AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s multi-billion dollar light rail plan, Project Connect, is safe for now after two bills that targeted it failed to pass the Texas Legislature.

Senate Bill 2519, authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, passed the state Senate and House but failed to be voted on by the House before the deadline. Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, authored House Bill 3879, which did not reach the House for a vote.

In November 2020, Austin voters approved Project Connect and a 21% property tax increase to help fund it, the Texas Tribune reports. The $7 billion plan is projected to expand the city’s public transportation system with an electric light rail and additions to CapMetro’s existing presence.

Project Connect has seen some changes since it was first announced, including reducing the 27 miles of light rail to less than 10 miles. The group managing the project’s development, Austin Transit Partnership, has also been met with a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over claims that tax money can’t be used to help fund the project.

Phase 1 of the light rail is currently underway as developers focus on planning, engineering and fulfilling funding requirements. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.

When he heads off to college in a year or so, Yaheim Riley won’t have to travel far.

That was one the reasons why Riley chose to commit to the Texas football team. A three-star safety from Austin’s Anderson High School, Riley announced earlier this month that he will join the Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class.

Riley is currently one of eight members in UT’s 2026 class, which currently ranks 26th nationally.

MORE: National Signing Day: 10 Central Texas uncommitted recruits to know moving forward

While recently working at a football camp put on by local products Sedrick Alexander, Latreveon McCutchin and Micah Gifford, Riley talked with reporters about his decision to play at Texas. He was previously committed to Houston, and he reportedly had offers from schools like Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.

“There’s nothing wrong with just staying at the crib,” Riley said. “I just moved here, and this city’s good. I’ve been here for two, three years, and I just like the environment. Then I just like (UT assistant coach Duane) Akina, I like the coaching staff up there too.”

According to a Spectrum News report, Riley grew up in Florida and has thus adopted the “Miami” nickname since his move to Texas. After playing at LBJ the past two seasons, Riley will suit up at Anderson this fall.

LBJ assistant coach Roderick Green wrote on social media that “Texas is definitely getting a playmaker! He can cover like a corner and come downhill (with) bad intentions! One of the best open field tacklers in high school football!”

But how would the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Riley describe his game?

“(Texas is) getting a hard hitter, a hard worker,” Riley said. “I love to work. If I ain’t working, I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Yaheim Riley is a rare Austin ISD recruit for Texas

Even though the Austin school district and Texas share an area code, a recruiting pipeline between the two entities doesn’t exist. Over the past decade, Austin High quarterback Charles Wright (2021), wide receiver Cayleb Jones (2012) and offensive lineman Mark Buchanan (2008) and LBJ tight end D.J. Grant (2008) have been the only Austin ISD products signed out of high school by Texas.

But Texas is coming off a season in which Andrew Mukuba, an LBJ graduate who started his college career at Clemson, starred in the secondary and developed into a second-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. Riley is hoping that he can also help change the narrative about the talent that exists in the city.

“Austin’s got a lot of slept-on talent,” Riley said. “I just say don’t sleep on the talent, there’s a lot of good people in Austin. I just will say just even though they might not look the part, just give them a chance. It’s a lot of good talent out here.”

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AUSTIN, Texas – Communities across Central Texas honored fallen service members at various Memorial Day events.

East Austin

What we know:

In East Austin, the Thankful Hubbard Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and the Patrick Henry Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution (TXSAR) held their Memorial Day Service, which has been happening every year since 2007. 

They honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, including two Revolutionary War soldiers buried at the Texas State Cemetery. 

The two soldiers are Lt. Robert Rankin and Sgt. Stephen Williams. Williams also fought in the War of 1812 and the Texas War of Independence. His eulogy was given by a descendant of his. 

Over the weekend, the groups placed 3,200 flags on all the gravesites. 

What they’re saying:

“We want to have this available for the public to come out and memorialize those who have passed in battle,” Joseph Howell Burton, president of the Patrick Henry chapter of TXSAR said.

Pflugerville

What we know:

Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pflugerville hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony in the newly established Patriot Garden.

What they’re saying:

Veterans took time to connect and reflect. 

“The Marine Corps really changed my life big time. It taught me how to survive, discipline, and how to be a father, a son, et cetera,” veteran Jim Newman said. “Memorial Day to us is just remembering veterans that have gone before us and that we survived in order to remember their names.”

Round Rock

What we know:

Round Rock also had a ceremony at Old Settlers Park.

“Memorial Day is not just another holiday. It is a commitment. It’s a commitment to remember, to reflect, and to ensure that the sacrifice of our fallen heroes and their families are never forgotten,” Major General Michael McCurry with Army Futures Command said. “These were not just soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. They were people with plans for the future with laughter and love to share, who instead gave everything for us.”

Memorial Day is also a time to honor Gold Star families.

“Your loss is immeasurable,” McCurry said.