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

Bluebonnets Austin: 25 Best Places To See Blooms In 2026

Published

47 minutes 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

13 hours 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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Austin, TX

Tommy’s Travel Forecast: A wet Easter weekend

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Tommy’s Travel Forecast: A wet Easter weekend

AUSTIN (KXAN) — You know the saying: ‘April showers bring May flowers’. A wetter-than-normal pattern is likely in Texas through early April, hopefully making a dent in our extreme drought, and lowering pollen totals!

It’s not just the Lone Star State; several storm systems will bring mountain snow, heavy rain, and the potential for severe weather across the country into the upcoming weekend, Saturday, April 4 through 5.

Severe Weather

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the Southern Plains, Great Plains, and Midwest for potential severe weather on Friday. There is a level 3/5 (Enhanced) risk for cities such as St. Joseph, Ottumwa, Kirksville, Moberly, and Indianola.

Severe Risk: Friday (Level 3/5 Enhanced)

There is a growing concern for large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado in the highlighted area.

There is a level 2/5 (Slight) risk for cities such as Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Des Moines, and Overland Park on Friday.

Texas Travel

Traveling in Texas this weekend for Easter Sunday? Bring an umbrella and a rain jacket! Scattered thunderstorms, including a few strong-to-severe storms, are possible.

A strong cold front arrives on Saturday afternoon, bringing widespread rain chances. There is a level 1/5 (Marginal) risk for cities such as Houston, Shreveport, Jackson, Cleveland, and Buffalo.

High temperatures on Sunday will be cooler than normal. In Austin, we’ll likely remain in the 60s.

Wet Pattern

The Climate Prediction Center has high confidence in a wetter-than-normal pattern continuing through mid-April.

Climate Prediction Center: Wetter-than-normal

A few cold shots of late winter air will cool down parts of the Midwest and Northeast in the next week, with some late-season snow possible. Most of the country is trending warmer-than-normal.

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