Austin, TX

Amid Protests of Students, Faculty, and Staff, the State Tightens Its Grip on the University of Texas at Austin

Published

2 years ago

May 3, 2024

Amid Protests of Students, Faculty, and Staff, the State Tightens Its Grip on the University of Texas at Austin

Publish Date: May 3, 2024 9:51 am
Author: Texas AFT

In April, state leaders’ attempted stranglehold over the University of Texas at Austin, Texas’s premier public university, came to a head in several ways. The month began with the university laying off dozens of employees who formerly worked in positions that dealt with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The month ended with state troopers marching on campus to disrupt anti-war protests at the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott and with the approval of UT Austin President Jay Hartzell.

In this week’s Hotline, we dive into this dark month at Texas’s flagship university.

State, City, & University Police Assail, Arrest Peaceful Anti-War Protesters

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of peaceful protestors, many of them UT students, have been arrested for protesting the war in Gaza and demanding an end to the university’s and the nation’s involvement in the conflict.

Last Wednesday, a coalition of student groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Committee, organized an event on UT’s south lawn to protest the war in Gaza. Event organizers referenced the encampments that have occupied other universities like Columbia, Yale, and Brown, but there was no evidence that this group was connected to groups on those other campuses, apart from the organizing inspiration. The schedule for UT’s event included peaceful actions: teach-ins, pizza breaks, and an art workshop.

A listed demand of the protesters was for the University of Texas to divest from companies that they view as supporting the war in Gaza. The University of Texas’ endowment, totaling $68 billion, is the largest of any public university and the fifth largest of any university system generally. Students have taken issue with the endowment’s investments in companies that manufacture weapons, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, BAE Systems, and others. Because weapons produced by these companies and used by the Israeli military have resulted in the deaths of civilians, protestors claim that the University of Texas is complicit in these tragedies and demand divestment.

However, a state law from 2017 that forbids Texas public investments from boycotting Israel seems to forbid such divestment.

Protestors at UT-Austin, who were told by the university to cancel the protest because of a “declared intent to violate our policies and rules, and disrupt our campus operations,” were met with a large police presence, declaring that the protest was unlawful as students didn’t have the proper permits to protest. Campus police officers initially seemed to be willing to negotiate with the protesters, but dialogue seemed to end when Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers arrived at the scene dressed in riot gear. State police quickly moved to break up the protests. Police arrested 57 people present at the protest, including a photographer for FOX 7 News who was covering the incident. All those arrested were released the following morning.

It was later revealed that Hartzell had invited DPS onto campus to break up the peaceful protests. Abbott, who directs DPS, supported the arrests on social media. In his comments, Abbott took issue with the content of the protests, not the manner in which they were done. In the United States, the content of protests is protected by the First Amendment.

Protestors were arrested for trespassing on university campus because they were directed to leave due to not having a permit to hold the event, but the university had previously allowed similar protests to occur in the same location and the same manner without a permit. Similar protests were held at public universities across Texas, including Texas State University and the University of Texas at Dallas, but these protests were not met with a similar police presence.

Protestors reconvened the next day but were not met with a police presence, and the protest continued peacefully as planned. On this second day, the protest was much larger than the day before. At this protest, many community leaders spoke, including Congressman Greg Casar (D-Austin), and condemned the police action. UT-Austin AAUP President Pauline Strong also spoke at the protest. She announced that UT-Austin AAUP was collecting signatures from faculty to call for a vote of no confidence in Hartzell for bringing state police to campus. Thus far, they have collected over 600 signatures.

This week, on Monday, the protests continued and were met by hundreds of law enforcement agents. After protesters refused to vacate the south lawn despite officers’ demands, officers began arresting protestors one by one and soon broke up the encampment. The protesters were assailed with pepper spray and flash bangs.

In response to the events this past Monday, the House Democratic Caucus released a letter explaining to Democratic members what transpired. Ali Zaidi, the executive director of the House Democratic Caucus, penned the letter and was present to observe the Monday protest. Zaidi explained that he and Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), who was also in observance of the protest, felt the effects of the pepper spray used on the protestors, despite being yards away. The letter declared, “It is our belief that this behavior by law enforcement created further chaos and harm to the health and well-being of students which must not go unaddressed.”

