James Renovitch

After a 10-month negotiation process, CapMetro workers and transit subcontractor Keolis are still at odds over desired wages, time off, and better training. After rejecting the company’s most recent offer, the union representing CapMetro workers, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091, announced Tuesday, June 30, that 99.5% of its members have voted to authorize a strike.

Close to midnight on June 18, after almost seven hours of public hearing and debate, Austin ISD trustees voted to adopt the proposed $887 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year with one amendment: that every school in the district will now keep a full-time librarian. AISD faced a $181 million budget deficit projection and the task to get that number to zero in next school year’s budget by the state’s end-of-month deadline.

On Friday, Rosewood Neighborhood Park was the site of Austin’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The historic park has been the site for the city’s Juneteenth celebrations going back to 1930. A few blocks to the west is Austin’s first library, the George Washington Carver Library, established in East Austin in 1933. Historic homes of freedmen remain as landmarks and cultural centers throughout the district.