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Operation Texas Kill Switch: Effort to get illegal devices off streets

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Operation Texas Kill Switch: Effort to get illegal devices off streets


The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Texas, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, announced a new effort on Monday to get illegal “machine gun conversion devices”, also known as “switches” off Texas streets.

“I’m announcing the launch of Operation Texas Kill Switch,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza.

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“They possess the capability of turning semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns,” said Robert Topper, ATF Special Agent in charge of the Houston Field Division.

The goals of Operation Kill Switch are to encourage state and local police to look out for switches, and to urge the public to report switches to police.

“As the problem continues to escalate, we are determined to do more,” said Esparza.

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The feds say they’ve seen a sharp increase in switches across Texas. Nine-hundred and ninety-one were seized in our state between 2017 and 2023, and 490 of those were seized last year alone. They’re often bought online, and can even be 3D-printed.

“These devices have a particular appeal to young people who are exposed to them through social media posts and advertisements,” said Topper.

Switches, made of either metal or plastic, slide into the back of a gun, and allow the shooter to fire dozens of rounds.

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“You just pull the trigger once, and you unload that clip,” said Esparza.

“These weapons are notoriously difficult to control,” said Topper. “That brings a much greater risk to innocent bystanders whenever they’re used.”

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Switches have been used in multiple deadly shootings, including the murder of a Houston police officer, and a deadly mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party in Alabama last year. Often, the guns themselves are stolen.

Crime Stoppers are offering up to $5,000 for information regarding switches or their production. That reward runs through August 31.

“We are very fearful of what will happen if we don’t start addressing this problem,” said Esparza.

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Switches are banned under federal law in almost all cases. If you’re caught with one, you could face up to 10 years in prison.



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Austin, TX

Two IT Employees Allegedly Working for Dallas and Austin Simultaneously

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Two IT Employees Allegedly Working for Dallas and Austin Simultaneously


Authorities are investigating a tip that two IT employees worked full-time for the cities of Dallas and Austin at the same time, earning a combined $270,000 from Dallas alone. While Dallas continues its investigation, Austin recently terminated three technology staff members. Both cities report that systems remain secure with no data breaches.



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Austin, TX

Titanic: The Human Story Now Open in Austin, Texas

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Titanic: The Human Story Now Open in Austin, Texas





The Narrative exhibition’s U.S. debut invites guests to step back in time and meet the passengers and crew through their personal letters, photographs, and belongings

[AUSTIN, Texas – APRIL 10, 2026] – More than a century after the RMS Titanic sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic and claimed the lives of 1,496 people, Titanic: The Human Story, designed by award-winning exhibitions creator and producer Musealia and presented by Fever, is now open in Austin, Texas. Debuting for the first time in the U.S, the exhibit explores the Titanic’s legacy through a human lens. 

The acclaimed exhibition showcases the personal belongings of Titanic’s passengers and crew, many never before seen in the United States. Curated with renowned Titanic historian, Claes-Göran Wetterholm, the exhibition draws on more than 40 years of research into the lives of those on board, bringing historical depth and human perspective to the experience. 

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Tickets are on sale now at: https://titanicexhibition.com/austin/

Titanic: The Human Story goes beyond the tragic disaster to reveal  the stories of the ship’s passengers and crew. Far more than just a display of historical artifacts, the exhibition offers an intimate narrative that looks past the familiar facts to explore the human experiences behind the headlines.

The experience encourages guests to travel back in time through more than 200 original, personal artefacts, including photographs, handwritten letters, wayward keepsakes, and other belongings of those on board. Visitors can experience life-size recreations of some of the ship’s interiors and learn more about the history of the ship through dynamic audio guides, which also feature music and sound effects.

Highlights of the Experience:

  • Step Back to 1912: Move through a chronological, narrative journey that traces the events surrounding the Titanic and the people who were on board.
  • The Story of that Fateful Night: A dynamic audio guide accompanies your visit, describing the events of that day in 1912 with narration, music, and sound effects that deepen the experience.
  • Personal Effects on Display: Explore more than 200 original artefacts from passengers and crew members, revealing the lives and fates behind the legend.
  • Inside the Ship’s World: Walk through life-size recreations of select areas of the ship, designed to provide context for daily life on board.

Suitable for all ages, Titanic: The Human Story, invites visitors to uncover the truths, myths, and enduring allure of the “unsinkable” ship. This is a unique opportunity to uncover what really happened on April 14, 1912, reminisce on the heroic deeds performed, and commemorate the lives that were lost.

Musealia is an independent Spanish company dedicated to creating and managing touring exhibitions that explore powerful stories from our past to illuminate the present and inspire new ways of thinking about our future. With more than 25 years of international experience, our exhibitions are characterized by their strong narrative character, their historical rigor, educational value and emotional impact. Over four million people have visited one of Musealia’s creations in one of more than 70 museums and institutions in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, France, UK, Poland or Spain.

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2026 Pro Swim Series Kicks Off in Austin – Austin Today

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2026 Pro Swim Series Kicks Off in Austin – Austin Today


The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin promises a dynamic, geometric display of the world’s top swimming talent competing at the highest level.Austin Today

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.

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  • 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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