Austin, TX
Morning Briefing Texas March 16
Good morning, Texas. Here’s what you need to know today.
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Around Texas
1. South Texans demand more dementia research
Experts say Latinos are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop dementia. However, Hispanics are still not represented in research.
The South Texas Dementia Project is led by a council made up of patients, caregivers and researchers. They have taken platicas, or community chats, to 10 South Texas cities impacted by dementia to help determine priorities for how to better attack the issue. Rio Grande City is particularly important.
Starr County — where Rio Grande City is located — is 97% Hispanic and has the highest rates of dementia in the country.
2. Texas cities talk about dealing with autonomous vehicles during emergency situations
As first responders were responding to a mass shooting on Austin’s West 6th Street on March 1, a bystander recorded a driverless vehicle blocking an ambulance heading to the scene.
Despite an officer being able to move the vehicle, officials called the ambulance blockage another moment where autonomous vehicles (AVs) had not operated how they were supposed to. The AV was operated by Waymo, a company that has a strong presence in the capital city since initial testing in 2015.
3. Austin mayor describes ‘symbiotic’ relationship with UT at SXSW
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson talked about his administration’s “laser focus” on affordability and housing and many other topics at the South by Southwest Conference and Festival (SXSW) on Friday afternoon. He spoke at a panel called “Cities and Colleges Powering Innovation, Culture & Community” and was joined by Knoxville, Tenn., Mayor Indya Kincannon and Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mayor Walt Maddox.
Around The Nation
1. U.S.-China trade talks open in Paris, paving the way for Trump-Xi summit
2. American flag raised at U.S. Embassy in Venezuela for the 1st time since 2019
3. Trump seeks to close $1.6 trillion revenue gap with raft of new tariffs
Deep in the Heart of Texas
“Eat More Pie” sign inside the Texas Pie Company. (Spectrum News 1/Todd Boatwright)
“Eat More Pie” sign inside the Texas Pie Company. (Spectrum News 1/Todd Boatwright)
Texas woman turns pie into a sweet business
When you own your own business, you wear a lot of hats. In Albertson’s case, she’s the boss and baker. She also wears a crown, so to speak. Albertson is known as the Texas Pie Queen.
“Who told you that?! Yes, I have been called that. I don’t call myself that. I’m very modest when it comes to stuff like that. I’m just a baker,” she said.
Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
2026 Pro Swim Series Kicks Off in Austin – Austin Today
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The 2026 Pro Swim Series, the first leg of the prestigious swimming competition, is set to begin tomorrow in Austin, Texas. This four-day event will showcase some of the fastest swimmers in the world as they compete in a variety of events, including new semifinal structures and updated prize money. Fans can look forward to comprehensive previews, live results, and multiple ways to watch the action unfold.
Why it matters
The Pro Swim Series is a critical stop on the road to the 2026 Olympics, with swimmers looking to qualify for national teams and secure valuable ranking points. The Austin event will also feature new event formats and prize money structures that could impact the competitive landscape and strategies of the top athletes.
The details
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin will run from January 14-17, with preliminary sessions starting at 9:00 a.m. local time and finals kicking off at 6:00 p.m. local time. All sessions will be streamed live on the USA Swimming Network, and the finals on January 15 and 16 will also be aired on Peacock. The event schedule includes a variety of individual events, with the women’s and men’s 1500m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 400m individual medley being the highlight distance races.
- The competition will begin on Wednesday, January 14 and run through Saturday, January 17.
- Preliminary sessions will start at 9:00 a.m. local time (CT) each day, with finals beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time.
The players
USA Swimming
The national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, responsible for organizing the Pro Swim Series.
Peacock
The streaming platform that will air the finals sessions on January 15 and 16.
SwimSwam
A leading swimming news and media outlet that has provided comprehensive previews and analysis of the 2026 Pro Swim Series event in Austin.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What’s next
Fans can look forward to additional previews and analysis from leading swimming media outlets in the days leading up to the event, as well as live results and coverage throughout the four-day competition.
The takeaway
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin promises to be an exciting showcase of the sport’s top talent, with new event formats and prize money structures adding an extra layer of intrigue. Swimming fans won’t want to miss this must-watch competition as athletes vie for Olympic qualification and national team spots.
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