Austin, TX
Texas lawmakers react to arrests during pro-Palestinian protests at UT Austin
Dozens of people were arrested at the University of Texas at Austin during protests over the Israel-Hamas war and state lawmakers are divided on the university’s response. Jack sits down with both major candidates in the race for U.S. Senate in Texas. And a preview of the runoff for Dallas County Sheriff, in which the incumbent is facing a challenge from the predecessor who hand-picked her.
Jack Fink covers these stories and more in the latest edition of Eye on Politics (original air date: April 28).
Protests flare
Dozens of people have been arrested at college campuses across the country in pro-Palestinian protests. Among the locations of these protests: UT Austin, UT Dallas and Columbia University.
At UT’s flagship campus, 57 people were arrested after failing to disperse as ordered by police. Among those arrested, a news photographer for an Austin television station, who was knocked to the ground by officers. Travis County dropped the charges against the protesters.
UT Austin President Jay Hartzell released a statement to students and faculty that read, in part:
“Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others’ ability to learn are not allowed. The group that led this protest stated it was going to violate Institutional Rules. Our rules matter and they will be enforced. Our University will not be occupied.”
Republican State Sen. Brandon Creighton of Conroe told Jack the university did the best it could under the circumstances.
“What goes too far is showing up to occupy university space for the purpose of calling out Jewish students and the Jewish community on campus and chanting anti-Israel chants throughout the protest, and an effort to absolutely duplicate and repeat what happened at Columbia University just a few days before is just unacceptable,” Creighton said.
But not everyone agrees. Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Democratic State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio, said UT’s response was not its best work.
“My question would be, does that automatically require riot, police and riot gear with physical weapons,” Martinez Fischer said. “And does that require altercations that resulted in physical contact and potential injury? I’m not so sure that the the remedy met the response … President Hartzell has the absolute right to protect the students on campus, but I don’t believe you can justify that by letting other people get hurt in the process.”
On the second day of protests at UT Austin, there were more students and faculty who joined, but law enforcement did not step in.
The situation was more calm at UT Dallas in Richardson, where protesters led a sit-in at the administration building. They dispersed after the university’s President agreed to meet with them and with a group of Jewish students.
And at Columbia University, pro-Palestinian demonstrations ignited a storm of controversy. Some people called for “death to Jews” and made statements against Israel and the U.S. A rabbi at Columbia messaged nearly 300 Jewish students to go home until it is safe to return.
Jack spoke with both major candidates in the race for U.S. Senate in Texas about the issue.
“While folks have a right to protest, chanting things that are deeply anti-Semitic or are threatening is a line that, once that’s crossed, that’s no longer a protest, that’s an aggressive action,” said Democratic Congressman Colin Allred. “That’s what I’ve seen happening on these college campuses. To me, it’s gotten out of hand.”
Sen. Ted Cruz called the campus protests “disgraceful.”
“This vicious antisemitism is utterly unacceptable,” said Cruz. “We’re seeing radical activists who are pro-Hamas, who are chanting in favor of the Hamas terrorists that butchered 1,200 people on October 7.”
Marquee match-up
Jack also spoke with Allred and Cruz about their campaigns, border security and how they voted on a recent foreign aid package.
Watch Jack’s interview with Cruz below:
Watch Jack’s interview with Allred below:
The Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Cruz leads Allred by 7.2 percentage points, 46% to 38.8%. The Cook Political Report rates this seat likely “R”.
Squaring off
One of the closest races being watched in Dallas County is the Democratic primary runoff on May 28 between incumbent Sheriff Marian Brown and her former boss, former Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Valdez hand-picked Brown to succeed her.
Jack recently moderated a debate between them, sponsored by the Dallas Democratic Forum. During the debate, the candidates made their case to dozens of people on why they should win the Democratic primary runoff next month.
“Some people said she wants her old job back,” said Valdez. “I don’t want my old job back … Correctional officers will tell you things are not improving, it’s getting worse. So, I made the decision after three years of several folks asking.”
In response, Brown said she wouldn’t have been Valdez’s hand-picked successor and appointed by county leaders if she hadn’t done a good job as the number three person in the department.
