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Cyclists call for improved roads in Ride of Silence

The 8-mile route will pass white "ghost bikes," which mark sites where cyclists have died.

News

Austin cyclists will gather Wednesday evening for a rally and silent ride honoring people who were killed or injured by cars while riding bikes on city streets.Why it matters: The event is part of the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" International Ride of Silence" data-vars-click-url="https://rideofsilence.org/main.php" data-vars-content-id="8d1d43b7-6cc4-4252-b438-e000ba7e6b33" data-vars-headline="Cyclists call for improved roads in Ride of Silence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rideofsilence.org/main.php" target="_blank"> International Ride of Silence</a>, which began in Dallas in 2003 after cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed when he was struck by the mirror of a passing school bus.

Violent crime rates decline in Austin

Austin Police say they are focused more on data-driven policing.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="631ae4fa-9a36-41b3-a29f-2033721ecee7" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates decline in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" target="_self">Violent crime</a> fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/austin-shootings-license-plate-readers" data-vars-content-id="631ae4fa-9a36-41b3-a29f-2033721ecee7" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates decline in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/austin-shootings-license-plate-readers" target="_self">Austin</a>, in early 2026, extending a nationwide decline that began after the pandemic-era crime spike.Why it matters: Crime and policing have been a major factor at the ballot box in local elections, as Republicans including President Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tried to pin violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/14/abbott-statewide-prosecutor-impeachment-process" data-vars-content-id="631ae4fa-9a36-41b3-a29f-2033721ecee7" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates decline in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/14/abbott-statewide-prosecutor-impeachment-process" target="_self">tried to pin violent crime</a> on Democrats.

ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year

The festival will take place over four days in downtown Austin.

ATX TV Festival is back in downtown Austin this weekend with TV reunions, sneak peeks, celebrity panels and a few new additions to mark its 15th year.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four-day festival" data-vars-click-url="https://atxtvfestival.eventive.org/welcome" data-vars-content-id="4bf642da-d98d-4065-9c47-16468aaae12a" data-vars-headline="ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atxtvfestival.eventive.org/welcome" target="_blank">four-day festival</a>, running Friday to Monday, is dedicated to television — something co-founders Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson say was the point from the beginning.

Central Texas spellers headed to Scripps Spelling Bee

Two competitors will represent the Austin area at the 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scripps National Spelling Bee" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/45798232.14109/aHR0cHM6Ly9zcGVsbGluZ2JlZS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfaG91c3RvbiZzdHJlYW09dG9w/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10B11430c39" data-vars-content-id="77dccd9d-1533-40fe-9543-96c3c4c7e215" data-vars-headline="Central Texas spellers headed to Scripps Spelling Bee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/45798232.14109/aHR0cHM6Ly9zcGVsbGluZ2JlZS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfaG91c3RvbiZzdHJlYW09dG9w/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10B11430c39" target="_self">Scripps National Spelling Bee</a> championship this week.Driving the news: Thivaan Butani, a sixth grader at Lake Travis Middle School, and Sreeyansh Pasham, an eighth grader at Basis Cedar Park, will head to the national competition beginning Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race

Middleton successfully cast himself as the MAGA candidate, even as President Trump didn't endorse in the race.

Politics

State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayes Middleton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/texas-attorney-general-may-runoff" data-vars-content-id="742ac211-8db8-41c8-b685-203a2d2ed8d7" data-vars-headline="Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/texas-attorney-general-may-runoff" target="_self">Mayes Middleton</a> of Galveston defeated U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chip Roy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/chip-roy-texas-attorney-general-paxton-cornyn" data-vars-content-id="742ac211-8db8-41c8-b685-203a2d2ed8d7" data-vars-headline="Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/chip-roy-texas-attorney-general-paxton-cornyn" target="_self">Chip Roy</a> in the GOP runoff for Texas attorney general Tuesday night.Why it matters: Middleton successfully cast himself as the MAGA candidate, even as President Trump didn&#x27;t endorse in the race.

Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset

Cornyn's loss marks one of the most significant defeats for a Republican senator in years.

