INSIDER
In purple Williamson County, presidential politics casts pall over voters
Read full article: In purple Williamson County, presidential politics casts pall over votersAfter an assassination attempt against Trump and growing divisions among national Democrats, Williamson County voters mull the November election.
A Texas high school is piloting the state’s first-ever Asian American studies course. Could politics stand in its way?
Read full article: A Texas high school is piloting the state’s first-ever Asian American studies course. Could politics stand in its way?The course highlights Asian Americans’ contributions in U.S. history. It also seeks to offer an honest look at the mistreatment, like the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Texas pastor pleads guilty to enhanced child pornography charge after 100K+ images found on his computer
Read full article: Texas pastor pleads guilty to enhanced child pornography charge after 100K+ images found on his computerA Round Rock pastor pleaded guilty Tuesday to an enhanced charge of possession of child pornography.
One of Texas’ biggest indoor waterparks just opened an outdoor expansion
Read full article: One of Texas’ biggest indoor waterparks just opened an outdoor expansionThe outdoor expansion at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock has a kid’s waterslide area, adult swim-up bar and 900-foot adventure river.
Police searching for suspects who assaulted H-E-B employee in Round Rock
Read full article: Police searching for suspects who assaulted H-E-B employee in Round RockPolice are searching for multiple suspects who assaulted an H-E-B employee in the parking lot of the store located at 250 University Boulevard in Round Rock.
Watch: After the Uvalde shooting, one Texas school district increases focus on mental health
Read full article: Watch: After the Uvalde shooting, one Texas school district increases focus on mental healthRound Rock ISD is thought to be among the first school districts in Texas where social workers and police officers work directly with one another to provide mental health support to students.
2 taken to hospital, 6 suffer minor injuries after car crashes into Texas restaurant
Read full article: 2 taken to hospital, 6 suffer minor injuries after car crashes into Texas restaurantTwo people had to be taken to the hospital on Saturday evening after a car crashed into a restaurant in Round Rock, according to police.
Despite GOP gains across the state, voters in the Austin-area suburb of Round Rock rejected conservative school board candidates
Read full article: Despite GOP gains across the state, voters in the Austin-area suburb of Round Rock rejected conservative school board candidatesSlates of conservative candidates endorsed by the Republican Party of Texas failed to flip school boards in several suburban races across Texas.
Watch: With a “feeling of betrayal,” one family flees Texas in search of safer climate for their transgender daughter
Read full article: Watch: With a “feeling of betrayal,” one family flees Texas in search of safer climate for their transgender daughterGov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents who provide their children with gender-affirming care, driving one such family to leave home.
14-year-old old hit, killed by stolen car during pursuit in Round Rock; man arrested
Read full article: 14-year-old old hit, killed by stolen car during pursuit in Round Rock; man arrestedA man was charged with murder after Round Rock police say he hit and killed a 14-year-old pedestrian while fleeing officers in a stolen vehicle.
Man who was ‘actively shooting’ at police found dead in wooded area, Round Rock PD says
Read full article: Man who was ‘actively shooting’ at police found dead in wooded area, Round Rock PD saysA man was found dead in a wooded area after shooting his neighbor and then firing gunshots at Round Rock police, according to officials.
After deadly tornadoes tear through Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster for 16 counties
Read full article: After deadly tornadoes tear through Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster for 16 countiesAt least 20 tornadoes tore through homes and buildings in Texas and Oklahoma on Monday. At least two dozen people were injured and a woman died, authorities said.
Video shows aftermath of storm that ripped roof off North Texas high school gym
Read full article: Video shows aftermath of storm that ripped roof off North Texas high school gymThunderstorms and possible tornadoes that ripped through North Texas on Monday yanked the roof away from a school gym in the Jacksboro School District.
Texas GOP candidate falsely claims school cafeteria tables are being lowered for ‘furries’
Read full article: Texas GOP candidate falsely claims school cafeteria tables are being lowered for ‘furries’A shocking claim made by a Texas GOP candidate on social media has turned out to be categorically false.
