Make Your Own Mask (no sewing required)

byLaura Laughead

HOUSTON — Whether on your doctor or your neighbor or even your own face, masks are everywhere since the CDC urged Americans to wear them at all times in public last week. But stores have been sold out for weeks as healthcare workers face mask shortages across the country.  Here’s how some Houstonians are getting […]

UT Students’ Website to Help Shoppers During COVID-19

byMason Carroll

Cities around the country are under stay-at-home orders, including Austin, because of COVID-19. While people are staying inside for the most part, it has not stopped buyers from hoarding supplies, leaving grocery store shelves empty. Teri Masters is a San Antonio resident who searched store to store for groceries during quarantine. While she needed supplies, […]

To Go Alcohol Brings Business to Local Texas Restaurants

byAlaina Hayden

AUSTIN — Among numerous changes that come with the COVID-19 pandemic, Texans may be surprised to see something interesting on their local restaurant menu.  As of Mar. 18, restaurants are allowed to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks to go, as long as they are accompanied by food. Previously, in accordance with Texas Alcoholic Beverage […]

Telemedicine Helps Drive AISD Student Access to Affordable Healthcare

byNatalie Venegas

  The Austin Independent School District’s decision to roll out telemedicine across campuses should benefit low income communities, health experts said. “Telehealth is not a replacement, but is another resource nurses can use to increase access to healthcare for families,” Spinner said. “It is helping to make healthcare for common conditions that kids have and […]

Brooke Community Mourns Its School

bySamantha Hall

There was nothing unusual about this year’s Brooke Elementary School Valentine’s dance at first glance. The “Roaring ‘20s” themed celebration was held in the school’s cafeteria. The decorations evoked the themes and aesthetic of  The Great Gatsby. Were it not for the white tablecloth-covered booth set up near the cafeteria’s entrance, it would have appeared […]

Reporting Texas TV Takes its Newscast Online

byKate West

Austin — Reporting Texas TV students transitioned to online classes the week of March 30th. After students spent the first half of the semester learning how to produce a newscast inside a TV studio, students were forced to switch gears and produce the newscast remotely. Some worked from their parent’s homes – others from their […]

Fees For Travis County Parks Change

byCarli Rappaport

AUSTIN – Instead of paying per vehicle, Travis County Parks will now make individuals pay per person. Drew Pickle, the West District Manager for Travis County Parks, said this move will help with data collection. “Part of the reason for the importance of that is not only to help us understand how many people are […]

West Campus Gym Staying Strong Amid Pandemic

byCarli Rappaport

AUSTIN – On March 19th, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a shelter in place order, which temporarily shut down gyms and fitness studios citywide. West Campus’ go-to gym, Fight Club, closed its doors, leaving many UT students without a place to workout. “At least 70 to 80 percent of our members are students, and in the […]

Students Become Involved in Entrepreneurship Program at UT

byAshleigh Osburn

AUSTIN, Texas- Known as the Google Maps for everything entrepreneurship on campus, Blackstone Launchpad is allowing students to learn more about the field. Blackstone LaunchPad is an entrepreneurship program and organization at The University of Texas that provides students with an open space to start a business and connect with mentors. The program was first […]

Austin Businesses Persevere Through SXSW Cancellation

byRyan Chandler

AUSTIN,TX – After the City of Austin cancelled “South by Southwest” on March 6, the city’s service industry was left wondering how to make up for lost income. The annual music, arts, and business showcase attracts nearly 300,000 attendees from across the globe for a week of speakers, concerts, and bar-hopping, bringing an extra revenue […]

SXSW’s Cancellation Affects Local Austin Businesses

byMason Carroll

AUSTIN,TX – South by South West brought in over $355 million to Austin’s economy in 2019. Businesses across the city rely on the festival for a huge chunk of their annual income, especially after a slow January and February season. This year SXSW was cancelled when Mayor Steve Adler and other city officials announced a […]

UT Police Department to Patrol West Campus

byMarco Ramirez

AUSTIN – When UT Austin senior Alexus Gonzales moved into her apartment at Texan 26th in West Campus last fall, she always felt safe. But that all changed one night in September. “It was not fun,” Gonzalez said. “It was like someone comes into your space and just disrupts everything, it was definitely scary.” After […]

UT Students Find New Summer Options After Coronavirus Cancellations

byFaith Castle

  AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas canceled study abroad programs until Aug. 18 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Maya Fawaz, a second-year journalism major, must now find new plans after her Maymester Abroad program, Community Life Documented in London, England was a part of the many canceled trips. “My original plan was to go […]

UT Students Forced to Move Out of Dorms

byMarco Ramirez

AUSTIN – After getting a two week long spring break, students at the University of Texas were met with disappointment as President Greg Fenves announced all classes would be moved online for the remainder of the semester. This in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But, that wasn’t the only bombshell announcement UT made. Students […]

Planned Parenthood Opens its Doors Near UT Austin

AUSTIN – Planned Parenthood’s new clinic opened for business when University of Texas at Austin students returned from winter break. It is located on Medical Arts Street off Dean Keeton, right across the street from UT Austin. The new location is their fourth clinic in Austin, with other locations on Ben White in south Austin […]

Lit-up Lanterns Help Austinites Find Peace

byAlaina Hayden

AUSTIN – On Saturday March 7th, Mueller Lake Park experienced something new swimming in the water. Thousands of lanterns floated across the lake and each one represented something special. “It’s a place where people feel like they can grow and also come together,” said Chelsea Jensen, the Water Lantern Festival Event Coordinator. The Water Lantern […]

Texas Umoja Celebrates Women’s History Month with an Open Mic Night

byFaith Castle

AUSTIN, Texas — Songs, prose, and instrument melodies, UT students took the stage to express female empowerment to kick off Women’s History Month. Texas Umoja opened their doors and microphones to celebrate, Femempowermnet, an annual event to celebrate women and commemorate Black History Month. Femempowerment is really important because there aren’t that many black women […]

Women’s activism in U.S. honored Briscoe Center exhibit

byNataleah Small

AUSTIN, TX–The Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin opened an exhibit dedicated to women’s activism in the U.S. The exhibit called “‘On with the Fight!’ Women’s Activism in the Briscoe Center Collections’ opened in late February and is scheduled to close mid-July. Inside the exhibit, visitors can view old […]

UT Students Get Refund for Parking Permits as Classes Move to Online

byMercedes Gonzales

Austin – University of Texas at Austin students wanted to know what to do about their parking permits after the university announced all classes will be online to prevent the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus. Classes resumed on March 30th after a two-week spring break. First year computer science major Brain Villamar expected the […]

Teaching Climate Change to Youngsters Can Be ‘Big Little’ Lesson

byRohan Mirchandani & Mary McFadden (Graphics)

First-grade teacher Hannah Rubinstein points to a sky blue bulletin board at the back of her classroom clad in handmade decorations. There’s a happy-faced sun made from a paper plate painted yellow and orange and a cluster of storm clouds which Rubinstein crafted from cotton balls. At the top of the board, Rubinstein has written […]