Austin, TX
Morning Briefing Texas March 16
Good morning, Texas. Here’s what you need to know today.
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Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
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Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
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, Texas – Texas has quietly become a pipeline for some of the world’s top soccer referees, a connection that will come into sharper focus as the FIFA World Cup returns to the United States in 2026, with Dallas and Houston set to host multiple matches.
From Austin to Brownsville, officials with ties to the Lone Star State have risen through the ranks of Major League Soccer and onto the sport’s biggest stages, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
What we know:
Ismail Elfath is a Moroccan-born referee who immigrated to the United States as a teenager. Now based in Austin, Elfath has been an MLS referee since 2012 and joined FIFA’s international list in 2016. The University of Texas graduate had an an unconventional path to officiating.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – FEBRUARY 21: Referee Ismail Elfath during the first half of a MLS game between St. Louis City SC and Charlotte FC at Energizer Park on February 21, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Gett
In an interview with Pflugerville Football Club (PFC), Elfath said he became a referee when a complaint to a match official turned into an invitation to try the role himself.
Elfath has since built a résumé that includes officiating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he refereed two group-stage matches and a Round of 16 game, and served as a fourth official for the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France.
He also has twice been named MLS Referee of the Year.
Referee Ismail Elfath gestures during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 final match between Toluca and Tigres UANL at Nemesio Diez Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Toluca, Mexico. (Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images)
Dig deeper:
Armando Villarreal’s journey began in South Texas, where he started officiating youth games in Brownsville at age 18. He worked his way through the U.S. Soccer system and made his MLS debut in 2012, later earning a spot on FIFA’s international referees list in 2015.
KANSAS CITY, KS – APRIL 7: Referee Armando Villarreal gives a signal during a game between Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on April 7, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Villarreal has officiated multiple high-profile matches, including MLS Cup finals and CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments, and was selected as a video assistant referee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Like players, referees are evaluated on performance, with each assignment carrying weight in determining future opportunities.
Local perspective:
In addition, American assistant referee Brooke Mayo represents a newer generation of officials reaching the global stage. Mayo grew up in Garland, Texas and began refereeing soccer at age 13.
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Referee Brooke Mayo before a game between Brazil and Japan at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
She was selected to officiate the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. Mayo received the assignment after a culmination of years of work climbing through domestic and international ranks.
Mayo’s presence alongside officials like Elfath and Villarreal underscores the growing Texas footprint in FIFA officiating.
Big picture view:
That presence comes as North Texas prepares to host one of the largest shares of matches in the expanded 2026 World Cup. The convergence of elite officiating talent and two major host cities highlight Texas’ increasing influence in the global game, not just through players and fans.
The Source: Information in this story came from FIFA and FOX Local research.
AUSTIN, Texas — An investigation is underway after a gunman in Midland killed one person and injured 10 others on Friday. It marks the 23rd mass shooting reported in Texas since the beginning of the year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
The Gun Violence Archive is an independent research organization which defines a mass shooting as a shooting in which four or more people shot at the same time and location, not including the shooter.
The count in Texas reached a peak in 2023, when Gun Violence Archive data shows Texas had 65 reported mass shootings. By 2025, the count had dropped to 37 mass shooting incidents in the state.
The shooting in West Texas has prompted condolences from Texas state leaders and renewed calls from advocates for more action to address gun violence.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz praised the response from law enforcement. “We are grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders who moved swiftly to protect the community,” he wrote Friday.
Austin-area gubernatorial candidate and State Rep. Gina Hinojosa also credited first responders, saying their efforts “undoubtedly saved lives.”
Nicole Golden, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, an anti-gun violence advocacy group, spoke with CBS Austin on Saturday.
“Our initial reaction is always empathy for the victims and survivors and anyone affected by this horrible, traumatic tragedy.” Golden added, “ We’re, just like everybody else, waiting to hear a bit more information about the exact circumstances, but what we do know is this shouldn’t be normal.”
