Austin, TX
Texas politicians react to Biden’s visit to Austin: ‘True statesman and patriot’
President Biden visited Austin on Monday to deliver comments at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act and honoring the legacy of a president recently likened to Biden for his decision not to seek reelection in 1968.
His visit prompted several state and local politicians to comment publicly about Biden’s legacy, record, and decision to step down from the ticket in November.
Here is what Texas politicians had to say about President Biden’s visit:
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin
Doggett wrote that Biden was a “true statesman and patriot” in a post to X documenting the president’s arrival at ABIA. His remarks come after the congressmen became the first house Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step down from the ticket.
More: Austin Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s first call for Biden to withdraw sparked a national movement
Mayor Kirk Watson
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wrote on X, “The fact that the American economy is the strongest in the world post-pandemic has everything to do with Joe Biden’s leadership,” in a post containing a photograph of the two politicians shaking hands on the tarmac.
Mayor Watson continued by noting that America owed Biden a “debt of gratitude” both for his leadership in the White House and for his “extraordinary decision to pass the torch of leadership.” Watson finished his statement by pledging a commitment to helping elect Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
More: Bryan Cranston reads from LBJ speech ahead of Biden’s visit to celebrate Civil Rights Act
Texas Governor Greg Abbott
While Abbott did not comment directly on Biden’s remarks at the LBJ library, he did take the opportunity to deride POTUS’ policies regarding the Southern border, emphasizing that Biden would not be visiting the border during his time in Texas.
“Joe Biden & his Border Czar Kamala Harris can come all the way to Texas but not the border,” Abbott wrote on X. “Americans are waiting for them to take this national security crisis seriously.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin
Congressman Casar was also among the handful of politicians who greeted Biden upon landing in Austin. In a statement released following POTUS’ arrival, Casar praised Biden for his recent pledge to reform the Supreme Court, a central topic in his remarks at the LBJ library.
“With term limits for the justices, an ethics code, and a constitutional amendment limiting presidential immunity, we can ensure the Court is balanced and not corrupted by billionaires and extremists,” Casar’s statement read. “These reforms would continue the legacy of President Lyndon Baines Johnson — protecting and advancing civil rights for everyone.”
More: ‘No one is above the law’: Biden calls for sweeping Supreme Court changes
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso
Representative Escobar wrote on X that she was honored to join the President as he commemorated the signing of the Civil Rights Act, a historical moment she described as “representing the culmination of an arduous fight in the never-ending pursuit for equality.
The president was also greeted by Texas Representatives Al Green, Sylvia Garcia, and Lizzie Fletcher as well as Texas Senate and House Minority Leaders Carol Alvaro and Trey Martinez Fischer.
Austin, TX
Live blog: Severe thunderstorms possible in Central Texas
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.
Austin, TX
Letter to the editor from Texas emeritus professor on Dell donation
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.
How to share a letter to the editor
Want to share your voice in the A-J? We’d love for you to contribute to the thoughtful and civil conversation. Please send us a letter to the editor by emailing us at newmedia@lubbockonline.com or through mail: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401. Please keep submissions to around 250 words or less.
Austin, TX
APD responds to barricaded subject in E Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — APD SWAT responded to a barricaded subject in East Austin Saturday afternoon.
According to police, the incident took place near the 3400 block of Kay St., and officers responded to the call at around 1:30 p.m.
Once officers arrived, they made contact with a victim who “advised of circumstances that met the state law requirement of assault with a deadly weapon family violence.” Shortly after, the suspect barricaded themselves inside the residence.
ALSO: National Weather Service warns of storms with gusty winds
Austin Police officers, SWAT, hostage negotiators, and Austin-Travis County EMS were still on the scene and the suspect was still barricaded as of 6:15 p.m.
People are being encouraged to avoid the area due to increased police presence, or stay in a safe location if they are unable to avoid the area.
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This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
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