Students had planned to resume protests Wednesday but postponed the protest until this coming Sunday.

Employees and Students Fight Back Against Anti-DEI Efforts

In a previous edition of the Hotline, we explained how an estimated 60 employees at UT Austin and 20 employees at UT Dallas were either demoted or given termination notices. These affected employees, which included both faculty and staff, previously worked in positions that related to DEI initiatives but had since been reassigned to new positions to comply with Senate Bill 17, which banned DEI initiatives. These layoffs occurred despite the fact that the legislators who sponsored SB 17 publicly made assurances that employees in DEI positions would not be terminated.

Since these terminations and demotions were announced, a wide public outcry, from within the UT community and from without, has emerged, demanding that these termination orders be reversed. During the week following the dismissals, state legislators joined the Texas NAACP and Texas AAUP-AFT at a press conference at the Texas AFL-CIO headquarters denouncing the layoffs. The state legislators present were Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City), chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), whose district includes the UT Austin campus, and Rep. Sheryl Cole (D-Austin).

The 60 affected employees mostly occupied student services positions that supported students outside of their academic pursuits. In addition to the affected employees themselves, students are also victims of this move.

Students are fighting back against these layoffs. Over the intervening weeks since the layoffs were first announced student groups, such as Texas Students for DEI, which has been active at campuses across the state in opposition to the state’s attacks against DEI, and individual students began posting the hashtag #NotOurTexas on social media, as a condemnation of the layoffs. Post-It notes with the message #NotOurTexas were also left in prominent locations around UT Austin campus, including the university’s iconic fountain.

This past Monday, a coalition led by the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), in concert with Texas AAUP-AFT and the Texas AFL-CIO, rallied on UT Austin’s campus to demand that the university’s actions be reversed. Austin City Council members Vanessa Fuentes and Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, whose district includes UT’s campus, as well as Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and UT Austin AAUP executive board member Karma Chavez, spoke at the rally in support of the affected employees. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and community members joined the rally.

The next chapter in this saga is uncertain. Many of the affected employees are scheduled to be officially terminated after their mandatory 60-day termination notice expires. Senate Education Committee Chairman Brandon Creighton’s letter to Texas public universities, which kicked off these layoffs, demanded UT Austin send representatives to a committee hearing to detail compliance with Senate Bill 17 in May, but the date of the hearing has not been set. Additionally, the Senate was tasked in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s interim charges with studying the implementation of SB 17. This interim hearing will also likely take place over the summer.

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Austin, TX

Detectives Investigating Homicide on Tuscany Way in East Austin

Published

7 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Detectives Investigating Homicide on Tuscany Way in East Austin

The Austin Police Department is investigating a Thursday evening shooting at the Penske Rental Truck facility in East Austin that resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man.

The department revealed details about the incident in a Friday press release. At around 5:42 p.m., Austin police officers responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call at the Penske Rental Truck facility located at 8201 Tuscany Way.

The caller reported that a man had been shot. When officers arrived, they encountered two individuals next to a man on the ground suffering from visible gunshot wounds. The injured person was later identified as 39-year-old William Rogers.

APD officers provided Rogers with medical assistance until Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene to transport him to a local hospital, where he died.

Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists responded to the scene and learned that Rogers and another man, 28-year-old Javarus Crumpton, knew each other and both worked as movers.

The two men and the third man arrived at the facility to rent a Penske moving truck. After an argument arose regarding the rental deposit cost, Crumpton allegedly shot Rogers. Crumpton and the third person remained on the scene and are cooperating with the investigation.

No arrests have been made in the case, which is being investigated as Austin’s 17th homicide of 2026. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office was notified about the incident.

Residents with information about the case can contact APD at 512-974-TIPS. Submit anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting its website or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

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Austin, TX

Bluebonnets Austin: 25 Best Places To See Blooms In 2026

Published

19 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Bluebonnets Austin

Jump To: Central Austin | North Austin | South Austin | East Austin | West Austin

Each spring, spotting the vibrant bluebonnets Austin has in bloom is a quintessential Texas experience. From the historic bluffs of Pease Park to the curated displays at Zilker Botanical Garden, the city offers diverse ways to enjoy these iconic flowers.

Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. However, all details are subject to change. Please verify information before heading out.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We only recommend experiences we truly believe in! Curious about how we choose our content? Here’s our process.

Remember to check out our complete guide to Easter Egg Hunt Austin, Best Summer Camps in Austin, Restaurants with Playgrounds in Austin, Things To Do with Teens in Austin, Spring Break 2026 Camps in Austin!

Bluebonnets Central Austin

University of Texas at Austin

Image credit: The University of Texas at Austin

Discover a hidden gem: stunning bluebonnet displays right on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Explore historic buildings and gardens while enjoying these iconic Texas blooms.

Where: 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Pease District Park

Pease Park embodies the essence of Austin, with limestone bluffs, shaded trails, and rich history. Discover bluebonnets amidst this 84-acre oasis, restored and maintained by the Conservancy for everyone to enjoy.

Where: 1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703
Operating Hours: Daily 6:00 am- 10:00 pm

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Explore the Barton Creek Greenbelt: hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and vibrant bluebonnet displays! Discover multiple entry points along the creek and portions of the Violet Crown Trail within this Austin gem.

Where: 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Texas State Capitol

Explore Texas history and stunning bluebonnet displays at the iconic Texas State Capitol. This granite landmark, a National Historic Landmark, offers tours, exhibits, and a beautiful setting for wildflower viewing.

Where: 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Thursday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Laguna Gloria

Experience art and nature in harmony at Laguna Gloria. Explore contemporary sculptures and installations, and enjoy the beauty of bluebonnets in this tranquil oasis, a world away from the city.

Where: 3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

North Austin Bluebonnets

Brushy Creek Lake Park

Brushy Creek Lake Park offers a diverse outdoor experience: a scenic lake, extensive trails, playgrounds, and beautiful bluebonnet fields. Enjoy nature’s beauty and family fun in one location.

Where: 3300 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Operating Hours: Daily 5:30 am – 10:00 pm

Bull Creek District Park

Bull Creek District Park offers a blend of adventure and natural beauty. Hike scenic trails, mountain bike, play volleyball, swim in refreshing water holes, and discover vibrant bluebonnet displays in this popular Austin park.

Where: 6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park offers a wealth of outdoor activities: hiking, swimming, biking, sports, and off-leash dog areas. And don’t forget the beautiful bluebonnet displays!

Where: 12138 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Balcones District Park

Image credit: Balcones District Park

Balcones District Park offers family fun with a pool, playgrounds, and sports facilities, plus delightful bluebonnet sightings!

Where: 12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am- 10:00 pm

Great Hills Neighborhood Park

Tucked away in northwest Austin, Great Hills Neighborhood Park offers a beautiful hill country escape. Explore 80+ acres of natural beauty, hiking trails, and delightful bluebonnet displays, along with playgrounds and picnic areas.

Where: 10700 Floral Park Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Champion Park

Champion Park offers open space, dinosaur bone castings, and gorgeous bluebonnet displays! Enjoy playgrounds, fitness areas, picnic tables, and climbing boulders in a beautiful setting.

Where: 3830 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park

Discover a pleasant park at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park. Enjoy a pool, basketball court, and picnic areas, along with nice bluebonnet sightings.

Where: 7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am- 10:00 pm

Mayfield Park

Mayfield Park: an oasis of historic gardens, peacocks, and bluebonnets. Escape the city and discover towering palms, lush greenery, and vibrant wildflowers, all within a tranquil rock-walled sanctuary.

Where: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Bluebonnet Austin – South

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

For the ultimate bluebonnet experience, head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Conveniently located near Austin, this center offers labeled displays, abundant photo opportunities, and a comprehensive introduction to Texas wildflowers.

Where: 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park

Discover a park with something for everyone at Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park. Enjoy trails, sports, fishing, disc golf, and lovely bluebonnet sightings.

