UT Plans for an In-Person Fall Semester

byBrynne Herzfeld

AUSTIN, Texas —With more than 100,000 vaccine doses distributed by the UT vaccination hub, returning to campus for in-person classes seems more and more likely. Terrian Spurs, a junior communications and leadership major, expected to return to campus in March 2020 after a two-week Spring Break. Instead, she finished her sophomore year at home in […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 29, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their fifth newscast of the semester on April 29, 2021. This week student journalists report on an upcoming Austin vote that could ban camping and soliciting, student efforts to warn others of UT professors who violated sexual misconduct rules, a nurse’s fight against her […]

Houston Nurse Crowdfunds to Take Hospital to Court Over Vaccine Layoffs

byKenny Jones

HOUSTON, Texas — Several Houston Methodist Hospital employees are resisting their boss’s order to receive COVID-19 vaccines by June 7. Dr. Marc Boom, Houston Methodist’s President and CEO, announced April 15 that all employees must comply with the vaccination deadline or face suspension and eventual termination.  “The process [to decide to require COVID-19 vaccines] was […]

Vaccinations Open Possibilities for Child Care Workers and Families

byAshley Miznazi

AUSTIN, Texas — For many college students, child care provides a stream of income with flexibility for school and internships. When people began to shut their doors to strangers during the pandemic, both child care workers and families had to adjust.  Adrienne Anderson has a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. She regularly hires people […]

UT Students Warn Peers About Professors with Sexual Misconduct Violations

byANDRÉS GARCIA

AUSTIN, Texas — With summer and fall registration underway, some students at the University of Texas are warning their peers of classes taught by professors who violated the school’s sexual misconduct policies.  Sophomore Kaya Epstein posted a Twitter thread that identified professors with university-documented records of sexual misconduct who will teach in the fall 2021 […]

Prop B Seeks to Ban Camping and Soliciting

byLibby Cohen

AUSTIN, Texas — One item on the ballot for many Travis County voters in the May 1 special election seeks to ban people from camping and soliciting money on public streets in Austin. Supporters of Proposition B say it will make the city a safer place for the housed and the unhoused. Opponents argue that […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 22, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their fourth newscast of the semester on April 22, 2021. This week student journalists report on local reaction to the fatal shooting of a Black man by police in Minnesota, Austin voters considering a change to the current mayor and city manager system, Earth […]

UT Theatre Festival Goes Online Because of COVID

byBrynne Herzfeld

AUSTIN, Texas — When COVID-19 halted performances in front of live audiences, UT Department of Theatre and Dance students and faculty showcased their creations in a new and safe way.  The 2021 edition of the Cohen New Works Festival, a biennial celebration of student work, took place April 12 through 16. Begun in 2007, this […]

UT Students Struggle to Cope with Police Killings of Young People of Color

byDominique LaVigne

AUSTIN, Texas — In the last two weeks, police killed at least four young people of color: Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Adam Toledo in Chicago, Anthony Thompson in Knoxville, and Ma’Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio. All of the victims were under 21 years of age. The deaths coincided with the trial of Derek […]

Upcoming Austin Election Includes Proposal for “Strong Mayor” System

byClark Dalton

AUSTIN, Texas — A proposition on the May 1 municipal election ballot seeks to change Austin’s city government to a “strong mayor” system, which would make the mayor Chief Executive Officer. Proposition F is one of eight propositions for voters to decide May 1. Early voting started this week. The mayor would have more responsibilities […]

Celebrating Earth at UT

byMaggy Wolanske

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas Campus Environmental Center (CEC) is working on multiple events to get students excited for Earth Month.  Activities include a seed swap, campfire chats, UT Farm Stand, microfarm workshops, and an art contest.  “The Office of Sustainability, in general, celebrates Earth Month, so that’s why we have so much programming […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 15, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their third newscast of the semester on April 15, 2021. This week student journalists report on the governor’s opposition to Covid-19 vaccine passports, disruptions to STAAR testing, and the return of live music to the Live Music Capital of the World.

Technical Issues Delay and Cancel Student Evaluations in Texas

byKenny Jones

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Statewide technical glitches on April 6 interrupted about 250,000 online exams administered by the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR).  Students taking written STAAR exams were able to finish without any technical issues. Those taking virtual exams could not continue midway or even log in. A teacher from San […]

Forty Acres Fest Brings Live Music Back to Campus

byANDRÉS GARCIA

AUSTIN, Texas — Live music returned to the University of Texas campus last weekend for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020.  Forty Acres Fest, an annual concert organized by Campus Events + Entertainment, took place April 10. The four-hour-long midday festival was somewhat of a departure from the way the festival […]

Abbott Bans COVID-19 Vaccine Passports

byLibby Cohen

AUSTIN, Texas — While lawmakers argue across the country whether mandating the COVID-19 vaccine is constitutional, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order effectively banning vaccine passports last week. If enacted, the passport would allow vaccinated people to do certain things like eat in a restaurant or go to a library. Abbott’s order withdraws public […]

Live Music Gradually Returns to the Live Music Capital of the World

byAshley Miznazi

AUSTIN, Texas — Venues and musicians are fighting to maintain Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. However, while the lights turned off, bills did not stop and venues struggled to make rent.  Red River Street hosts the largest cluster of live music venues in the city and is known as a […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 8, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their second newscast of the semester on April 8, 2021. This week student journalists report on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, blood donation centers, and home building, as well as disparities between the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments.

Doctors Provide Support for Pandemic-Related Mental Health Issues

byBrynne Herzfeld

AUSTIN, Texas — Health concerns across the state are improving with the distribution of vaccines, but the mental health effects of pandemic-related isolation can’t be treated with a shot. Isolation affects many people and in different ways. UT neuroscience student Sarah Stofel said she was more organized and motivated before the pandemic. Isolation has changed […]

NCAA Tourney Amenities Prompt Call for Greater Equity in Women’s Sports

byClark Dalton

AUSTIN, Texas — All 63 games of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament were played in Texas for the first time, including a few games in Austin, but amenities for the athletes at some venues drew national attention. Photos of a weight room with a single set of dumbbells displayed just one of several inequalities between […]

Home Buyers and Builders Face Pandemic-Related Construction Shortages

byKenny Jones

AUSTIN, Texas — Builders finished more new homes in Travis County in 2020 than any year prior despite facing challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin said contractors completed a record-breaking 21,500 homes, even though there were decreases in the supply of building materials and labor. Many material and […]