Austin, TX
Hurricane Beryl is gone, but political storms remain: This Week in Texas Politics
Political storms remain after Hurricane Beryl
A lot of political headlines this week in Texas were overshadowed by Hurricane Beryl and the power crisis in Houston the storm left behind. But that’s not to say some political storms didn’t spin up. FOX 7 Austin’s Chief Political Reporter Rudy Koski and our panel of analyst take a look at This Week in Texas Politics.
AUSTIN, Texas – A lot of political headlines this week in Texas were overshadowed by Hurricane Beryl and the power crisis in Houston the storm left behind. But that’s not to say some political storms didn’t spin up.
FOX 7 Austin’s Chief Political Reporter Rudy Koski and our panel of analyst take a look at This Week in Texas Politics.
RUDY KOSKI: This week in Texas politics, we saw a hurricane get political, and a state House committee chairman accused the Attorney General of blowing hot air. Let’s get the headlines from our panel, and we’ll start first with Brian Smith from Saint Edward’s University. Brian, what’s your headline for the week.
BRIAN SMITH: After serving as acting governor? Does Dan Patrick want the job full time?
RUDY KOSKI: Brad Johnson with the Texan News. What’s your headline for the week?
BRAD JOHNSON: Literal and political hurricanes hit Texas.
RUDY KOSKI: And political analyst Mark Wiggins. Your headline?
MARK WIGGINS: Is the dam breaking on Biden’s candidacy?
Texas: The Issue Is: Student cell phone bans
Texas State Rep. Ellen Troxclair and the FOX Texas Trio discuss the issue of some school districts banning student cell phone use during the school day.
RUDY KOSKI: Attorney General Ken Paxton this week claimed that his enemies at the state House are planning an impeachment redo. But the chairman of the House General Investigation Committee, Andrew Murr, called Paxton’s claim a “farfetched fantasy,” and the hearing next week is on an unrelated matter. Brad, you were monitoring this situation. What’s your take?
BRAD JOHNSON: It’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. There’s absolutely nothing of the belief that it’s about Paxton. The committee announced it was going to meet earlier this month. Set for next week. There are a few, standing tasks in front of the committee, and it’s going to be one of those things that they address. But this is a political move by Paxton. You know, it comes alongside the federal probe, going on with the grand jury right now. But it’s a good move. Political move on his part. You know, either he gets to say we caught you guys, and you, you called an audible, or we caught you guys, and you still went forward with it.
RUDY KOSKI: There was a lot of huffing and puffing over a bill that was filed by Texas Congressman Chip Roy that says non-citizens cannot vote in federal elections. Now, that already is the law. But it gets a little fuzzy when it comes down to registering to vote. The bill is targeted for a presidential veto, but there’s a lot of Democrats now on the record against this idea. So, Brian, did the GOP just score win regardless of what happens to that bill?
BRIAN SMITH: Well, we know Immigration’s going to be a huge issue. The Democrats now, 198 Democrats, I think, are on the record saying they voted against it. But legitimately, we’re right back where we started.
RUDY KOSKI: Dallas congress woman Jasmine Crockett joined the effort by squad leader AOC to impeach conservative Supreme Court Judges Thomas and Alito. You know, a snowball forming in Houston right now seems to have a better chance than that effort. So what’s the benefit, Mark by, you know, being the first Texas Democrat to join on this effort?
MARK WIGGINS: Yeah. You’re right. I mean, it is going nowhere. But they’re wanting to highlight the very real and very gross ethical compromises that have plagued the court. I mean, Justices receiving millions of dollars and gifts, yachts from people with business before the court. And to this day, the court has done nothing to police itself.
Hurricane Beryl: Houston storm recovery
As state officials accused President Biden of trying to turn the crisis into a political issue, the top executives from several power providers were in Austin for a special storm response hearing before the Public Utility Commission.
