Austin, TX
Long TSA lines return at Austin airport as shutdown drags on, pay order offers hope
AUSTIN, Texas — Long security lines returned to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Sunday as the partial government shutdown continued, prompting some travelers to arrive hours early and still worry they might miss their flights.
Some travelers said they showed up four hours ahead of departure to try to avoid problems at the checkpoint. Inside the terminal, security lines stretched across the building, testing patience as passengers waited to be screened.
“This has been insane. Hopefully they get it figured out,” traveler John Wittle said. Another traveler, Juliana Sombrano, said, “We arrived four hours earlier today because they said the lines were going to be really long today.”
Airport officials said they were expecting about 32,000 travelers Sunday. The airport typically considers anything over 30,000 to be a busy travel day.
The congestion contributed to travel disruptions for some passengers. “American cancelled our flight. Didn’t tell us anything about what to do. Our bags are in a completely different city right now,” traveler Michael Vosicky said.
The extended TSA lines have also affected other Texas airports, including Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. TSA agents have not been paid in more than 40 days as the partial shutdown has continued, leaving some travelers sympathetic to workers.
“Obviously feel sorry for the staff who are going through everything,” traveler Michael Radomir said.
ALSO: One person critically injured after vehicle collides with motorcycle in NW Austin
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing TSA agents to be paid with Department of Homeland Security funds, while blaming Democrats for the airport controversy. “Some of them are needing money because the Democrats cut off their money. I blame the Democrats more than anything else,” Trump said.
The order came as House Republicans rejected a bipartisan Senate bill that would have fully funded the TSA and several other agencies.
At Austin-Bergstrom, travelers said they hope paying TSA workers will help speed up screening lines. “Hopefully it does nothing but continue to improve everything, everything that we’re seeing here,” traveler Mark Lupkey said.
TSA said agents could begin getting paid as early as Monday. The agency did not confirm how many agents have not been working in Austin since the partial shutdown began.
There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
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