Austin, TX

Texas bishops hail passage of school choice bill in state Legislature

Published

7 months ago

April 19, 2025

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Texas bishops hail passage of school choice bill in state Legislature

By María J. Moriarty

Seattle, Wash., Apr 19, 2025 /
08:00 am

The Texas House of Representatives this week approved a sweeping school choice bill, one hailed by the state’s Catholic bishops and which could significantly reshape how families access private and religious education in the state.

Senate Bill 2 passed 86–63 after intense debate. The bill would create a $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program, giving eligible families up to $10,000 per student to spend on tuition, transportation, therapy, and other education-related expenses. It previously passed the state Senate in February.

The measure now heads to a conference committee where lawmakers will reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions.

Texas Catholic leaders welcomed the bill’s passage this week.

“Thank you to all who worked so hard for passage of this legislation that will give parents a true choice for the education of their children,” Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth said on X.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops likewise praised the vote, calling it the result of sustained collaboration.

“We have worked alongside you and so many others for this day,” the bishops wrote, naming state House Speaker Dustin Burrows, state Gov. Greg Abbott, and other legislative champions of parental choice.

Abbott, who has made school choice a central plank of his legislative agenda, praised the bill’s passage. “I look forward to this school choice legislation reaching my desk, when I will swiftly sign it into law,” he posted on Instagram.

The vote was also celebrated by longtime school choice advocates. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, which has supported ESA legislation for years, called the bill’s passage a generational victory.

Growing share of Catholic students take part in school choice

This week the National Catholic Educational Association reported that nearly 1 in 5 Catholic school students across the U.S. now participate in a school choice program — up nearly 5 percentage points from last year.

In states with robust choice legislation, Catholic schools are seeing enrollment stabilize and even grow after decades of decline.

Texas’ 230 Catholic schools serve approximately 75,000 students, many from working-class and immigrant families. With tuition averaging more than $7,000 per year, schools have long relied on parish subsidies and scholarship funds to make education accessible, meaning the proposed ESA could make Catholic education a sustainable option for many families.

While Catholic leaders and school choice advocates cheered the vote, others in the Texas Legislature criticized the measure. Every state House Democrat opposed the bill, arguing that it would siphon funds away from public schools already facing budget shortfalls.

State Rep. James Talarico proposed putting the issue to a statewide vote. His amendment failed.

“Private school vouchers will take money out of our public schools and give it to wealthy parents who are already sending their kids to private school,” he claimed after the vote.

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Amendments to expand the bill’s eligibility and support lower-income families were also rejected, drawing further criticism from Democrats and public school advocates.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Thursday that he would recommend the state Senate concur with the House version without changes.

“I’ve fought for school choice for my entire legislative career. Now, in consultation with Sen. Brandon Creighton, I am recommending the Senate concur with Senate Bill 2 — the largest school choice launch in American history,” Patrick wrote on X.

The bill also expands vocational training pathways. State Rep. Gary Gates told CNA the ESA framework aligns with House Bill 20, which he authored to allow high school students to attend Texas State Technical College full time.

“We have an incredible shortage of highly skilled labor in this country,” Gates said. “Here, a high school student could come out of school with no debt.”

If enacted, the ESA program could launch as early as the coming academic year.

María J. Moriarty

María J. Moriarty is a freelance journalist with more than 10 years of experience in the field. She holds a master’s degree in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Originally from Mexico City, she started her career in broadcast before pivoting to financial reporting, where she’s spent the majority of her career.

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Austin, TX

Victim attacked by group of suspects at NW Austin bar; APD investigating

Published

15 hours ago

November 10, 2025

Press Room

Victim attacked by group of suspects at NW Austin bar; APD investigating

AUSTIN, Texas – An investigation is underway after one victim was seriously injured after a fight in Northwest Austin.

Police said no arrests have been made.