RUDY KOSKI: A new political poll has come out by the University of Houston. The Trump campaign still has a nine point lead on Team Biden. There’s no bump by the trials. There’s no bump from the big debate that took place. And no bump for RFK Jr, who was hoping to get at least a blip out of this. So, Brad, are you surprised by that? Or are you more surprised that, you know, Collin Allred has kind of has closed the gap on Ted Cruz?
BRAD JOHNSON: But I think the biggest takeaway here is already undecided. Numbers are pretty high and remain pretty high. So that’s ground to gain for him, but also ground to lose.
BRIAN SMITH: From this poll his best takeaway is this, he has the highest favorables of any candidate. Meaning when you look at the difference between people who hate you, people who love you, he’s actually at a positive. We’re most of our candidates here in Texas are negative.
MARK WIGGINS: You know, I think what we’re looking at is most Texans still don’t know who Colin Allred is. I’d suggest that the poll results here are more reflective of where Texans are on Ted Cruz.
Hurricane Beryl aftermath
Pressure is mounting on Houston’s power utility as millions still don’t have electricity nearly four days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall
RUDY KOSKI: Hurricane Beryl got political earlier in the week. President Biden claimed that, federal aid was slow to get to Texas because he wasn’t able to reach Governor Greg Abbott or other state leaders. After the storm hit. Abbott and Lieutenant Governor and Chief Nim Kidd storming back, calling the president a liar. Brian, you know, there’s a lot of pushback into all this, and it all comes at a time in regards to the president’s mental capacity. So does it all play into that.
BRIAN SMITH: Right now, for Biden, the bar is so high. Any semblance of what I’m doing right now, any small mistake flub, miscue is going to raise questions about his capability for office.
MARK WIGGINS: But we’ve seen it in past disasters. Politicians aren’t afraid to make federal aid political when the White House and the governor are from different parties. And, you know, I just think that’s an unfortunate commentary on the state of our politics.
BRAD JOHNSON: And one thing, it was kind of an on goal because it took a little bit of heat off Abbott for not being here in the States when this disaster struck.
Gov. Abbott speaks on Biden’s claim
A “bizarre unforced error” is how Governor Greg Abbott described President Biden’s claim that federal hurricane aid to Texas was delayed because state leaders were unavailable to take his call.
RUDY KOSKI: All right. Let’s wrap it up with one word, and we’ll start off with Mark. Mark, what’s your word for the week?
MARK WIGGINS: Decision.
BRAD JOHNSON: Outages.
BRIAN SMITH: CenterPoint.
RUDY KOSKI: And that is This Week in Texas Politics.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Softball, the nation’s No. 2 seed at the 2026 NCAA Tournament, opens the Austin Regional vs. NEC Tournament Champion Wagner at 3 p.m. CT Friday, May 15, at McCombs Field. The game will stream on ESPN+ with Cat Osterman (analyst) and Alex Loeb (play-by-play) on the call. Fans can also tune into Andrew Haynes on Texas’ radio broadcast on https://texas.leanplayer.com/ or the iHeart Radio app.
Notes
- Wagner, Baylor and Wisconsin are joining Texas at the Austin Regional. Prior to Texas’ game vs. Wagner on Friday, Baylor (28-26) and Wisconsin (32-19) will clash at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The winner of the Austin Regional will advance to play the winner of the College Station Regional.
- Texas is making its 26th NCAA Tournament appearance, including its 21st-consecutive tournament. The Longhorns are 57-30 all-time during NCAA regionals.
- Texas has made the NCAA Tournament in every year under head coach Mike White. Under White, Texas has clinched six top-13 national seeds at the tournament.
- It marks the fourth-straight year in which Texas has earned a national seed (1 through 16). Texas’ four-consecutive national seeds ties for the longest streak in program history. It last happened from 2010 to 2013. Additionally, Texas has collected three-consecutive top-six national seeds.
