Austin, TX

Experts warn ERCOT pause in maintenance could mean more breakdowns during summer

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

Experts warn ERCOT pause in maintenance could mean more breakdowns during summer

AUSTIN, Texas — The state’s energy operator, ERCOT, is asking some power plants to pause scheduled maintenance this week because of rising temperatures that are expected to increase demand for power. With higher temperatures this spring, experts say changes are needed to the grid to handle future extreme weather event.

ERCOT expects a spike in temperatures Tuesday night, bringing the energy demand close to the supply. ERCOT did not ask Texans to conserve electricity. Instead, some plants are asked to stop planned maintenance and instead supply energy.

“This is not uncommon for ERCOT to call for a halt to maintenance activities but when they do this defers the maintenance on these power plants and we see more breakdowns during the summer,” said Ed Hirs, a University of Houston Energy Fellow.

With hundreds of people moving to the state every day, some energy leaders want to see a shift from fixing the grid to investing in the future of it.

“Our companies continually invest in the infrastructure of the grid both in the transmission distribution space but also in the generation space. We just need more electrons on the grid to serve the people of Texas and the industries of Texas,” said Mike Bell, president of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas.

Last fall voters approved the Texas Energy fund, and $5 billion was allocated from the state budget surplus to repair existing power plants and toward low-interest loans to develop new power plants.

“If I were a big generation company with a bunch of units, I would not really be wanting to add or bring back three or four power plants because I would know that by doing so, I would only keep the price down,” said Hirs. “I would much rather see a squeeze and see the price go up like it’s forecast to do for this afternoon. And well make a significant profit at the expense of normal Texas.”

Advocates for solar power want to see lawmakers invest in other energy sources to decrease the dependability on the grid.

“Most solar homeowners use their own solar. They don’t use the grid while the sun is shining and so that is an automatic reduction in demand,” said Pete Parsons with the Texas Solar Energy Society.

ERCOT expects the power emergency to end Wednesday, but experts predict as temperatures rise this summer so will people’s energy bills.

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Austin, TX

Hugo Lloris sets mark with 5th straight shutout as LAFC draws Austin

Published

10 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Hugo Lloris sets mark with 5th straight shutout as LAFC draws Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — Hugo Lloris finished with two saves for Los Angeles FC in a record fifth straight shutout to begin a season, and Brad Stuver stopped the only shot he faced for Austin FC in a scoreless draw on Saturday night.

Lloris and LAFC (4-0-1) began the season with four shutout victories, just one of four teams in league history to accomplish the feat. His scoreless stretch of 450 minutes is the longest in league history to begin a season.

Lloris nearly surrendered his first goal of the season in the 63rd minute, but a Myrto Uzuni netter off a corner kick by Facundo Torres was disallowed after Ilie Sánchez was charged with a foul following a video review — and that led to a yellow card on Uzuni.

Neither keeper faced a shot on goal in a scoreless first half.

Austin (1-2-2) swept LAFC last year during the regular season but couldn’t get past the Western Conference stalwarts in the playoffs. Both of the club’s losses this season have come on the road.

LAFC eliminated Alajuelense on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The club is 7-0-2 so far through all competitions.

LAFC began the day tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps for first place in the hotly-contested West.

LAFC: Hosts Orlando City on April 4.

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Austin, TX

Austin soul food staple Hoover’s Cooking to close after nearly 30 years

Published

23 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Austin soul food staple Hoover’s Cooking to close after nearly 30 years

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s east side culinary legend Hoover Alexander is retiring after 50 years, closing all services at his iconic restaurant Hoover’s Cooking on May 31.

While the Manor Road soul food spot is ending its sit down dining service, it will still book private events through the summer.

The restaurant blends Alexander’s culinary expertise in southern, Tex-Mex, cajun food and barbecue. The fifth-generation Texan and native Austinite first opened Hoover’s Cooking in 1998. His passion for farm-to-table cooking later led him to open a food trailer focused on fresh food and promoting urban gardens and balanced eating.

Hoover’s is hosting a Juneteenth week bash on June 15 to celebrate Alexander’s legacy.

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Austin, TX

Oregon vs. Texas game time set for 2026 NCAA Tournament second round

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Oregon vs. Texas game time set for 2026 NCAA Tournament second round

Oregon will play host Texas at 5 p.m. PT, March 22 in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

The game will be televised live on ESPN.

The No. 8 seed Ducks (23-11) are coming off a 70-60 win against No. 9 Virginia Tech in a first-round game Friday morning. The No. 1 Longhorns (32-3) demolished No. 16 Missouri State, 87-45, in their first-round game Friday.

Watch Oregon vs. Texas on FUBO

When is Oregon vs. Texas in Women’s March Madness?

The No. 8 Ducks and No. 1 Longhorns will play at 5 p.m. PT Sunday at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16 and a game March 28 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Oregon vs. Texas predictions

The Ducks were sharp in their win against the Hokies, with Katie Fiso leading the way as the point guard had 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Mia Jacobs had 13 points and Ehis Etute had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Beating the Longhorns will be a significantly more challenging task. Texas is 19-0 at home this season and has wins against No. 1 seeds South Carolina and UCLA.

All-American junior forward Madison Booker leads the Longhorns in scoring (18.9) and rebounding (6.5). She had had 14 points and 12 rebounds in Friday’s win against Missouri State.

Where to watch Oregon vs. Texas

The game between the Ducks and Longhorns will be televised live on ESPN.

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com.

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