Austin's biggest stories of 2025: Murder plot, new Texas laws, school closures
Here's a look back at some of the top stories in Austin and Central Texas that generated the most interest in 2025.
Here's a look back at some of the top stories in Austin and Central Texas that generated the most interest in 2025.
The 5 biggest Texas news stories in 2025
Texas was no stranger to news — from a contentious legislative cycle, to ongoing immigration control efforts, to natural disasters, the Lone Star State was a leading location in the U.S. for headlines.
Texas was no stranger to news — from a contentious legislative cycle, to ongoing immigration control efforts, to natural disasters, the Lone Star State was a leading location in the U.S. for headlines.
CAIR: Muslim families harassed at Austin park
The Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says Muslim families were harassed over the weekend at a North Austin park.
The Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says Muslim families were harassed over the weekend at a North Austin park.
Experts weigh in on home foundation issues in Central Texas
Experts are weighing in and offering some insight after reports of homes sinking in Central Texas, including in Kyle and Buda.
Experts are weighing in and offering some insight after reports of homes sinking in Central Texas, including in Kyle and Buda.
Drug seizure, arrests in Kyle over weekend
The Kyle Police Department says several people were arrested, and drugs seized, after unrelated traffic stops over the Christmas holiday weekend.
The Kyle Police Department says several people were arrested, and drugs seized, after unrelated traffic stops over the Christmas holiday weekend.
Body found during search for missing teen
A body has been found during the search for a missing 19-year-old in Bexar County. Authorities say a firearm was also recovered.
A body has been found during the search for a missing 19-year-old in Bexar County. Authorities say a firearm was also recovered.
Christopher Taylor conviction overturned, acquitted of all charges
An appeals court has overturned former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor's conviction. Taylor has now been acquitted of all charges.
An appeals court has overturned former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor's conviction. Taylor has now been acquitted of all charges.
Camila Mendoza Olmos missing: Investigators discover body amid search for 19-year-old
Investigators announced on that a body was found Tuesday afternoon.
Investigators announced on that a body was found Tuesday afternoon.
Body found during search for missing teen
A body has been found during the search for a missing San Antonio teen.
A body has been found during the search for a missing San Antonio teen.
First Day Hikes scheduled at Texas state parks to welcome 2026
Texas Parks and Wildlife offers Texans an opportunity to start 2026 off with First Day Hikes at a Texas state park.
Texas Parks and Wildlife offers Texans an opportunity to start 2026 off with First Day Hikes at a Texas state park.
Oil spill closes Kauffman Loop in Leander
An oil spill has closed the eastbound lanes of Kauffman Loop in Leander.
An oil spill has closed the eastbound lanes of Kauffman Loop in Leander.
These new Texas laws take effect New Year's Day
Texans will ring in the new year with dozens of new laws taking effect, ranging from a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence to tax exemptions for business owners and agreements between federal immigration agents and local sheriff's offices.
Texans will ring in the new year with dozens of new laws taking effect, ranging from a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence to tax exemptions for business owners and agreements between federal immigration agents and local sheriff's offices.
'Armed and dangerous' New Braunfels shooting suspect in custody: police
An 'armed and dangerous' shooting suspect is now in police custody according to New Braunfels officials.
An 'armed and dangerous' shooting suspect is now in police custody according to New Braunfels officials.
Missing Camila Mendoz Olmos: Dashcam captures last sighting of Texas teen who vanished Christmas Eve
Texas authorities have released dashcam video showing the last confirmed sighting of missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who has been unaccounted for since the morning of Christmas Eve and is believed to be "in imminent danger."
Texas authorities have released dashcam video showing the last confirmed sighting of missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who has been unaccounted for since the morning of Christmas Eve and is believed to be "in imminent danger."
Last known footage of missing Texas teen Camila Olmos
A passing driver traveling on Wildhorse Pkwy that morning captured footage believed to show Camila walking northbound on Wildhorse Pkwy around 7:00 a.m., between Shetland Wind and Caspian Spring.
A passing driver traveling on Wildhorse Pkwy that morning captured footage believed to show Camila walking northbound on Wildhorse Pkwy around 7:00 a.m., between Shetland Wind and Caspian Spring.
2025 Lone Star Coins, Gold Redback Notes debuted by Texas Bullion Depository
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced a new program, administered through the Texas Bullion Depository, that offers authorized commemorative precious metal products to investors and collectors.
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced a new program, administered through the Texas Bullion Depository, that offers authorized commemorative precious metal products to investors and collectors.
Austin Police Patrol K9 dies less than two weeks before scheduled retirement
The Austin Police Patrol says that K9 Jax suddenly passed away and is the first APD Patrol K9 to pass away while still actively working.
The Austin Police Patrol says that K9 Jax suddenly passed away and is the first APD Patrol K9 to pass away while still actively working.
Austin cold weather shelters activated for Dec. 30
The City of Austin says it is activating cold weather shelters as temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-30s.
The City of Austin says it is activating cold weather shelters as temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-30s.
Gov. Abbott appointee Eddy Betancourt killed in McAllen shooting; police search for suspect
Police are searching for Reynaldo Mata-Rios in connection with the Dec. 27 shooting death of prominent businessman Eddy Betancourt.
Police are searching for Reynaldo Mata-Rios in connection with the Dec. 27 shooting death of prominent businessman Eddy Betancourt.
Kyle Police seize drugs, arrest 4 after multiple traffic stops over holiday weekend
The Kyle Police Department says four people were arrested, and drugs seized, after multiple traffic stops over the Christmas holiday weekend.
The Kyle Police Department says four people were arrested, and drugs seized, after multiple traffic stops over the Christmas holiday weekend.