- Texas’ No. 2 national seed is the second-highest national seed in program history, behind the 2024 team’s No. 1 overall seed. Last season, Texas was selected as the No. 6 overall seed and went on to win the program’s first Women’s College World Series with a 10-2 postseason run.
- Texas won the program’s first SEC Tournament title and fifth overall conference tournament crown on May 9.
- Junior first baseman Katie Stewart became the program’s first SEC Player of the Year after earning the award on May 8. Stewart is the fourth Longhorn to garner conference player of the year, joining Reese Atwood (2024), Taylor Thom (2014) and Amy Hooks (2011).
- Freshman RHP/DP Hannah Wells tied the program’s freshman home run record of 13, which was set by Katie Stewart in 2024.
- Against Oklahoma on April 10, junior RHP Teagan Kavan became the sixth player in program history to eclipse 500 career strikeouts. Kavan, who currently has 572 career strikeouts, joins Cat Osterman (2,265), Blaire Luna (1,428), Meagan Denny (988), Christa Williams (678) and Tiarra Davis (508) as the only players in program history to reach 500 career Ks. Kavan’s 572 career strikeouts rank fifth in program history.
All Eyes on the Longhorns
- Texas’ SEC Tournament Championship game vs. Alabama on May 9 was the most-watched college softball game this season, bringing in 847,000 viewers.
- Texas also had the top two most-watched regular season game this season vs. Georgia on April 19 with 725,000 viewers watching. The second-most watched college softball game this year was between the Longhorns and Oklahoma on April 11 when 700,000 tuned in.
- Three of Texas’ games were in the top 5 of college softball’s most viewed games during the regular season.
- Texas vs. Oklahoma on April 12 brought in 581,000 viewers, making it the third-most watched college softball game of the regular season.
Series History
- Texas and Wagner will be playing each other for the first time in history on Friday.
- Both Texas and Wagner received automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament after winning their conference tournament titles.
- Former Big 12 conference foes, Texas and Baylor have played 70 times with Texas leading the all-time series, 44-26.
- The Longhorns have won seven-straight games vs. the Bears.
- Texas and Wisconsin have played each other 11 times with Texas leading the all-time series, 8-3. The Horns and Badgers last played each other in 2023 with Texas winning two games, 7-4 and 5-1, in Austin.
SEC Tournament Champs!
- Texas won the program’s first SEC Tournament Championship on May 9 with a 7-1 victory over second-seed Alabama.
- Teagan Kavan was named the tournament’s MVP. Kavan, Viviana Martinez, Leighann Goode and Jaycie Nichols were selected to the All-Tournament Team.
- It was Texas’ fifth overall conference tournament title and the first conference tournament crown since 2005.
- The Longhorns have won five conference tournament championships (1999, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2026) in seven of their championship game appearances (1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2023, 2024 and 2026). Texas earns its first conference tournament title under head coach Mike White. Under White, Texas has played in a conference tournament championship in three of the last four seasons. The Big 12 Conference did not host a conference tournament from 2011-2016.
NCAA Austin Regional Schedule (all game times listed in Central)
*More information about broadcast designations will be communicated throughout the week
Friday, May 15
12:30 p.m. – Game 1: Baylor vs. Wisconsin (ESPN+)
3 p.m. – Game 2: Texas vs. Wagner (ESPN+)
Saturday, May 16
12 p.m. – Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
2:30 p.m. – Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
5 p.m. – Game 5: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3
Sunday, May 17
12 p.m. – Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 (if necessary)
Please note that game times are subject to change due to game length and a mandatory 35-minute break between each game.
AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin-based improv troupe is celebrating a major milestone with performances in Texas and on a national stage.
Jane Austin Improv celebrates third anniversary with Texas shows & a national NYC stage
Jane Austin Improv is marking its third anniversary with a series of shows, including a headlining performance at the Long Center’s Rollins Studio Theatre on June 6.
The award-winning group is known for blending Regency-era storytelling with improv comedy, bringing Jane Austen-inspired characters, costumes and courtship drama to life with quick wit and audience-driven humor.
