(Talk1370.com) -- As controversy continues to swirl around the Texas Lottery - including questions about its very future - its executive director is stepping down. That and more in your Morning Headlines for April 22.
Mindell Out At Texas Lottery: As the agency remains under fire from lawmakers at the Texas Capitol, the Texas Lottery Commission is now without an executive director. Ryan Mindell resigned his position Monday, according to a statement; the move comes as lawmakers’ concerns over integrity in the Lottery continue to grow; those concerns come after two incidents involving lottery courier services, which the agency under Mindell has been working to administratively block. Mindell’s departure only adds to the trouble for the Lottery, which will have to face down several challenges to its continued existence in the Legislature’s final weeks - the Texas House provided no funding for the Lottery in its approved budget, and the agency faces a review by the state’s Sunset Advisory Commission that could eliminate it entirely.
City Eyes More Office Space: Austin City Council members are set to vote on another office building purchase - this time, the city is considering an office building near the University of Texas campus. The building in question is located at 3300 North IH-35, and has over 200,000 square feet of office space and more than 750 parking spaces - something that District 4 Council Member Chito Vela says the city could monetize during UT football games and other campus events. The purchase price is just over $26 million dollars; city staffers say the new space is expected to free up other city offices currently located at One Texas Center on Barton Springs Road.
Decision Nearing On Dobie MS: Austin ISD trustees could make a decision as early as next week on the future of Dobie Middle School, with parents learning last week the district is looking at moving students from Dobie to Lamar Middle School. The Lamar campus, at the corner of Burnet Road and Koenig Lane, is already at capacity with more than 1,100 students; more than 500 students currently attend classes at Dobie. If the district moves forward with the plan, portable classrooms will be added at Lamar to help accommodate the extra students. District officials have said previously they’ll take any available steps to avoid a possible state takeover of the district, which is possible if Dobie receives a fifth failing accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency. Those letter ratings should be released later this week.
24/7 Weather Center Forecast: Rain chances start to build back in today through the end of the week... warm and humid today, with a high of 89. Showers and storms late tonight into Wednesday morning; more rain chances continue Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.