Politics & Policy

Republican primary voters on Tuesday rejected U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, one of the Senate&#x27;s most senior GOP members, in favor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump-backed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/trump-endorsement-texas-senate-race-ken-paxton" data-vars-content-id="319ecb20-8e5a-415d-9d5a-b2a8fc1d11fc" data-vars-headline="Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/trump-endorsement-texas-senate-race-ken-paxton" target="_self">Trump-backed</a> Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.Why it matters: Cornyn&#x27;s loss marks one of the most significant defeats for a Republican senator in years and underscores how loyalty to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="319ecb20-8e5a-415d-9d5a-b2a8fc1d11fc" data-vars-headline="Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">President Trump</a> continues to reshape GOP primaries nationwide.

Austin mayor backs license plate readers after shootings

Manor police used the technology to identify a suspect's stolen car.

Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kirk Watson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/24/austin-mayor-kirk-watson-trump-interview" data-vars-content-id="a9ec8126-7356-4b19-bcee-cdb0fe14f6be" data-vars-headline="Austin mayor backs license plate readers after shootings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/24/austin-mayor-kirk-watson-trump-interview" target="_self">Kirk Watson</a> tells Axios the city should move forward with obtaining license plate readers, which police say could have helped more quickly track down three suspects tied to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="citywide shooting spree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/17/south-austin-shooting-suspects-custody" data-vars-content-id="a9ec8126-7356-4b19-bcee-cdb0fe14f6be" data-vars-headline="Austin mayor backs license plate readers after shootings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/17/south-austin-shooting-suspects-custody" target="_self">citywide shooting spree</a>.Why it matters: The shootings have reignited debate over whether concerns about privacy still outweigh public safety arguments for bringing back the technology.

Austin FC fires its head coach and sporting director

Assistant coach Davy Arnaud will take over as interim head coach.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin FC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/13/inside-austin-fc-s-payroll" data-vars-content-id="d38a266f-ff57-439a-9324-1c956733a9d0" data-vars-headline="Austin FC fires its head coach and sporting director" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/13/inside-austin-fc-s-payroll" target="_self">Austin FC</a>, struggling through the first half of the season, has fired head coach Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell, effective immediately.Why it matters: The firings, ahead of a long midseason break for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" data-vars-content-id="d38a266f-ff57-439a-9324-1c956733a9d0" data-vars-headline="Austin FC fires its head coach and sporting director" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" target="_self">World Cup</a>, mark an inflection point as the squad aims to shake itself out of mediocrity.

5 questions with Midland's Jess Carson

Next month, the group will perform at The American Rodeo Championship in Arlington.

Country trio Midland&#x27;s roots trace back to Dripping Springs dive bars.Driving the news: The Hill Country-born group — Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy — will perform at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The American Rodeo Championship in Arlington" data-vars-click-url="https://americanrodeo.com/" data-vars-content-id="e7667c0d-3011-4df1-bec0-b191ea79be88" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Midland&#x27;s Jess Carson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://americanrodeo.com/" target="_blank">The American Rodeo Championship in Arlington</a> on May 23.

Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs

Two Republicans and two Democrats face off on May 26.

Two Republicans and two Democrats are facing off May 26 in runoff primary elections to be Texas attorney general, though it&#x27;s likely a Republican would take the win in November.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the chief legal officer of the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office/duties-responsibilities-office-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="540fb797-a939-4df0-9776-b44ae754ab7d" data-vars-headline="Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office/duties-responsibilities-office-attorney-general" target="_blank">the chief legal officer of the state</a>, the attorney general represents Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in litigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/30/covid-vaccine-mandate-texas-biden-contractors" data-vars-content-id="540fb797-a939-4df0-9776-b44ae754ab7d" data-vars-headline="Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/30/covid-vaccine-mandate-texas-biden-contractors" target="_self">in litigation</a>, defends state laws, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="initiates investigations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/texas-democrats-beto-orourke-paxton-investigation" data-vars-content-id="540fb797-a939-4df0-9776-b44ae754ab7d" data-vars-headline="Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/texas-democrats-beto-orourke-paxton-investigation" target="_self">initiates investigations</a> and enforces consumer protection laws.

News 🗞

Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race

Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset

ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year

Central Texas spellers headed to Scripps Spelling Bee

Dallas-based Colossal hatches chicks from fully artificial eggs

Things to do in Austin during Memorial Day weekend