Austin News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Austin Explosions: Suspect Arrested in Months-Long Investigation A man, Derek Gillespie, has been arrested in connection with a series of explosions in Austin, Texas. The incidents, which began in August 2025, were determined to be improvised explosive devices, posing a serious risk to the public. Despite no reported injuries, the Austin Police Department, FBI, and ATF collaborated extensively to identify Gillespie as the suspect. He now faces charges of possession of a prohibited weapon. This case underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation and community vigilance in ensuring public safety.

Texas Original Unveils Massive Medical Cannabis Facility, Expands Access: Texas Original, a leading medical cannabis company, has opened a colossal seventy-five thousand square feet headquarters in Bastrop, nearly ten times larger than their previous location. This new facility includes a hybrid greenhouse, manufacturing and testing labs, and improved logistics operations to better serve patients across Texas. The expansion comes as a result of a state law expansion earlier this year, which added more qualifying conditions for treatment and allowed for more dispensing licenses. Texas Original aims to meet the increased demand with two of its ten large greenhouses currently open, plans to open the remaining eight over the next year, and convert its former facility into one of the states first satellite locations. With these developments, Texas Original is contributing to the growing landscape of medical cannabis in the state, offering faster and more convenient access to patients and expecting more Texans to benefit from these medical treatments in the coming months and years.

Campus Guardian Angel introduces a pilot program using racing drones to prevent school shootings. Trained pilots will operate from a command center, responding to threats within 15 seconds. The system, set to launch next year in Texas and Florida, costs $4 per student per month. Schools like Boerne Independent School District are testing the program, aiming to enhance safety in the wake of tragic shootings.

President Trumps executive order reclassifies marijuana from Schedule One to Schedule Three, acknowledging its medical benefits and potentially easing federal restrictions. This move could pave the way for more research and financial relief for the industry, but also raises concerns about workplace drug testing.

This weeks Hanukkah menorah lighting at the Texas Capitol was held indoors due to heightened security concerns following a recent attack in Australia. Governor Greg Abbott and members of the Jewish community gathered to honor the victims, including Rabbi Liebel Lazaroff, who was shot while trying to save an injured Australian police officer. Liebel, a twenty-year-old rabbi, is currently in intensive care, and his father shared details of the heroic act that led to his injury. The community is rallying around the Lazaroff family, with efforts underway to help cover Liebels medical bills. As the fifth candle of Hanukkah was lit, it served as a powerful symbol of light overcoming darkness.

Austin Independent School District faces significant changes as they move forward with school closures and consolidations. The Board of Trustees reviewed a plan from Superintendent Matias Segura, outlining a framework and timeline for consolidating schools and adjusting attendance boundaries. This follows a November vote to close ten schools and approve twenty-two turnaround plans, decisions that have sparked strong reactions from the community. Parents and leaders express concerns about trust and room for all families. Segura assures the board that they are close to having more definitive answers and outlines a three-phase process. Families are encouraged to register through Enroll Austin for school assignments, with a school ranking survey running from January twelfth through January twenty-third.

Austin Police Department suspends Officer Joseph Spees following an investigation into an incident involving an intoxicated individual. The suspension was due to policy violations related to de-escalation, response to resistance, report writing, and bringing discredit to the department. The Austin Police Association supports Spees right to defend his actions and anticipates the case will proceed to an independent arbitrator.

Texas A&M Volleyball Makes History, Reaches Final Four: The Aggies, led by nine seniors, secured a decisive victory against Pittsburgh, winning three sets to none. This win propels them into the national championship game, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal match for the ultimate title.