What we know:

Police said on Monday, Nov. 3, around 6:05 a.m., officers responded to a call at Dorzon International Lounge, at 12636 Research Boulevard. The caller said one person was assaulted and was “convulsing and bleeding.”

The victim was taken a local hospital for their injuries.

Police said a victim was involved in a fight in the parking lot with multiple people after a confrontation involving a woman. Witnesses told officers that several suspects punched and kicked the victim during the fight, and then took off.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business and showed a group of men attacking the victim.

Detectives are working to identify the suspects.

At this time, no arrests have been made.

This is an ongoing investigation.

The Source: Information from the Austin Police Department

Northwest AustinCrime and Public Safety

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Austin, TX

Ragin’ Cajuns set for road debut on Monday in Austin

Published

1 day ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

Ragin’ Cajuns set for road debut on Monday in Austin

by: Matt Hebert UL Associate Director of Athletics Communications

Posted: Nov 9, 2025 / 10:17 PM CST

Updated: Nov 9, 2025 / 10:19 PM CST

AUSTIN, Tx. (KLFY) – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Basketball team ventures out on the road for the first time in the 2025-26 season meeting No. 4 Texas on Monday, Nov.10 in Austin, Texas.

Tipoff from the Moody Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CST). Live coverage is available on SECN+ and The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM.

The contest with the Longhorns (2-0) marks the beginning of five consecutive games away from home for the Ragin’ Cajuns (0-2) that runs through Thanksgiving Weekend. The next home appearance isn’t until the Dec. 2 Education Game.

UL and Texas meet for the first time since November 2022, a game the Longhorns won 68-45 at the Moody Center.

Louisiana’s on-court competition in the 2025-26 season began with four straight appearances at the Cajundome, splitting a combination of exhibition and two regular season games. A strong second half from Bowling Green and shooting woes of their own vs. Delta State spoiled the Ragin’ Cajuns’ opening week.

Texas, the preseason SEC favorite and 2025 Final Four participant, has won 26 straight games at Moody Center and has a 51-5 all-time record at their home arena. The Longhorns are continuing a season-opening, five-game homestand having already collected wins over UIW and No. 24 Richmond.

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Austin, TX

Central Texas under Red Flag Warning for Sunday

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

Central Texas under Red Flag Warning for Sunday

AUSTIN – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all of South Central Texas. The warning will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Central Texas fire watch

NWS predicts northern winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity is set to be 15-20%, along with dry vegetation. The agency says that the combination of these conditions will favor the spread of wildfires.

The Critical Fire Weather Watch comes just days after Austin and Travis County officials announced wildfire preparedness, including what’s being called No-Ember November.

For the entire month, the city and county leaders will be hosting social media and community events aimed at making sure people are aware of fire prevention practices, as well as how to be prepared when a wildfire strikes.

The city and county have also updated their Community Wildfire Prevention Plan, which looks to reduce the risk of wildfire damage by making sure communities are aware of what to do when fires spread.

Austin homes could be at risk

What they’re saying:

“This time of year, we also start seeing the grasses, which are fuel for fires, they start to cure out and go dormant for the winter months,” says Walter Flocke, a fire analyst with the Texas A&M Forest Service.

“Austin ranks 5th in the nation for the number of homes at risk for wildfire. It is important that we as community leaders take action to educate the public on this risk and steps they can take to protect themselves while we are also planning for how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters,” says Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson.

“Specifically, this plan will access and map current wildfire hazards, vulnerabilities and hazards across the county,” says Travis County Judge Andy Brown.

One of the major factors in the new plan is community input.

“We’re not writing these plans for the community, we’re writing them with the community,” says the director of Austin Emergency Management.

What you can do:

Mayor Watson is also urging the public to enroll with Warn Central Texas, which be one of the primary ways officials will be able to notify communities of emergency events.

Any HOA’s, businesses or other community leaders are also encouraged to visit Ready Central Texas. The site will allow the public to request preparedness training for disasters.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Texas A&M Forest Service and Central Texas officials.

AustinNatural Disasters

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