Where: 907 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

St. Edward’s University

Image credit: St. Edward’s University

Explore St. Edward’s University, a campus with inviting walking trails and lovely bluebonnet sightings. Enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

Where: 3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

James A. Garrison District Park

Relax and play at James A. Garrison District Park. Enjoy the pool, playgrounds, and sports facilities, all while spotting beautiful bluebonnets.

Where: 6001 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Operating Hours: Daily 8:00 am- 9:00 pm

McKinney Falls State Park

Experience the beauty of McKinney Falls State Park. Hike trails, swim in creek pools, explore historic sites, and find stunning bluebonnet fields, all within Austin’s city limits.

Where: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
Operating Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

Zilker Botanical Garden

Interconnected themed gardens, including the Japanese Garden and Prehistoric Garden, are linked by accessible paths at Zilker Botanical Garden. Don’t miss the stunning bluebonnet displays in spring.

Where: 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

East Austin Bluebonnets

Mueller Lake Park

Image credit: Mueller Austin

With ample parkland, all residents in the Mueller neighborhood live within 600 feet of green space. Open to the public, this park hosts community events and is a prime spot for Austin’s bluebonnet season.

Where: 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Roy G. Guerrero Colarado River Metro Park

Enjoy strolls along well-maintained trails, relax in picturesque picnic areas, and take advantage of the park’s convenient river access. Notably, the park is also renowned for its beautiful displays of bluebonnets during their blooming season.

Where: 400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Rosewood Neighborhood Park

Rosewood Neighborhood Park offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, basketball court, and picnic areas. During bluebonnet season, visitors can also enjoy scattered displays of the iconic Texas wildflowers.

Where: 2300 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 9:00 pm

Boggy Creek Greenbelt

Explore the Boggy Creek Greenbelt, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy hiking along its trails, discover the tranquil beauty of the creek, and admire the springtime bloom of bluebonnets.

Where: 1114 Nile St, Austin, TX 78702
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Bluebonnets in West Austin

West Basin Wilderness Preserve

A partnership between Travis County and St. Edward’s University safeguards 227 acres of stunning Hill Country terrain at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, a key component of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Explore 2.5 miles of trails, engage with the Wild Basin Creative Research Center, and experience the seasonal spectacle of blooming bluebonnets!

Where: 805 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 5:30 pm | Saturday – Sunday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

The park’s hiking trails wind through three distinct areas—prairie, canyon, and chaparral—providing varied scenery. In springtime, the park comes alive with a colorful array of wildflowers, most notably the iconic Texas bluebonnets.

Where: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Emma Long Metropolitan Park provides open spaces, campsites, boat ramps, reservable picnic areas, and a beach entry swimming area. Bluebonnets also grow within the park during their blooming season.

Where: 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Looking for more? See the upcoming Weekend Events in Austin.

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.

Austin, TX

Final Public Input Meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update Next Week

Published

1 day ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Final Public Input Meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update Next Week

The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition is hosting a last round of public input meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is updated every 10 years.

The City of Austin released a press release about the final two meetings on Thursday. According to the release, the meetings are intended to provide an overview of the project, hear from subject matter experts, and capture public comments for incorporation into the plan.

Meeting Schedule

April 8, 6-8 p.m.; Del Valle Early College High School Cafeteria, 4715 Ross Rd.

April 9, 6-8 p.m.; St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church; 5600 RR 620 N.

The coalition asks that residents RSVP to the meetings online and take this public survey to provide information to the coalition as it updates the plan. Anyone may take the survey, but the coalition asks individuals who plan to attend one of the sessions to fill it out beforehand.

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan identifies areas of wildfire risk, prioritizes investments for mitigation funding, and provides recommendations for hazardous fuels reduction and homeowner risk reduction practices.

Additionally, the plan offers policymakers guidance on wildfire response capabilities and evacuation planning frameworks. The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition updates the plan every decade to ensure it reflects current risk conditions, data, and community priorities.

Members of the coalition include the City of Austin, Austin 3-1-1, Austin Water, Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Austin Energy, the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division, and more.

Learn more about the coalition at its website here. And stay updated on the CWPP process as it unfolds here.

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