SUMMARY: Prosecutors declined to charge four people, including three University of Texas fraternity brothers, after a 2023 assault on Joshua Ybarra, a gay man, on Austin’s Sixth Street. Despite police reports and HALO security footage showing Ybarra being attacked and targeted with homophobic slurs, the Travis County Attorney cited insufficient evidence meeting the legal standard. The case highlighted Texas’s low prosecution rates of hate crimes. Since the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Act (2001), hate crime reports have increased, especially related to sexual orientation, but prosecutors rarely seek or secure hate crime findings—only 41 requests out of 6,632 reports statewide through mid-2024.

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SUMMARY: Newly obtained records detail a fatal hit-and-run on Grapevine Lake involving jet ski operator Carolyn Alejandra Gonzalez, arrested in Dallas alongside Michael Proso, who aided her escape. The victim, 18-year-old Ava Moore, a recent U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduate, was struck from behind while kayaking near swimmers. Witnesses attempted to apprehend the suspects; a clear photo of Gonzalez helped police locate her in Oak Cliff. Both Gonzalez and Proso, reportedly undocumented immigrants, face multiple charges, including manslaughter for Gonzalez. Authorities, including ICE and Texas Game Wardens, continue investigations. A press conference is scheduled to provide further updates.

A woman linked to the death of an 18-year-old who was struck by a jet ski while kayaking on Grapevine Lake was arrested on Tuesday. A man who allegedly helped her get away from the lake is also in custody.

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SUMMARY: Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian denied reports claiming Texas would spend $35-$40 million in NIL compensation for its 2025 football roster, calling the figure irresponsible. He suggested the roster’s actual NIL spend is closer to $25 million, including $20.5 million from a House settlement. Sarkisian criticized the rapid spread of unverified reports via social media, emphasizing no one asked him before publishing. He acknowledged the competitive financial landscape of college football, praised Texas’ recent success, and expressed skepticism that an undefeated national champion will emerge again due to the season’s difficulty and expanded College Football Playoff format.

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