Omicron’s swift emergence tests Texas public schools as a new semester begins
Read full article: Omicron’s swift emergence tests Texas public schools as a new semester beginsMany schools are pushing through with plans for in-person classes despite a surge in COVID-19 cases as they try to reassure parents and students they are prepared to open safely this week.
After his Round Rock district was redrawn to help Republicans, state Rep. James Talarico says he’ll move to Austin to run in 2022
Read full article: After his Round Rock district was redrawn to help Republicans, state Rep. James Talarico says he’ll move to Austin to run in 2022“Republicans have gerrymandered me out of my district,” Talarico tweeted. “If they think they can keep me off the House floor, they better think again.”
Texas sues six school districts that issued mask mandates in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
Read full article: Texas sues six school districts that issued mask mandates in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott’s orderGov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have long threatened to sue school districts that defy Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates. On Friday, Paxton made good on that threat.
Smithson Valley baseball’s season ends in UIL Class 6A State semifinals against Rockwall Heath
Read full article: Smithson Valley baseball’s season ends in UIL Class 6A State semifinals against Rockwall HeathMaking the program's first appearance in the state baseball tournament since 2005, Smithson Valley fell behind early and was unable to mount a late comeback in a loss to Rockwall Heath in the Class 6A semifinals on Friday night.
HIGHLIGHTS: Alamo Heights baseball, O’Connor softball advance in playoffs
Read full article: HIGHLIGHTS: Alamo Heights baseball, O’Connor softball advance in playoffsIn the Area Round of the high school baseball playoffs, Alamo Heights roars past Eagle Pass Winn with a 9-1 victory, while Johnson battles Round Rock looking to keep their season alive. In the high school softball playoffs, O'Connor jumps out to an early lead and survives a late rally to top Brennan and advance to the Regional Semifinals.
HIGHLIGHTS: Schertz John Paul II boys, girls battle for TAPPS Division III State soccer titles
Read full article: HIGHLIGHTS: Schertz John Paul II boys, girls battle for TAPPS Division III State soccer titlesROUND ROCK – Both the girls and boys soccer teams from Schertz John Paul II qualified for their respective TAPPS Division III State Championship Game, and they come up just short in dramatic battles with Dallas Covenant School. Champion Score Runner-Up Boys Dallas Covenant School 1-0 Schertz John Paul II Girls Dallas Covenant School 3-1 Schertz John Paul IIMORE TAPPS STATE SOCCER COVERAGE
TMI boys soccer wins third consecutive TAPPS State Division II Championship
Read full article: TMI boys soccer wins third consecutive TAPPS State Division II ChampionshipROUND ROCK – Twelve TMI seniors took the field at Round Rock Multipurpose Complex on Friday with a rare opportunity to win three straight TAPPS state titles. The Panthers scored early and often in a 5-0 rout of Frisco Legacy Christian in the TAPPS Division II State Championship Game. @TMIEpiscopal boys soccer have gone back to back to back - catch all the highlights and hear from the Panthers on their victory coming up ONLY on #KSATsports! @InstantReplaySA pic.twitter.com/EQ8BQdWbwH — Andrew Cely (@ACelySports) March 6, 2021“It’s crazy, winning three years in a row,” Parra said. AdThe Panthers have now won four of the last five TAPPS Division II State titles.
Austin police chief retires after criticism for use of force
Read full article: Austin police chief retires after criticism for use of forceFILE - In this March 21, 2018 file photo, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley briefs the media in the Austin suburb of Round Rock, Texas. Austin officials said Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, that Manley is stepping down after leading the police force since May of 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)AUSTIN, Texas – The police chief in the Texas capital city of Austin, who had been at the center of ongoing criticism following a fatal police shooting and controversial uses of force by officers, announced Friday that he is retiring after 30 years with the department. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said he knows in his heart “it is time to pursue that next opportunity” and does not think he could give the attention necessary to leading the police force as he has done since May 2018. The city announced in December that 11 Austin police officers had been disciplined for their actions during late May protests.
