Austin, TX

Lawmakers discuss solutions to diminish damage from future Panhandle wildfires

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

Lawmakers discuss solutions to diminish damage from future Panhandle wildfires

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is still reeling from the $123 million loss from the Panhandle wildfires earlier this year. Tuesday morning, a committee of lawmakers heard from state agencies about the multiple problem points surrounding the fires and ways to address them.

What You Need To Know

A committee of lawmakers heard from state agencies about the multiple problem points surrounding the fires and ways to address them

The primary cause of the fires was old oil wells with active electrical currents coming into contact with aging power lines knocked down by the wind

The Railroad Commission claims that since the fires, landowners have increased the number of reports for possible fire starters

Even with an increase in reports, the threat of wildfires is still present

Panhandle-area Rep. Ken King sat in on a House State Affairs hearing where lawmakers were tasked with going over the recommendations from the Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires.

“We don’t have a wind problem in the Panhandle. We have an aging infrastructure problem,” said King.

The primary cause of the fires was old oil wells with active electrical currents coming into contact with aging power lines knocked down by the wind.

“Who knows who strung that wire, and it might’ve been there 60 years,” said Rep. Jay Dean, the Republican representative from Texas House District 7.

An official with the Railroad Commission explained that they inspect oil and gas locations across the state, but if power lines go through private land, they have no authority to access it, meaning there is no formal inspection process, often for miles in rural areas.

“That’s why you need landowners, operators and others to be your eyes out in the field,” said Dallas-area Democratic Rep. Rafael Anchiá.

The Railroad Commission claims that since the fires, landowners have increased the number of reports for possible fire starters.

“Depending on which category its placed into, whether it’s an immediate risk, a significant risk or a normal enforcement violation, it’ll decide whether it goes through the PUC, the state fire Marshall or our normal enforcement process,” said an Assistant Executive Director of the Railroad Commission of Texas Randall Collins.

Even with an increase in reports, the threat of wildfires is still present without updated infrastructure. That’s why state officials say there’s a need for streamlined communication between agencies responding to fires at the local, state and federal levels.

“The state of Texas does not own a single fixed wing firefighting aircraft,” said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

It’s a problem that’s even garnered the attention of President Joe Biden, who got a briefing on this year’s wildfire season.

“Nationwide, nearly 37,730 wildfires burning over 7.3 million acres, which is more land than even some states occupy,” said Biden.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management also testified that more money is needed to support EMS and firefighting units in the Panhandle region to increase response time on the ground.

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Austin, TX

Goodwill Central Texas launches “Swap Your Shop” Challenge

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Goodwill Central Texas launches “Swap Your Shop” Challenge

Austin, TX — If you’re looking for an easy way to make a difference this Earth Day, Goodwill Central Texas has a simple challenge for you.

It’s called “Swap Your Shop,” and the idea is straightforward. Instead of buying something new, try picking up one secondhand item. That one small switch can help cut down on waste and reduce your environmental impact.

According to a 2023 report, if every U.S. shopper made that choice just once this year, it could reduce carbon emissions by more than 2 billion pounds. That’s like taking 76 million cars off the road for a day. It could also save more than 20 billion gallons of water and keep hundreds of millions of pounds of waste out of landfills.

And it doesn’t have to be a big commitment. Even buying one thrifted clothing item instead of a new one could prevent about 450 million pounds of waste each year.

So whether you already love thrifting or have never tried it, this is a good time to start. Swap out one purchase, give something pre-owned a second life, and see the difference it can make.

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If you do take part, you can even share your find on social media and tag @austingoodwill.

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Austin, TX

AUS plans for 18,000 departing passengers day after Trump order pays TSA employees

Published

18 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

AUS plans for 18,000 departing passengers day after Trump order pays TSA employees

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin airport expects over 18,000 departing passengers on Saturday, this coming the morning after Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA employees after Congress failed to agree on DHS funding.

The airport recommends travelers arrive 2.5 hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international departures.

ALSO | Hays County judge says Rep. Erin Zwiener turned away from meeting over water dispute

AUS noted that many MotoGP fans will be departing from the airport this weekend, the motorcycle racing event at Circuit of the Americas happening this weekend and ending on Sunday.

The DHS shutdown has burdened airports nationwide with hours-long TSA lines. Austin’s lines were especially long during SXSW, stretching out the terminal and down the road.

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Austin, TX

Austin Police Investigating Two Friday Morning Traffic Fatalities

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Austin Police Investigating Two Friday Morning Traffic Fatalities

The Austin Police Department is investigating two fatal Friday morning crashes that represent the city’s 17th and 18th traffic fatalities of the year.

APD put out details about the two deaths in separate press releases on Friday. The first bulletin reveals that at 3:03 a.m. on March 27, officers responded to a single motor vehicle collision in the 2600 block of W. Slaughter Ln.

According to the release, the collision involved a motorcycle leaving the roadway. The motorcycle rider, 27-year-old Evan Sedall, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The incident is being investigated as the city’s 17th fatal crash of the year. On this date in 2025, the city had seen 20 fatal crashes resulting in 24 deaths.

According to the second press release, at 3:58 p.m., officers responded to a collision involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian in the southbound lanes of the 13300 block of N. U.S. Highway 183.

An unidentified pedestrian was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

This incident is being investigated as Austin’s 18th fatal crash of the year, resulting in 18 fatalities

The statements in these press releases are from the initial assessments of the fatal crashes, and the investigations are still pending. Fatality information could change.

Anyone with information about either case should contact APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111. Residents can also submit anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting its website or calling 512-472-8477.

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