“When I hear there are 30 people who’ve asked my opponent to return, I say to you there are 2,100 employees at the department,” Brown said. “What percentage of 2,100 is 30 … I’m okay with that because in the real world, if you have 2,100 employees, you’re not going to please everybody.”
Watch Jack’s full report on this race by watching this week’s full episode of Eye on Politics at the top of this page.
Every week, CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink breaks down some of the biggest political stories grabbing headlines in North Texas and beyond. Watch the latest episode of Eye on Politics in the video player above and watch new episodes every Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on air and online.
Austin, TX
Texas agency denies Austin ISD pause for 3 middle schools facing takeover risk
A possible state takeover continues to loom over the Austin Independent School District after the Texas Education Agency denied the district’s request for an accountability pause for three middle schools.
The denial also affects money that would have gone toward Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools, which have each received “F” ratings four times since 2019. A fifth “F” rating would open the district up to a state takeover.
Austin ISD schools expect to see their accountability scores, or grades, later this summer. If Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools receive a fifth “F” each — all in the last seven years — the district could face a state takeover.
Houston ISD was taken over by the state in the 2023-2024 school year, and it has been reported as a rocky ride for teachers and families.
Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the University of Houston Education Research Center, said, “Generally, what we’re seeing is a large exodus of both teachers and students from the district.” Templeton and two colleagues released the first part of an ongoing study into the Houston takeover in January. Templeton said, “What that signals to us is that parents are choosing to put students in a different schooling option,” including a neighboring district or charter schools.
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Austin ISD has not been taken over, and the district’s future hinges on the next set of ratings. Asked whether Austin ISD is in a vulnerable place and how likely a takeover is, a district spokesperson provided a statement released by Superintendent Matias Segura on Thursday, saying in part, “Over the last two years, student outcomes have continued to improve across Austin ISD.”
Ken Zarifis, president of Education Austin, also pointed to improvement while raising concerns about the state’s authority. “I think the state will take over a school district if it wants to, and I think that’s a problem, but what we’ve got here is we’ve got some information that I think that is hopeful that we’ve got to produce as far as test scores,” Zarifis said.
He added, “Yeah, I think it’s really important to see what they’re doing now? Not, what are they doing in 2022? What are they doing today? What have they been doing the last few years? And there’s been an improvement, and they’re very hopeful for at least two of the schools.”
A Texas Education Agency spokesperson said that because accountability ratings come out in August, it is too soon to speculate.
Austin, TX
Barton Springs Bridge named one of Preservation Texas’ most endangered places for 2026
AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Austin is considering replacing the Barton Springs Bridge, citing concerns about the structure’s condition and long-term safety. However, preservation advocates are urging city leaders to fully explore alternatives before moving forward.
This week, Preservation Texas named Barton Springs Bridge one of the most endangered places for 2026.
“It’s a major road and a lot of stuff happening around here all the time, you know, public safety access, all these things are huge concerns, too. But we think that the historic nature of the bridge is really important,” said Meghan Namour, Policy and Outreach Planner at Preservation Austin.
According to city officials, the 100-year-old bridge has deteriorated over time, with cracking concrete, missing sections of concrete and other issues that have raised concerns about its future.
In 2024, the city received a $32 million bridge improvement grant from the Federal Highway Administration to help fund the project.
For longtime Austin resident Bethani Ragland, the bridge represents a piece of the city’s history.
“I’ve been here so long, since my childhood,” said Bethani Ragland, Austin resident.
She said she was disappointed to learn the bridge could eventually be replaced.
“It was built well because I haven’t noticed anything, no cracking no nothing. There’s no reason to take the bridge down. It’s just more construction in Austin,” said Ragland.
City of Austin officials say the project must still go through the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, review process.
In a statement to KXAN, the city said:
“The Barton Springs Bridge project is currently at the 90% design milestone. The project received a $32M bridge improvement program grant from the Federal Highway Administration, and will go through a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and approval process which includes assessment of environmental assets and review of bridge alternatives. The NEPA document will review and evaluate the historic, environmental and archeological significance of the bridge. There will be an analysis of both replacement and rehabilitation alternatives included. The NEPA process is expected to be completed in 2027.”
Preservation advocates say they hope that process includes meaningful consideration of ways to preserve the bridge.
