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FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism

The first 911 call came in just before 2am Sunday, officials say.

Politics & Policy

The gunman in an early Sunday mass shooting in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="a6e877be-35a3-4ad1-94d0-cc98602cf4f9" data-vars-headline="FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" target="_self">Austin</a> wore a sweatshirt that said &quot;Property of Allah&quot; and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/austin-texas-bar-shooting-7690f931ba00f950c1828cef25399bb6" data-vars-content-id="a6e877be-35a3-4ad1-94d0-cc98602cf4f9" data-vars-headline="FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/austin-texas-bar-shooting-7690f931ba00f950c1828cef25399bb6" target="_blank">told</a> AP.<ul><li>The FBI is investigating the shooting in a downtown bar district as a potential act of terrorism.</li></ul>

Austin airport aims to expand international destinations

Austin airport eyes international routes from Seoul to Dublin.

News

Austin officials want to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="land nonstop routes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/travel" data-vars-content-id="eead0aec-0913-42ca-a261-4b45d0d65285" data-vars-headline="Austin airport aims to expand international destinations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/travel" target="_self">land nonstop routes</a> to Paris, Tokyo, Istanbul and other international destinations, per a presentation to a city commission this month.Why it matters: Nabbing international routes elevates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/12/20/top-spots-kill-time-austin-airport" data-vars-content-id="eead0aec-0913-42ca-a261-4b45d0d65285" data-vars-headline="Austin airport aims to expand international destinations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/12/20/top-spots-kill-time-austin-airport" target="_self">Austin</a> as a destination for business and pleasure and confirms its presence on the international stage.

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.

What to know about the "super flu" in Texas

Cases of the flu remain elevated nationwide, according to data from the CDC.

Texas is among a handful of states reporting the highest level of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flu activity" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMzAvc3VwZXJmbHUtc3ltcHRvbXMtMjAyNS1mbHUtaDNuMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3RhbXBhJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10B7de07e1d" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMzAvc3VwZXJmbHUtc3ltcHRvbXMtMjAyNS1mbHUtaDNuMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3RhbXBhJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10B7de07e1d" target="_self">flu activity</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9mbHV2aWV3L3N1cnZlaWxsYW5jZS91c21hcC5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfdGFtcGEmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10Bdaeab359" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9mbHV2aWV3L3N1cnZlaWxsYW5jZS91c21hcC5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfdGFtcGEmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10Bdaeab359" target="_self">the latest CDC data</a>, mirroring a national surge tied to the so-called &quot;super flu.&quot;Why it matters: An unprecedented rise in flu cases comes as other sicknesses — such as the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter vomiting bug" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" target="_self">winter vomiting bug</a>,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whooping cough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" target="_self">whooping cough</a> — are slamming the U.S. this winter.

Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline

A bill targeting medication abortion has missed a key deadline.

An effort to limit abortion pills in Texas appears to have died in the Legislature.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Abortion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/20/abortion-rights-advocates-convene-in-austin" data-vars-content-id="c837a9fe-5520-490d-8a19-c5f3cc1ab956" data-vars-headline="Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/20/abortion-rights-advocates-convene-in-austin" target="_self">Abortion</a> is already illegal in Texas, but Republicans this session turned their attention to medication abortion, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which accounts for most abortions performed in the U.S" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/medication-abortion-mifepristone-2023-study" data-vars-content-id="c837a9fe-5520-490d-8a19-c5f3cc1ab956" data-vars-headline="Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/medication-abortion-mifepristone-2023-study" target="_self">which accounts for most abortions performed in the U.S</a>.

Blood tests for colorectal cancer available in Austin

The test has been approved for Medicare recipients.

Austin patients are among the first in the country to have access to a new blood test capable of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="screening for colorectal cancer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/cancer-colorectal-death-people-under-50" data-vars-content-id="acc3c1f6-f67a-4270-8ec0-66a72e9abdc2" data-vars-headline="Blood tests for colorectal cancer available in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/cancer-colorectal-death-people-under-50" target="_self">screening for colorectal cancer</a>.Why it matters: Officials of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California-based Guardant Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/fda-blood-test-colorectal-cancer" data-vars-content-id="acc3c1f6-f67a-4270-8ec0-66a72e9abdc2" data-vars-headline="Blood tests for colorectal cancer available in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/fda-blood-test-colorectal-cancer" target="_self">California-based Guardant Health</a> say their blood test will be a &quot;game changer&quot; in colorectal screenings, making the cancer easier to test and catch.

The health toll of being a food critic

"You don't have to eat everything on the plate," food writer Matthew Odam says.

Culture

With the restaurant critic for The New York Times, Pete Wells, leaving his post for health-related reasons, we decided to check in on the well-being of the dean of Austin food reviewers.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a glamorous job, but week after week of restaurant food takes a physical toll that is seldom discussed, Wells writes.

Ascension rolls out maternal health initiative

Texas has long struggled with high maternal mortality and morbidity rates.

