Austin, TX
Largest Adult Content Website in the World Restricts Access from Texas
AUSTIN, TX — Today, the adult content platform Pornhub has taken measures to block access from Texas, citing a recent legislative enactment that came into force in September 2023. This legislation, contested by Pornhub, was challenged on grounds of First Amendment violations, but an appeals court dismissed the argument.
During the 88th Legislative Session in 2023, the Texas House, led by Speaker Made Phelan, passed HB 1181, which introduced regulations on adult content websites. These regulations required operators to authenticate the age of their users and mandated the display of health advisories regarding the impact of consuming adult content.
State Senator Angela Paxton spearheaded the bill in the Texas Senate, with support from Texas State Representatives Matthew Shaheen (R), Nate Schatzline (R), Nicole Collier (D), Claudia Ordaz Perez (D), and Jared Patterson (R). The bill was passed in May 2023, and Governor Greg Abbott signed it into law on June 12, 2023, with implementation scheduled for September 1, 2023. State Rep. Drew Darby voted in favor, alongside a majority of the Texas House, with a vote of 133-1. Maria “LuLu” Maria Flores of Austin was the sole Democrat voting against the bill, while others were either absent or abstained.
Following the law’s enactment, Pornhub and other entities initiated legal action against Texas. Attorney General Ken Paxton promptly pursued the case, appealing the lawsuit at the district court level, where an injunction was issued against the state, halting enforcement of the law. Paxton further contested the case at the U.S. 5th Circuit of Appeals, resulting in a partial victory, with the court deeming the age verification requirements constitutional.
“Applying rational-basis review, the age-verification requirement is rationally related to the government’s legitimate interest in preventing minors’ access to adult content,” the court stated. “Therefore, the age-verification requirement does not violate the First Amendment.”
However, the appeals court upheld the injunction regarding the law’s stipulation for health and safety warnings on adult content websites like Pornhub.
Pornhub boasts a substantial global presence. According to SimilarWeb data between December 2023 and February 2024, the platform garnered 6.7 billion visits, with 27.7 percent originating from within the United States.
Austin, TX
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.
Austin, TX
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.
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.

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.
Austin, TX
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