Guides of Texas Find A New Path Online

byFaith Castle

AUSTIN, TX— After the University shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Guides of Texas created a “new guide” to maintain their positions with the University. The Guides of Texas, a group of students who lead campus tours, found themselves out of work after University President Greg Fenves closed operations on Mar. 13. To […]

Mental Illness In The Pandemic

byCarli Rappaport

AUSTIN, TX – “I feel very disassociated with everything going on around me,” Sloan Wyatt said. “I mean, days go on but I never really feel present.” Wyatt is a Sophomore at UT Austin, and has experienced panic attacks since she was fourteen. She is one of the many Americans with mental illness, who are […]

Pre-Pandemic Politics: Democratic Socialism and the Youth Vote

byJennifer Martinez

Until his decision in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak to drop out of the presidential race, Bernie Sanders continuously captured the youth vote in the 2020 Democratic primaries, including a 65% backing from voters under 30 in Texas. Primary election results before the country was ensnared by the COVID-19 outbreak show his democratic socialist […]

Presidential Politics Dominated Forty Acres Before Pandemic

bySamantha Hall

Before a global pandemic pierced mosts Americans’ imaginations, the nation wondered if the youth vote, including students at the University of Texas, would turn out for the presidential election. With this backdrop, for the first time in decades, Texas had a major voice in determining the Democratic nominee. And in typical fashion, Travis County took […]

Reporting Texas TV Newscast April 9, 2020

byKate West

Austin — Reporting Texas TV students are spread throughout Texas and multiple states to bring viewers the latest on how COVID-19 is impacting the University of Texas community.

Prayer in the Pandemic: Faith in West Campus Forced to Adapt

byRyan Chandler

AUSTIN — Amid unprecedented rates of COVID-19 infections in Austin, religious organizations across faiths in West Campus have shut their doors and transitioned online to keep their communities together. Associate pastor at St. Austin Catholic Parish Rev. Rich Andre, C.S.P. delivers mass every day to an empty hall, the pews only accompanied by his iPhone […]

Caven-Clark Field Still Used Amid Campus Closures

byNataleah Small

AUSTIN — Although the University of Texas at Austin is closed due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, members of the Austin community are continuing to exercise at the Caven-Clark Field. There is signage posted stating that the facility is closed, but because the field is in an open area, people have easy access […]

UT Student Organizations Remain Active Despite COVID-19

byAshleigh Osburn

AUSTIN, TX — Students are involved in more than 1,100 organizations on campus and are finding unique ways to stay connected amid the changes brought by COVID-19.   Texas Belles, an event planning organization on campus, gives its members event planning experience and the opportunity to connect with outside event industry professionals. By moving online, members […]

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 […]