his district were concerned about state funding going into a district where “instead of focusing on education they are focusing on gender identity and celebrating pride and things like that.”
“[If] we don’t stop it in Austin ISD, we are going to see more of this across the state,” Hall said. “We need to make a statement and set an example. We will not put up with you breaking the law.”
Hall stated that AISD was not complying with Senate Bill 12. The law passed in 2025 and prohibits “diversity, equity and inclusion duties,” including activities that reference gender or sexual orientation, at K-12 public schools. The law also bans the creation of clubs based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
AISD held Pride Week from March 23 to 27 with the theme “beYOUtiful.” Students’ participation was voluntary, and activities took place outside instructional time, including before or after school or during lunch.
Activities included displaying photos of students’ families, wearing wacky socks and sitting with different people during lunch. On the last day each grade level wore a different color to school.
In their guidelines, district officials said AISD celebrated Pride Week during March to “show support” for the diverse students, staff and families. Officials also acknowledged that in past years the district had provided a suggested curriculum and had distributed swag to schools, but that this year it would look different due to “an ever changing environment.”
It is unclear what penalties the district could face. SB 12 states that any employee who engages in or assigns to another person diversity, equity and inclusion duties must be terminated.
This is not the first time AISD has come under scrutiny in recent months. In March, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton notified the district about a complaint regarding a violation of Senate Bill 8, also known as the “bathroom bill.”
In February, Paxton launched an investigation into AISD after students participated in a national walkout. The results of that investigation remain unknown.
KUT News has reached out to AISD for comment but has not heard back.
Austin, TX
Athletes Race at USA Triathlon Cross National Championships in Austin, Texas
2026 USA Triathlon Cross National Championships Full Results
Austin, Texas | April 18
Off Road/Cross Triathlon National Championship
1500m swim, 29k mountain bike, 10k run
Complete Results
Overall Male Andy Lee, 2:25:17
Overall Female Jennifer Schmidt, 3:08:37
M17-19 Michael Balbin, 3:07:57
M20-24 Ryan Chaudoin 2:39:03
M25-29 Adam Holomoucky, 2:46:30
M30-34 Chase Krivo, 2:41:52
M35-39 Andrzej Stadnik, 2:26:34
F35-39 Kate Hector, 3:44:19
M40-44 Kyle Grieser, 2:30:58
F40-44 Jessica Thiel, 3:31:57
M45-49 Trent Niemeyer, 2:36:28
F45-49 Jennifer Schmidt, 3:08:37
M50-54 Andy Lee, 2:25:17
F50-54 Erin Trail, 4:03:32
M55-59 Stephen Judice, 2:39:58
F55-59 Jeanne Hoffman, 3:25:37
M60-64 Mike Carter, 2:58:35
F60-64 Janet Soule, 3:13:05
M65-69 Cliff Millemann, 3:04:24
F65-69 Maureen Sanderson, 5:01:15
M70-74 Ken Gibson, 3:13:21
M75-79 Alan Moore, 3:50:08
Off Road/Cross Duathlon National Championship
5k run, 29k mountain bike, 10k run
Complete Results
Overall Male Jacob Hull, 2:19:49
Overall Female Tiffany Schwartz, 2:55:45
M30-34 Kyle Dow, 2:27:13
M35-39 Jacob Hull, 2:19:49
F35-39 Tiffany Schwartz, 2:55:45
M40-44 Derek Armer-Derner, 2:51:48
M50-54 Jay Moncel, 3:27:42
F50-54 Heather Anderson, 4:38:10
M55-59 CJ Stafford, 4:57:04
F55-59 Yun Saksena, 4:09:05
M60-64 Robb Reece, 3:24:41
M65-69 Brent Peacock, 2:50:00
M70-74 Mark Lindsey, 4:18:47
Off Road/Cross Triathlon Sprint National Championship
750m swim, 12k mountain bike, 5k run
Complete Results
Overall Male Tavish Quinn, 1:16:29
Overall Female Michelle Lingenfelser, 1:52:31
M14- C. Lockett, 1:35:47
M15-19 Tavish Quinn, 1:16:29
M35-39 Michael Schleckser, 1:50:47
M40-44 Justin Young, 1:45:18
F40-44 Laura Marinaro, 1:59:40
M45-49 Daniel Rossi, 1:24:42
F45-49 Nicole Morgan, 1:54:49
M50-54 Angel Martinez Ineriano, 1:31:35
F50-54 Michelle Lingenfelser, 1:52:31
M55-59 Stephen Schwarze, 1:25:14
M60-64 Curtis Miller, 1:40:54
F60-64 Nancy Hopf, 2:07:36
M65-69 Mark Drangsholt, 1:46:218
F65-69 Gunilla Gard, 2:10:15
M70-74 Steve Cole, 1:36:54
F70-74 Susan Griffin-Kaklikian, 1:57:23
Off Road/Cross Duathlon Sprint National Championship
2.5k run, 12k mountain bike, 5k run
Complete Results
Overall Male Saxby Stradinger 1:09:25
Overall Female Monica Doval, 1:38:49
Overall Clydesdale Trevor Horton, 2:23:56
Clydesdale 0-39 Trevor Horton, 2:23:56
Clydesdale 40-59 Bramer Owens, 1:47:40
M15-19 Callen Quinn, 1:34:58
M30-34 Brian Scheel, 1:43:43
M35-39 Saxby Stradinger 1:09:25
M40-44 Bryce Fluker, 1:11:52
F40-44 Morgan Aldridge, 1:39:23
M45-49 Michael Szermer, 1:34:03
F45-49 Monica Doval, 1:38:49
F50-54 Anonymous, 2:04:11
M55-59 Travis Wales, 1:19:48
F55-59 Lupe Nelson, 2:08:03
M60-64 Steve Smith, 1:14:18
F60-64 Kim Wagner, 2:23:41
M65-69 Joseph Swartz, 1:46:33
F65-69 Christine Knight, 1:57:14
M80-84 Bill Arnerich, 3:30:30
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