The Week’s Biggest News in Brief: Sept. 24-30

City Council Candidate Arrested: Misael Ramos, one of six candidates for Austin City Council District 1, was arrested on Saturday, Sept. 26, on misdemeanor riot charges in connection to his participation in a protest against the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in North Austin by ICE agents on Sunday, Sept. 20. Ramos was held in Travis County Jail for nearly eight hours on Saturday before he was released and joined a crowd outside the jail for a press conference where he detailed his arrest. He told the audience that he was walking his dog that morning when four vans, one of which was a Department of Public Safety vehicle, arrived and “about six or seven guys” surrounded him and arrested him. One of the candidate’s attorneys, Paul Quinzi, said that another 20 people who attended the Sept. 20 protest could have potentially been issued arrest warrants for their actions at the demonstration. Chronicle reporters Brant Bingamon and Sammie Seamon have been following the story. Read more online.

Counties Race to Process Voter Registration: Last week, news broke that the Texas Department of Public Safety failed to send voter registration applications to county voter registrars, leading to incomplete voter registration records throughout the state. Now, county election staff throughout the state, including in the Austin area, have been scrambling to process those applications. According to KUT, DPS sent Travis County 32,000 voter registrations last Tuesday, Sept. 22; the department sent 18,000 to Williamson County; and Hays County received 8,200. The agency has said that the issue was a result of an error by a third-party vendor’s software. 

ICE Criminal Complaint Against Garces Perez: A week and a half since he was shot in the back by an ICE agent, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez remains in detention and has yet to receive surgery to remove the bullet from his body, one of his attorneys, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, reported on Sunday, Sept. 27. On Monday, Sept. 28, U.S. attorney Justin Simmons filed a criminal complaint against Garces Perez for “assaulting, resisting, interfering, and impeding a federal officer,” which alleges that Garces Perez struck an ICE agent with his vehicle’s side mirror after federal officers initiated a traffic stop. The affidavit claims that Garces Perez drove away from the traffic stop and “led them on a high-speed chase through a commercial and residential area.” One of the officers caught up to Garces Perez’s vehicle, at which point, according to an ICE press release, Garces Perez “allegedly attempted to strike the officer with his car, causing the officer to fire his pistol.” ICE also stated that one of the two agents involved had a body camera that recorded the traffic stop, but was turned off prior to the other officer shooting Garces Perez. Garces Perez had a federal hearing on his criminal charges on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Austin, with a deportation hearing set for Friday, Oct. 2, in San Antonio. Read more in Sammie Seamon’s report.

Lake Austin Credit: Getty Images

City Cancels Lake Austin Drawdown: In late August, the city announced that the Lower Colorado River Authority would lower Lake Austin between Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam by 10 feet between Oct. 12 and Nov. 30 to conduct maintenance in the area. Following that announcement, several business owners on the lake pushed back, stating that the month-and-a-half-long drawdown would heavily impact their businesses. Last Thursday, Sept. 24, the city showed that it had listened to the community’s concerns, deciding to cancel the drawdown.

Academic Freedom Rally at UT: In response to UT-Austin’s controversial decision to consolidate several race, ethnic, and gender studies departments earlier this year and recently confirming that students no longer have access to earn majors in these areas, about 50 students, faculty, and other community members gathered outside University Baptist Church on Friday, Sept. 25, to raise concerns about academic freedom at the institution. Organized by the Texas State Employees Union, attendees said that the changes are a threat to free speech. Read more in Erika Gonzalez’s report.

UT Wins Pro-Palestinian Protest Lawsuit: In 2024, the Palestine Solidarity Committee held a pro-Palestinian protest on UT-Austin’s campus that resulted in the arrests of over 50 people. One of the arrested individuals, Ammer Qaddumi, was also suspended by the university for three semesters for helping organize the demonstration. Qaddumi filed a lawsuit following his arrest, claiming that UT violated his First Amendment rights by issuing his suspension. The case was brought forward to U.S. Judge Robert Pitman last week, in which he ruled that the university did not violate his rights since UT was allowed to restrict speech because it anticipated substantial disruption. The three-semester suspension will remain on Qaddumi’s student record.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Credit: John Anderson

AUS Expansion Moves Forward: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and city leaders celebrated the beginning of construction of Concourse M, as part of the airport’s Journey With AUS expansion program. Once completed, the concourse will be a six-gate, 37,000-square-foot facility that will support the rapid growth in the area along with the increased traffic at the airport. Concourse M is expected to be open to the public in 2028. 

Judge to Decide Dog’s Fate: In early September, a federal judge temporarily blocked the euthanasia of Major, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois who has spent nearly 550 days in isolation at a city shelter after he bit an Austin woman. Last Thursday, Judge David Alan Ezra delayed the euthanasia once again, this time saying that he will issue a final ruling on whether to grant the dog’s owner Shane Lilly’s request for a third party to evaluate the city and three animal shelter employees as part of a federal disability lawsuit within 10 days. 

Austin Water Rates Increase: When City Council was adopting its budget for FY 26-27, the dais approved rate increases for Austin Water customers. Those increases are set to go into effect today, Oct. 1, raising the average residential customer’s bill by $7.76 per month. Austin Water said the increase “helps Austin Water maintain the high standards of service, reliability, and water quality our customers count on.” Low-income customers may qualify for the city’s Customer Assistance Program that provides discounts and support for residents in need. 

