Big Bend Sentinel, the Houston Chronicle, KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi, KXAN Investigates in Austin and the Texas Observer will report on state and federal efforts to restrict local control.

As protests continue in Los Angeles, more protests have begun in parts of Texas.

Walmart has issued an apology following backlash over a Uvalde-themed shirt sold in their stores.

A Houston area man is hoping to win a big prize this weekend at a world pinball tournament.

The alligator was 8 feet long and is believed to have been taken from the zoo in New Braunfels as an egg or a hatchling.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported Wednesday that an earthquake happened at about 3:30 p.m. near the small community of Mentone, which is located in Loving County.

A former sheriff’s deputy in Texas has been taken into custody Monday following a manhunt that began after three people were fatally shot in Austin, authorities said.

Austin police responding to an ongoing hostage situation on West 35th StreetTwo people were pronounced deceased following an hours-long SWAT situation at a pediatric doctor’s office in central Austin, KXAN reports. According to KPRC 2′s sister-station KSAT, Austin police were called to Children’s Medical Group before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday for a possible hostage situation involving a gunman inside the building. Another neighbor said hostage negotiators also attempted to speak to the suspect over a loudspeaker. KXAN reports neighbors hearing multiple booms coming from inside the doctor’s office as the SWAT team breached the building around 10:50 p.m. The Austin Police Department reports two people being found dead inside the building.

HOUSTON – Should Texas expand medical marijuana? Well, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller believes the state should. During a tour of the Austin-based marijuana facility Compassionate Cultivation on Thursday, Miller said he wanted to learn more about how hemp, THC and medical marijuana can help people. After meeting with a group of parents whose children use medical marijuana for autism and other conditions, Miller said he is in favor of expanding the use of medical marijuana, according to a report by Austin NBC affiliate KXAN. “I would certainly expand medical marijuana.

Hundreds of teenagers who attended a large party called Pongfest in Lakeway, Texas may have been exposed to the coronavirus, KXAN reports. According to Austin Public Health, 300 teenagers attended the party some of whom were awaiting results for their COVID-19 test and have since tested positive, KXAN reports. According to KXAN, Cox says contact tracing is being handed by Austin Public Health. We need anyone who went to that party to isolate for 14 days, Cox said according to KXAN. And if you have been in contact with anyone else at that party, they need to isolate for 14 days.

Tesla is seeking to build an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the Austin area. The company wants to build on land within the Del Valle Independent School District with more than $68 million in tax incentives, according to KXAN. Tesla’s plan is to construct a 4 million to 5 million-square-foot manufacturing facility, also known as a Gigafactory. The property is currently a concrete batch plant operated by Martin Marietta, per KXAN. CEO Elon Musk has publically stated interest in opening a facility in Texas.

Greg Abbott’s orders to reopen the economy, Austin is planning to extend stay-at-home orders, KXAN reports. “We are not going to reopen anything more than what we have already open because we think that’s the safest thing to do,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler told the TV station. But in Austin, public libraries and public swimming spots like Barton Springs and Deep Eddy Pool will remain closed for now. Most city offices will remain closed, too, and employees will be working from home whenever possible. — Juan Pablo GarnhamDisclosure: Steve Adler, a former Texas Tribune board chairman, has been a financial supporter of the Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

AUSTIN, Texas – One Austinite just wasn’t having it when a park ranger took time to reinforce social distancing to a group of visitors at Lake Austin. According to KXAN, the ranger reported he had been trying to disperse a crowd of people who were unlawfully smoking and drinking in the park, police say. The park ranger reported being pushed into the water by a visitor who police identified as Brandon Hicks, 25. In a video of the incident that was shared on social media, you can hear the park ranger reminding the group of visitors to keep six feet of distance from each other before being pushed into the water by someone. According to an affidavit, police responded to the call at 4:54 p.m. Thursday and were sent to Commons Ford Park, KXAN reported.

Residents in Austin and Travis counties will remain under the “Stay Home-Work Safe” order until 11:59 p.m. on May 8, KXAN reports. The order which was expected to be lifted on April 14 was extended by county officials on Monday. “The next three weeks are going to be critical for us,” Austin Public Health Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said, according to KXAN. “What we’re trying to do is buy time. Buy time for more PPE, buy time for more testing capabilities … and to ultimately buy time for two of the most critical components of this, effective treatment and vaccinations.”Counties in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston are currently under stay-at-home orders through April 30.

The world’s oldest living couple celebrated another major milestone when their senior living community in Austin, Texas, threw them a party for their 80th wedding anniversary. Jason Free, who helped his great uncle and great aunt get recognized by Guinness World Records in November as the world's oldest living couple, told CNN affiliate KXAN what makes them so special. The world's oldest living couple celebrated another major milestone when their senior living community in Austin, Texas, threw them a party for their 80th wedding anniversary. John, who is the oldest living former UT football player, attends at least one Longhorn game every year. Jim Bissett is also a resident at Longhorn Village and has been friends with the couple for 10 years.