Austin, TX
SXSW commits to being back in Austin for SXSW 2027
AUSTIN, Texas — “We’re very committed to being in Austin, Texas. We are excited that in March 2027, we will be back in Austin for another iteration of SXSW,” said SVP of SXSW Programming Greg Rosenbaum.
South by Southwest organizers are continuing to deny speculation that the festival could be moving out of Austin. A demolished convention center has forced South By to make significant changes this year, but that does not mean the festival will be uprooted.
The demolition of the Austin Convention Center forced SXSW to create a reimagined, decentralized footprint. Instead of having panels, sessions, and workshops in one central hub, everything is now everywhere in Downtown Austin.
Three SXSW clubhouses spread across downtown are now serving as smaller hubs for Innovation, Music, and TV and Film. Each gives its audience a place to relax, network, and attend sessions.
“It is a completely different experience,” said Walter Silva.
This is Silva’s third SXSW. Sitting in the Innovation Clubhouse at 4th and Brazos Streets, he says his opinion about the extra walking and navigating this year has changed from Day 1 to Day 5.
ALSO| SXSW denies rumors that the event could relocate to a different city in the future
“At first, well, I found myself rushing a little bit and trying to manage it. But no, it is fine. It is fine because, you see, at most conferences you get stuck in a convention center. You do not get the opportunity to walk around the city,” said Silva.
South-By has been intentional this year in giving badge holders and the public more to see and do. Rivian’s Electric Joyride in front of the State Capitol offers a passenger seat view of the festival’s new format. It is part of a first-time takeover of three blocks of Congress Avenue during all seven days of the festival.
“We’ve been excited to see folks embrace the city of Austin and really get on their feet, see the city, and be part of the programming here,” said Rosenbaum.
Hulu’s street activation for the new show The Testaments pushed the boundaries of the festival even further. The South Congress event is another example of how South by Southwest organizers are committing to Austin as their home base.
“Will you be coming back to Austin next year?” asked CBS Austin Reporter Bettie Cross.
“South by Southwest has been in Austin for 40 years. We are so proud of 40 years of SXSW in Austin, Texas, and we see many, many, many more years ahead of us. We are so proud to be in Austin, and our future is here,” said Rosenbaum.
Badge holders say they hope the clubhouse concept stays even after the new convention center opens.
“I prefer the decentralized way,” said Silva. “I prefer this format.”
The rebuild of the convention center will take a couple of more years. The new and improved facility will be open for SXSW 2029.
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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