“In our own city, we have examples of historic bridges that have been repurposed for new or different uses. There’s the Pfluger Pedestrian and Bike Bridge that was added next to the Lamar Bridge. Not every case is the same but we would love for those options to at least be meaningfully considered,” said Namour.
Austin, TX
3 Keys For Texas Baseball To Advance Out Of Austin Regional
The road to Omaha starts now for the No. 6 national seed Texas Longhorns. For the 39th time in the program’s storied history, the Longhorns will host the NCAA Regional with the opportunity to host a super regional if they can get out of a talent grouping.
This year’s Austin Regional is paired up with the Eugene Regional, hosted by the No. 11 Oregon Ducks. Last season, Texas had its best season since 2010 in its first year in the Southeastern Conference, but everything came crashing down when the Longhorns lost twice to the UTSA Roadrunners.
While last year’s result served as a lesson for the returners, most of the 2026 squad was either at other places or in high school, marking a new beginning for many.
“It’s always the most fun time of year, and certainly when you need the opportunity to play at home,” head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Welcome to Holy Cross, Tarleton State, and UCSB. Looking forward to great three or four days of baseball.”
Here are some keys for the Longhorns to make it out of the regional round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.
1 – Aiden Robbins Must Produce
At one point in the season, Texas junior outfielder Aiden Robbins was one of the most dangerous hitters in the nation. For a hitter who has never batted under .300 dating back to high school, he maintained his production in a much more competitive SEC slate.
But in the final couple of games in the season, Robbins has not been the same imposing bat that won him the SEC Newcomer of the Year honors. Dating back to the Tennessee series, Robbins has gone 4-for-21 at the plate while striking out nine times.
The Longhorns’ top-of-the-order bat is also riding a three-game hitless streak heading into postseason play.
Robbins is battling back from a stomach bug that took him out early in the second game of the Missouri series and the entirety of the regular season finale.
If Texas wants to get out of its regional, its best bat for the entirety of the season must get back to his original form. A possible tuneup game against Holy Cross may be the switch to get him back. If not, he’ll have to move down in the order to allow catcher Carson Tinney and SEC Freshman of the Year, Anthony Pack Jr., to be the brunt of the offensive load.
2 – Texas Can’t Get Into The Loser’s Bracket
Playing two games in one day is almost a death sentence for any team with hopes of making it out of the regional.
Texas learned this the hard way: after beating Houston Christian in the first game of last season’s regional, the Longhorns fell in the second game to UTSA, forcing them to battle in the losers’ bracket with Kansas State.
Despite beating Kansas State on Sunday, Texas only had around an hour’s break before the regional final game, and a rematch with UTSA, ultimately in the regional defining loss.
“The biggest thing we learned is that everything up to this point just doesn’t, doesn’t matter. It’s all out the window – it’s a new season,” Luke Harrison said. “We’ve got to find a way to get better as a team and play better than we have all year.”
Texas is rolling out Harrison for game one against Holy Cross, saving Dylan Volantis for a big-time game on Saturday for either a rematch with Tarleton State or against a talented UC-Santa Brarba team.
While Texas does have the arms to win out of the losers’ bracket, it’s a task that will cause more pressure on the entire team.
3 – Starters and Bullpen Must Play Their A-Game
It has been well documented that the bullpen has seen its fair share of woes this season, and one of the keys to beating Texas is to retire the starter early to force them to tap into the bullpen early.
The starting trio of Harrison, Dylan Volantis and Ruger Riojas must eat up as many innings as possible, something they’ve done for the most part the entire season. Then it’s up to the bullpen to not allow the opposition to gain momentum down the stretch.
For Schlossnagle, there will not be much experimentation in the regional, and the arms that have proven their worth will get the nod.
“The guys who have pitched the best all season, they’re going to pitch the most,” Schlossnagle said. “If that means a reliever who maybe hasn’t pitched before the seventh inning has to come in a different part of the game, that’s what’s going to happen.”
While the SEC Tournament was disappointing on the hitting front, Texas was able to get looks from multiple pitchers in different parts of the game. Freshman pitchers, Sam Cozart and Brett Crossland, will be primary options while Thomas Burns and Haiden Leffew cannot struggle in the late-inning situations
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