Austin, TX

Three Central Texans among those in Austin, Texas lobbying for Special Olympics athletes

Published

9 months ago

March 6, 2025

Three Central Texans among those in Austin, Texas lobbying for Special Olympics athletes

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Special Olympics athletes from across Texas spent Wednesday at the state capital in Austin lobbying for issues that affect over 60,000 athletes statewide and the group of delegates included three from Central Texas.

Madi Potts, 19, has Down syndrome and has been participating in Special Olympics for more than four years now.

She’s enjoyed powerlifting, bowling, bocce ball and basketball.

Midway High School junior Ella Hedrick has an intellectual disability and competes in bocce ball, basketball, track, powerlifting and bowling, which her mom says is always a fan favorite.

Midway High School junior Rylee Tilsley is a unified partner with Special Olympics Texas meaning she doesn’t have a disability but teams up with an athlete to help them compete.

All three young women were in Austin for the day of activities called “Unified Under the Dome.”

Left to right: Ella Hendrick, Rylee Tilsley and Madi Potts.(Courtesy Photos)

“Madi was so fortunate to be included in some of the Special Olympic athletes asked to represent Special Olympics Texas at the state capital today in Austin,” Madi’s mom, Julie said. “What an amazing opportunity it was for us to advocate for inclusion and adaptive sports and requesting funding for the Texas Special Olympics program.”

The delegates and their families talked about issues related to inclusion, health services and funding for programs that support Special Olympics Texas.

They met in the offices of Senator Brian Birdwell and State Representative Pat Curry.

They were also recognized by the Texas House of Representatives, which Ella’s mom, Melinda Hedrick, said was very memorable.

“We got to go up on the House of Representatives gallery and be announced and be recognized in front of the House of Representatives which was very cool,” Melinda said. “Just an amazing day and an awesome opportunity to meet with lawmakers and to participate and show our support of Special Olympics.”

Jenson Keough is the area 12 program director for Special Olympics Texas.

She attended with the group and said the issues tackled are important in the lives of many.

“We were able to lobby for our Unified Champions Schools’ program which is one of our largest unified opportunities on campuses across the state, as well as to pitch lobbying for our Healthy Athletes’ program,” Keough said. “Special Olympics Texas offers eight different disciplines at no charge to our athletes that they may not otherwise be able to get.”

Keough says Special Olympics Texas is always in need of a financial helping hand and there’s a way later this month you can help.

The Waco Police Department and Waco Fire Department are hosting a charity basketball game on March 29 at 5 p.m. at University High school.

Special Olympics athletes, including Madi, will be playing in the game.

It’s free to attend but donations will be directed to Special Olympics Texas.

Source link

Click to comment

Austin, TX

Southwest Airlines establishing new crew base in Austin

Published

28 minutes ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Southwest Airlines establishing new crew base in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas (KVIA) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that Southwest Airlines will establish a new pilot and flight attendant crew base in Austin.

Abbott joined the Austin mayor at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to make the announcement today.

The expansion to Austin will lay the groundwork for future operational growth in Texas. It is expected to generate 2,000 jobs in Austin by mid-2027. In addition to the pilots and flight attendants, Austin will now also be home to managerial and support staff. The new crew base will have an average salary of $180,000 a year, the Governor’s Office says.

The state is extending a $14 million Texas Enterprise Fund to the airline, as well as a $375,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.

“Southwest Airlines was born and raised in Texas and has been a core element of the economic growth we have seen in our state,” said Governor Abbott. “We are excited to announce that today Southwest Airlines will add over 2,000 high paying jobs right here in Texas. We are the home of economic opportunity for our fellow Texans more than any other state in the United States, and we know a key reason for that is because of everything Southwest Airlines provides. We are proud to partner with everybody connected with Southwest as well as the City of Austin on such a huge announcement for our state.”

Source link

Austin, TX

Fire destroys abandoned E Austin auto shop

Published

13 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Fire destroys abandoned E Austin auto shop

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin firefighters battled their second major fire Thursday afternoon, responding to an abandoned East Austin auto shop engulfed in flames.

Crews responded to 3100 Manor Road around 4 p.m., AFD said.

No injuries were reported and no one was inside the building.

ALSO | 40+ residents displaced in North Austin third-alarm apartment fire, no injuries reported

The incident was called in as a first alarm. The building is a total loss, according to officials.

CBS Austin has a crew on the way to the scene.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Earlier in the afternoon, firefighters extinguished a three-alarm fire in north Austin.

Source link

Austin, TX

Austin road rage suspect identified, charged with criminal mischief: affidavit

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Austin road rage suspect identified, charged with criminal mischief: affidavit

AUSTIN, Texas – The suspect in a violent road rage incident on the Capital of Texas Highway has been identified and charged, according to court paperwork.

The altercation was caught on camera.

What we know:

34-year-old Ian Kevin Brinkmeyer has been charged with criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor, in connection with the Dec. 5 incident.

At around 2 p.m. that day, officers responded to a call for service on Capital of Texas Highway, where they spoke with Brinkmeyer and another man.

The affidavit says Brinkmeyer “engaged in a road rage” with the other man while traveling north on Capital of Texas Highway. Brinkmeyer drove around the other man, changed lanes in front of him and cut him off before stopping his car.

Brinkmeyer then allegedly got out of his vehicle holding a “steel knife sharpening rod”, walked over to the other man’s car and struck the driver’s side door window with the rod, shattering the entire window.

The affidavit says Brinkmeyer then quickly walked back to his car and drove off.

The entire incident was caught on video by other drivers and posted on social media.

The affidavit says that the repairs to the shattered window cost about $480, making this a case of criminal mischief with a value between $100 and $750.

What’s next:

A warrant has been issued for Brinkmeyer’s arrest. As of 12 p.m. Dec. 11, he is not in custody.

The Source: Information in this report comes from court paperwork and previous reporting.

Crime and Public SafetyAustin

Source link