Austin, TX
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders flags to be raised to full-staff for Trump's inauguration
Trump transition latest
FOX’s Grady Trimble has the latest on President Biden’s final weeks in office and the transition process before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered that flags at state buildings will be raised to full-staff for the day of president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Flags have been flown at half-staff since former president Jimmy Carter’s death on Dec. 29.
President Joe Biden ordered flags to be at half-staff for 30 days following Carter’s death, which is tradition when a former president dies.
Gov. Abbott orders flags at full-staff on Inauguration Day
WESLACO, TEXAS – JUNE 30: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addresses former President Donald Trump during a border security briefing on June 30, 2021 in Weslaco, Texas. Gov. Abbott has pledged to build a state-funded border wall between Texas and Mexico as a s
What we know:
On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott ordered that all flags at the Texas Capitol and other state buildings will be raised to full-staff on Jan. 20, 2025.
Donald Trump will be sworn in for his second term as president in Washington D.C. on that Monday.
Gov. Abbott’s announcement cited a federal statute which says the flag should be displayed on all days, including Inauguration Day.
The president-elect has spoken out against the idea of flags being at half-staff for his inauguration.
READ MORE: Guide to 2025 Presidential Inauguration
“The Democrats are all “giddy” about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at “half mast” during my Inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 3. “Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
What they’re saying:
“Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter,” said Governor Abbott in a statement. “President Carter’s steadfast leadership left a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations to come, which together as a nation we honor by displaying flags at half-staff for 30 days. On January 20, our great nation will celebrate our democratic tradition of transferring power to a new President by inaugurating the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump. While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America.”
Why are US flags at half-staff?
The backstory:
On Dec. 29, 2024, President Joe Biden ordered flags at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts and naval stations and naval vessels to be flown at half-staff in honor of the life of former president Jimmy Carter.
Under the president’s order, flags would be flown at half-staff for 30 days, until Jan. 28, 2025.
U.S. flag code dictates that flags will remain lowered for 30 days after the death of a former president.
That would include Jan. 20, the day of Mr. Trump’s inauguration.
Have flags been flown at half-staff on Inauguration Day before?
1/20/1973- Washington, DC: President Richard Nixon, inauguration general view of swearing-in ceremony with capitol building in background.
Dig deeper:
Flags were flown at half-staff when Richard Nixon was sworn-in for his second term in 1973.
Nixon had ordered the flags to be lowered after the death of former President Harry Truman.
The Source: Information in this article comes from Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office, president-elect Donald Trump’s Truth Social account, a proclamation from President Joe Biden and photos of Richard Nixon’s 1973 inauguration.
Austin, TX
Texas Pride events 2026: Parades, festivals and more happening this June
AUSTIN, Texas – Pride Month is celebrated each June.
It marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising that started in late June 1969. The protests are seen as a turning point in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. It inspired marches across the country in the years that followed.
More than a dozen cities and towns across Texas are celebrating with everything from parades to festivals to concerts and more.
A Pride flag is seen held up in a crowd during preparation for a Queer March to the Texas State Capitol on April 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
Here’s a look at some of the dates and places Pride events are happening around the Lone Star State this month:
Austin also has a Pride celebration, but it is scheduled for Aug. 22.
The Source: Information in this story came from various sources, including official websites for events. AI was used to help assemble the list of events.
Austin, TX
UC Santa Barbara Baseball Drops 6-4 Nailbiter to Texas at Austin Regional Final
Red-hot Rowan Kelly came to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning with a chance to extend the Gauchos season, but a thrilling comeback was not to be.
The UC Santa Barbara baseball team battled to the end, but fell to host Texas 6-4 in the Austin Regional final on Sunday afternoon.
“I think our guys gave a really good effort,” Checketts said. “Kellan’s start was outstanding, set the tone for us, gave us a shot. We came up short against a very good baseball team.”
UC Santa Barbara (40-20) held the lead through six innings behind a strong start from pitcher Kellan Montgomery and continued offensive production from Kelly. However, Texas (43-13), the tournament’s No. 6 national seed, scored four runs over the final three innings to secure the victory and advance.
