“Not once has a family been in crisis because of transgender bathrooms. It’s families not being able to afford rent or put food on the table.”

New from our magazine, Kit @oconnell profiled Juan Miguel Arredondo, the first openly gay school board member from San Marcos, #Texas. https://www.texasobserver.org/defending-the-most-vulnerable-in-san-marcos/

#LGBTQIA #LGBTQ #news #education #schools #CentralTexas #politics #USpol

Defending the Most Vulnerable in San Marcos

When book bans or right-wing operatives come to town, school board trustee Juan Miguel Arredondo told the Observer, “My colleagues have to have those conversations with an openly gay man next to them.”

The Texas Observer

New today: Juan Miguel Arredondo believes there’s a spirit of solidarity in San Marcos that sets his Central #Texas college town apart, even as right-wing culture warriors seek to force a wedge between neighbors.

“When there’s a crisis, Superman isn’t coming,” Arredondo, 34, told the Texas Observer during a phone interview late last year. “We have to save ourselves, and so that’s what we do.”

A fifth-generation native of the region, Arredondo served on the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District from 2015 to 2023, and he was again elected to the board in 2024 after a year spent working as the chief of staff for state Representative Erin Zweiner, an outspoken progressive legislator and member of the LGBTQ Caucus. In addition, he’s president and CEO of the United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties.

Beyond those achievements, he’s also the only openly gay member of the San Marcos school board. Arredondo came out publicly in 2017 during Pride month, about two years into his first term.

“I had one of my biggest supporters call me, compliment me on my bravery, and then immediately pivot to say, ‘It’s just so unfortunate that you’ll never get reelected,’” he recalled. “That was the first experience, right out of the gate, of folks’ perceptions of what it means to be queer or gay or #LGBTQ in Texas.”

From @TexasObserver magazine, and available online now ... https://www.texasobserver.org/defending-the-most-vulnerable-in-san-marcos/

#education #schools #CentralTexas #politics #USpol #news #LGBTQIA

Defending the Most Vulnerable in San Marcos

When book bans or right-wing operatives come to town, school board trustee Juan Miguel Arredondo told the Observer, “My colleagues have to have those conversations with an openly gay man next to them.”

The Texas Observer

For @TexasObserver magazine, I interviewed Juan Miguel Arredondo, the first openly gay man on the San Marcos, #Texas school board, about how this small but surprisingly progressive small town is protecting their most vulnerable students from the culture wars and economic inequality. https://www.texasobserver.org/defending-the-most-vulnerable-in-san-marcos/

#education #politics #USpol #schools #CentralTexas #news #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

Defending the Most Vulnerable in San Marcos

When book bans or right-wing operatives come to town, school board trustee Juan Miguel Arredondo told the Observer, “My colleagues have to have those conversations with an openly gay man next to them.”

The Texas Observer

Bluebonnet Air Show returns to Burnet for 34th year

An annual tradition was in the sky over Burnet this past weekend.

https://www.kxan.com/central-texas/bluebonnet-air-show-returns-to-burnet-for-34th-year/

#CentralTexas #BurnetCounty #CentralTexasThingstoDo #Local #News #TopStories

Hype for the Future 139L: City of Hico, Texas

Overview The City of Hico is a small community located within Hamilton County, in which the city serves as the county seat. Today, the community is largely determined by United States Route 281 and Texas State Highway 6, as well as the Billy the Kid Museum and Hico Steak Cookoff.

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/03/19/hype-for-the-future-139l-city-of-hico-texas/

Hype for the Future 139L: City of Hico, Texas

Overview The City of Hico is a small community located within Hamilton County, in which the city serves as the county seat. Today, the community is largely determined by United States Route 281 and…

novaTopFlex

Survey shows changing commute habits in Central Texas

The 2025 Central Texas Commuter Survey found that 48% of employees work from home, 70% of drivers commute alone, 12% of commuters work remotely, 1.8% commute by bicycle, and 7% use public transit options, while traffic congestion remains a challenge for all commuters.

https://www.kxan.com/weather-traffic-qas/survey-shows-changing-commute-habits-in-central-texas/

#WeatherTrafficInDepth #Austin #CentralTexas #Local #News #TopStories

SXSW leaders squash rumors of festival not returning to Austin after 2026

With no convention center to host South by Southwest for the next few years, some people have been wondering whether the festival and conference will return to Austin after this year.

https://www.kxan.com/news/sxsw/sxsw-leaders-squash-rumors-of-festival-not-returning-to-austin-after-2026/

#SXSW #Austin #CentralTexas #CentralTexasThingstoDo #Entertainment #Local #News #TopStories

How is everyone doing today? Personally, I'm feeling very attacked by nature.

Tissues ✔️ allergy meds ✔️ nasal spray ✔️ fun and games with friends - pending March 15th

#SpecialNeeds #Killeen #Inclusion #CentralTexas #TAAN #TexasAllergiesAreNotFun #SendTissues

Central Texas woman’s midwifery license suspended following 2 death investigations

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said the emergency order was “necessary to protect public health and safety of pregnant women.”

https://www.kxan.com/central-texas/texas-womans-midwifery-license-suspended-following-2-death-investigations/

#CentralTexas #Austin #Local #News #Texas #TopStories

Remarkable Women: Cecilia Corral, co-founder of CareMessage

Cecilia Corral, co-founder of CareMessage, created a platform that enables free community health care clinics to text their patients, providing them with a more efficient way to communicate and receive care.

https://www.kxan.com/central-texas/remarkable-women-cecilia-corral-co-founder-of-caremessage/

#CentralTexas #Austin #Local #News #TopStories