Some Austin patients who are at risk for pregnancy complications will be part of a new Ascension program that aims to improve maternal health.Why it matters: Texas has long struggled with high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/07/20/maternal-mortality-texas" data-vars-content-id="c709e400-d91d-4c0a-b7f9-493b0a9582a8" data-vars-headline="Ascension rolls out maternal health initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/07/20/maternal-mortality-texas" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> and morbidity rates — now under a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="magnifying glass with the state&#x27;s near-total abortion ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/tracking-maternal-deaths-under-abortion-bans" data-vars-content-id="c709e400-d91d-4c0a-b7f9-493b0a9582a8" data-vars-headline="Ascension rolls out maternal health initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/tracking-maternal-deaths-under-abortion-bans" target="_blank">magnifying glass with the state&#x27;s near-total abortion ban</a>.

Texas board proposes exceptions to abortion ban

The board clarified that an abortion is allowed in the case of an ectopic pregnancy.

Health

The Texas Medical Board&#x27;s proposed guidance on exceptions to the state&#x27;s abortion ban does not offer doctors enough clarity, critics say.Why it matters: The ban, which makes performing an abortion a felony, has led some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hospitals to refuse to treat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/texas-hospitals-patients-pregnancy-abortion-ban" data-vars-content-id="18836de5-0b2e-4b89-968f-97832254a651" data-vars-headline="Texas board proposes exceptions to abortion ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/texas-hospitals-patients-pregnancy-abortion-ban" target="_self">hospitals to refuse to treat</a> even patients with serious pregnancy complications — though the law makes an exception for medical emergencies.

Startup's blood testing system to launch in  pharmacies

The new system will be available in select pharmacies starting in July.

Some pharmacy customers in Austin and San Antonio will soon have the option to get routine blood tests with just a prick of the finger.Driving the news: Austin-based health care technology startup Babson Diagnostics announced Thursday that it will launch its blood testing system <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BetterWay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.babsondx.com/betterway" data-vars-content-id="c8cdf649-9f2a-4712-8dae-5617d920b06e" data-vars-headline="Startup&#x27;s blood testing system to launch in pharmacies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.babsondx.com/betterway" target="_blank">BetterWay</a> at select Austin H-E-B pharmacies, Peoples Rx and Lake Hills Pharmacy starting in July.

Neuroscience nonprofit opens internship program

So far, it has provided 80 paid internships to students.

A local nonprofit is aiming to grow the number of women in neuroscience.Driving the news: The group, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Women in Neuroscience" data-vars-click-url="https://neurowomen.org/" data-vars-content-id="630b53d1-0222-4d6d-8996-3f43bd2af81f" data-vars-headline="Neuroscience nonprofit opens internship program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://neurowomen.org/" target="_blank">Women in Neuroscience</a>, just opened applications for its next class of 25 interns.

Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases

Texas has "high" COVID-19 wastewater levels, according to the CDC.

COVID

Texas is seeing high levels of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/covid-omicron-variant-coronavirus-cases" data-vars-content-id="5a55d8cf-8f77-43f2-b856-32d069e4d23b" data-vars-headline="Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/covid-omicron-variant-coronavirus-cases" target="_self">COVID-19</a> as we head into the holiday travel season.Why it matters: While many Americans by this point have some combination of natural and vaccine-induced immunity, COVID can still make people plenty sick and force them to miss school, work (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="if they can" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/sick-days-benefits-workers-income-statistics-chart" data-vars-content-id="5a55d8cf-8f77-43f2-b856-32d069e4d23b" data-vars-headline="Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/sick-days-benefits-workers-income-statistics-chart" target="_self">if they can</a>) and holiday activities.

Matthew McConaughey and U.S. surgeon general chat about loneliness

"You have more pressure on you than any generation before," McConaughey told UT students

The U.S. surgeon general met with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin&#x27;s Ambassador of Chill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/29/matthew-mcconaughey-texas-governor-race-not-running" data-vars-content-id="bc602215-7870-4c27-8d06-c5f1eb5eec07" data-vars-headline="Matthew McConaughey and U.S. surgeon general chat about loneliness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/29/matthew-mcconaughey-texas-governor-race-not-running" target="_self">Austin&#x27;s Ambassador of Chill</a> on the University of Texas campus Wednesday to talk about loneliness and mental health.What&#x27;s happening: Vivek Murthy is on a nationwide college campus tour <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to encourage social connection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/connection/index.html" data-vars-content-id="bc602215-7870-4c27-8d06-c5f1eb5eec07" data-vars-headline="Matthew McConaughey and U.S. surgeon general chat about loneliness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/connection/index.html" target="_blank">to encourage social connection</a> — with friends, classmates, colleagues and loved ones — as a way to combat an epidemic of loneliness.

Health 🩺

What to know about the "super flu" in Texas

Texas is one of most restrictive states for birth control access

Texas abortion ban tied to mental health declines

Texas tops U.S. in uninsured rate

Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline