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A student safety net is fraying in Central Texas

The student social services provider may have to cut back its work amid reduced funding.

News

A nonprofit that provides critical services to Austin-area students may have to pare down its work because of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/28/austin-schools-consolidation-maplewood" data-vars-content-id="58a804ad-3eb7-4445-9837-7674e49013eb" data-vars-headline="A student safety net is fraying in Central Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/28/austin-schools-consolidation-maplewood" target="_self">budget</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/11/10/austin-tax-election-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="58a804ad-3eb7-4445-9837-7674e49013eb" data-vars-headline="A student safety net is fraying in Central Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/11/10/austin-tax-election-budget-cuts" target="_self">challenges</a> from key government partners.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Communities In Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://ciscentraltexas.org/" data-vars-content-id="58a804ad-3eb7-4445-9837-7674e49013eb" data-vars-headline="A student safety net is fraying in Central Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ciscentraltexas.org/" target="_blank">Communities In Schools</a> (CIS) of Central Texas provides clothes, meals, literacy help, money for rent, mental health services and more for students and families in need.

Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round

Circuit's AI software turns technical manuals and other documentation into step-by-step workflows.

Austin-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Circuit" data-vars-click-url="https://circuit.ai/" data-vars-content-id="6506fbe2-bebc-4634-a18d-0884911c622a" data-vars-headline="Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://circuit.ai/" target="_blank">Circuit</a>, an AI startup co-founded by former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Silicon Labs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/texas-instruments-silicon-labs-merger" data-vars-content-id="6506fbe2-bebc-4634-a18d-0884911c622a" data-vars-headline="Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/texas-instruments-silicon-labs-merger" target="_self">Silicon Labs</a> CEO Tyson Tuttle, raised $30 million from angel investors to build an AI software for manufacturing and service operations.Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of Texas&#x27; largest angel rounds — an early-stage phase where individual investors pitch in — and a bet that AI can help manufacturers capture and scale institutional knowledge.

Texas families are opting for cremations over burials

Cremations are now twice as common as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/gen-z-funeral-death-preferences-baby-boomers-cremation" data-vars-content-id="3a6bb65c-3471-414b-a911-9083b5a099e4" data-vars-headline="Texas families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/gen-z-funeral-death-preferences-baby-boomers-cremation" target="_self">burials</a> in the U.S., reversing a norm from two decades ago, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Funeral Directors Association" data-vars-click-url="https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service" data-vars-content-id="3a6bb65c-3471-414b-a911-9083b5a099e4" data-vars-headline="Texas families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service" target="_blank">the National Funeral Directors Association</a>.Why it matters: Shifting attitudes around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="religion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/religion-americans-spiritual-survey" data-vars-content-id="3a6bb65c-3471-414b-a911-9083b5a099e4" data-vars-headline="Texas families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/religion-americans-spiritual-survey" target="_self">religion</a>, cost and the environment are reshaping how Americans — and Austinites — handle death.

Austin kids describe life inside immigration detention

The letters give a window into life inside the immigration detention center in Dilley.

Austin-area children detained with their parents at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South Texas immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/06/corecivic-immigrant-family-detention-center-texas" data-vars-content-id="fdacb6cd-5a9f-4a2d-80fc-929417743158" data-vars-headline="Austin kids describe life inside immigration detention" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/06/corecivic-immigrant-family-detention-center-texas" target="_self">South Texas immigration</a> facility describe missing basic comforts and feeling trapped, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="letters published this month by ProPublica" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/ice-dilley-children-letters" data-vars-content-id="fdacb6cd-5a9f-4a2d-80fc-929417743158" data-vars-headline="Austin kids describe life inside immigration detention" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/ice-dilley-children-letters" target="_blank">letters published this month by ProPublica</a>. The big picture: The letters give a window into life inside the immigration detention center in Dilley — and how some of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the hundreds of children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/life-inside-ice-dilley-children" data-vars-content-id="fdacb6cd-5a9f-4a2d-80fc-929417743158" data-vars-headline="Austin kids describe life inside immigration detention" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/life-inside-ice-dilley-children" target="_blank">the hundreds of children</a> there are faring.

UT department consolidation clouds institution's future

The university president framed it as an efficiency move, but critics say it's about the battle over wokeness.

Education

The consolidation of a few <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/02/trump-compact-texas" data-vars-content-id="4db9cef9-8c12-46df-b8e8-d10f29271e04" data-vars-headline="UT department consolidation clouds institution&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/02/trump-compact-texas" target="_self">University of Texas</a> departments leaves major questions for faculty and students about the future and stability of the institution, some university professors say.Why it matters: UT is operating under increased political strain as leadership <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seeks to satisfy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/18/university-of-texas-liberal-arts-vincent-phillip-munoz" data-vars-content-id="4db9cef9-8c12-46df-b8e8-d10f29271e04" data-vars-headline="UT department consolidation clouds institution&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/18/university-of-texas-liberal-arts-vincent-phillip-munoz" target="_self">seeks to satisfy</a> Republican lawmakers who control the university&#x27;s pursestrings.

Religious rights scholar in running for UT Liberal Arts deanship

The College of Liberal Arts has nearly 800 faculty members, over 600 staff members and more than 10,000 students.

Among the finalists for the deanship of the College of Liberal Arts (COLA) at the University of Texas is a religious rights scholar who&#x27;s worked at the university&#x27;s new conservative-minded institute, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The appointment could set the trajectory of one of the university&#x27;s most prominent divisions.

School closures on the horizon in Austin

A rubric will score schools based on a variety of factors.

Austin ISD officials are working toward a plan to close schools <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over funding concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/20/how-much-federal-funding-austin-area-school-districts-get" data-vars-content-id="76459d9c-0d65-409d-9c7e-33c2180e17ee" data-vars-headline="School closures on the horizon 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/2025/05/20/how-much-federal-funding-austin-area-school-districts-get" target="_self">over funding concerns</a> and amid declining enrollment.Why it matters: District leaders say their resources are spread too thin and consolidation will allow more investment in fewer campuses.

UT System expands free tuition program

Tuition costs will be waived for students from families earning $100,000 or less.

The University of Texas System will waive tuition costs for students from families earning $100,000 or less beginning next fall.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.utsystem.edu/news/2024/11/20/ut-system-regents-greatly-expand-affordability-and-access-texans-through-promise-plus-program" data-vars-content-id="813e21f9-0372-4d34-b291-873b7b0f21d6" data-vars-headline="UT System expands free tuition program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.utsystem.edu/news/2024/11/20/ut-system-regents-greatly-expand-affordability-and-access-texans-through-promise-plus-program" target="_blank">The plan</a> includes an immediate infusion of $35 million to the nine campuses, making the UT System the first in Texas and one of the first in the country to offer such a sweeping financial aid benefit, UT System officials said.

How the University of Texas built another diverse class

How the University of Texas maintained diverse enrollment after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.

Even as universities across the country have seen dips in diversity following a U.S. Supreme Court decision <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outlawing racial considerations in admissions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/29/scotus-decisions-affirmative-action-colleges" data-vars-content-id="6b3d5be2-bf4b-406b-af39-767335c8cc29" data-vars-headline="How the University of Texas built another diverse class" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/29/scotus-decisions-affirmative-action-colleges" target="_self">outlawing racial considerations in admissions</a>, the demographic makeup of the University of Texas is relatively unchanged, per an Axios review of UT data.Why it matters: In the post-affirmative action era, universities large and small are searching for how to build a diverse student body.

AISD prepares to convert schools into housing

AISD representatives will go before the planning commission Tuesday.

Your next apartment could be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inside an old school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/16/teacher-housing" data-vars-content-id="4c5a4496-7356-4ba8-8d42-69f0c536c357" data-vars-headline="AISD prepares to convert schools into housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/16/teacher-housing" target="_self">inside an old school</a>.Why it matters: As developers seek to repurpose <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="empty space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/09/office-vacancy-rates-record-remote-work-cre" data-vars-content-id="4c5a4496-7356-4ba8-8d42-69f0c536c357" data-vars-headline="AISD prepares to convert schools into housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/09/office-vacancy-rates-record-remote-work-cre" target="_self">empty space</a> — and cities like Austin work to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="find affordable housing solutions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/07/20/austin-city-council-housing-density" data-vars-content-id="4c5a4496-7356-4ba8-8d42-69f0c536c357" data-vars-headline="AISD prepares to convert schools into housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/07/20/austin-city-council-housing-density" target="_self">find affordable housing solutions</a> — a mix of building types are on the table.

AI-focused private school expands

The three new schools will focus on esports, sports and advanced academic challenges.

Alpha School, the private school that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made headlines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-ai-schools-18447087.php" data-vars-content-id="9fd16bc7-d11b-4780-b6e5-25d636029bc8" data-vars-headline="AI-focused private school expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-ai-schools-18447087.php" target="_blank">made headlines</a> last year for its AI-powered, two-hour learning periods, is expanding in Austin.Why it matters: An increasing share of Austin kids <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are heading to private schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/26/students-private-school-education-growth" data-vars-content-id="9fd16bc7-d11b-4780-b6e5-25d636029bc8" data-vars-headline="AI-focused private school expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/26/students-private-school-education-growth" target="_self">are heading to private schools</a> as public schools <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggle to attract and keep students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/11/14/schools-aisd-enrollment-numbers-decline" data-vars-content-id="9fd16bc7-d11b-4780-b6e5-25d636029bc8" data-vars-headline="AI-focused private school expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/11/14/schools-aisd-enrollment-numbers-decline" target="_self">struggle to attract and keep students</a>.