Proposed law would prohibit Texas law enforcement agencies from reality TV deals
Read full article: Proposed law would prohibit Texas law enforcement agencies from reality TV dealsTalarcio named House Bill 54 “Javier Ambler’s law," and wrote the bill with Ambler’s family, he said. Ambler was killed after he was chased by Williamson County deputies for failing to dim his headlights in March 2019. He was heard begging “Save me” and “I can’t breathe” before he was stunned a fourth time and lost consciousness. “In the tragic murder of Javier Ambler, we saw what happens when law enforcement leaders are more interested in boosting their ratings than protecting our communities. Law enforcement reality television has caused issues in Bexar County, too.
The largest indoor waterpark in Texas is now open
Read full article: The largest indoor waterpark in Texas is now openROUND ROCK, Texas – One of “America’s largest indoor waterparks” is opening Thursday in Round Rock, just north of Austin. Going to a waterpark in November might not sound like a great idea, although who really knows with Texas weather, but an indoor waterpark makes year-round visits possible no matter what it looks like outside. The 350-acre resort complex will include 223,000 square feet of waterpark, which would put it at No. 2 in size behind DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey, a 370,260-square-foot waterpark. The African-themed resort and water park will be located on U.S. 79 near Old Settlers Park.
Video gives inside look at massive indoor waterpark set to open in Central Texas in November
Read full article: Video gives inside look at massive indoor waterpark set to open in Central Texas in NovemberROUND ROCK, Texas – Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, touted as one of “America’s largest indoor waterparks” is set to open in Round Rock, just north of Austin, on Nov. 12. The Kalahari Round Rock Resort is expected to have 975 guest rooms, five restaurants, 10,000 square feet of retail space and 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for conventions and events. The Kalahari Resort in Round Rock is expected to have 223,000 square feet of waterpark which would put it at No. 2 in size behind DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey, a 370,260 square foot waterpark, which is expected to open sometime in 2020. The African-themed resort and water park will be located on U.S. 79 near Old Settlers Park.
One of the largest indoor waterparks in the world is planning to open in Texas in November
Read full article: One of the largest indoor waterparks in the world is planning to open in Texas in NovemberROUND ROCK, Texas – Going to a waterpark in November might not sound like a great idea, although who really knows with Texas weather, but an indoor waterpark is a whole different ballgame. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is scheduled to open what it refers to as “America’s largest indoor waterpark” in Round Rock, just north of Austin, on Nov. 12. 2 behind DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey, a 370,260 square foot waterpark, which is expected to open sometime in 2020. The African-themed resort and water park will be located on U.S. 79 near Old Settlers Park. Related headlines:New renderings show ‘America’s largest indoor water park’ slated to open in Texas in 2020Huge African-themed water park and resort coming to Texas
From Knight to Hippo: Steele DB coach Adam Harvey leaving for Hutto
Read full article: From Knight to Hippo: Steele DB coach Adam Harvey leaving for HuttoCIBOLO – Steele high school defensive backs coach Adam Harvey announced via twitter that he is leaving the Knights after seven seasons to become Defensive Coordinator at Hutto High School which is east of Round Rock.
New renderings show ‘America’s largest indoor water park’ slated to open in Texas in 2020
Read full article: New renderings show ‘America’s largest indoor water park’ slated to open in Texas in 2020ROUND ROCK, Texas – Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, a 223,000-square-foot indoor water park, is scheduled to open in Round Rock this year. Huge African-themed water park and resort coming to TexasThe African-themed resort and water park will be located on U.S. 79 near Old Settlers Park. “We really pride ourselves on being good neighbors to the communities that Kalahari calls home,” Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Owner Todd Nelson said. “When we design our resorts, we stay focused on adding amenities that everyone can experience and enjoy – not only our overnight guests.”Trip Savvy lists America’s current largest indoor water park as Kalahari Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania which is around 220,000 square feet. PHOTOS: African-themed Kalahari water park and resort coming to Texas