Austin Daily Local Headlines (March 1, 2026)

Top local headlines

West 6th Street shooting leaves 3 dead, 14 injured

Austin police and medics responded to a mass shooting early Sunday at a popular bar on West 6th Street. Authorities said three people died, including the suspected shooter, and 14 others were hurt. Several patients were reported in critical condition.

Officials credited a fast response by patrol officers and paramedics for helping limit further harm. The investigation remained active Sunday morning, and residents were urged to avoid the immediate area while detectives work through witness interviews, video, and evidence collection.

City shifts rent help toward eviction-prevention settlements

The city announced a major change to its emergency rental assistance approach under the I Belong in Austin program. The application portal is set to close indefinitely after the final March 1–7 application window, with remaining funds redirected to negotiated eviction settlements supported by legal service partners.

City officials said the shift is meant to put limited dollars where they can stabilize housing fastest, especially for households already facing an eviction filing. If you were planning to apply for application-based rental help, this week’s window is being framed as the last chance for that format.

New loud-car enforcement: tickets after a warning

A new city ordinance targets excessive vehicle noise, creating penalties for drivers who rev engines above a set decibel level. The offense is a Class C misdemeanor and can carry a fine, and the policy includes a requirement that drivers receive a warning before a citation in many cases.

The move follows recurring complaints about late-night street noise and the difficulty of enforcing older code language. Expect the next few weeks to bring more education and stepped-up enforcement in hotspots.

Hit-and-run pedestrian death on South Congress under investigation

Austin police are also asking for help in a fatal crash investigation involving a pedestrian on the 7300 block of South Congress Avenue. Investigators said the driver left the scene without contacting emergency services, and tips from the public could be key.

Sources

• https://www.fox7austin.com/news/austin-mass-shooting-bufords-live-updates
• https://www.austintexas.gov/news/austin-redirects-rent-assistance-focus-eviction-prevention-resources
• https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-02-27/austin-tx-loud-car-engine-noise-austin-police-enforcement
• https://www.austintexas.gov/news/traffic-fatality-7300-block-s-congress-ave