JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON

May 20 2026POLITICS

Austin’s Big Plan Falls Short on Business Growth

Austin’s next big development plan, set to be approved soon, promises big changes for the city. But so far, it’s mostly just words. The city talks about improving life here, yet the main focus seems to be on parks, trails, and housing—not business. Sure, some projects like new trails and a medical r

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May 20 2026OPINION

Turning graffiti targets into neighborhood art

Austin has a quiet battle playing out on street corners where plain green utility boxes once stood. These dull metal boxes were easy pickings for overnight taggers, but the city decided to flip the script. Instead of fighting vandalism with more locks or fines, they turned nine boxes into canvases f

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May 18 2026CRIME

Teenage gunmen caught after Austin shooting spree

Austin police announced that two teenagers were taken into custody following a series of gunfire incidents over the weekend. The first suspect, 15 years old, was apprehended after taking a firearm from a local shop. The second, 17, had an existing warrant for stealing a gun from the same establishme

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May 13 2026SPORTS

How one line from a rival player changed the fate of the Patriots dynasty

James Harrison spent years battling Tom Brady as a star for the Steelers, so when he joined the Patriots in 2017, he saw things from the other side. That year, owner Robert Kraft asked him a simple but loaded question: Who really made the Patriots so successful? Brady or Belichick? Harrison didn’t

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May 08 2026LIFESTYLE

A different side of city life

Austin once felt like the perfect home—close to family, with easy friendships and a pug waiting nearby. The city offered free nature spots, cheap drinks, and live music almost every night. Rent was just $850 for a studio in 2016, making it affordable compared to bigger cities. But New York changed

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Apr 10 2026POLITICS

Austin’s Police Unions Push Back Against Accountability

Austin’s police unions have found a new way to shift blame away from officers accused of misconduct. When an officer injured a protester in 2020, the unions filed a legal motion arguing that poor training—not the officer—should take the fall. But here’s the catch: they’ve known about training issues

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Mar 19 2026CRIME

Jimmy Gracey’s Wallet Turns Up in Spanish Sea

James “Jimmy” Gracey, a 20‑year‑old college student from Chicago, vanished while on spring break in Barcelona. The last sighting was outside a club called Shoko near Barceloneta Beach. On Thursday, Spanish police reported finding his wallet drifting in the water close to Somorrostro beach. They had

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Feb 28 2026SPORTS

A Family on the Fairway: Austin and Jessica Smotherman

Austin Smotherman is a golfer who has spent a decade chasing his dream on smaller tours. He earned a spot on the PGA Tour, lost it, and then fought his way back through the Korn Ferry Tour. In 2025 he won two tournaments in three weeks and returned to the main circuit for 2026. Throughout this rolle

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Feb 15 2026CELEBRITIES

Celebrities Rally Behind Van Der Beek Family Amid Backlash

James Van Der Beek's family faced unexpected criticism after setting up a GoFundMe to cover medical expenses following his death from colorectal cancer. Despite raising over $2. 5 million, some questioned the need for financial aid, assuming fame equates to wealth. Celebrities quickly stepped in to

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Feb 13 2026CELEBRITIES

James Van Der Beek: A Life Remembered

James Van Der Beek, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, passed away at 48 after a long battle with cancer. His family shared the news, highlighting his courage and grace. Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer in 2023 and had been fighting it ever since. Many stars from Holly

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