1 dead, 10 injured during shooting in Midland, shooter is dead
The shooting came as Texas continues to see repeated incidents of mass gun violence. In Austin, a March mass shooting at Buford’s on West Sixth Street left three victims dead and 15 others injured. In April, a shooting in East Austin left six people with injuries. In May, a cross-town shooting spree left four people injured.
Despite the recent local examples, Golden pointed to community-based efforts as one area showing promise.
“What we know is working is the growing ecosystem of community violence intervention programs that are working to stop the cycle of violence in communities that are hardest hit.” But she said more progress is needed, adding, “What we haven’t seen and we want to continue working toward is a similar reduction in gun homicides. There’s just a lot more work we need to do to bring down the numbers of gun deaths overall.”
Aust Public Health officials have also been weighing additional prevention strategies. APH shared a report with the mayor and City Council this week outlining several violence prevention recommendations focused on youth development, mental health and economic opportunity.
Austin, TX
Texas’ Scenic Park Near Austin Is A Hidden Adventure Gem With Colorado River Kayaking And A Zip Line – Islands
Texas is one of the most multifaceted places in the U.S. Just minutes away from buzzing big cities, you’ll find quiet nature escapes that seem as though you’ve entered a completely different state. About a 30-minute drive east of Austin — the vibrant capital city — you’ll find McKinney Roughs Nature Park.
The park’s bluebonnet fields and towering loblolly pines make it one of the most visually distinctive landscapes in Central Texas. The sprawling forest and tranquil waters of the Colorado River offer visitors exploration by horse or kayak. For a different perspective, adventure seekers can see the property from the sky by strapping themselves into a zip line and soaring above the trees.
The surrounding area has plenty to fill your days before retreating to nearby log cabins or the Lost Pines Resort and Spa, featuring an 18-hole golf course. Golfers can squeeze in a round after a day on the water or after trekking part of the 18 miles of trails, which range from easy riverside walks to more challenging canyon routes. With 1,100 acres of ground to cover, guests can hop on a UTV tour or (more uniquely) zip through the sky. McKinney Roughs has the range to fill a full day of excitement outside Austin.
The zip line adventure at McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Typically, nature park visits help to give some grounding energy, but McKinney Roughs has another idea. Zip Lost Pines offers a bird’s-eye view of the Lost Pines forest, with the longest dual zip line in Texas. Six different lines bring you to speeds up to 40 mph, with the longest stretching 1,316 feet.
The company provides guided tours that build from shorter runs to the grand finale: the River Run. Some itineraries include a walk across a suspension bridge 70 feet above the ground with sweeping scenery of the Colorado River winding through the forest below. There are full-day, half-day, and night experiences ranging from $79 to $115, making it accessible for different budgets and schedules.
Guides lead every tour, so first-timers and seasoned zip-liners can feel confident strapping in. After up to three hours zipping above the trees, you’ll have plenty of time to cool off and paddle through the Colorado River. Continue your Texas adventure by trying some of the best barbecue joints locals swear by.
Paddle through the Colorado River
McKinney Roughs Nature Park is bordered by the Colorado River, giving guests the opportunity to kayak or raft through the winding waterway. There are multiple launch and takeout points stretching from the U.S. 183 Bridge all the way down to Matagorda Bay Nature Park. However, the closest launch point in McKinney Roughs is the Utley Bridge Boat Ramp.
The more experienced paddler — or one with endurance and maintained arm strength — can sail as fast as 6 mph. It’s a calming ride in most areas, as a kayaker on Facebook reveals that they usually don’t accelerate over 4 mph. Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, various bird species, and the towering loblolly pines that give the Lost Pines region its name (even one of the zip line cables was named after the trees).
Guided kayaking trips are available directly through Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, with equipment and a shuttle included — note that it is a two person minimum reservation. Spend a leisurely afternoon drifting peaceful waterfalls and rock formations. The Colorado River’s landscape changes with every bend and is worth the workout. So, next time you plan a trip to Austin (likely for its top-ranked barbecue and legendary brisket) don’t forget about what else the Lone Star State has to offer. Detour to McKinney, where the trails, river, and treetop views are worth the drive. Curious about more ways to see nature? Check out our feature on the nine best Texas state parks according to Redditors.
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