Austin, TX

Tensions high in Central Texas as Election Day approaches

Published

60 mins ago

November 5, 2024

Tensions high in Central Texas as Election Day approaches

Tensions high before Election Day

As the clock winds down on Election Day, tensions are high in Central Texas. One business even decided to stop a promotion for voters.

AUSTIN, Texas – As Election Day approaches, tensions are high in Central Texas.

A popular part of elections are the freebies from local businesses, whether it’s a slice of pizza, a doughnut or even a free succulent for showing you voted.

“I think it’s a pretty fun way to get people to get out to vote,” said Austin resident, Cameron Zuniga.

“I think it’s a really good thing. I think it’s very encouraging. You know, a lot of us are going to vote anyway, so it’s good to have community support,” said Austin resident, Christine Torres.

FOX 7 Focus: Election Day Approaches

Election Day is almost here. Scott Braddock joins John Krinjak to talk about voter turnout, the key races in Texas and the race for the White House.

Soup Peddler shared its promotion of bringing your “I voted” sticker in for a free cup of soup of your choice at any of its locations.

But as the election drew closer, they took to social media again, saying, “unfortunately, for the safety of our staff, we have had to make the decision to end our free soup during the voting period promotion early.”

The director of operations at Soup Peddler says there were a couple of interactions about the promotion with members of the public that made some of its staff uncomfortable. The business didn’t say what those interactions were, but says it decided to nip it in the bud before anything escalated.

“I think maybe playing it safer than sorry is okay from a business standpoint,” said Torres.

Travis County Election Day operations

Fifty-one percent of registered voters in Travis County voted early. Election officials now are preparing for those who will show up on Election Day

The general manager at the Airport Blvd. location says he saw an increase in business as a result of the promotion. He assured the community that no threats were made.

With Election Day on Tuesday, demonstrators with anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion signs were present during drop-off at Austin High School on Monday. The demonstrators left after an hour.

Austin High School Principal Dr. Melvin Bedford notified parents in a letter saying those messages are in direct opposition to Austin High School and the district’s values.

He said in part, “Austin AISD is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students and staff. Counseling is available for any child who was exposed to the demonstrators.”

You can read the full statement below:

“Dear Austin High School community,

I regret having to share with you that about two demonstrators with anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion signs arrived at our school today during arrival.

We immediately contacted our campus police and Austin ISD Police who remained on-site to ensure everyone’s safety. The demonstrators left after about an hour.

If your child was exposed to this hateful demonstration and needs support, please contact our counseling team at 512-414-2519.I want to emphasize that these hateful messages are in direct opposition to our values here at Austin High and to the values of our district. Austin ISD is committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students and staff.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me at Melvin.Bedford@austinisd.org.”

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Austin, TX

Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr. Named Semifinalist for Major Award

Published

9 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr. Named Semifinalist for Major Award

AUSTIN — Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is officially being recognized as one of the best at his position in college football.

Hill Jr. was announced as a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award Monday, joining a group of 14 other players. The Butkus Award is given annually to the best linebacker in college football.

Former Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford was also a semifinalist for the award last season.

Here’s the full list of semifinalists:

Jihaab Campbell, Alabama

Deontae Lawson, Alabama

Shaun Dolac, Buffalo

Barrett Carter, Clemson

Jalon Walker, Georgia

Aiden Fisher, Indiana

Jay Higgins, Iowa

Chandler Martin, Memphis

Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss

Sean Brown, N.C. State

Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Shae Suiaunoa, Wyoming

This season, Hill Jr. has posted 28 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and one interception.

He was recently added to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the best defensive player in college football.

After the loss to Georgia, Hill Jr. said that the Longhorns are staying confident. They bounced back with a win over Vanderbilt before heading into the bye week.

“Nobody wants to lose but we’re gonna look at the film, we’re gonna get better,” Hill Jr. “Our heads are up. We’re not gonna just be sad and look all disappointed. We’re happy and we’re gonna get better and look at the film. We needed this, I feel like we need some adversity and it’s gonna be good to see how we bounce back next week.”

No. 5 Texas and Florida will kick off from Austin on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.

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Other Texas Longhorns News:

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MORE: Steve Sarkisian ‘Really Proud’ of Texas Longhorns TE Gunnar Helm

MORE: ‘Very Mature:’ Texas WR DeAndre Moore Jr. Continues to Fill Jordan Whittington Role

MORE: Texas Longhorns Rise in AP Top 25 Poll

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Austin, TX

Vote and vibe: Where to toast (or mope) at 2024 election night watch parties in Austin

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Vote and vibe: Where to toast (or mope) at 2024 election night watch parties in Austin

Whether you’re ready for a celebration, dreading the results or eager for the election cycle to be over, it’s best not to spend election night 2024 alone. Several Austin venues will host watch parties with food, friends and foes as you get ready for the results Tuesday.

Hold hands and cross fingers at Hotel Vegas and Volstead’s watch party

Need a strong pregame for the results? The adjacent East Austin bars are teaming up to host a joint watch party with themed cocktails served all night.

Guests can watch the results roll in on big screens on the patio. There will also be televised analysis inside Volstead Lounge. Enjoy live DJs, election night games and tacos from El Borracho Tacos starting at 5 p.m.

The party is free to attend. Guests can RSVP on Facebook.

Down some patriotic shots at Star Bar’s Texas-style watch party

The West Austin bar will host a free election night watch party, Texas-style. Customers can catch election updates from open to close and snag limited-edition Quinn-Arch buttons ($3) and hats ($20) touting University of Texas quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Election results will be shown on TVs across the bar.

Enjoy some blue and red jello shots as well as pizza from VIA 313.

The party will start at 4 p.m. and run until close at 2 a.m. No ticket or RSVP is needed for the event. More information is at starbartexas.com.

Ride the emotional roller coaster at Cheer Up Charlie’s election night carnival

Cheer Up’s is bringing the Election Day feel to the Red River Cultural District. The election night extravaganza will include drag and stand-up comedy shows, tarot and astrology readings, and a petting zoo for voters needing some animal comfort.

Want to dance it out? There will be live DJs. Voters can also eat their feelings. A bake sale will be happening, alongside a sock and blanket drive for the unhoused.

The party will run from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets start at $19 and can be purchased online.

Watch the results at Travis County Republicans’ election night party

Voters are invited to swing by and catch the election results with fellow Republicans in Travis County. National news as well as the county clerk’s website will be monitored for key races. Candidates and local leaders are also expected to deliver remarks. There will also be surprise guests throughout the evening.

The event will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Guests must register online to get the address for the event. Security officers will check photo IDs for entrance.

Join the Travis County Democratic Party at the Driskill

Democrats from across the county will watch the election results unfold at the historic Driskill hotel. Attendees will get a chance to rub elbows with some elected officials and candidates. Who better to share the suspense with than the folks on the ballot?

The watch party will happen from 7 to 11 p.m.

Interested in attending? You can register for the event online.

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Austin, TX

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas week 10 rankings

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas week 10 rankings

AUSTIN, Texas – The tenth week of the 2024 Texas high school football season is in the books.

Check out our rankings for the tenth week of the season, which featured matchups like Bowie vs Austin High, Taylor vs LBJ, Cedar Park vs Leander, Lake Belton vs Georgetown , and the FOX 7 Game of the Week, Bastrop vs Pflugerville .

View the highlights and scores for Week 10 here.