Why Austin's leaky pipes aren't all bad

Researchers found urban trees likely benefit from leaked city pipes during drought.

In drought times, as much as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="half the water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000925411100026X?via%3Dihub" data-vars-content-id="bcbb77e0-2a94-4821-8d6a-9cc801c16805" data-vars-headline="Why Austin&#x27;s leaky pipes aren&#x27;t all bad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000925411100026X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">half the water</a> flowing through a creek at the University of Texas is from leaky city pipes, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-024-00144-1" data-vars-content-id="bcbb77e0-2a94-4821-8d6a-9cc801c16805" data-vars-headline="Why Austin&#x27;s leaky pipes aren&#x27;t all bad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-024-00144-1" target="_blank">a new report</a> by UT researchers.Why it matters: Beyond a commentary on failing infrastructure, the researchers say those broken pipes come with a silver lining — sustaining trees growing along Waller Creek, allowing them to thrive during drought conditions that take a toll on trees growing along streams in rural areas.

Afghan students who fled Taliban and faced bullying in U.S. create hijab project

The girls designed pins with their message of inclusivity.

Politics & Policy

Three Travis Heights Elementary students have created a project to help their peers understand why they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wear hijabs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/06/29/minneapolis-henna-and-hijabs-lands-at-nordstrom" data-vars-content-id="c934400b-d690-45ff-8918-86699f2f8aeb" data-vars-headline="Afghan students who fled Taliban and faced bullying in U.S. create hijab project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/06/29/minneapolis-henna-and-hijabs-lands-at-nordstrom" target="_self">wear hijabs</a> — and have even secured funding to spread their message throughout their school.Why it matters: Travis Heights has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large population of Afghan students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/04/01/austin-elementary-school-raises-money-for-afghan-refugee-kids" data-vars-content-id="c934400b-d690-45ff-8918-86699f2f8aeb" data-vars-headline="Afghan students who fled Taliban and faced bullying in U.S. create hijab project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/04/01/austin-elementary-school-raises-money-for-afghan-refugee-kids" target="_self">large population of Afghan students</a> who wear hijabs, and the project by the fourth graders aims to spread understanding and inclusivity at their campus.

Why Israel divestment demands are likely to fail in Texas

Protests have sought to use divestment as a tool to put pressure on Israel.

Politics

Pro-Palestinian protesters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the University of Texas campus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/04/24/ut-protests-israel-palestine-university-texas-arrests" data-vars-content-id="0acff988-c4f2-4aa3-85a5-1c989664a75f" data-vars-headline="Why Israel divestment demands are likely to fail in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/04/24/ut-protests-israel-palestine-university-texas-arrests" target="_self">on the University of Texas campus</a> have made a specific request of university officials that&#x27;s very unlikely to be entertained — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="divest from weapons manufacturing companies" data-vars-click-url="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eIe8eruPeruKh66i-b2IfrChqF_9-V-2rEazsfCaJHo/edit" data-vars-content-id="0acff988-c4f2-4aa3-85a5-1c989664a75f" data-vars-headline="Why Israel divestment demands are likely to fail in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eIe8eruPeruKh66i-b2IfrChqF_9-V-2rEazsfCaJHo/edit" target="_blank">divest from weapons manufacturing companies</a> selling arms to the Israeli military.Why it matters: Apart from whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="divestment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/30/israel-protests-divestment-columbia-endowment" data-vars-content-id="0acff988-c4f2-4aa3-85a5-1c989664a75f" data-vars-headline="Why Israel divestment demands are likely to fail in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/30/israel-protests-divestment-columbia-endowment" target="_self">divestment</a> makes sense as a fiduciary or moral matter, the university&#x27;s unwillingness to bend on its portfolio is overdetermined by state politics.

Axios Houston

Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas

Houston

A degree still pays in Austin

College degrees still pay off in Austin

A line chart showing median earnings by educational attainment for residents of the Austin metro area. In 2024, residents aged 25 and older with a college degree earned about $39k more than those with just a high school diploma. The median income was $41k in 2015 and $65k in 2024.

Education 📚

UT department consolidation clouds institution's future

Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas

College degrees still pay off in Austin

Texas law requiring Ten Commandments temporarily halted in some schools

Religious rights scholar in running for UT Liberal Arts deanship