A CapMetro bus picks up riders Credit: John Anderson

CapMetro to Raise Fares: For the first time in over a decade, CapMetro will raise fares at the start of next year. Starting in January, the local fare will increase from $1.25 to $1.50, then to $2 in 2029. Commuter fares will increase from $3.50 to $4, then $5 in 2029. Kevin Conlan, chief financial officer at CapMetro, said that the increase “is long overdue.” CapMetro will also expand its Reduced Fare program to include 50% discounts for veterans and those at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, currently serving seniors, Medicare card holders, military servicemembers, and individuals with disabilities. The company will also remove some underused ticket vending machines at bus transfer stations to save funds. The public transit company last raised ride costs in 2015.

Piker Event Moves to Smaller Venue: For weeks, the University of Texas’ University Democrats chapter has gone back and forth with UT-Austin, claiming that the university was working to push the group’s event with liberal political commentator Hasan Piker off campus. After the RSVP list skyrocketed, the group hoped to hold the event in a venue adequate enough to accommodate 2,400 people who RSVP’d or were waitlisted, but it ended up taking place in the 466-seat William C. Powers Jr. Student Activity Center after the university told them that other spaces were already booked, unavailable, or required more time to prepare. Piker has since spoken out, slamming the university for making accommodations for an upcoming Ben Shapiro event, saying that the university is “invested in only one type of free speech.”

Q2 Removes Woman for Anti-ICE Shirt: Austin FC fan Daniela Silva was removed from Q2 Stadium on Saturday for wearing a shirt that read “Abolish ICE,” just a week after an ICE agent shot 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in North Austin. Austin FC said stadium staff asked her to change into a complimentary T-shirt or cover the shirt, but Silva refused. Austin FC said that the request aligns with the stadium’s matchday policies prohibiting signs, symbols, or images “advocating for or against any candidate, political party, legislative issue, or government action.” In an Instagram post, Silva also said that a security guard told her ICE officers were in attendance, though Austin FC has denied the claim. Read more in this week’s The Verde Report.

SOS Sues City: On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Save Our Springs Alliance announced that it had filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin, claiming that the city wrongfully redacted water usage information related to a Tesla data center project after the group requested records related to the project. The group said it submitted a public information request to Austin Water in early March for all records of “service extension requests” for water and wastewater submitted by proposed data centers since January 2024. After being informed of the request, Tesla filed objections to Attorney General Ken Paxton, urging that Austin be allowed to withhold the information. The A.G. rejected that request, ordering the city to “release the remaining responsive information.” However, although the city did not challenge the final ruling, it still redacted information before completing the SOSA’s request. 

Council Rezones Circle C: At last Thursday’s Council meeting, the dais approved – with only Council Member Marc Duchen abstaining – the rezoning of 67 acres in the Circle C neighborhood that could potentially result in the construction of 1,000 apartments in the area near South MoPac and Kiker Elementary School. Residents in the area have pushed back on the proposed development, expressing concern for safety and potential increased traffic near the elementary school. The rezoning falls within District 8, which is represented by Paige Ellis, who supported the rezoning because it will increase housing in Southwest Austin. She said she will work with Austin ISD to manage traffic during pickup and drop-off hours at the nearby school.

County Employees to See 3% Raise: On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $2.31 billion budget for FY 27. According to the Statesman, the plan will result in around $47.6 million in additional property tax revenue than last year, as it increases funding for disaster preparedness, criminal justice programs, housing, and legal representation. Because taxable home values declined, the county estimates that the average homeowner will pay only around $6 more in 2027, while owners of median-valued homes will pay $31 less. County employees will also see a 3% raise as part of the newly adopted budget. The county also announced that Southeast Metropolitan Park will be renamed after longtime Commissioner Margaret J. Gomez, who retired earlier this year. 

$2.1 Million For Small Businesses: Last Thursday, City Council advanced over $2 million in funding for Austin small businesses through multiple programs: $1.5 million is going to a small business interest loan buydown pilot program contract with nonprofit PeopleFund; San Francisco-based nonprofit Kiva is receiving a $432,000 contract to establish revolving matching funds for small business loans; and $250,000 is going to the UT-Austin McCombs School of Business for a small business pitch competition. “These innovative programs will help lower borrowing costs, leverage community investment, and create new opportunities for local entrepreneurs to start, stay, and grow in Austin,” said Mac Cummins, director of Austin Economic Development.

Travis County Burn Ban Extended: On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office announced that it has extended the county’s burn ban through Nov. 27. All outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county is prohibited during this time, with exceptions for prescribed burns conducted under proper supervision, as well as welding, cutting, grinding, or other hot work operations in compliance with the office’s guidelines. 

Flood Watch Ahead of ACL: As Austin prepares for its largest music festival of the year, organizers of Austin City Limits are keeping a close eye on the weather. As things stand, Central Texas could see up to 10 inches of rain today, Oct. 1, with more falling between now and tomorrow afternoon and more scattered rainfall throughout the rest of the weekend. On Monday, Sept. 28, Gov. Greg Abbott held a severe weather briefing, warning Texans that “we’re going to face a heavy rain incident like we did this past July.” The music festival saw the most rain on Weekend Two of its 2013 event, forced to cancel the final day of the festival after Zilker Park flooded. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said it expects over 35,000 passengers on multiple days up until the festival concludes.

Lammes Candies Returns: Earlier this year, Lammes Candies announced that it would be closing its doors after providing sugary delights to the community for 141 years. This week, the popular candy shop announced it’s set to return, now with Fort Worth-based partners Delightful Development Co., the Statesman reported. Delightful Development Co. founders have said they plan to work with the Lammes Candies family to maintain the integrity of the fan favorite products, while updating branding and packaging and bringing new commodities to the market next year.

Credit: Image via jamestalarico.com QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Ball’s in your court, Ken.”

U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico after Fox News agreed to host a debate between Talarico and Ken Paxton, who has so far ignored every invitation to face off against his opponent

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