MORE | #TBT: ‘Jane Austin Improv’ brings 18th-century romance and modern humor to world stages
Following their Austin shows, the troupe will perform in New York City at the Del Close Marathon, one of the country’s premier improv comedy festivals.
Jane Austin Improv celebrates third anniversary with Texas shows & a national NYC stage
Jane Austin Improv has grown from local stages to performances across the U.S. and internationally, earning multiple nominations from the B. Iden Payne Awards, winning the 2023 Ethel Hinkley Award for Outstanding New Improv Troupe, and being named a “Best of Austin” finalist by the Austin Chronicle in 2025.
Organizers say the anniversary performances celebrate both the group’s growth and its mission to connect audiences through creative, accessible comedy.
Tickets for the June 6 performance at the Long Center can be found here: https://thelongcenter.org/events/janeaustinimprov/
After ranking as the third-best large U.S. city for starting a business last year, Austin took a surprising tumble into the 24th spot nationally for 2026.
WalletHub’s annual report, “Best Large Cities to Start a Business (2026)” compared 100 U.S. cities based on 19 relevant metrics across three key dimensions: business environment, access to resources, and costs. Factors that were analyzed include five-year business survival rates, job growth comparisons from 2020 and 2024, population growth of working-age individuals aged 16-64, office space affordability, and more.
Florida cities locked other states out of the top five best places in America for starting a new business: Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Hialeah, and St. Petersburg.
Austin’s business environment ranked 11th best in the country, and the city ranked ninth in the “access to resources” category. The city also tied with Boise, Idaho, and Fresno, California, for the highest average growth in the number of small businesses nationally.
Austin lagged behind in the “business costs” ranking, coming in at No. 80 overall. This category examined metrics such as the city’s working-age population growth, the share of college-educated individuals, financing accessibility, the prevalence of investors, venture investment amounts per capita, and more.
Earlier this year, WalletHub declared Texas the third-best state for starting a business in 2026, and several Houston-area cities have seen robust growth after being recognized among the best career hotspots in the U.S. WalletHub also ranked Austin on its top-10 list of the best U.S. cities to find a job. Entrepreneurial praise has also been extended to 15 Austin-based innovators that made Inc Magazine’s 2026 Female Founders 500 list.
Texas cities with strong environments for new businesses
Multiple cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex can claim bragging rights as the best Texas locales for starting a new business. Dallas ranked highest overall — appearing 11th nationally — and Irving landed a few spots behind in the 16th spot. Arlington (No. 23), Fort Worth (No. 30), Plano, (No. 35), and Garland (No. 65) followed behind.
Only six other Texas cities earned spots in the report: Houston (No. 26), Lubbock (No. 36), Corpus Christi (No. 39), San Antonio (No. 64), El Paso (No. 67), and Laredo (No. 76). Corpus Christi and Laredo also topped WalletHub’s list of the U.S. cities with the most accessible financing.
“From the Gold Rush and the Industrial Revolution to the Internet Age, periods of innovation have shaped our economy and driven major societal progress,” the report’s author wrote. “However, the past few years have been particularly challenging for business owners in the U.S., due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Resignation and high inflation.”
-
North Dakota1 minute agoDust storms rage in North Dakota and South Dakota
-
Ohio8 minutes agoManufacturing history unfolds at North Central Ohio Industrial Museum
-
Oklahoma14 minutes agoOklahoma becomes latest state to sue Roblox over child safety concerns
-
Oregon20 minutes agoOregon man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head
-
Pennsylvania26 minutes agoAn Outpouring of Frustration Over Pennsylvania’s Rapid Data Center Growth – Inside Climate News
-
Rhode Island32 minutes agoFlags are at half-staff in Rhode Island today. Here’s why
-
South-Carolina38 minutes agoSouth Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for May 14, 2026
-
South Dakota44 minutes agoMr. Basketball award is presented annual by Hansen Anderson Basketball