Montgomery, a Santa Barbara native, delivered one of his strongest outings of the season. The right-hander retired the Longhorns in order in the first inning and held Texas scoreless through five innings while allowing only a handful of baserunners. Kelly provided early offense with a solo home run in the first inning, his second home run of the day after homering earlier against Tarleton State.
“I think just trusting myself and the guys behind me. The last couple outings haven’t really been what I wanted, so just not making it anything bigger than it is,” Montgomery said. “This is my first time in playoff baseball, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with a really special group. It was just trusting myself and the seven guys behind me.”
Texas broke through in the sixth inning, loading the bases before a sacrifice fly by Adrian Rodriguez and a two-out single by Ethan Mendoza drove in two runs and gave the Longhorns their first lead of the game at 2-1. Relief pitcher Van Froling entered and recorded the final out of the inning.
The Gauchos responded immediately in the bottom half. Consecutive walks by Liam Barrett and Kelly set the stage for a sacrifice bunt attempt by William Vasseur that resulted in multiple Texas throwing errors. Barrett scored on the initial errant throw, while Kelly later crossed the plate after another misplay, giving UC Santa Barbara a 3-2 advantage.
Texas regained control in the seventh inning. After a runner’s lane interference call erased a potential scoring play, Aiden Robbins hit a two-run home run four pitches later to move the Longhorns back in front. Texas added two more runs in the eighth, including one on an RBI double and another following a failed pickoff attempt, extending its lead to 6-3.
UC Santa Barbara narrowed the deficit in the bottom of the eighth. Kelly doubled off the top of the left-field wall and later scored as the Gauchos cut the lead to two runs. The inning ended with the potential go-ahead run still at the plate.
The Gauchos mounted one final threat in the ninth. Xavier Esquer and Cole Kosciusko opened the inning with singles, and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Kelly came to the plate with the tying run in scoring position, prompting Texas to make a pitching change.But Longhorn starting pitcher Luke Harrison made a rare relief appearance to record the final out and preserve the victory.
Austin, TX
Austin Pets Alive! gets $10K donation, pet beds
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) received a $10,000 donation and 30 pet beds on Thursday.
The donation was from Robert Thiele, an Amazon delivery driver and owner of Clark Courier Services, which was named in honor of his late bulldog, Clark, who passed away this spring after a battle with cancer.
“I named Clark Courier Services after Clark because just like our drivers, he delivered smiles every single day. In a world full of best friends, Clark was the bestest,” said Thiele.
According to Amazon, the donated pet beds were given a second life through Amazon Re:Turn, which repurposes textiles from customer returns that could not be resold or donated.
As a surprise for Thiele, APA! unveiled memorial plaques dedicated to Clark on shelter kennels, which were inscribed with his name and the words “forever delivering.”
“Our Delivery Service Partners are local, small business owners embedded in the communities they serve. Robert’s been delivering in Austin for nearly seven years, and he’s not just moving packages. He’s showing up for the people, the pets, and the neighborhoods around him. That’s what this program is about,” said Emma Crowley, Amazon spokesperson. “Today, we got to give a little back to someone who has and will continue to give so much to others.”
-
Indianapolis, IN1 minute agoMan Dies Days After Traffic Stop Tasing in Indianapolis
-
Pittsburg, PA6 minutes agoPittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones placed on administrative leave
-
Augusta, GA13 minutes agoAugusta Players, Imperial Theatre announce Shane Peterman as new CEO
-
Washington, D.C16 minutes agoMaryland man sentenced to 25 years for sextorting young girls on social media
-
Cleveland, OH21 minutes agoCavaliers obvious draft day win is the opposite move anyone expects
-
Austin, TX28 minutes agoTexas Pride events 2026: Parades, festivals and more happening this June
-
Alabama31 minutes agoTwo Alabama Players, One Coach Being Considered for 2027 CFB Hall of Fame Class
-
Alaska36 minutes agoAlaska Dividend Payments in June 2026: Dates, amount and eligibility
